When starting a new business, you will already be aware you need to spend time marketing, and unless you have a background in this area, you might feel like this is going to be a mammoth task. It will certainly take a lot of work, but you can take steps now to make it easier.
You may need a brand consultant
By hiring a brand consultant, you can get an up-to-date analysis of your industry, including vital information on your competitors, the demand for your products and the most successful keywords used for marketing by businesses similar to yours.
You can spend time learning some of this yourself, but by using websites such as Guru.com to find an expert, you save valuable time. If you’re new to marketing and your business isn’t related to this industry, it makes sense to get help from someone who has experience in helping businesses reach more people. This means you don’t waste time by trying everything, hoping something works. Instead, you can focus your time on the things which are most likely to raise awareness of your brand.
Local networking
Local networking has a range of benefits for you and your small business. There is a social side that allows you to connect with other local professionals. While these may have businesses in other industries, you all share a common understanding of being your own boss, and the challenges that brings.
Local networking also allows you to find other local businesses you might want to work with and vice versa. It’s always easier to work with and trust someone who you’ve met and has the same connection to your local area.
Offer free classes or introductory courses
If your business has something to teach others, you could get involved with the local community by offering free classes or introductory courses. For example, if you own a local restaurant, you might offer free basic cookery lessons. Or if you run a craft shop, you could offer courses teaching gift making, for the cost of the materials used. This not only encourages local people to make their own gifts but means you make sales of your craft-making materials.
In both cases, you make an impact on people who attend, rather than just becoming a business selling products, you get the community involved and teach them something.
Social media
Social media might not be the easiest thing to market your business on if you only have a small following, but by defining your brand and getting involved in the local community, you can build up your followers. By using keywords and hashtags related to your business, you can reach people. This is something your brand consultant will help you with.
Social media is also great for keeping in touch with current and potential customers. It’s less formal than an email, so if they have questions, you can send a quicker response, even if you’re away from your desk.
Marketing takes work, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. Anything which simplifies this for you, can save time and will allow you to shift more focus to other parts of your business.
