If your business is struggling to be seen, then you need to do something about it. Put simply, if you don’t start marketing your startup or small business, then you won’t have much of a future. Every business needs customers to survive, and yours is no different. To get you pointed in the right direction, we’ve come up with some smart but simple tips. Approach the in the right way, and you should start to see better results.
Sort Out your SEO
Let’s start with improving your online presence. Search engine optimization is essential to get found on the web. If you aren’t on page one of the major search engine results, then you are narrowing your market down completely. It’s a good idea to get an expert in to have a look at your site – there may be technical and creative reasons why you aren’t showing up in the rankings. Check out our SEO guide for more details.
Understand who your Customers are
Who are your target customers? If you answer involved the word ‘everyone’, then think again. You have to target a market and begin to speak to them in a language they understand. Many businesses don’t understand this basic premise of communication. And, the result is a mixed up approach that doesn’t inspire or compel anyone. You can start to understand your market by asking them questions – try one of these survey packages to get you started. You can then begin to build profiles of your ideal customer, and use words, phrases and language that they use themselves. Understand their problems, and you will sell more products to them.
Make a Video
Video and adverts used to be the preserve of enormous companies with unlimited budgets. Not so anymore. The advent of HD video cameras means that a video is highly achievable for most businesses. You could shoot it yourself, but your best results might come from a production company. Get a tight script together that tells the audience exactly what you do, and set it against a simple animation. Find a commercial voice artist to give it that extra bit of sheen, and it’s job done. You can probably get a good video made these days for less than $1,000 – and the results might blow that figure out of the water.
Be More Local
In the modern business world, it can be tempting to go for the global market. But many firms do this instead of embracing their local communities. The truth is that your location has thousands of people you can connect with. Because you are a local business, you will be able to form stronger bonds. Get involved with local events and community fundraisers. Meet other companies in your area. It’s a great way to get your name out there and build a robust support to grow from.
Marketing can be a tricky beast to tame, but these ideas should help you on your way. As long as your message is consistent, you will attract more customers.
