As a small business, it can be challenging to attract attention from the other big players in your industry. At Impact Group Marketing, we believe that small businesses can thrive when clear goals and solid marketing strategies are implemented – and it doesn’t have to break your budget!
Here are five things you should do to help your small business build brand awareness and loyal customers.
1. Create a logo and branding guide
A brand guide is a document that details your company’s visual identity, so your employees and freelance vendors know how to represent your company to the public. Your brand guide should define your company’s mission, identity, and values. It also spells out rules for your logo usage, font type and color, typography, and tone.
Also called a brand book, you can use your brand guide internally and when collaborating with partners or vendors to ensure your brand’s image is properly represented across all marketing materials and channels.
2. Build a website
Did you know that only 7% of American adults don’t use the internet? That means 93% do! Your website is the face of your business – and without it, people will question your credibility and legitimacy as a business. Besides boosting your credibility, having a website increases your visibility and improves lead generation.
Do you have a website, but you’re still not getting found? That means it’s time to invest in a better website with industry-specific and keyword-rich content, search engine optimization (SEO), and an experienced website team to help get you noticed.
Read More: 10 Signs Your Business Needs a Website Redesign
3. Take advantage of local listings
A Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) is a crucial marketing tool that allows you to create a free listing for your business on Google.
Creating this free profile increases your visibility and enables you to manage how your local business shows up across Google products like Search and Maps.
Whether you’re looking for web traffic or foot traffic, a Google Business Profile helps ensure that people find your business when looking in their local area for services and products you provide. A Google Business Profile shows searchers where and how to visit your business and improves your local SEO.
Read More: SEO Tip: Target Local Searchers
4. Use social media
If your small business isn’t on social media, you’re missing out on opportunities to attract new customers and connect with existing customers. Best of all? It’s free to set up a business account on most social media sites!
Compared to other paid advertising options, most social media platforms offer affordable ad campaigns that can help get you in front of local consumers.
Read More: Should Your Business Be Using Social Media? And If So, Which One?
5. Create high-quality business cards
In many ways, your business card is the most basic marketing tool you have. It communicates essential information about your company in a format that is easy for customers to use and store.
Business cards are direct marketing tools that create a professional first impression. No other form of marketing is more effective than face-to-face communication. And since business cards can go wherever you go, they’re an essential mobile marketing tool.
Your business card should contain your company’s logo, advertising slogan, and all necessary information. Even though it’s made from paper, it can still be tech-savvy. Including a QR code that leads to your website or social media page takes a simple business card to the next level!
Bottom Line
These five affordable marketing strategies will help you increase brand awareness, engage customers, and get noticed. For small businesses, marketing can be overwhelming – but it makes all the difference! Our best advice for getting started is to keep it simple and ask for help in the areas that aren’t within your skill set.
Impact Group Marketing is a digital marketing agency with print production capabilities based in College Station, Texas. We provide small to medium businesses with digital marketing solutions, website design and development services, and business printing. Contact us today for more information and a free estimate!