Ways to Reach more Customers for Free
In another Marketing Monday article, provided strategies you can implement immediately (at little to no cost) to reach more customers. As we mentioned then - but worth reiterating - marketing your small business now is more important than ever and there are many strategies you can utilize starting today.
We know you’ve already put the original list into play 😊, so here are a few more marketing tactics to keep your momentum rolling.
Email Marketing
Small businesses often use direct marketing to increase their visibility. Direct marketing includes strategies such as mailers and distribution of flyers. While these methods can be effective, they require a somewhat generic approach to reach new customers. They work by casting the blanket wide and seeing who you can catch.
The benefit of email marketing campaigns is that they can be personalized and target a more specific, interested audience. They also enable you to increase the frequency of your communications and create multiple types of messages. You can send a personalized note, a promotion, or an informational article.
We know… you’re asking, how do I create an email list? While you can buy a list, we don’t recommend this approach. Purchased lists are often fraught with incorrect addresses, don’t necessarily reach your target audience – and, as the name implies, cost money.
While creating an organic list is more tedious and takes longer, the value of having interested email recipients trumps these challenges. Here are couple of ways to grow your email list:
Start with your own personal network (friends and family included) to begin building your list.
Create an incentive for sign-ups. You’ve seen these… something as simple as “Sign-up for our newsletter and receive 10% off your next purchase.”
Add social media share buttons on your newsletter.
Use social media to drive customers to sign up.
Implement Inbound Marketing
Inbound marketing is highly effective in engaging customers without blatantly selling them your product and service. As opposed to ads (considered “outbound” messaging), inbound marketing provides your target audience information to draw them to you.
For example, you may post an how to article that provides users valuable information without directly mentioning your service or product. Thereby, you engage the user, provide value and start relationships with potential customers.
Video Marketing
With everyone glued to their devices you have to deliver content that stands out among all the noise (and your competitors). Incorporating video content into your digital marketing is not only important, it’s become absolutely necessary. The great news is that with all the advances in technology, you can create an effective video simply with your phone.
A couple of things to note while creating your video:
Shoot your video in landscape mode (i.e. hold your phone horizontally). This will eliminate those black borders you see on some videos posted to social media because the video will take up the whole frame.
Be personable. Viewers want to see the human side of you… not have you deliver a scripted sales pitch. Your video doesn’t have to be perfect, but it does need to be authentic.
Entertain the masses. This goes hand-in-hand with #2. Consider being a little unconventional or at least fun. Does your cat sit on your lap (or on your product) daily while you work? Then include your cat in the video!
Timing is everything. Very few people will stay tuned into a long video (unless it’s a how to). Try to keep most videos under a minute, preferably under 30 seconds.
We can’t wait to see your new marketing strategies in effect! As always, feel free to drop us a line with questions at info@stamarketplace.com or leave your comments below.