The Federation of Small Businesses estimates that every year almost half 1,000,000 people take the mantle of becoming their very own boss, running their very own small business. There are actually now 4.8 million small businesses in the UK (October 2010); and each wanting to be successful and expand – MARKETING being a key way to make this come about…
When you want to bigin to promote your small business, the methods available appear to be endless not to mention baffling; it doesn't need to be that way. Use these steps below that will help you to produce the results you need without too much of a headache:
Decide who and what exactly is your target market? Find the niche!
Choose whether or not you are going to gain custom from Consumers (general public), or businesses? Your line of attack will need to be different for marketing.
Set a budget for the marketing; always keep a little of cash in reserve for chances that should not be missed!
Location, location, location, Donot be tempted to widen your reach too far, or too narrow.
Look at the marketing your competitors use – find out if they are they doing well? Does it work?
Ensure that you include any colour themes, fonts and branding that your company has for any marketing work that you do. Create a complete and joined up marketing campaign – no matter how big or small.
When embarking upon marketing, consider all of the opportunities; Below are a few ideas:
Local press advertising, in decline, but still has use for services such as a local plumber.
Website advertising if applicable is ideal for reaching your audience - Local internet directories, Yell.co.uk, Gumtree, Google advertising. thats just a few of them. There are literally hindreds on the internet.
Leaflets - this is especially useful for any one off promotion that you intend doing.
Posters in appropriate areas.
Advertising in local libraries, café's, civic buildings.
If marketing to other businesses, consider publications and websites for the industry sector that you are invoved in..
PR – let people know about your small business, highlight any areas that are unique or fashionable – there is an endless amount of websites and publications to contact, use the web, other people, libraries etc. to find them.
Always remember Word of Mouth – the older firms continue to prosper!
One rule always applies to whatever decisions you make in life, the age old saying "if it sounds too good, then it probably is". This is where word of mouth really comes in to its own, I cannot stress this enough to anyone who asks me about promoting a small business.
Whatever you decide upon, remember you can change your plans as your business develops. Never be afraid to challenge your own decisions, and take advice from those who know… Good luck!
Author Resource:-
I have been promoting small businesses for a very long time now and I am currently working on a site called Colchester Plumber. This is what I do for a living these days
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