Launching a business is stressful, especially if you don’t have an endless budget. Since marketing is an absolute must if you want to get the word out, spending your time and money on it is highly recommended. But what to do when you have a limited budget? Don’t worry – most small businesses didn’t have a lot of funds to spend on marketing, and they still found a way to grow.
Here are just some ideas that could help you boost your visibility even if you don’t have a huge budget:
1. Create infographics and shareable content
Social media platforms like Instagram gave rise to visually pleasing content. But if you want others to share your posts, it is essential to add some value to your images. It is where infographics come into play. Most of us don’t have time to read captions on Instagram, so shorten the text and pair it with suitable visuals.
Don’t shy away from promoting your brand in an infographic too. You could include a small logo at the bottom or add your product to the image. If other users find your post helpful and worth sharing with their followers, your brand will be promoted for free.
2. Grow your email list
An email list is a huge part of any marketing strategy, but it can be super beneficial for small businesses. Keeping your current customers informed about updates and new products is an excellent way to keep them engaged. Throw in a discount code or a sale, and you can be sure those emails will be opened and read.
Another way to grow your email list is through giveaways and sweepstakes. You could also offer a free eBook for every person who signs up for your newsletter. Furthermore, managing and maintaining an email list is quite affordable and sometimes even free. Since you are starting small, there are several mail services you can use free of charge if you don’t have tens of thousands of subscribers yet.
3. Talk to your audience
As previously mentioned, social media should be your go-to location if you want to grow your business. It enables you to talk directly to your customers, meaning you can create a strong bond with your audience. The more you communicate with them, they will see your small business as trustworthy and recommend you to people around them.
You can engage with your followers in different ways – from responding to comments and direct messages to asking them questions in captions. Don’t forget giveaways and fun activities, like quizzes and competitions. Remember that building a relationship with your followers could take time. Don’t expect instant engagement. You have to invest your time and energy, but it will be worth it.
4. Testimonials and reviews
A positive review or a well-written testimonial can attract more potential customers to your shop. These can help them decide to make a purchase way quicker. After all, real people bought and tried your products. And they gave their honest opinion.
Encourage your existing customers to share their thoughts with you and display them on your page. Send them a follow-up email after the purchase, or even offer extra points in your loyalty program for each review. A message that finds its way to their inbox could motivate the customers to sit down and type what they really think about your products or services. Furthermore, you could ask them to use their photo alongside the testimonial or review.
5. Create a loyalty program
We have already mentioned offering points as a part of your loyalty program. Returning customers will feel valued and seen. And you can grow your customer base too. After all, your current customers are the perfect brand ambassadors. A loyalty program can motivate them to be more involved in your brand. Who doesn’t like discounts and small gifts?
You could launch a referral campaign as a part of the loyalty program. Every customer who brings someone new on board should get extra points or a discount. Even if that person doesn’t purchase a product from your shop, you can be sure that your brand awareness is going up.
