For many small business owners, the only technology-based approach used to market their companies is a website that they’ve paid someone else to create. An attractive website is vital in this internet age we find ourselves in, but at the same time, it isn’t the be-all and end-all of business marketing.
The more searchable you are and the better able you are to connect with your target audience, the more successful your company is likely to be. That’s exactly why you will want to use as many of the technological approaches to marketing available to you. Here are some of the most effective:
Mobile Marketing
How many people do you know who don’t have a cell phone? Not many (if any) right? That means that you absolutely need to take mobile marketing seriously if you want to succeed as a small business.
As well as ensuring that your website is optimized for mobile devices, you should look into the benefits of sending mobile advertisements using a service that allows you to send sms via email. You could reach more people on a device they’re constantly checking, where they’re much more likely to take notice. Just make sure that your mobile ad messages are compelling and not too ‘spammy’ or they’ll end up being immediately deleted.
Start Out on Social Media
Social media is a great place to do your marketing, build brand awareness, gain followers and convert more than a few customers. The key to getting it right is thinking about which platforms are most likely to appeal to your target audience. Focus your efforts on building a presence there first and then add as many of the other platforms as you can to spread your net as widely as possible.
When starting out on social media, you will need to work to get likes, shares and follows by creating relevant, interesting content, running contests or connecting with others, among other things. You simply cannot just set up a profile and expect people to come to you.
Add Yourself to Online Local Directories
A lot of new business owners don’t think about online local directories when they’re looking at ways to market their goods and services, but you probably should. Why? Local directories are pretty good at making your business easier to find, especially if you operate in a particular area.
Develop an App
Because so many of us use cell phones and tablets on an almost constant basis, as mentioned above, anything you can do, as a small business owner, to capture their interest and introduce them to your brand via that medium is going to be great for your company. That’s why you should develop your own app – something that helps your target audience in a way that relates to your business, and subtly advertises your services at the same time.
Do as many of these fairly simple (with help) things as you can and you should see an increase in traffic/interest coming your way.
