Marketing is an important part of creating a successful business. For small business owners, traditional marketing tactics may prove to be too expensive. There are however, many lower cost things that can be done to market small businesses. The following techniques and tips can help small business owners get the word out about their products or services.

Collaborate With Other Businesses

You should try to find businesses in your community that are not competitors and create a relationship. Both businesses can benefit from cross promotion as it can help to expand customer base. To cross promote you can use fliers, bundled promotions, coupons, and social media, among other methods.

Get Involved in the Community

When it comes to marketing your small business, it helps to think locally. For instance, sponsoring a sports team or event, and printing fliers and leaving them at local establishments spreads awareness of your business in the community. If you get involved in your community, it can help your business to become more visible to potential customers.

Network

Networking events are often held free of charge and can be a great way to connect with other business owners and spread awareness about your product or service. In addition to attending network events, you can simply network in the community where you business is located by getting to know people.

Offer Customer Coupons and Loyalty Programs

Coupons or loyalty programs can be a great way for businesses to attract and keep new customers. Research has proven that people will go out of their way to shop at a store for which they have a coupon. Coupons and other such programs can also help you retain customers. If you give a customer a coupon to use for a future visit at the time of payment, it is likely they will visit again.

Establish Strong Customer Relationships

Building strong relationships with your customers is crucial to the success of your small business. One way to establish customer relationships is through the use of social media and email campaigns. Email and social media provide platforms for communicating with customers and providing helpful and informative content.

Give Things Away

When customers are given the opportunity to experience products or services, it can lead them to want to purchase more. Free trials and sample products can help draw in customers who may be more comfortable purchasing items or services that they have already experienced.

Request Referrals

Most happy customers are willing to provide referrals if asked so it is important to not shy away from asking for customer referrals. They can make it easier to get new clients into your business which can lead to repeat customers.

Create an Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch is a very short pitch, usually about one minute, that explains your business products or services. Research has shown that the average adult has an attention span of about six to eight seconds so a short concise pitch is important. Creating the perfect elevator pitch will allow you to market anytime, and anywhere.

More Small Business Marketing Tips

Added by Gary Taylor