Small businesses have a lot to compete with in today’s densely populated market, so utilizing all the promotional tools at your disposal is paramount to the success of your business. Luckily, there is an incredible (and ever-growing) amount of options available when it comes to promoting your small business. In fact, the sheer number of choices can be staggering! It is understandable if you don’t know where to focus your attention first. However, these 5 ideas should help you get the juices flowing. From there, you can narrow your approach and decide what works best for you.  

5 Great Ways to Promote Your Small Business

  1. Get Involved in Your Community

Today, more and more people are looking to actively support the businesses in their community. Therefore, small businesses thrive best in local environments. Consider hosting an event or joining a local festival where you can advertise and promote your business. There, you can form connections with locals, provide them with samples or special offers, and hand out print marketing tools; nothing is better than word-of-mouth promotion, and speaking directly to potential customers in your community is the perfect way to encourage an ongoing dialogue. If you can gain the trust of your community, they will go out of their way to support you in return.

  • Encourage and Respond to Reviews

Next to word-of-mouth communication, people turn to online reviews to get valued feedback about a business. When you make a sale, provide your customers with a way to assess the product. You can link them to sites like Google or Yelp, for example, or include a testimonial section on your own website. Customers who take the time to review your products and services are making an effort to share their experience; show them you appreciate their input by listening to what they say and responding to them directly whether their evaluation is positive or negative. If they had a bad experience, respond as quickly as you can to resolve the problem and rebuild trust in your brand.

  • Try All Social Media Platforms

While Facebook and Instagram are a two of the largest social media platforms, a wealth of other options exist. Create videos for Tiktok, vlog on YouTube, and post to sites like Pinterest, Twitter, and Reddit to broaden your audience. By utilizing various platforms, you can reach customers you might not have otherwise. Be active and post regularly to maintain relevancy and remain a part of the conversation. You can also consider reaching out to influencers to promote for you or using ads on sites like YouTube, which can be included as a precursor to a video or in a list of search results.

  • Share Your Values

According to research by Forbes, 92% of customers are more likely to trust brands that are environmentally or socially conscious. Furthermore, Inc. says 66% of global consumers (and a whopping 73% of Millennials) are willing to pay more for sustainable products. Now more than ever, your small business’ values matter. Take part in charity events, practice sustainability and offer your customers as many eco-friendly options as possible. This isn’t just about cash flow; the world is watching, and you want your small business to make a positive impact. You want to provide a reliable service that will make a difference in their lives and the lives of others, and the effects of social consciousness will yield something essential to growth: trust. One of the most respectable ways to promote your business is by promoting ethical practices yourself.

Consider joining charity engagements, taking part in global social media conversations, or donate a portion of each purchase to a cause of your choice. When using print marketing tools, be aware of your footprint and choose recyclable or compostable options, and share your values with them. Let them know what you do to make the world a better place.

  • Prioritize On-the-Ground Tactics

Without a doubt, social media and digital marketing are crucial tools and they will continue to play a huge part in promoting a small business. However, keep in mind that in this environment, more personalized tactics will stand out. Consider a mail campaign, or print flyers and succinct brochures to pin up in coffee shops, residential areas and office buildings. Hand out business cards. Better yet, talk to people; rather than trying to sell to them immediately, promote your small business by making a connection. Think about listening to their stories and sharing some of your own. How has your business helped others in the past? What makes your services special to your current customer base? Think of ways you can communicate this intimately rather than at a distance; provide concrete, tangible marketing tools they can touch.

It’s also vital to collaborate with others around you directly, whether that be other small businesses or vendors. Reach out to them through a phone call or meet with the owner of the company for lunch: consider offering their employees samples or a giveaway products in exchange for promoting your products.

Promote Your Small Business With Help from My Print Co

My Print Co can help your business thrive with our print marketing resources. We are here to assist you with creating printed promotional material that will help your business grow. Contact My Print Co today to get more information about flyers and all our other products and services. Visit us today at www.myprintco.com.