As a small business owner, you wear all the hats. You have to handle business development, accounting, marketing, and customer service (just to name a few), all while keeping the business afloat. Phew!
Marketing for a small business can be especially difficult when competing against bigger companies with bigger budgets, when you don’t know where to start, or how you could possibly find another hour in the day. This is true especially if your business isn’t marketing!
But fear not! Here are our top ten tips to market your small business like a true marketing chemistry pro just like we do in the lab at The Marketing Apothecary:
- Understand your target audience: Define your ideal customer avatar. Understand their needs, preferences, pain points, and demographics. Tailor your marketing efforts to appeal directly to this audience.
- Know where to find your ideal customer: Your customer isn’t everywhere all the time! Understand what platforms they use, events they attend, and thought leaders they follow. It’s not enough to just show up, especially if you are in the wrong place!
- Create content that tells a story: People love stories, and your business has one! As you know, we are huge fans of the StoryBrand framework for content writing. Be clear on what problem you solve for your customers and how you have a solution that will make their lives better! Tell that narrative through blog posts, videos, or photos on social media (and your website) to give people a glimpse into your business.
- Network, network, network: Get involved locally. Being present in your local community can help build trust and establish you as a reputable business within your area. Personal relationships go a long way!
- Build your online presence: In today’s digital age, we all know we have to be present online. Create a professional website, set up social media profiles, and claim your business on Google My Business. Ensure your online presence is consistent and up-to-date.
- Embrace your email list: This is gold for any small business owner. If you don’t have an email list, start building it as your #1 priority. You own your list and regular email communication establishes your authority, delivers value, and keeps you top of mind for your customers.
- Capture those raving fans: Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, or social media – or just send an email and ask for a testimonial you can use. Respond to reviews, both positive and negative, to show your commitment to making your customers satisfied.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimize your website and content for search engines to improve your visibility in search results. Use relevant keywords, optimize meta tags, and focus on user experience.
- Monitor Analytics: Use tools like Google Analytics to track your website’s performance, social media metrics, and the success of your marketing campaigns. Adjust your strategies based on the data. Data is your friend when it comes to marketing success!
- Measure ROI: Keep track of your marketing expenses and measure the return on investment (ROI). Focus your resources on the strategies that yield the best results. Knowing how to track your wins will make a big impact on your time and your finances!
Remember, a successful marketing formula is not just one of these things. You want to have a mix of strategies and adjust as needed based on your business goals and feedback. This is why monitoring and measuring what you do is so important!
When in doubt, enlist a marketing chemistry aficionado (like us) to help guide you to success when marketing your small business.
Any other tips you would add? Let us know in the comments as we love to hear other small business marketing tips that worked for you!
