5 Tips for Marketing Your Small Business in the New Year

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As this year comes to a close, it’s only natural to think about what went well and how you want to improve your business next year. This includes marketing.

So how did you do with marketing your small business this year? Most small business owners would admit that marketing isn’t always at the top of their to-do lists. There are too many other things pulling at their time and resources. But marketing is an essential part of growing and maintaining your business.

If you struggle with getting the word out about your business, check out these five tips for marketing your small business in the New Year:

1. 1. Boost your online presence – The New Year might be a great time to freshen up the content and photos on your website. Look at your website from your customers’ perspective. Can they find the essential information they need? Is your website content clear and concise? Is the design inviting? The same goes for your social media profiles. A fresh cover photo and new content can go a long way to improving interactions with your fans on your social media sites. Consider creating an editorial calendar to plan all of your online content – both for your website and your social media profiles – for the coming year.
   2. Plan to implement traditional marketing ideas – Many small businesses rely on traditional marketing to get the word out about their services and products. This doesn’t mean you need to create a television commercial or a billboard! But don’t overlook print advertising in the publications your customers read or a brief radio ad on a station that’s popular with your customers. And traditional marketing also can include brochures, business cards, and signage, so take a look at these materials to determine if they need to be revised to best reflect your company and its services.
   3. Plan to implement non-traditional marketing ideas – Some traditional marketing methods may not be the ideal choice for your small business. So why not try non-traditional marketing? It’s efficient, flexible, and cost-effective. And best of all, non-traditional marketing creates a “buzz” around your company and its products or services. Try something new with my 50 Non-Traditional Marketing Ideas freebie! Register for my email list to access this freebie.
   4. Check out your competition – The best place to get ideas for marketing your small business is by looking at your competitors. What are they doing well? Use your competition’s success as a springboard for making improvements in your own business. What are your competitors not doing well? Maybe your business can fill the gap and help meet an unmet need in your market!
   5. Pick the brain of your best customers – Do you frequently talk to your best customers? If not, you may be missing out on a huge opportunity! Ask them what they most appreciate about you and your business. Why do they keep coming back to your company? And ask some tough questions, like how can your business improve its services or what can your company do better? While you’re talking to your best customers, ask them for a testimonial that you can publish on your website or in your marketing materials. Your best customers also can be your best advertising!

I’d love to hear your success stories! Tell me how you implemented one of these ideas and what the results were.