A successful business has established itself to be trustworthy. It has a good reputation within the industry that is why people return over and over again to patronize its products and services.
However, a newbie does not have the same luxury. If your business is just starting out, you have to convince people to trust you and show them that whatever you are selling is well worth their hard-earned cash.
For that to happen, you need an effective marketing strategy that will get your name out there. Here are a few suggestions:
Direct Mail Marketing
For any business, one great way to introduce yourself to potential customers is through direct mail marketing. This strategy may be a little old school, but it has stuck around for a reason. It allows you to focus on a specific audience that has a higher chance of making a purchase.
You can hire a service from companies like Action Mailing & Printing Solution to run the campaign on your behalf. They will take care of the printing of your marketing materials as well as send them out to your target market.
Through direct mail, you have the opportunity to introduce your business and your products or services to a community. People will receive your brochure, flyer, or coupon through mail. It is effective, not to mention economical, to use your budget and energy on advertising to those who would need your stuff.
Get Yourself On Google
A basic necessity for any business nowadays is to have an online presence. Many people rely on Google to provide recommendations and other information about a product or service before they visit and transact with a business.
It is important for a newcomer to make an effort to create a business listing and add relevant details such as address and contact numbers on Google, Bing, and other search engines. If you have a website, you can also boost your search engine optimization (SEO) so that it will be one of the first things customers will see when they make a Google Search.
Claim your business listings on Google My Business, Bing Places for Business, Yelp, Angie’s List, and other websites.
Create Social Media Accounts
No matter how much you try to resist, social media is becoming more important to businesses. People spend more time on social media so they should be able to find your profile on popular sites such as Facebook or Instagram. On social media, you can advertise products and services to people who have already expressed interest in your business. You can also gather feedback and interact with your customers through social media.
If you have the budget, it would be wise to hire a social media manager who will build your following and ensure that your business has a positive interaction with customers. If that is not currently in the cards, you can run your business’ social media accounts. Just remember to be yourself and be responsive, but never let your emotions control you. When a customer has a complaint or leaves a negative review, you need to approach it calmly. Your replies should still be positive and empathetic even if the customer is infuriated or you do not agree with them. One bad interaction can tarnish your business’ reputation and it will be more difficult to reverse the public’s opinion.
You can also utilize social media to market your business within your local area. Facebook and Instagram, for example, have tools that allow businesses to target users that live in a certain place.
Host Local Events
Throwing a party to announce the opening of your business is an effective way to entice people to come in and take a look at your products and services. You can also offer free classes and workshops or join bazaars so customers can try out your business.
Better yet, give back to the community by participating in charitable causes. Volunteer your services or donate money/items non-profit organizations that are close to your heart. This will generate good press for your business.
