In the age of Amazon, local businesses have to work harder to stay afloat. While your business is thriving right now, there may come a time when the bigger players become more aggressive and gain a larger slice of the market. However, do not fret. There are still ways your business can continue to grow. Here are a few to consider:
Direct Mail Advertising
It may be a little old school, but direct mail advertising has been proven to be an effective way to reach out to old customers and bring in new ones. Through direct mail advertising, you communicate to your target audience by sending them brochures, catalogs, postcards, letters, and other marketing materials directly.
You can contact direct mail companies to oversee the advertising campaign. Usually, the service cost anywhere from a few cents to several dollars per person, depending on the design and how many people you want to reach. You may even do the design inhouse to further cut the cost.
While a chunk of advertising has gone online, direct mail remains reliable in generating sales. A survey found that a huge percent of the population still enjoy getting postal mails from brands about new products.
Create a Blog
This is a long-term strategy that, if you put efforts and energy into it, will give you great rewards. Start a blog on your website and strive to regularly post entries that are informative and entertaining.
Your blog will not only invite potential consumers to check out your website and learn about your products, but it will also push your business on top of Google’s search results. If your blog has enough interest, search engines will tag you as an industry authority and recommend your business to millions of potential consumers.
Be Social Online
Another key strategy that will make your business grow is through social media. Basically, right now, billions of people are on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. If you want to reach more consumers, social media is the way to go.
However, do not just open an account and list all the products and services your business offers. Hire an experienced social media manager to carry out marketing campaigns and communicate with potential consumers. One bad interaction with a consumer on social media can tank your marketing campaign and ruin your business’ reputation. Allow professionals to handle it.
Build Trust
Unfortunately, people are more reluctant to transact with a small business that they know nothing about. This is especially true online.
Leverage sites like Yelp and Trust Pilot to assure potential consumers that your business is reliable. Ask previous satisfied customers to leave a positive review of your product and the experience they had transacting with you.
Join Online Communities
Whatever industry you are in, there will be a relevant forum where you can directly reach out to your target audience. You can check out sites like Reddit to find an online community where potential consumers gather and have discussions.
However, do not make the mistake of spamming forums. Some businesses go online every once and a while to only post about their products and services. When you do this, you risk pushing potential customers away.
Instead, be involved. Speak to people and be truly engaged in the community. You can advertise your business by putting a link in your profile or signature and only mention it when appropriate.
