Many businesses launch full-blown, complex marketing plans. Some even devote entire teams to oversee the details. As a small business, you may or may not have the time, inclination or resources to divulge into such a byzantine plan for your own business. However, there are many free, online outlets that allow you to market your business in a much more efficient way.
Social Media
Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram; the list goes on and on. Social Media has become a large part of human connection and interaction in the daily lives of millions globally. Becoming and remaining a visible and credible entity on several social media sites is a great way to market your business. Join communities and groups already created that focus on the ideas similar to what you offer. Share valuable information or add new, fresh views to discussions already in progress to show your value and expertise.
Email Newsletters
Forget the claims that e-mail marketing is outdated. The odds of finding someone under 40 without a valid email address is slim to none. How often they use it is their business, not yours. Sending sharp, witty and straight-to-the-point monthly or bi-monthly newsletters can keep your business on the top of your customer’s minds, even if just for a few minutes at a time. It may send them back to your website if only to figure out why they’re receiving the newsletter. To ensures fewer unsubscribes, entice your readers with discount and promo codes, as well as useful, relevant information.
Freebies
Everyone knows the way to a consumers heart is by giving away something free. And most marketers and the smart consumer realize that it isn’t also exactly free. Sign up for something and receive something valuable for free. For example, if a customer wants to purchase a diamond solitaire ring and your site offers a free ring cleaning kit, that is incentive over a site that doesn’t offer anything. Offering a product or something valuable to the consumer for free is favorable, even if it does nothing but increase traffic to your site. The goal is to get the customers foot in the door; and enticing them with freebies is for the most part, a good way to consider.
Blogging
Blog communities are a tight knit circle of people who are extremely passionate about their chosen topics. Starting a blog in conjunction with your website can be a strong marketing tool in itself. The average company that blogs generates 55% more website visitors, 97% more inbound links, and 434% more indexed pages.Most blogs link to favorite and rather similar blogs. In doing this, the favor is likely returned by the other blogger. If a blog has 1000 viewers per day and your blog is listed as a favorite, or you write a guest post; it isn’t wrong to assume that many viewers may just click the link to view your blog and likely venture elsewhere on your site from there.
Marketing your business doesn’t have to be elaborate or painstakingly meticulous. Little things work. Tune into Twitter for personal use and start there. Send referrals about your website to gain insight and offer incentives. Be creative and stay connected.