If you are working with a limited budget, marketing can be a big issue. However, with the rise of the digital world, a lot of small business owners have been successful with enticing and nurturing a customer base through the use of digital marketing.
When you start a business, the number one thing you need to consider is “who are your consumers?”. You need to know who your target market is. With everything being digital, there’s no doubt that you can easily market your product without the big marketing costs. All you need is a computer, a phone and internet – and then you can already start setting up your marketing campaign that is effective and cost-efficient.
Here are some of the traditional / non-traditional marketing techniques for your small business:
- Flyers
This is one of the most traditional ways to market your business. All you have to do is look for an area where you are going to set up your business. Then distribute your flyers to the people and mailboxes around the area. When creating your flier, it should be brief and should be easily understood. You should focus on the service / products you offer, make sure you include your details such as opening dates, promos, coupons and contact information.
- Posters
Using posters is another traditional way to market your business. You have to make sure that you put your posters in public spaces where it is readily available to the public eye. You have to make sure that your poster is visible and should catch the people’s attention.
- Value Additions
Value additions (or value-ads) are strong selling points for any product or service. Value-ads include discounts, loyalty cards, referral rewards and other customer freebies. The deal-breaker for a customer to choose between two similar shops, offering the same goods and pricing, would be the shop who has the most freebies.
- Referrals
Referrals are very important to a business. Whatever your business is, you have to build a strong referral network that has the same perspective and dedication to the business standards that you uphold. Also understand that competition is not always your enemy. Sometimes, when you are too busy to take on a job, you can always refer them to your competitor. Oftentimes, the favor usually gets returned which is another good business strategy.
- Follow-Ups
Marketing can help you advertise your services or products but what is also important is what you do after doing a job for your customer. Aftersales surveys are one of the best sources of feedback on how your advertising is going.
- Cold Calls
Cold calling is a marketing approach to potential customers who had no prior contact with the salesperson doing the call. Once you do cold calling, you attempt to convince potential customers to buy the product you are selling. It drives you to think of creative ways to catch a customer’s attention over the phone.
- The Internet
The internet has become one of the most effective tools in building a successful business. You can easily market your products and services through different online platforms. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are one of the most common tools to promote your products and services.
The bottom line is always remember that there is no easy way for a business to succeed. It always takes hard work, determination and a stroke of luck for a business to be successful. Not all marketing campaigns will work but it will definitely help us identify our opportunities of improvement and make better business decisions – which is a very crucial element for a business to win.