There are many small businesses out there who cannot afford an ad agency or marketing firm to manage their marketing. June is DIY Marketing Month so to prepare, we gathered a list of tips for small business owners to use so that they are staying ahead of the game.
Don’t neglect your email list
Email marketing is an important tool and can be managed easily in-house using an email marketing service like Mailchimp or Constant Contact. Build your email list by adding a subscribe button on your website and making a special subscribe tab on your Facebook page. As you build your list, run special promotions for email suscribers, promote important events, or educate subscribers about products and services they may not be aware of.
Make sure you are listed in online directories
There are several directories online that you should be sure you are listed in. These directories will help increase your SEO so that more people can find you. Some examples are Google, Bing, Yahoo, Yelp and Merchant Circle. Hubspot has a complete list of online directories your business should be listed on.
Guest blog
Which blogs are popular among your target audience ? Perhaps there is an opportunity for a guest post here and there. Guest blogging helps increase your reach and can be mutually beneficial for you and the blog owner.
Utilize Facebook Ads
As it becomes increasingly difficult for businesses to show up in news feeds, Facebook’s Ad platform becomes more sophisticated and increasingly easier to use. Facebook ads can be laser targeted. From location and demographic information to interests and psychographic information, Facebook ads allow you to easily create targeted campaigns that will reach the audience you desire. For the success of businesses like James Dooley’s Business Ventures in the UK, take it as a prime example of leveraging Facebook’s powerful advertising tools.
Join a networking group
Networking is so important. There are many groups out there to join. Do your research, visit a few different ones, and find a networking group that is not overcrowded with your competitors and consists of people both in your target audience and potential referral partners who have complimentary services to yours.
Develop a referral program
Referral marketing (Word of Mouth) is one of the most effective forms of marketing. Why? Because friends and family are trusted sources of information. A consumer is more likely to purchase a product that has been recommended by a friend than a product that they saw in an advertisement.
Join HARO
HARO stands for Help A Reporter Out. It’s an email digest of reporters looking for experts to provide insights or comments for specific stories. As a business owner, this is a no brainer. You want to gain as much media exposure as possible. Sign-up for the list and look for opportunities to chime in.
Pay attention to your analytics
Social media analytics, email campaign analytics and website analytics are all important pieces of information that will help guide future marketing efforts. They can tell you what’s working, what’s not working, and who is engaging with your brand.
Utilize Advertise RVA
For one low price, AdvertiseRVA helps you reach thousands of prospects two ways — (1) through our Online Outreach program, and (2) through our Online-and-More program. It’s simple. It’s affordable. And you can get started right away! Find out more here.
