In today’s competitive business landscape, simply having a great product or service isn’t enough to thrive. Around one in five businesses fail within their first year in the UK. Businesses need a well-defined promotional strategy to attract new customers and build brand awareness if they hope to survive.
Without effective promotion, potential clients may never discover your hidden gem, so here are some proven tactics to get your name out there and watch your customer base grow.
Use social media
Social media is an indispensable tool when it comes to business promotions. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have billions of users across the globe and offer you the opportunity to connect with potential customers. Following local groups and creating engaging content demonstrates your brand’s unique personality, products and services.
Your target demographic is very likely using social media to guide consumer decisions so not building your brand there will hinder their ability to find you. It’s also a good chance to get a look at your competitors and fill in any gaps in the market.
Optimise your website
Your website is your digital storefront and is the first impression that potential customers receive from your business. Knowing how to make your digital content SEO-friendly will significantly boost your visibility and keep visitors engaged.
Ensure that your website is easy to navigate both on mobile and devices and use search engine optimisation (SEO) to help customers find you in their search engine results. Regularly update your site with fresh content like blogs, special offers and customer testimonials with clear calls to action throughout.
Don’t miss trade shows
Trade shows are an ideal setting for showcasing your products and services and networking with your target demographic. Make the effort to attend industry-specific trade shows, investing in a booth that reflects your brand image, so you can engage with your customers directly.
This is a good opportunity to provide handouts, answer client questions and prepare presentations highlighting the unique selling points of your business. At events like these, you can scope out potential partners and even future employees, with whom you’ll have a chance to trade professional advice on common considerations like shop insurance or training and qualifications.
Pay for advertising
Utilising paid advertising platforms such as Google Ads is particularly useful when targeting specific audiences and interests. Explore the different options available to find the avenue that resonates best with your target demographic, from display ads to sponsored and video content.
Paid advertising allows for quick, measurable results so you can track your return on investment (ROI) and adjust your marketing strategy for maximum impact. The guaranteed reach of paid advertising is more attractive to startup businesses compared to organic marketing, where results are more gradual.
