How to market your business

When you get busy running a business one of the first things to fall by the wayside is marketing. But it’s also one of the most important parts of your business. Whether you are a start-up or well established business, you still need to get your name out there. It’s much easier to do that now with social media & e-newsletters, and with a combination of digital and printed marketing, you’re well on your way to getting in front of the people you need to.

1 Business Cards

Business cards are one of the most traditional ways of connecting with your customers. Make sure you always carry them with you, as you never know who you might bump into. They are a good way to give a professional feel to your business and more often than not, they are the first impression you give to new customer (apart from yourself). So in saying this, it’s not something you want to cut corners on. Speak to your printer or designer about what you can do to make your card stand out from the crowd and have a read here for some suggestions.

2 Social Media

Let’s face it, if you’re not present online, then you’re diminishing your chances to be found. Plain and simple. Social media is the best way to start getting your name out there, whether it be Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Pinterest. The social media world is noisy, so you will need to make sure your content is interesting and relevant to your followers. It can be difficult to come up with new posts without sounding too ‘salesy’, so consider enlisting on some help from a creative to get you started. Once you have it all up and running, you may want to consider advertising through one of these avenues.

3 Blogging

Get your writing jacket on and start a blog on your website (if you don’t have a website, there are many free sites like Wix that allows you to have a blog site). Writing a blog about your industry not only shows you as an industry thought-leader, it also helps with your website SEO by using more keywords and it keep content fresh. Don’t make your blogs too ‘salesy’ as people will see straight though it and not get any value from it. Blog posts should have a goal in mind such as getting them to enquire about a service you offer or sign up to an email.

Speak up

If you have the opportunity to speak at an event or to be a part of an interview, say yes (unless it’s detrimental to your business). Even if someone asks you to write a few words on your industry, do it. This allows you to get on front of a lot more people than you normally would, to connect with them and generate new leads. It also creates credibility.

5 Email Marketing

Consider sending an e-newsletter once or twice a month to keep the connection current with your customers. It’s a chance to give your customers special deals, tell them about new products and general news about your business. You can also generate leads by inviting people to sign up on your website, so they, too can see the benefits of your business.

Banners and posters

Do you have a shop front or office where you can put banners out the front or posters in the windows? Apart from normal signage, these are a great way to get the attention of potential customers walking or driving past. Promote deals or services so they know exactly what it is you do.

Merchandise

Let’s be honest, people love free stuff, so if you have the opportunity to hand out branded merchandise, then definitely consider it! Just make sure it is relevant to your business. For example, if you are a sustainable business and provide an environmentally friendly product, perhaps try some re-suable coffee cups, or eco-friendly bags? Even something as simple as notebooks and pens effective, as they are continuously reinforcing your brand on people’s desks.

There are so many ways you can market your business these are just a snippet of what you can do. What works for one business may not work for the next, so make sure you do what is beneficial and appropriate for your business goals. Don’t forget we can help with not only your design and printing, but we can also do social media and digital marketing, making sure your branding is consistent throughout.