Running a small business doesn’t mean you can’t market in a big way. There are many simple, obtainable tactics you can incorporate into your marketing strategy to make the most out of every customer interaction and keep them coming back for more.
Here are 15 ways you can quickly and easily improve your small business marketing:
- Check and correct your listings.
If your basic company information is incorrect (name, phone number, address) then customers will never be able to reach you. Every so often, business owners should do an internet search for their company to see whether or not they come up, make edits to existing listings and claim any new listings that may have popped up. You may also want to add or edit photos, service or product descriptions, hours, website URLs, social platforms and other foundational information. - Stick to one social platform.
When it comes to social, it’s quality over quantity. You can have an account on every possible platform, but if you aren’t executing smart, interesting campaigns that customers want to engage with, your work will be for nothing. Worse yet, a poorly-kept social account can hurt your brand, preventing customers from taking you seriously. Instead of signing up everywhere, find one platform that makes sense for both you and your target audience and get really, really good at it. - Talk to your customers
If you really want to know what your clients want, ask them. Think of it as a digital version of the traditional suggestion box. Some easy ways to solicit feedback is through post-sale surveys, private comment or message options on your website or by asking questions on social media posts (just be careful what you ask on a public platform). Asking your customers what they think not only gives you better insight, but makes them feel heard and cared about. - Write Q&A blogs.
Good blogs should provide customers with valuable information that let’s them learn more about your company, go in-depth on the products or services you offer, and answer any questions or concerns they have. To build a list of blog topics, simply consult your social media accounts or ask your customer service team what the top questions, concerns and complaints customers have. You can then take those questions and build out informational blogs optimized with keywords that give them the answers they’re looking (and searching the internet) for. - Collect email addresses.
In marketing currency, email addresses are gold. Even if you aren’t executing email campaigns now (which you should be), you will probably want to in the future. This makes it important to start collecting email addresses from current and potential customers now. You can do this through the point-of-sale, subscription pop-ups, and freebies (more on this later). - Follow up with your customers.
Speaking of emails, sending customers gentle reminders is a great way to build value, help them stay atop of their tasks and keep your company top of mind when they’re ready to purchase. Getting low on the product you purchased last month? Ready for fall fashion? Planned a special gift for your valentine yet? These reminders don’t have to be complicated, just relevant to your audience and the product or services you can provide them. - Give it away for free.
Free doesn’t sound like the best way to increase the bottom line, but the truth is, customers love free things (and the businesses that give it to them). Offering complimentary gifts such as worksheets, checklists, tutorial videos, and other branded content that is relative to your products or services allows customers to get a taste of the value you can provide when they purchase from you. Make sure you’re exchanging this information for a email address so you can them follow up messages and product reminders. - Stay true to your brand.
Every impression matters, which means you want to make sure you’re staying true to your brand where ever your customers may be interacting with it. If you are relaxed, friendly and a bit tongue-and-cheek on social, you may want to incorporate that same fun tone with your call center or cashiers. Consistency makes your brand more memorable and helps customers painta a better picture of who you are as a company. - Let your customers know you value them.
Expressing gratitude can go a long way when you’re handling customer concerns. Don’t just tell them “no problem” and move on. Use the opportunity to let them know that you’re committed to serving them and making sure they’re always happy with the end results of their product or service. - Stay in touch.
Not every interaction has to be about business. Sometimes just dropping in their inbox to say hello, wish them a happy birthday or ask them how things are going is a great way to remind your customers that you care about them. This helps to build better relationships, increase word-of-mouth recommendations and strengthen brand loyalty. - Read and respond to social media reviews.
Consumers are increasingly relying on reviews from other customers to determine if a product, service or the company altogether is a right for them. This makes it all the more important to keep tabs on what your customers are saying and respond with tasteful, professional answers, apologies or explanations. Remember, the reviews and responses are all public. - Get to know your customers IRL.
A great way to build a more personal relationship with your audience is to break away from the smart phone and get a little bit of face-to-face time in. Think about hosting or sponsoring a workshop, party, volunteer event, open house, or something else that gets prospects into a room where you can shake their hand, let them know you appreciate their business and get to know them one-on-one. - Schedule a webinar.
If hosting a party isn’t a viable option for your online or global business, then maybe you can get together digitally. Hosting a workshop or tutorial through a webinar or other video platform like Facebook Live, allows you to chat with your customers in real time, creating a personalized experience that makes them feel more connected to your brand. - Connect on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is a powerful tool, especially for B2B companies, to connect to potential clients and establish your organization as an industry though leader. This platform allows businesses and its employees to connect with your brand, follow and share your posts and articles, and get in touch with the employees who work there. - Stand out from the crowd.
You’re not the only business your customers are purchasing services or products from, but you can be their favorite. Make your company memorable by paying attention to the details. Wrap your products in pretty, reusable packaging or reward loyal customers with a thoughtful gift. When it comes to building brand loyalty and lifetime customers, it’s the little things that matter.
If you’re a business owner and are looking to better optimize your marketing strategy, our experts at PUSH Design can help. We specialize in helping small-to mid-size businesses build better websites and create unique, effective marketing strategies that drives business growth. Contact us today to see how we can help you create a better customer experience.