There are many reasons to start a business (passion, a desire to be seen as an expert, among others), but no matter the reason for why the business was formed in the first place, a business has to stay afloat financially. To be financially sound, promotion of your business is necessary. Pick new media, traditional media, or combine both to promote your business and get it the recognition and customers you deserve.
Find Your Customers and Hang out Where They do
Top 3 Ways You Can Promote Your Business
Image via Flickr by Rosaura Ochoa
Find your customers and go to them. This sentiment is applicable to both traditional advertising efforts and new, social efforts. Your business is only as great as the customers who drive it so finding that target audience of consumers is imperative. Not just any person will work, but rather, a strategy for who will fuel your business the most should be implemented.
When using traditional media efforts, find out if your target consumer hangs out in coffee shops, at the library, at the senior center, or in the city park. From there, print out flyers, distribute business cards, and join any organizations in those same areas.
When using new media efforts, look for tweetchats where your consumer is hanging out. Tweetchats exist to talk about books, social media outlets, sewing and other hobbies. By participating, connecting and finding out what others are talking about in the field, you’ll be surrounded by those who can find a benefit in your company.
Make Yourself Known
Making yourself and your business known is more than just distributing flyers and connecting online, though there is that. To make yourself known includes these things, but also goes beyond to establishing yourself as an expert, attending conferences in your field, and developing a large presence both online and off.
Incorporate traditional media efforts by handing out a large amount of business cards, advertising on radio and television, and taking out an ad in your local newspaper. Decal and magnet your vehicle, or make t-shirts for your biggest fans to wear.
To incorporate new media efforts into your business strategy, consider creating Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, LinkedIn and YouTube accounts. Also, take part in or host a webinar, write a blog, create a video blog, or have a QR code tied to your business. Creating Slideshare presentations, as Lindsay Rosenwald has done, will help you promote your business because you are sharing your expertise with a presentation you have created.
Expand on Word of Mouth Marketing
If you’re producing a quality product (tangible or intangible) and you have loyal customers and clients, word of mouth marketing is the greatest tool at your disposal. Referrals for your business will increase as you form relationships with your customers and continue to offer a product and service that people can stand behind.
Increasing word of mouth marketing is in the business owner’s hand and can be done by asking for referrals, and requesting that current customers review your business on top review sites like Yelp, Google, Yahoo and Trip Advisor. A customer loyalty card or referral card with a deal attached will also work to promote your business.
As a business owner, promoting your business is essential, but doing so in the right ways will secure longer lasting customers who are loyal to your work and products. Encourage word of mouth, make yourself known and be strategic in your promoting to reach maximum potential.