If you're like most small business owners, you're always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to market your product or service. But with so many marketing channels out there, it can be difficult to know where to start. So why not try a few of these 27 marketing ideas for small business? They're all tried and true methods that have been proven to work, and they won't break the bank either. So what are you waiting for? Start brainstorming!
- 1) Start a blog and post weekly content
- 2) Create Social media profiles for your business and post regularly
- 3) Create a Google My Business Profile
- 4) Give free consultations to potential clients
- 5) Send personalized thank-you cards to customers after each purchase
- 6) Offer Additional Services to Existing Customers and Clients
- 7) Start a YouTube Channel as a Marketing Strategy
- 8) Build an Email Marketing List
- 9) Host a webinar on a topic related to your business or industry
- 10) Do a viral Contest/Giveaway
- 11) Start an Affiliate Program
- 12) Form a Joint Venture Partnership with Someone in Your Niche
- 13) Pay an Influencer to Promote your business
- 14) Develop case studies of your work with customers or clients
- 15) Create an infographic showcasing some interesting data related to your industry
- 16) Participate in online discussions and forums related to your industry
- 17) Contribute guest posts to popular blogs within your industry
- Marketing Ideas for Small Business – Conclusion
1) Start a blog and post weekly content
Blogging can be a great way to promote your brand, share your ideas, and increase website traffic. By consistently posting quality content on a weekly basis, you are able to establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry and attract more visitors to your website. Blogging also helps with search engine optimization, as frequently updated websites tend to rank higher on search engines.
Starting a blog may seem overwhelming at first, but once you get into the rhythm of regularly creating and sharing content, the benefits will be worth it. So why wait? Start a blog today and watch your online presence grow. This is one of the most important small business marketing ideas on our list (incredibly valuable marketing tools in your digital marketing efforts.
2) Create Social media profiles for your business and post regularly
When it comes to promoting your business, social media is a must. By creating profiles on social media channels like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, you can expand your reach and attract new customers. Partnering with influencers who align with your brand can also help increase traffic to your pages and bring in even more eyeballs.
And don't forget the power of maintaining a consistent social media marketing presence – by consistently creating social media posts, creating content and interacting with followers, you can show that your brand is active and engaged with its audience. So don't wait – carve out a space for your business on social media and watch the benefits unfold.
Social Media Channels You Shouldn't Ignore
- Google+
- TikTok
3) Create a Google My Business Profile
Are you a small business owner looking to attract new local customers? Then setting up a Google My Business profile is a must. This free tool allows potential clients to easily find your business's location, view pictures, read customer reviews, and even book appointments. Plus, google my business integrates with google maps, meaning that people searching for businesses in their area will have your company pop up on their screen.
Local businesses (especially small businesses) need to be found in the Google search and this is one of the best free tools a local business can use to reach a local audience, and get more website visitors.
Setting up a Google Business profile only takes a few simple steps, but it can make all the difference in driving new customers to your door. Don't miss out on the opportunity to connect with your local community – create your Google My Business profile today.
4) Give free consultations to potential clients
When it comes to potential clients, offering free consultations can be a great way to showcase your small business, and skills and build trust. By providing sample work or solutions during the consultation, you are giving the client an opportunity to see the value you can bring to their project. Additionally, studies have shown that people have a natural inclination toward reciprocity – if someone does something for us, we often feel compelled to do something in return.
Offering a complimentary consultation can make your potential client more likely to choose you for their needs. And don't forget to ask for a testimonial following the consultation – it's a great way to showcase your previous successes and attract even more clients down the line. Overall, free consultations can be a win-win situation for both you and the potential client. And they're a totally free marketing idea!
5) Send personalized thank-you cards to customers after each purchase
Showing gratitude to your existing customers is always important, but it becomes even more essential in the age of online shopping and one-click purchases. Taking the time to personally thank each customer for their purchase can help them feel appreciated and valued. Small business marketing requires a more personalized touch.
It also helps to keep your business top-of-mind, as the thank-you card serves as a physical reminder of their positive experience with your company. Sending personalized thank-you cards may seem like a small gesture, but it can make a big impact on customers and potentially lead to repeat business and word-of-mouth recommendations. Make sure to show your gratitude by sending thank-you cards after every purchase.
TIP: My favorite online service for sending cards is Handwrytten.
6) Offer Additional Services to Existing Customers and Clients
One of the most effective ways to generate repeat business and stable income as a small business is to offer additional services to current clients. By providing value beyond their initial purchase, you not only increase their satisfaction with your company but also create the opportunity for recurring revenue.
This can take the form of subscription plans, maintenance agreements, or even upselling complementary products and services to paying customers. By offering additional services to current clients, you not only enhance their overall experience, but also provide an invaluable source of stable income for your business. So consider how you can expand the value you offer to your existing client base and watch as repeat business increases. Not sure what your additional service should be? Try a customer satisfaction survey to find out what your target market wants!
7) Start a YouTube Channel as a Marketing Strategy
The world of YouTube is exploding, with over 1 billion active users every month and billions of hours watched every day. That’s why starting a YouTube channel can be a great opportunity for small businesses, and those looking to share their passion or expertise with a wide audience.
YouTube is the second largest search engine, meaning there are tons of potential viewers just waiting to discover your content. And with the platform’s recent updates, it’s never been easier to grow and monetize your channel. So why not give it a try?
Whether you want to share your cooking skills, take viewers on your adventures, or teach others about your favorite hobby – the sky’s the limit on YouTube. What are you waiting for? Start creating today. This is one of the best free marketing ideas!
8) Build an Email Marketing List
When it comes to connecting with your audience, building an email marketing list is one of the most profitable and easy ways to do so. Not only does it allow you to send targeted messages directly to your customers, but it also allows you to stay in touch with them on a regular basis.
Additionally, compared to other forms of advertising such as social media or paid advertisements, building an email list is often more cost-effective. So why not start creating one today? Make sure to include a sign-up form on your website and offer incentives for people to join your mailing list. With a solid email marketing list, staying connected with your audience has never been easier.
9) Host a webinar on a topic related to your business or industry
Hosting a webinar is a great way to share your expertise and engage with potential clients or customers. When planning your webinar, it's important to choose a topic that is relevant to your industry and highlights your unique experience and perspective. Be sure to also inject your personality into the presentation in order to keep the audience engaged and entertained. And don't forget to promote your webinar through social media, email marketing, and any other channels available to you. By hosting a successful webinar, you can position yourself as a thought leader in your industry and attract valuable leads for your business.
Recommended Software: WebinarJam
10) Do a viral Contest/Giveaway
A viral contest or giveaway is an exciting way to engage with your audience and potentially reach new customers. By offering a desirable prize and setting up easy ways for participants to share the contest with their friends and followers, you can quickly spread the word about your brand and generate excitement. Additionally, consider including mechanisms that allow participants to earn extra entries for completing specific actions, such as visiting your website or following your social media accounts. Done well, a viral contest or giveaway can be a fun and effective way to grow your audience and drive engagement.
Recommended Software: Upviral which gives you 14 days for $1 and they promise you'll get at least 500 new email subscribers in 30 days or your money back!
11) Start an Affiliate Program
Have you ever considered starting your own affiliate program as a way to drive sales for your business? An affiliate program is essentially an army of people who promote your products and services in exchange for incentives such as commissions or discounts. A customer referral program is one of the best marketing tactics for small businesses to build brand awareness.
Not only does this provide extra marketing for your business, but it also allows customers to trust the recommendations of real people rather than traditional advertisements. This can lead to more sales and a boost in customer loyalty. Plus, recruiting affiliates is often much more cost effective than hiring a marketing team. So why not set up your own affiliate program and see the benefits for yourself? It may just be the key to driving those sales numbers up. This can be one of the best low-cost marketing ideas!
12) Form a Joint Venture Partnership with Someone in Your Niche
When it comes to growing a successful business, an often overlooked strategy is forming a joint venture partnership with someone in your niche. Not only does it provide mutually beneficial opportunities for both parties, but it can also be a fun and creative way to reach a larger audience.
By combining resources and skills, you can plan and execute effective marketing campaigns, host joint events or webinars, or even offer joint services or products. Plus, the added support from a partner can make the journey that much more enjoyable. Take the time to identify possible partners who complement your brand's unique strengths, and don't be afraid to take a chance on new collaborations – just make sure to avoid working with a direct competitor. The payoff could propel your business to even greater success.
13) Pay an Influencer to Promote your business
One way to increase awareness and boost sales for your business is by hiring an influencer to promote your products or services. Influencers have large audiences that trust their opinions, making them a powerful third-party endorsement for your brand.
In addition, working with influencers can also lend credibility and legitimacy to your business in the eyes of potential customers. Word-of-mouth marketing on social media platforms is a great marketing investment. However, it's important to make sure the influencer aligns with the values and message of your brand in order to truly make a positive impact on your bottom line. Overall, utilizing the power of social media influencers can be a valuable tool for increasing exposure for your business.
14) Develop case studies of your work with customers or clients
When deciding on a service provider or making a purchasing decision, trust is everything. What better way to earn trust than by showcasing real examples of how you have helped your customers or clients? Developing case studies not only demonstrates the results of your work, but it also allows potential customers to see how others in similar situations have benefited from your services. In addition, sharing these success stories can provide social proof and serve as powerful testimonials for future prospects. So don't be afraid to highlight the successes you've had with past customers – it can go a long way in building trust and potentially bringing in new business.
15) Create an infographic showcasing some interesting data related to your industry
One of the best ways to share interesting data about your industry is through an infographic. Infographics present information in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand format, making them more likely to be shared with others. To create a successful infographic, it is important to carefully select data that is interesting, relevant, and supports a central theme or message. Providing sources for the data and incorporating links to related information can also add value to the infographic and enhance its credibility. An effective infographic can not only engage and educate viewers but also serve as a valuable online marketing tool for your industry and business.
16) Participate in online discussions and forums related to your industry
Joining online community discussions and forums can be a great marketing tactic for professionals in any industry. Not only does it give you a chance to connect with others in your field and exchange ideas, but it also allows you to expand your visibility as a leader and thought-provoker within the community.
By sharing insights and participating in discussions, you can establish yourself as an expert and potentially attract new opportunities or connections. Most community bulletin boards are excited to have other local businesses and business owners participate.
However, it's important to approach these discussions with respect and tact – make sure to listen actively, provide valuable input, and avoid controversial or divisive topics. Overall, joining community discussions is a great way to show your expertise and build relationships within your industry.
17) Contribute guest posts to popular blogs within your industry
As a thought leader in your industry, contributing guest posts to popular blogs is one marketing strategy that can help further establish your authority and expertise. By writing for a well-known blog, you also have the opportunity to gain backlinks and drive traffic to your own website or social media accounts.
It's important to choose blogs that align with your brand and target audience, as this will ensure that the readers of the blog are interested in what you have to offer. Prioritize finding high quality blogs with a strong readership, as these will benefit you most in terms of building credibility and increasing visibility for your personal brand. Don't be afraid to reach out to prominent bloggers and pitch them on publishing one of your articles – it's worth the effort for the potential benefits it can bring. So don't hesitate – start exploring ways to contribute guest posts and carve out a space for yourself as a thought leader in your field.
Marketing Ideas for Small Business – Conclusion
These are just a few of the many marketing ideas you can use to increase your product sales. What’s your favorite? Let me know in the comments below. And, if you want help implementing any of these or other strategies, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d be happy to chat with you about your business and how we can help it grow. Thanks for reading!