Your brand is the sum of many parts, and most of them are based on perception. You are more than welcome to spread any information about your company that you’d like, but if your actions and public persona disagree with the message you’re spreading, you’re probably going to raise some questions.
As a small business owner, consistent, constant marketing is a big part of making sure your audience knows you, what you offer, and what makes you unique. You can’t just sit back and hope your target market gets the memo when you should be pounding the pavement and making sure those that encounter your name will be left with a lasting impression. If you’re struggling to make marketing an everyday occurrence, our eBook, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Small Business Owners, is the perfect reference, giving you everything you need to be the best you can be for your small business.
Promote word of mouth marketing
What are you more likely to trust, the word of a close friend or anonymous information on the web? Word of mouth marketing is one of the most effective ways to build a positive reputation, especially when it comes to your local community. Your initial customers, assuming they are pleased, will become automatic PR, putting real, everyday people on the sidelines, rooting for your success.
When your customers are happy, your business will prosper, as long as you give them something to cheer about. Rather than seeing conversations with prospective shoppers and passersby as a task, view every interaction as an opportunity. Everything you say, do, or offer provides customers with a chance to know who you are and why you matter. By giving them a positive impression to remember you by, they’ll be much more likely to say something to their friends and family.
Bring in the pros
Leaving a lasting mark on your customers is great, but it’s not your only opportunity to paint your name in a positive light. The only way you’ll be able to scale your business effectively at a higher level is with help from a dynamic, multifaceted marketing plan detailing everything from social media and content to offline alternatives, in addition to a calendar that spans up to 18 months in advance to ensure you’re prepared to build the best possible brand.
Not a marketing guru? In-house solutions may not be your best bet. Bringing in a marketing consultant can help you create a professional-calibre plan aimed at your business objectives, saving your team time, energy, and money in the big picture. The wrong approach to marketing in the early stages of your business can cost you a lot in the end, putting you weeks or even months behind where you should be.
Marketing may not always come naturally to you. But it is a vital element of any successful business, so it’s not something you can DIY or allow to fall by the wayside. With help from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Small Business Owners, you can make sure your marketing is sending the right message with each and every action made by you and your business.
