Tradesource

5 marketing tips for your small business

In the course of your everyday business tasks, marketing your business is almost a full time job and you have enough to do just actually running your business, right? We’ve found five ways to help you market your business, maybe there’s a few here that you haven’t even considered. Not every marketing effort will work for every business so you need to know your specific industry and client demographics before you undertake a marketing campaign.

Keep in mind also, that the time of year can also play a part in which marketing campaign will reach your prospective clients most effectively. For example, a postcard mailing you sent in the summer may not work – or might get lost in the deluge – around the holidays. Peruse the tips and try to think of ways to work them into your marketing program to shake things up a bit.

1.  Partner up — If a colleague is considering doing a mailing, why not partner up – slip your brochure or business card into his or her mailing. This strategy helps spread your name to a new pool of potential clients. Then the next time you do a mailing, call your colleague and offer to have them slip their brochure into your mailing – return the favor.  
2. Make a great first impression – Have you ever considered answering your phone differently? Rather than saying, “Thank you for calling ABC Company,” why not announce a special offer your company is running. Try this, “Hello, this is Jane Doe with ABC Company, did you know we’re offering a buy one get one free deal, this week only?” Make the offer urgent by putting a deadline that is time sensitive.
3. Be front of mind — If you have a customer who recently purchased your goods or utilized your service send them a follow up offer. Did they stop by your floral shop to have an arrangement sent for their mother’s birthday? Send them a post card with a money-off offer for their next purchase. Create urgency – attach a deadline to the offer.
4. Welcome them in — Do you have an office? Why not have an open house? Ever consider hosting a mini-seminar? You have an area of expertise, right? Why not spread the word about who you are and what you do by offering a 30-minute seminar to your customers and potential customers? Host an event and it might garner media coverage for your business.
5. Share the news – Send out an e-newsletter. Did you know it takes, on average, six times more to make a sale to a new customer than to keep an existing one? Use your newsletters to focus on marketing to past customers. Consider setting up an opt-in on your website and then send out monthly newsletters to your list.

Make your marketing fun – it will shine through to your customers and will make it more enjoyable for you and your staff if you come up with creative ways to market your business.