Getting the word out about your business is the biggest uphill battle you will face, but it’s also one of the most vital. Not only is the company riding on word-of-mouth making the rounds, odds are the company is your livelihood. If you’ve found that you’re looking for small business marketing around St. Charles, IL, I’m here to give you a few tips to set you on the right path toward a successful campaign.
Give your stuff away
This might seem counterproductive. But trust me, it’s not. Your product or service is good enough that you’re able to make a living at it, so the quality is obviously high. When people see how good you are, they’re willing to pay for it. For example, if you own a restaurant and want to get the word out, set up a stand outside your building or nearby so people can find about you. Once they’ve had that first bite, they’re going to be a lot more willing to come back and bring their friends. If they have fun while they’re in your restaurant, they’ll be customers for life.
Spread the word at events
Whether you attend big trade shows or start your own local events, it’s essential that you get the word out about your enterprise with customers in the field and other companies. You might end up working with some of your competitors later, so be sure to have a good attitude and a friendly handshake ready for everyone at the event, though.
Start or join a podcast
If you want your small business to have the most reach, but don’t know exactly how to reach a lot of people who are on-the-go, you might consider starting a podcast. In case you’re not familiar with podcasts, they’re periodic broadcasts that people can download to their mobile devices, then listen to or watch when they have a spare moment. A lot of people listen while they’re in the car, and this is a great solution if you’re in a field that relies heavily on frequent updates or keeping your customers informed about a topic.
Be involved
Whether you’re volunteering to be part of a non-profit organization or are just supporting a cause with your pocketbook, you will get some attention for that. In addition to the personal benefits you get from being involved or supporting a cause, people will see your business in a good light because you’re proving that you stand for something. Whether people agree or disagree with the organization you support, they will know that something besides the bottom line is important to you.
Be helpful
You can be helpful in the form of a weekly e-newsletter or just by making sure a customer has all the information before making a purchase. If you’re a photography shop, you might want to encourage people to shop around a little before they buy a camera. This lets people know that you won’t pressure them into a knee-jerk action they might regret, but they will also feel that you’re watching out for them as a person—that you’re not just seeing dollar signs when they walk in the door.
Some of these tips might seem like you’re taking a step away from your goal of a successful small business, but all of them are designed for one thing: they will get the word out about your organization so you can have a successful business. Doing small business marketing in St. Charles, IL isn’t exactly an overnight thing, so take advantage of these steps and have patience. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a successful business.