Taking Your Business’s Marketing Methods To The Next Level

Marketing your business can take a lot of time and effort but is an essential part of making your business tick. Many of us adopt the standard tricks – printing off a business card and making a website – but if you want your marketing to be truly effective, you’re going to have to try a little harder. For anyone currently thinking of doing some marketing, here is some tips to ensure that your money spent converts into paying customers.

Educate Yourself

Taking a short course in marketing could get you up to speed with various techniques. Specific courses could lower your costs on certain marketing strategies – for example, you may want to take a WordPress course if you want to save money on web design, or social media course so that you can run your own Facebook and Twitter and not have to pay for a professional. Alternatively, you may want to take a broader and more extensive marketing program such as a full degree in communication. There are all kinds of IMC Masters programs that may suit your needs. Alternatively you may be able to educate simply by getting advice from business groups, blogs and forums.

Show Off Your Achievements

People invest in a company that has a good reputation. Prove this by showing off your achievements – whether it be business awards or simply testimonials from happy past clients. Put these on your website for those browsing to see. If you have an office or store, frame your past accolades and show off certificates. Obviously, you can go overboard and shouldn’t try to initiate conversation by listing off your achievements.

Find Your Speciality

Potential clients will want to know what is unique about you and your business, so make sure you make this clear. You don’t want to blend in with your surroundings, you want to stand out. Whether it’s more affordable prices, luxury quality or a specific rare service, make this your USP.

Outsource Your Weaknesses

Whilst you may be able to learn some marketing skills, you’re never going to be able to do all your marketing yourself. The jobs that require time or expertise that you don’t have will need to be outsourced. This could include SEO, social media management, printing off leaflets, telesales, digital analytics, PPC ads or running an events stall.

Network

One of the best methods of DIY marketing is networking – meeting people and introducing yourself and your business to them. There are all manner of networking opportunities available from community groups, business fairs, conferences, social media groups and online forums. Use these to make useful connections that could become clients themselves – or at least be able to pass on a good word. Networking with other businesses can be a useful way of gaining marketing advice, spreading awareness of your brand and creating cross-promotion opportunities. Social events meanwhile can be great places to meet new clients – remember that when running a business you’re never officially ‘off the clock’.