Surviving as a business owner is tough. Advertising is integral to survival. Hence, marketing is important to your chances of remaining open after the first couple of years. Of course, you know this, which is why you may have tried every trick in the book to improve your company’s fortunes.
But marketing is like a living organism – it evolves rapidly. Therefore, you may be using out-of-date tactics. Ignoring the effective tools available to you is suicide, especially when they’re not too difficult to understand and implement. Here are four examples to highlight how easily you can enhance your marketing strategy and your business’s long-term future.
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Get Out of the Store
Developing a digital presence is essential nowadays, because a large percentage of sales is covered by eCommerce. As a result, relying on your physical store to secure the bulk of the work is wrong. The shop and your website need to work together seamlessly, or else you run the risk of losing brand awareness.
However, it’s not all about the internet. Getting out of the shop also means going to events to network and build contacts. By visiting farmer’s markets and local festivals, you’ll generate leads with producers that will last a long time. What is lead generation? It’s the act of attracting prospects and converting them into paying customers, and it can take place anywhere.
Focus on Local
Locals are the lifeblood of an organisation because they will make repeat purchases. Still, investing in local marketing doesn’t only have to centre around people who live ten miles away. It is also about engaging the customers who are in the area, regardless of where they live.
Tourists pump money into local economies, and you can get a slice of the action by adjusting the information on your local directories. Google My Business or Google Maps are invaluable tools visitors will use to check out the amenities, which is why your business should be listed on them, and why everything from the opening times to what you sell must be outlined. While you’re at it, update your social media accounts, too.
Ask for Feedback
Unfortunately, promoting your company on the internet isn’t straightforward if you don’t have testimonials. Reviews are necessary, since they encourage customers to choose your brand. Consumers often need a push, since they are constantly sceptical unless a friend or unbiased shopper tells them otherwise.
For example, 63% of the people are likely to buy from a site with ratings and reviews. Asking your base to leave feedback, whether it’s on the website, Yelp or Google, is an excellent way to build a trustworthy foundation. And if you follow a few simple legal tips, everything will be above board.
Analyse Your Rivals
As simple as it sounds, business owners avoid this strategy for a couple of reasons. You may assume you don’t need inspiration, for instance, or that it’s plagiarism. It’s not. If anything, evaluating what the competition does is a powerful way to stay ahead of the curve.
After all, it will highlight things that you’re doing wrong. Are you still cold-calling customers while your main rivals are using email blasts and paid social media marketing ads? It’s something to consider. However, you shouldn’t copy their strategy. Every business is different, which is why you need to tailor a tool to your requirements.
There’s nothing wrong with needing help. It could be the difference between success and failure.
