As a small business owner, you have to worry about overhead costs, like rent, repairs, staffing, supplies, utilities, and taxes. These can leave you with little funds left for marketing. However, getting the word out about your business is essential for its long-term survival and growth. Fortunately, you can still make your small business marketing effective even with a limited budget. Here’s what you should (and shouldn’t) do.

Do:

Take good care of your customers.

The age-old adage that customer is king still rings true. Focus on cultivating loyal customers; they are vital to keeping your business thriving. Reward them with promos and discounts, which can also entice prospective buyers to give your small business a chance. Consider sponsoring community events or giving away freebies or samples to create buzz.  

Do networking.

No matter the size or type of your business, networking is a great way to get your name out there. Be visible by joining your local chamber of commerce and participating in their sponsored community events. Aside from meeting like-minded peers, it can also improve the image and reputation of your business.

Outsource.

In between networking and running daily operations, most owners do not have the time to handle small business marketing personally. As a solution, think about outsourcing a few of those time-consuming tasks, like website design, content, and managing social media accounts. Some agencies offer tailor-fit alternatives without taking a cut on earnings.

Don’t:

Ignore the power of word-of-mouth.

Most customers tend to be wary of newly established businesses since they don’t know if they’ll get their money’s worth. Work around this with testimonials, referrals, reviews, and positive feedback from satisfied buyers. Once potential customers see that they can trust your business, others tend to follow suit.

Dismiss online presence.

Gone are the days when magazine spread ads and billboards reached the greatest number of customers. Thanks to the internet, small businesses can make their presence felt through social media platforms and websites—but only if their content is relevant and up-to-date. Positive reviews look wonderful on your website but don’t ignore negative ones. Responding to customer issues and fixing them quickly makes your business appear more trustworthy. 

Refuse collaboration opportunities.

Cross-promote your products and services with related businesses to get more visibility and tap into a broader base of potential customers. Create bundled promotions, discount coupons, and prizes. For instance, if you’re a florist, work with the local event planner to supply flowers for corporate dinners, bridal parties, and more.

There are numerous methods you can use to make your small business marketing effective and becoming affiliated with your local chamber of commerce should be one of them. Based in Versailles, KY, Woodford County Chamber of Commerce is a key figure in promoting networking events and supporting business development throughout the area. Call (859) 873-5122 or inquire about membership via their website.