Marketing is important for all companies, but it can be critical for small businesses, whose first challenge is to get off the ground.
Budget constraints are a common concern of small businesses, but also is the need of new clients. So how do you get those new customers your company needs without spending too much?
From old-school tricks to social media advertising, these simple ideas will help you unleash the potential of marketing without straining your budget.
Networking
Networking is as old as business, and for a very simple reason: It’s effective. Yes, it can be daunting to make business in today’s hyperconnected world, but direct human relationships are still important and still can make a difference for your company. Introduce yourself to other business owners, join a chamber of commerce or rent a booth at a trade show. Plain old networking can help your business get its big break.
Make Sure You Have an Effective Business Card
A good business card is another old-school device you should not overlook. Make sure you have a professionally designed card with updated information. On the other hand, become an avid business card collector. Get them whenever someone hands you one, and review them periodically to discover or be reminded of networking opportunities.
Craft an Elevator Pitch
Odds are that you are in love with your business idea, and that’s great. What you should do now is to write a love letter to that idea, and memorize that speech so you can deliver it on cue at the right time. You never know when and where you’re going to meet a potential customer or business partner. It may happen in an elevator or not, but a chance encounter can be incredibly productive for you and your company.
Take Advantage of Social Media
Of course, when it comes to marketing your small business, you should also consider technology. Most social media companies have advertising features that you can pay for. However, if you are not ready to start buying internet ads, a good first step is to simply create a social media account for your business. As you probably know, you don’t have to be a marketing genius to start using social media in a casual way: Just keep it simple, appropriate and sincere.
Create a Website, or Optimize the One You Have Already
Your website is basically your business card online. You may feel tempted to use only social media, since probably you already know how to use it. However, nothing projects seriousness and professionalism like a good website. If you already have a website, optimize it using SEO techniques to ensure that it contains important keywords and that it’s well-positioned in the most important search engines.
