Whether you’re just starting out in business, or run a successful SME, your marketing activities are always going to be important. Marketing helps to build a relationship with your audience, create brand awareness and generate leads which can turn into sales. However, a challenge that small business owners can face is budget. Therefore identifying easy wins that don’t cost the earth can really elevate your business.
Take a look at Youbee Media’s top marketing consultancy tips on how to make your budget work for you.
Identify your audience and keep it specific
When you’re starting out in business, it isn’t uncommon to happily take business from anywhere – even if it’s not necessarily what you imagined yourself doing. However, when it comes to your marketing activity, you should really try to understand and segment your audience. Your messaging will hit much harder if you’re reaching the right people.
Make the most of social media
Social media is mostly free (let’s take paid ads out of the equation for now). You can create a LinkedIn page, Facebook shop or TikTok account for your small business which allows you to promote your business freely and take advantage of doing your own social media management.
You can engage with your audience, invite your network to follow you and communicate with potential clients. Like your website, social media channels give an insight into your business and can act like your shop window. Ask your customers to leave reviews or recommendations and ensure that you’re keeping active online.
Understand that brand awareness has a value
If you’re dedicating a budget to marketing, you want to see a return on investment. This is true and it wouldn’t be a good use of your time if you got nothing at all from all of your hard work. However, never underestimate the power of brand awareness.
Being in front of your customer at a time when they’re ready to buy, reminding them that you’re there or mentioning a new product or service can be invaluable. Your customers don’t always call to tell you where they found out about you, but you may have marketed to them at the right time for them to now come back to you.
Convert more with word-of-mouth referrals
Your existing customers are your best marketers. If someone has bought from you recently and they received a great service – make sure that you ask them for a review, testimonial or to recommend you to their colleagues. Having someone else stand up and say how great you and your business is will always be more powerful than you standing there saying the same thing. Make the most of every opportunity.
Let the professionals build your website
You know how people say – ‘buy cheap, buy twice’? The same rule can apply to your business’s website. If you create your website on the cheap, you could be losing valuable customers without realising it, or have to start from scratch in the future.
Xsitely is a fantastic platform which offers a professional web build with no upfront cost and a low ongoing fee. This ongoing fee covers your hosting, any updates and changes to your copy as well as images. Therefore, your website can always be up to date, secure and can grow with your business.
If you are still struggling contact Youbee Media or join one of our marketing workshops for more expert advice.
