Small-scale business marketing is a specialized industry that many established businesses devote a whole department to but this doesn’t mean that smaller firms can’t effectively reach and maintain a consumer base. A variety of strategies including online marketing, to traditional strategies like billboards and print ads, can help small-scale businesses create and maintain their brand.
Online marketing, which encapsulates an online business website as well as social media profiles, is an essential component of any small business marketing strategy. A properly designed website gives customers crucial information about your business including the products and services you offer locations the company handbook hours of operation, prices, and contact information. Small business websites can also serve as an e-commerce platform which allows you to sell products and services directly to consumers.
Smaller businesses can utilize traditional marketing strategies in addition to their online presence. They can do this by distributing print ads to newspapers, coupon books, and participating in farmer’s markets and tradeshows. Another option is to collaborate with influencers, i.e. people who have large viewers and follower bases on platforms such as Instagram or YouTube to create brand awareness.
A solid and effective marketing plan is crucial for any small business. Our research results show that the majority of small businesses plan to increase marketing efforts throughout the year. When asked which marketing strategies yield the highest ROI, email and Facebook came out on top of the list and content marketing and paid digital advertising rounded out the top five. In contrast, direct mail SMS marketing and Twitter were deemed to have a lower ROI on investment.