Whether you have just set up a startup or already have an established one, having a robust online presence is indispensable for your success. However, when the budget is tight, people often cut at the expense of online marketing. Here you will find marketing techniques through which you can use for your small business
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Digital marketing for small businesses is highly integral to optimize overall online assets.
More than 90% of people know about small businesses through online means compared to any other medium.
Top 10 Techniques for Small Business Marketing
that will optimize your online assets on a shoestring budget.
1. Create a Killer Elevator Pitch
Create a compelling elevator pitch. On average, an adult’s typical attention span is around 5-8 seconds. It means that is all the time you have to catch someone’s eye.
If you successfully grab someone’s attention and engage them within this time, you will get a little more time to talk about your products or services. Therefore, put all your efforts in creating a killer elevator pitch. Once done right, you will get high returns.
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2. Leverage your Target Market
You don’t have to think big when it comes to digital marketing for small businesses. Promoting your offerings to everyone can be expensive and ineffective as well.
Think locally.
Depending on the specific characteristics, group your potential customers into different segments.
Segmentation should be based on factors like
- Geography– Location, area
- Behavior – Attitude, loyalty, habits, eagerness to invest, usage rates
- Demographics– Education, occupation, income, age, gender
- Lifestyle – Individuality, personal values, social class
Remember, your target market should be interested in your offerings and willing to invest.
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3. Identify Your USP
Your USP is something that makes you stand out from the crowd.
Figure out what defines you to sell differently and convey the same to your target market. It will reflect your unique personality, skill, and knowledge.
Your USP may be anything.
Still unsure about your USP?
Find out your USP by answering some simple questions such as:
- What do you love the most about your offerings?
- What sorts of special skills do you have?
- Why should your customers believe in your products or services?
- How differently your products or services will benefit your buyers?
- Which aspects do you focus more on when introducing your business to strangers?
Read: How Digital Marketing Helps to Grow Business
4. Build Your Business Brand
Having a consistent brand identity is essential to define your professionalism and win customers’ loyalty. A well-developed brand conveys who you are and emotionally connects with your customers.
According to recent research, around 75% of people believe in brands.
5. Look After Your Customers
Your customers decide on your success. They are the ones who can either make or break a business. So, providing exceptional customer service should be the ultimate strategy of digital marketing for small businesses. Doing so will not only help you drive new customers but also retain the existing ones.
So, what strategies have you set to look after your customers?
Here are some ways you can use to provide exceptional customer service and make them feel privileged
- Communicate regularly through blogs, social media, videos, or e-news.
- Provide after-sale follow up.
- Deliver the products or services on the promised time.
- Go an ‘extra mile’ to exceed their expectations.
- Ask for their feedback and take it as an opportunity to improve services.
- Listen to your customers and respond to their comments or queries.
6. Offer Lucrative Coupons
Coupons are the tried and tested methods for small business marketing.
Coupons are a way to not only generate return visits but also to attract new customers. For instance, if you offer redeemable vouchers to your customers with their purchase, there is a high probability they will be back to you soon.
7. Create Valuable Content
Content is the heart and soul of digital marketing. It is not only your customers who love to go through great content but also Google.
Here are a few forms of content you should integrate into your small business marketing strategy:
- Blogging
- Videos
- Podcasts
- Infographics
- Guest posting
- Social media descriptions.
8. Free Samples
Free samples are the surefire strategy to bring customers back to you. If you give someone some free examples of your products or trial sessions of your services, there are high chances that users will purchase from you instead of going to your rivals.
Also, in today’s time, people feel more confident buying something they have already experienced before.
Must Read: Digital Marketing Vs Traditional Marketing
9. Socialize on Social Media
There is no better method of small business marketing in today’s net-savvy scenario than to socialize and shout at social media. Most social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. offer affordable advertising options that you can use to aim your efforts to the target audience.
Use social media to your business’ benefit. You can not only use it to promote but also to get one on one with your customers. People get inclined to buy more from a grounded brand.
10. Collaborate with Your Partners
When you need to market your small business on a low budget, collaborating with your business partners can make a great sense. You can partner with manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, and vendors. There is a higher chance that your partners will recommend you when dealing with their customers.
These are the top 10 ways for small business marketing to help you expand your online presence and bring benefits to your business.
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- Transform your talent force digitally.
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Conclusion
With digital marketing, even small companies can market their products globally within a matter of seconds. Whether it is a startup or a corporate giant, these marketing campaigns can be initiated with a small budget, unlike traditional marketing.
If you are just starting, there are plenty of digital marketing resources online. Learn the basics and apply it to understand more about “how digital marketing helps businesses”. Check out our Digital Marketing Ultimate Tutorial to learn more about every element of digital marketing.
If you wish to explore and become an expert in Digital Marketing, check out MICA and upGrad’s Digital Marketing Certificate Program. Become an expert in social media marketing, content marketing, branding, marketing analysis and PR.
What is the scope of small businesses in India?
Small businesses have flourished immensely in the past two years, mainly due to the pandemic. People used their time, and with everything turning online, the small businesses performed really well. It has enormous scope in the coming years. Teenagers, people in their twenties, and women specifically made use of their skills and ideas and turned them into successful small businesses earning vast sums of money. This field has wide scope in activities starting from retailing to manufacturing. One can find small businesses everywhere these days, from social media platforms to households where homemakers are turning their passion into something productive and earning. It has a bright future.
What are some popular small businesses?
Food services is a kind of small business which has performed really well in the past years. People have started providing tiffin services and meal services from their homes to the one who needs them and earning a good amount of money. Art, entertainment and crafts businesses have also flourished a lot and are in high demand. Students and teenagers are using their art and craft skills making items and selling them online. This has gained popularity and has turned out to be a popular and demanding business. Personal trainers, site-building and web design, local auto repairs, health care and virtual medicine are certain other popular small businesses.
What challenges do small businesses face?
Lack of capital and cash flow is the biggest challenge faced by small businesses. Most of the businesses rely on loans which are not very easy to get. Marketing and advertising is another challenge faced by small business owners. Reaching out to customers in ways that attract them to your product is most crucial. Time management, administration, the problem of working capital, poor capacity utilisation, and incompetent management are certain other common problems faced by small businesses.