Owning and operating a small business has its pros and cons. For example, being a business owner allows you to pursue a career path that you’re passionate about. It also grants you more flexibility and a higher ceiling of success.
However, starting a small business and making one successful are two different stories. Did you know that nearly 50% of small businesses fail within the first five years? Those aren’t fantastic odds.
However, you can improve your chances by perfecting your marketing strategies. It all comes down to brand awareness. The more consumers know and respect your brand, the more leads you’ll generate and the more sales you’ll make.
We’re here to help. Keep reading for our top three recommended marketing tactics.
- Invest in Your Website
First and foremost, you need to establish a strong online presence. The majority of consumers now shop online. Furthermore, they take the time to research products, services, and companies before they buy.
As such, you need to put your best foot forward with your website. We’re talking about website design (graphics, colors, layout) and website development (applications and functionality).
You must also develop a search engine optimization strategy. SEO is the coding used by search engines like Google and Yahoo to find relevant content online based on keyword searches. Learn how to boost your SEO or invest in an SEO agency.
Finally, create a blog for your business website. Your blog should be full of relevant and informative articles that consumers will find valuable. This will help build brand credibility for your startup and boost your SEO ranking.
- Develop Your Brand
One of the most important marketing strategies focuses on developing your brand or image. This includes:
- Your name
- Your logo
- A consistent aesthetic (color schemes, design style, etc.)
- Your business message or ethos
- Your niche or specialty
- Your target market
Developing brand awareness is about becoming recognizable and credible to your target audience. Aside from digital branding, we also recommend investing in branded merchandise such as custom apparel, posters, and more. Use this printing company to help you get started with printed marketing materials.
- Experiment With Various Forms of Advertising
Finally, as a business owner, it’s your job to determine which type of marketing strategies are most effective for your ideal customers. Once you establish your niche and identify your target market, you can figure out the best marketing message to appeal to their wants and needs.
As a startup, it may take some time to establish a strong online presence. We recommend the following paid and organic marketing methods:
- Organic social media marketing
- Paid social media advertising
- Content marketing
- Pay per click advertising
- Search engine marketing
- Email marketing
If you don’t know much about digital marketing, we recommend hiring a digital marketing agency to help you get started. They will also be able to provide analytical feedback to show you the efficacy of each marketing approach.
Looking for More Business Marketing Strategies?
If you’re a business owner looking to step up your marketing strategies, we’ve got more to offer. Start with the three tips listed above.
However, our blog is full of valuable business, marketing, and financial advice for entrepreneurs just like you. Feel free to look through some of our other articles before you go.
