Cheap and Effective Ways to Market Your Small Business
As a small business owner, you’ve likely reconciled the fact that you simply lack the marketing budget needed to keep your larger, better financed competitors at bay. It’s part of the problem with running a small business in today’s marketplace: Most small businesses lack the financing needed to make marketing their main priority. However, is it really all about outspending the competition when it comes to marketing, or is it more about using some simple strategies that can increase your market share without breaking the bank? In this case, there are several straightforward approaches your company can use to increase your small business’s market presence. In the end, it simply comes down to adopting some simple strategies.
• Get a Link on Your Local Chamber of Commerce Website:
You may not have the budget needed to launch an aggressive online marketing campaign, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of everything the internet has to offer. Instead of spending lavishly with a search engine optimization (SEO) firm, your company can significantly reduce its online marketing expenditures by securing a link to your website or blog with your local chamber of commerce website. This is one of the more aggressive ways to market your business to local customers. After all, customers want to make sure they’re dealing with a reputable business. A link on your local chamber of commerce website will give your small business instant credibility.
• Social Media Websites & Forums:
Social media offers small business owners a fantastic way to reach a mobile customer base. All your business needs to do is define its target audience, identify where your customers congregate and then adopt a social media strategy predicated on building your brand. For instance, if your small business services a business-to-business (B2B) marketplace, then LinkedIn is the social platform you need to be present on. If your small business services a business-to-consumer (B2C) marketplace, then you need to be present on social media sites like Facebook, MySpace and the like. It costs very little to get a blog up and running and even less to create your own Facebook and MySpace business page. One success story of a small business using social media includes that of JarvieDigital Photography, a single proprietorship business based on a photographer’s love of photography. His simple focus is based on differentiating his social media strategies in order to get his images, photos and services out to customers. It’s inexpensive and it works.
• Providing Free Content to Publications:
Industry publications are always looking for fresh and updated information. Providing an article to your industry’s trade publication will allow you to secure a byline and credit for the content. Most publications will include a product or service advertisement, description, or promo, for writing content for their publication. This same strategy can be employed with your local newspaper. Your content will allow you to appear as an expert in your field, while positioning your company as a viable alternative to larger competitors.
• Expanding Your Local Reputation:
That same strategy you use to secure a link on your local chamber of commerce website can be used to secure similar links on vendor and partner websites. One of the more proactive ways to stretch your marketing budget is by partnering with another company and promoting each other’s businesses. After all, there are plenty of companies just like yours that need to increase their market presence. Partnering up with another company ensures you expand your market reach without blowing your budget.
Think outside the box when it comes to stretching your marketing dollar. Your small business doesn’t have to spend more than you can afford in order to increase your presence within your market. Many of today’s best tools are free. All you need to do is determine where your customers gather and which solution offers the most cost-effective way of reaching them.
This article was written on behalf of Zion and Zion, one of the. Check out their website for more information regarding their services.
