Running a small business and just decided to become digital? Do not know what to start your online promotion with? Looking for new ideas on how to use the tools you are using already? Becoming ready to a holiday season? Thinking on how to get more paying less?
We have predicted your interest and decided to combine all the advertising ideas for your small business in one article. Enjoy!
1. Content
Many online entrepreneurs underestimate the content that is directly related to their products and services. At the same time the exact name of the product and the corresponding description – it is an additional plus to trust and an impulse to make a purchase. The majority of buyers are not looking for a company, but for a particular product. Help your consumers to find you.
– A description of your product / service should be correct, simple and SEO optimized.
– Put an image of your product.
Click here to read more on what type of images you should use.
– Make a video-review.
– Stay relevant. You should keep all the required information updated (i.e. information about price, product availability, sales and discounts).
2. Email marketing
Nowadays, email marketing for small and medium businesses is almost free and very effective tool to increase repeat sales, customer retention and return.
E-mail marketing is more effective tool to increase sales than social media platforms, although they also should be taken into consideration. According to McKinsey, one email-newsletter can 2-3 times increase the number of orders from the online store. To start working with email marketing it is unnecessary to write long letters or have a talent of copywriting. You can start with the most basic tools; for example, create a simple letter with a reference to the products from your online catalog.
3. Reviews and ratings
A great majority of users pay attention to ratings and reviews when making the order. Word of mouth is among the most effective mechanisms of marketing. With the development of internet technologies, it is now possible to share your experience with the whole world in just one click.
How to value from that?
– Find topical forums and become an active part of the forum society. Your comments should be helpful and relevant. If the rules of the forum allow using open links – use them to direct consumers to your website. If direct links are forbidden – use nofollow links.
– Create an account on Reddit and Reddit-like platforms. It will give you an opportunity to share different types of content and take an active part in discussions.
– Create a review section on your website. And stay tolerant answering to the comments. Remember, both positive and negative comments value. You cannot be liked by everyone. If keeping negative comments along with positive ones – it will create a view of a ‘live’ website.
4. Social media
Social media is still a good tool to use for advertising. According to the statistics, provided by Trueship – 74% of consumers use social media to get more information on products they choose.
Use different social media, not limited to Facebook and Twitter. Post content regularly. Be active – answer to the comments and initiate discussions.
5. Contests, discounts, special offers
Contests and competitions in social media is a great way to increase brand awareness and sales. Communication with the audience and nice bonuses as a prize always get positive results and contribute to the loyalty.
The contest allows visitors to generate content themselves, thereby increasing the depth of their involvement, as well as motivating them to share with their friends, which creates great coverage not only of the competition, but also of your page as a whole.
The mechanism of such an activity as contest is quite easy: the user likes the page and shares the piece of content, it should be stated that the obligatory condition to participate is to enter the community. When the contest is over, to choose the winner, use the site generating random numbers. Conditions can be adjusted depending on the specifics of your community.
NB! Think two steps ahead – you should state who will pay for the delivery, how to use the discount etc. before the beginning of your contest (not when the winner is determined). The worst thing is to change the rules during the run of the contest.
Conclusion
There are plenty of ways to advertise online, we have stated those to start with. Create your own methods, learn deeper on the opportunities of each social media platform you use, be transparent and keep on going. Even if you do not have the results immediately – go ahead. Only the routine, constant marketing will lead you to success.
What were the first steps you have done positioning online?
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