So you started a business? Now what? You’re up and running, you’ve got some good momentum but just not sure how to keep it or gain on it. We’re going to talk about some easy strategies and ways to grow your business by the end of this year. You’ll see results sooner than December, but all good things take time, except our attention spans, so let’s get to it.
- Build a strong SEO website
Ok, yes, this is what Localmize does, but this isn’t just a plug for what we can do. You can build your own website. In today’s world, you HAVE to have a website for your business. Whether you contract this work out or do it yourself, you want to make sure your site is focused on good content with strong keyword research, specific to your market and your products or services. Use those keywords in your landing pages, titles, and meta descriptions. Focus on local SEO and long-tail keywords. There is a lot that goes into building a website and more so, honestly, in maintaining it. We are here to help with any aspect of your website design or build. Let us know if you have questions!
- Create a Rewards or a Referral program specific to your business
This is a completely free way to get your customers to talk about what you do, how great your products are, and why they love your business. It’s easy to overlook this step in marketing! You can use social media or an email list at your counter with a 10% off coupon that you email when they sign up. Same with social media, “Like our page and share it, we’ll send you a coupon through messenger.” Plus, it’s a great way to interact on a personal level with your customers! Engaging your customers and making them feel like they are a part of your small business. Don’t underestimate the heartstrings when people feel like they’re making a difference building someone else up!
- Utilize Social Media Marketing
This one scares some people. I don’t know why! This is again, a completely free way to market your business! Get a business page created TODAY on any social media format you’re most comfortable with. Instagram, Facebook, TicTok and LinkedIn are some of the most popular formats for businesses. Use one, use them all, just get started. If this gets to be too much, because it can take on a life of its own, and you have a business to run, Localmize can help with a full Social Media Marketing plan and run all of your posts for you! You have access and can comment and reply back as the business owner, but we do all of the legwork and scheduling of posts. Let us know if you’d like more information on how we can up your social media game.
- What is YOUR story?….and does anyone know about it?
I don’t know about you but when I’m looking for a local service or product, I always look for an “About Us” page or information on whether it’s a family run business. I grew up in a family run business. I spent weekends at trade shows, traveling with my family to market our products, so family businesses just mean something special to me. An “About Us” page on your website and within your Social Media Marketing are a great way to let potential customers know who you are and what your business is about, not what you sell, but what you are truly about.
- Build on your expertise on your product or service and make sure people know it.
Your expertise doesn’t help your business if nobody knows you’re an expert! Sharing your expertise, whether through email tips (remember that customer list you collected?), or social media, is an easy way for people to learn just how great you are at your business. TicTok is booming right now with “How To” videos from how to tie a scarf and make the perfect eggroll, to how to pour a concrete walkway after I teach you how to build your own house! I’m not kidding! TicTok is the new YouTube of “How To” videos and people are loving it!
- You’re going to need to get comfortable in front of a camera
Speaking of TicTok, yeah, you’re going to need to get comfortable in front of the camera. You don’t have to be an expert. In fact, part of the charm of TicTok is seeing the video that states, “Well, this is my first ever TicTok, but I thought you guys might like to know…”. It’s personal. If it isn’t your thing, explaining products on other social media platforms or sharing those videos with your email list is a great way to get exposure on your products.
- Analytics. Analytics. Analytics.
Did I say Analytics? Listen, all of your website building efforts and social media marketing efforts don’t mean a thing if they aren’t reaching your target audience. Are you getting traffic and quality leads from your website? There are free analytics tools through most social media marketing platforms as well as Google Analytics to help you understand your site’s performance. You can contract this work out to a team like Localmize who can run full time analytics on all of your campaigns and do the work of fixing where you need improvement. Whatever your capabilities are, there are ways to utilize your time and your expertise. If you have questions or need help, we’re here for you!
So, get started. Do it yourself or call us for help. But get your business out there and grow it into what you want it to be!
