It’s so exciting (and a bit scary) to start a new business, and, like most of us, you expect the clients to come rolling in. You might even expect them to fight over your products or services…
And then you might be disappointed.
Just because you built it doesn’t mean they will come – you need to market your business in order to get some customer love. There are 4 essential steps to marketing your small business that you can’t overlook – and here they are.
1. Internet Presence
Everyone knows you need a website; what people don’t always know is that your website has to be better than everyone else’s. You need:
- Catchy, engaging content
- Calls to action
- SEO
If you can’t create those things yourself, you should hire someone who can – this is one of the biggies that you need to get right. Your website is a 24-hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week advertisement for your small business, and it will make a lasting impression (whether that impression is good or bad is up to you).
2. Word of Mouth
Word of mouth includes your mouth – tell anyone and everyone you’ve started a business. Get business cards printed so people won’t forget your name after a conversation. Give those bad boys to every single person you talk to (and ask your friends and family to pass them out for you, too).
Don’t stop with talking to strangers in the grocery store, gas station or at the park. Promote your business on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn at every opportunity.
3. Mailing Lists
Buying a mailing list isn’t likely to get you results – but creating your own is. That’s because creating your own mailing lists allows you to focus on the people who will probably need your product or service.
You can build email mailing lists by offering a free download, product samples or gift card on your website. A direct mail (as in snail mail) mailing list can be built the same way – simply get addresses during the registration process. If your main market is other businesses, like mine is, find them online in your local area and send them a postcard detailing upcoming promotions or offering your services.
Set Aside Some Time
There is no magic number of hours that you must set aside for marketing; there’s simply a requirement that you do some marketing. Don’t wait until you have spare time to do it (if you’ve just started a business, you don’t have any spare time). Instead, set aside at least a few hours a week to actively cultivate prospects. Before you know it, people will begin trickling in to buy your products or services – and if you keep at it, the trickle will become a flood.
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Twitter: coooolsahu
says:
I totally agree with all three marketing tips….1.internet presence
2.word to mouth
but how to increse our subscription list…??
Radhikesh Sahu recently posted..10 New Technology Gadgets of Mission Impossible 4 Ghost Protocol
Twitter: joe2011uk
says:
Hi Radhikesh,
Hope the owner of this post doesn’t mind me sharing some help here
To increase your subscribers list you have to think why would I want to join that list, think like your subscriber. Remember any visitor to your blog is going to be asking Why all the time. So when creating content always answer these questions, why should I join this list.
One thing I have found works well is offering a free gift like an ebook, video or maybe a autoresponder course.
MAke sure people know about your list, if your traffic is low, this is probably the reason your conversion rate is too. So if traffic is the issue maybe improve on page seo or off page.
MAke sure people know about your list tweet it, share it on Facebook, make a video for you tube and ask viewers to visit it but don’t try a hard sell or you tube will take your video down, just soft sell.
Hope this helps
Joe
Joe recently posted..Copy Me Millionaire Review Update
Twitter: GhodkeHarshad
says:
Good post. Lot of businesses think that once they build the site, they will start getting traffic. I usually tell people that having a website is like 15% of the work done. There’s so much else to do.
Harshad recently posted..Microsoft Windows 8 Logo – Metro User Interface
Twitter: Right_Writer
says:
You’re so right, Harshad! Having a site is only the tip of a very, very large iceberg.
Of these three essential steps, the number three which is the mailing lists is what I go for. This is for long terms steps without relying on any search engines. This may take a lot of effort to build a mailing list but once you have it, it would be easier to mail them.
Jean recently posted..Bosch Stackable Washer Dryer
Twitter: Right_Writer
says:
It does take some effort – but it’s far better than buying a mailing list full of people who don’t need your product or service!
Twitter: PaisaBaaz
says:
The list is short but well descriptive. Starting a small is not an easy task these days. However no one knows when a small Business with a innovative product can be bought by some giant at a price in which they buy 1000 companies like them.
PaisaBaaz recently posted..One Lakh Rupees: How to get it real quick
Twitter: Right_Writer
says:
That’s very true! Or even if it never does get purchased by a big company… you still have to make a living from it!
Twitter: jazzsupply
says:
Good post! It’s funny how no 1 leads to 2 and 3 which then for us seems to take over in bringing in the most business. We have been shifting especially from 1 to 2 the last year.
Jens
Twitter: Right_Writer
says:
That’s great! Squeeze #3 in when you get some time – they’ll all come together for you!
Twitter: infinatecashflo
says:
Love it Angie,
All very good a valid points, word of mouth works really well when marketing yourself or branding yourself as people hear about you from other people they know, like and trust meaning the word actually is meaningful and holds alot more weight then anybody else.
Great Post.
Abdul
Abdul Waheed recently posted..How I Accidentally Had a $350.00 Day With MLSP
Twitter: Right_Writer
says:
You’re so right, Abdul. Happy customers are usually your best sales tool!
Good info… I’m amazed at how many people feel that your website just automatically comes with SEO
.. But then again I don’t know how to sell furniture so why should they be experts in SEO and web design. Internet/social media marketing is certainly more of a marathon rather than sprint mentality, and you get out of it what you put in to it..
mike recently posted..What Makes An Effective Blog Post?
Twitter: Right_Writer
says:
Great point, Mike – business ownership is marathon-paced in general!
Twitter: bulmersgifts
says:
Time is a major issue for many small retail business operators attempting to run e-commerce parallel to their main outlet on Main Street.
Ray recently posted..Brand Links
Twitter: Right_Writer
says:
You’re right. I’ve stayed up late into the night marketing – just because after actually doing the work, that’s all there is left!
As a small business owner I can second all the points you have made here. And since my business happens to exist entirely in cyberspace, I can’t help but agree with internet presence being a key. I’ve found that providing value to others and reaching out to be genuinely helpful to others in your industry is a great way to drum up some action.
Zack recently posted..What is Luggage Wars? The Next Big Auction TV Show
Twitter: Right_Writer
says:
You nailed it with reaching out… when your clients are happy, you can watch your business grow exponentially (but you have to nudge them to share their happiness sometimes).
Twitter: JetSetBags
says:
Marketing is really the lifeline of a business. There are so many things that entail a successful marketing strategy. Yes, marketing your business is not a walk in the park, but doing nothing won’t take you anywhere either. This is especially true for business start-ups, since you’re still establishing your brand name, put in double, triple efforts on marketing. Get yourself out there to as many as you can, as soon as you can. Good tips!
Hannah Hamilton recently posted..The Best Bag for Every Type of Traveler
Twitter: Right_Writer
says:
Thanks Hannah!
Twitter: Burnworld
says:
They say that email lists are a thing of the past, well at least the ones that don’t get it. If you have a focused website it’s only natural to have an email list because those people are the ones that are interested in the said subject. They will most likely want to hear more from you so why not deliver it to them.
Rob recently posted..Capture & Record Angry Birds Space to a DVD
Twitter: Right_Writer
says:
You’re right. You can build a great email list by offering people something in return for their address – like a white paper, downloadable kit.. anything your readers would find useful.
Twitter: LindaCampb80
says:
I find that getting into email marketing, building actual lead list is perhaps the hardest part of what is so rightfully described.
Even word of mouth is simpler, especially when one is working in a very “sensitive” niche.
Linda Campbell recently posted..A Review of Medication for a Yeast Infection
Twitter: Right_Writer
says:
I think exchanging something of value for the email address is the best way to narrow down serious leads. If you sell financial advising services, for example, a downloadable budget worksheet emblazoned with your logo and web address might help you get the right leads.
Twitter: RelationshipCir
says:
Absolutely. My list was building over time, but not as quickly as it did when I offered a free eBook to subscribe. Giving something in exchange (of value) is absolutely necessary, because if you already have someone interested in your niche, and they kind of like your website or business, it only takes an interesting offer to sign them up.
Bellaisa recently posted..4 Date Ideas to Keep You Warm
Twitter: toshibaburton
says:
My favorite is Internet Presence I don’t know how many times I’ve seen bloggers get their blog set up & not market it because they only rely on the Search Engines.
You still have to get out here & start marketing your blog daily, network with others to let them know that your blog exists.
Toshiba Burton recently posted..10 Prospecting & Recruiting Tips That Will Knock The Socks Off Your Business
Twitter: Right_Writer
says:
Do you ever! It’ll get buried online quickly if nobody knows it’s there.
Twitter: Prevucare
says:
I’ve been working on the internet presence of my ecommerce store with Adwords and SEO now for over 18 months which is going well so far.
I’m phasing out Adwords because it was becoming expensive but was a brilliant SEO tool as I could see what keywords were converting in my store.
The mailing list is good but at the same time be very careful and make sure they’ve definitely opted in. If they decide to hit the spam/junk button on their email browser that is a black mark against your domain and too many of them results in all emails from your domain being filtered into junk. I’ve had a couple of thousand of customers since launching but only 300 agreed to sign up. Also don’t email too often as it’s annoying for the recipient
LouisC recently posted..Do you have a Shellfish Intolerance or Shellfish Allergy?
Twitter: Right_Writer
says:
Good point on the opt-in. You can also use direct mail campaigns with great success (yes, people still get mail)!
Twitter: enstine
says:
Hi Angie, I think Internet presence is key. While online, you can build a list and do some social media that will greatly empower your Internet presence.
Good stuff
Enstine Muki recently posted..Best Paypal Alternative: Coupon code for free 2checkout account
Twitter: Right_Writer
says:
Thanks, Enstine!
Twitter: askithow
says:
The easy and faster way to market small business is by Adwords.It is very effective way to get targeted costumers related to your business.Other things is to make a blog of your company and share post related to your company products to others and get targeted traffic to your website with SEO.In second way the people come to your site is genuine and they have interest in your business topic so it helps you lot to get buyers .
Salman recently posted..Bitbomb.com Text Message Reminder For Your Task
Twitter: Right_Writer
says:
That’s a good route for people who want to spend money. Thanks, Salman!
Twitter: bizopps8
says:
A great post but I think there is a step before it. There needs to be a demand or interest for the product or service. No amount of steps 1 2 and 3 will work without good keyword research to find out the interest in your product. Thanks for this great article.
Owen recently posted..Handy Websites:To get the Best Deal on Something Check out this Website
Great Article! It does seem like alot of local businesses are afraid of the internet, which is a hge mistake!
Twitter: ithauphy
says:
Good post Angie, this post just open my mind that to start in small business, we must work smarter than work harder. Thanks for the tips
aufa recently posted..How to set uploaded photo as profile picture
A good website with quality content is essential for any small business. They should also have a good strategy to to market their business on Social Media and get more customers.
Cheolsu recently posted..PNR Status
Twitter: agathyoulemag
says:
And what about Google +? It’s really good for SEO…and also, Google Adwords can be a good way to promote a small business when costs are mastered…
Elsa recently posted..Rihanna et Chris Brown vont collaborer sur leurs tubes
Very good post Angie! I really liked the last part that you recommended to do ”some marketing” every day rather than a specific number of hours.
Thank you for sharing!
Sara recently posted..Experience Tuscan Style Garden at its Best
Twitter: allierambles
says:
Word of mouth! That is a biggie!
My husband gets all of hos business that way offline. And I get a lot of my traffic that way online with social media. I think many online underestimate the power of people talking about you and spreading the word about your awesome product. When it happens they wonder “why didn’t I do this before, duh!”
~Allie
Allie recently posted..Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Twitter: Elena__Anne
says:
Thank you Angie for your useful article.
At the begging we may feel disappointed. We are excited with our new small business and expect the traffic from the very first day!
All we have to do is strategy. Be disciplined and focused to our goals will bring the success in the near future.
elena_anne recently posted..Workout With Your Newborn to Get Your Physical Condition Back
Twitter: shoestringsites
says:
Fairly common sense. I’d add to it a little though. You talk about having engaging content on your website, but I think the website itself needs to be engaging too so you need a good web design. Good content on an awful website is a waste of time, you need a good website AND good content, and that’s why you need a professional web developer.
Matt Lowe recently posted..19 WordPress Plugins NO WordPress Site Should Be Without
I totally agree with all those remarks. Especially the SEO part is incredibly important and time-consuming. I just started a small business as well and I spend every day about 5 hours promoting my homepage, create backlinks, write comments on blogs etc…and 5 hours a day is not even enough I guess…there’s always something you can and should do. I guess the most important thing you should do is read, read, and read again. There are soooo many mistakes you can do while doing SEO, promoting your website etc…if you do enough research and keep reading, you can avoid many of these mistakes..you will save a lot of time that way, that’s for sure !
Twitter: ajacwebdesign
says:
Good list, I’d add social media to it as well. Nothing seems to drive traffic like Facebook and Twitter.
Well-said. I agree with you on making time for marketing because it is an essential mantra for the success of small or big businesses. Having a strong Internet presence is not an option anymore, it is a neccessity. Consumers will always tend to go online and research before trying out something new. Thank you for sharing.
word of mouth is a VERY important one in my opinion.
recently i was talking to someone who had just started up his own business and never in the intire first 6months did he advertise his business in any way…it was all word of mouth,and he made alot of money very quick,not only that, but working hard and making a good name for yourself pays off
customers ended up giving him more work through word of mouth yet again to large businesses,even getting workt on a hollywood movie set.
its powerfull and does work
Twitter: sajithsand
says:
The most and powerful method of marketing is Word of mouth (my opinion). If somebody recommend something to us we will used to go that way rather than going on another way. Then the word goes from one mouth to another mouth like snow balling. So it is important to spread your word among the friends, family members and etc.
Your post is great. Thanks.
Sajith recently posted..Nokia Lumia 800 Smart Phone Full Review
Twitter: GarethMorgan71
says:
Hey nice blog! 2 out of your 3 tips matched up with my tips on my latest blog. Didn’t think to put ‘word of mouth’ but now that you’ve mentioned it, it’s definitely a winner. The reason I first started marketing online and paid out for the training was down to the word of mouth on a particular product. Great work. Look forward to more.
Gareth Morgan recently posted..10 Tips For An Internet Marketing Newbie
Twitter: escape9_5
says:
Great tips for what can be a really tough thing to do. Kudos to anyone trying to make it with their own business.
Ben recently posted..Former Player: Darren Eadie
Twitter: postboxesuk
says:
Word of mouth is usually the best form of advertising, in that it’s unbiased and authoritative. Too many business concentrate solely on their internet presence and SERPS, without giving a second thought to the more traditional forms of marketing. They’re only concerned with traffic, regardless of the quality of it. Personally, I’d rather build relationships the old way by picking up the phone.
ChloeB recently posted..Post Boxes UK live!
Another great method is to give things away. Like a garden shop might give away helpful gardening tips, web designers QR Codes. etc. The give aways don’t have to be expensive but need to be valuable to your customers.
BJ recently posted..20 Favorite Atlanta Trails, Parks & Places to Walk
Twitter: wpwebhost
says:
Word of mouth or friend’s recommendation is always the best.
Ricardus recently posted..How SOPA affect WordPress blogging communities
Twitter: estellalist
says:
These are the best ways to start. No website means no presence. But website isnt going to get traffic if you do not work on getting it.
Latha recently posted..How to Create an Effective Social Media Marketing Plan
Twitter: helpdeskguides
says:
It\’s all about Customer Service. No matter what type of company you run, customer service is the key whether in person, through social networks or on the phone.So often, our front line people don\’t understand how important this is. They think of a customer is just a single transaction. They don\’t think about the value of each and every customer.