Basic Marketing Strategies for Small Business
Small companies and start-ups don’t have the advantage of massive advertising budgets and marketing departments. They rely on their own ideas and strategies to get their name out to the public. When marketing on a budget, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Fall back on tried-and-true strategies with a healthy mix of new-age tech and SEO strategies. Basic marketing strategies for small business are effective when done right.
Search Engine Optimization
Search engine optimization (SEO) might seem complex and way above your small business, but it’s not. SEO is a basic marketing strategy that takes advantage of the search engine algorithms to drive traffic to your site. Web crawlers are always looking for certain keywords when calculating the search engine results page (SERPs). The more relevant the keywords are on your site, the higher your page will rank. SEO marketing companies are popping up everywhere.
Organic Social Media
Using social media to promote your business is essential and a “must-do.” If you don’t have your business on any social media platforms, then you must do that first. Social media is a great way to engage your customers, inform them of specials, and offer coupons. People spend so much time on their phones and tablets, so you’re letting opportunities to connect slip away if you have no web presence.
Effective Signage
Staying analog is still a great way to market your company. Having effective signage in a brick-and-mortar store still tickles the customer’s buying bone. Signs promote in-store specials and your brand. Outdoor signage spreads the business name and message on a local level, targeting the community at large that will support you.
Guerilla Marketing Locally
When trying to win over the local business, sometimes you have to get creative. Guerilla marketing is a strategy that the customer doesn’t see coming. Plant your company logo or information in places that no one is expecting to see it. When someone knows you are trying to sell them something, they put up walls and refuse to listen to your message. When they don’t know it’s coming, they are more willing to listen. Stick a business card on the bulletin board in a restaurant. Publicity stunts and stencil graffiti (with property owner permission) are other effective strategies. Unusual tactics like these don’t cost much and can win business.
