Running a business is hard enough. It can be especially challenging if you have a smaller company and have to fill additional roles like sales, marketing, and customer service. Our latest blog post, Marketing for Non-Marketers: 4 Ways You Can Promote Your Business, aims to take some of the mystery out of marketing and gives you four ways you can create buzz and attract customers to your company.
Marketing for non-marketers
As some of the major drivers of innovation and competition, small and
medium-sized businesses are major players in the economy. Even so, it can be
tough to know how to keep pushing forward and promote your business
throughout its inception and growth. Although you may not have your own fully
staffed marketing department, there are many ways you can create buzz and
attract customers to your company.
Build a face-to-face network
Although everything has an online component these days, it's important to make
an impression face-to-face. This is especially true because statistics show that
word of mouth drives sales. According to the Word of Mouth Marketing
Association, one offline word of mouth impression drives sales five times more
than one paid impression.
So how do you go this? Attend networking events and see if you can connect with
a few key players to exchange new and old ideas and get your company's name
and mission further out in the field. Your network doesn't have to consist only of
established professionals, either. Getting together with a group of like-minded
business owners can foster discussion about your shared challenges and help you
brainstorm new ways to market your businesses on a budget. As these other
individuals and their businesses continue to grow, you'll have built a natural
network of like-minded entrepreneurs that will stay with you for life.
Host or sponsor an event
Having an event can boost your company’s visibility and attract new customers.
But it can be difficult to get the right people to attend if all they’re expecting is a
sales pitch. Instead, try to align your event with a local cause, group, or
association.
By hosting a fun public community or charity event, you and your employees can
have the satisfaction of being part of something fulfilling that gives back to the
community. Not only will this highlight your company as a strong pillar of
community support, but it will give you a natural opportunity to share what you
do, offer some company-branded fre