Create a newsletter
We’re in an age so focused on social media to connect with customers that many have overlooked one of the strongest promotional tools— email marketing. It is one of the best low-cost ways to grow your customer base and increase revenue. Email marketing has a higher ROI than any other channel, with a $36 return for every dollar spent. It’s so effective that 50% of people purchase products from marketing emails at least once per month.
Unlike social media, this tool doesn’t rely on algorithms. Your content is sent directly to the subscribers’ inboxes, where they’re more likely to see it than on social media. More than half of the world uses email, and 99% of those people check their inboxes daily. While social platforms attract a younger crowd, email is widely used across all generations. Because it can be easily distributed, it’s a cost-effective way to reach a large audience.
Consistency is key in email marketing to build brand awareness; the more someone sees your brand, the more they will trust it and consider making a purchase. Creating a newsletter that goes out consistently, such as weekly or bi-weekly, can be an effective way to connect with your target market and drive sales.
You can utilize newsletters to promote new products or services, announce sales, and provide exclusive discounts to subscribers. Additionally, you can build credibility and provide value to your subscribers by including relevant educational information, such as facts about your products or articles about the industry. It can also drive traffic to your website or social media pages, which can help increase visibility and attract new customers.
Start a blog, and maintain it
Having a blog can be a valuable tool for small businesses to grow their customer base and increase revenue. A well-maintained blog can help establish your business as an expert in the field, building trust with your audience and attracting new customers.
One of the primary benefits of having a blog is the ability to improve search engine optimization (SEO) and increase visibility online. By regularly publishing relevant, high-quality content, your business can improve its search engine rankings allowing potential customers to find you online easier. Additionally, a blog can drive traffic to other pages on your website, like your online shop.
You can use blogs to share news and educate viewers, as well as promote new products, services, sales, and events. It’s also the perfect spot to place calls to action and contact forms, promoting growth in other areas, such as your newsletter and social media accounts.
Blogs can also be used to engage with customers and build a community around your brand. By providing helpful and relevant information, you can grow a sense of connection and trust with your audience. In addition to educational articles, provide content based around the culture of your industry. Showing your involvement and awareness of the community you’re serving goes a long way when building a positive reputation.
Building a blog is easier now than ever, even if you aren’t much of a writer or know next to nothing about SEO. You can hire freelance writers or marketing agencies to create content for your blog. Find freelancers to write your articles on sites like Upwork, LinkedIn, and Twitter, or, better yet, work with agencies like KL West Marketing that specialize in SEO and content marketing for small businesses.
Use social media intentionally; less is more
Social media is a vital tool for small businesses looking to grow and connect with their customer base. From establishing a consistent voice and aesthetic to organic promotion and running targeted ads, small businesses can effectively utilize social media to raise brand awareness, attract new customers, and build community.
You can connect with potential customers based on demographics, interests, and behaviors through social media, making reaching the right people easier. However, choosing the right platform(s) to focus on based on your target market and using them effectively is essential.
Don’t throw all your eggs in one basket, but don’t stretch yourself too thin, either. It is wise to have accounts set up on every popular social media platform, but put the majority of your focus on just one or two. Make sure to keep your voice and aesthetic consistent across all platforms to increase brand recognition.
Focus on the platform(s) where your target market is most active. For example, if your business targets young adults focus on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. If you’re targeting older adults, focus on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. If your target market includes gamers, try Twitch and Reddit. If your business appeals to writers, utilize Twitter.
Regularly post relevant, high-quality content that’s consistent with your brand. Utilize features such as stories, polls, live streams, comments, and direct messaging to engage with customers. You can also run promotions and giveaways to increase engagement. Regularly engaging with your followers on social media can create a sense of loyalty and community among your customer base.
Improve your website
Having a professionally-designed and well-functioning website is crucial for the success of most modern businesses. Slow, outdated websites won’t cut it anymore. People’s attention spans are shorter, and their expectations are higher. By improving your website, you can increase its effectiveness, in turn, driving more traffic and conversions.
There are many ways to improve your website, but a key area to focus on is the design and layout. A clean, modern design that is easy to navigate can make a big difference in how visitors interact with the site. Concurrently, matching the design to the vibe of your brand is equally as important, as well as having quality copy sitewide. Make sure your design, layout, and text are mobile-friendly, as 92% of internet users access it through their smartphone or tablet.