Image by Nagora
When starting a small business, it’s normal to have this thinking, “Will people even notice us?”
Small business are aplenty today and just about anyone can start one just like that.
However not everyone succeeds because research shows that more 75% of small businesses tend to fail after 5 years.
I did a survey by casually asking random people on the street about a few companies which just recently went down the drain and they all replied technically the same thing “What company is that, I’ve never heard of that”
So here’s some ways on marketing every small business owners should know of to get your brand noticed:
1) Blanket marketing
Often used by larger businesses, blanket marketing means that you spend money advertising to everyone.
Many people choose to do blanket marketing by advertising in magazines or newspapers.
You will not really have control of who sees your advertising, but you will have the potential to reach many people.
The downside to blanket marketing is that it can be quite expensive and you could be wasting money marketing to people who may never become your customers at all.
Blanket marketing is best for those who have plenty of funds available and who feel that they will be able to gain many customers from the plan.
2) Targeted marketing
It’s a kind of a marketing in which you choose a certain demographic and only market to them.
Its more laser targeted, usually at certain areas which you feel have a better success at getting more potential customers from.
Alternatively, you could advertise to everyone in a certain age range.
The great thing about targeted marketing is that you will have a much better chance at getting customers since you will be advertising to the types of people who would most likely become customers.
The downside is that it will take a little legwork to determine who your target is and then find the right way to advertise to them.
3) Social media marketing
Ah, who doesn’t like social media?
This form of marketing which leverages sites where people accumulate the most such as Facebook and Twitter, could be called the new kid in town since it is relatively a young concept.
With this marketing, you use any one of the many popular social media sites to advertise your company and you could even use a daily blog to garner business.
The downside to this type of marketing is that you will be sending your information out to many people who may not be interested at all which don’t really matter because it doesn’t cost that much after all.
With blogs, you will have to take the time to keep the blog up to date. Otherwise, people may stop reading it.
4) Word of mouth
The cheapest but most effective marketing technique ever to exist on this planet.
It’s free and if done right, will spread continuously not by you, but the customers themselves.
Sure you can create your own things to say to make people excited and tell others but the best way I would say, is to show it to them by doing a great service for the customer.
That way, you not only impress them enough to let them spread the word on their own initiative, you’ve also made loyal customers who will come back to you because they trust your service.
Conclusion
There are many forms of marketing for small businesses that are either free or paid but the most important thing that these marketing efforts need is to just be creative, fun and be yourself as being as personal as you can shows honesty and trust.
