Spreading the word and getting people interested in your new business is one of the most important tasks for entrepreneurs. If you’ve recently launched a startup, now is the time to start building a customer base and implementing effective ways to attract clients and make sales.
In this informative guide, we’ll discuss strategies to help you promote your new business and share tips to maximize impact.
Building a brilliant website
Having a website used to be a luxury for companies, but today, it is essential. Around 20% of sales are now completed online and figures are increasing year on year. There are now over 2.5 billion online shoppers in the world. Having a brilliant website isn’t just important for selling online. It’s also critical for marketing your business.
Even if you don’t sell products or services online, you can use your website to create leads, raise brand awareness and encourage customers to take the next step. Your website should look the part and it should also be functional and interesting.
Test page designs and themes, streamline the payment process and provide useful information and help and support options. It’s an excellent idea to include an FAQ section and to add an email enquiry form or live chat.
Once you’ve got the basics pinned down, focus on enhancing your website to impress customers and improve conversion rates. If people are leaving when they hit the homepage, or they are abandoning their carts once they reach the delivery section, for example, address these issues.
Ask customers for feedback and make improvements. You should test content and design features, analyze and review data and encourage users to give feedback continuously.
Offering incentives
New businesses often face tough competition. To lure customers in and convince them to choose you, it’s vital to set your business apart. One way to do this is to offer incentives. Make your customers feel like they’re getting a brilliant deal by offering perks or access to great savings, for example. If you’re opening a new store or restaurant, advertise a special offer for the first visit or purchase.
Look for a company that offers high-quality flyer printing and turn heads with a fantastic first-time offer. You could treat diners to a free dessert or offer a 10% saving on their first purchase in-store, for example. If you’re marketing an online business, why not issue an exclusive discount code for new customers or add a freebie to the cart with every purchase of a specific item?
If you sell cosmetics, for example, you could provide a free blending sponge or brush with every bottle of foundation.
In addition to using incentives to bring new customers in, it’s hugely beneficial to treat regular customers. Repeat customers spend up to 67% more than new clients and they also play a valuable role in promoting businesses through word of mouth.
Consider launching a loyalty scheme or offering deals and discounts for repeat purchases, subscriptions or memberships. High custom retention rates are excellent for sales and they also help to boost brand image and reputation.
Implementing a targeted marketing strategy
Marketing can have an incredible impact on new business success rates, but it’s important to have an effective strategy in place. Implementing a targeted strategy is arguably the most critical element. Your campaigns should reach the right people and encourage them to get in touch, subscribe, sign up or place an order.
Start by defining your target customer and getting to know your audience through comprehensive market research. Engage and interact with prospective customers, ask them questions and test out ideas, options and prototypes. Use feedback to make improvements and address teething troubles.
Use the findings of your market research to determine the most effective ways to target customers and generate high-quality leads. Do your customers use social media, for example? If they do, which apps and channels do they use most frequently and what kind of content do they prefer?
Do they buy products and services through social media, or do they use social platforms to learn more about brands? Identify the best channels and techniques and analyze data to monitor progress in line with established performance indicators and goals.
Keep modifying and modernizing your strategy to capitalize on new trends and improve products and services for your customers.
Picture source: Pedro’s
Making your brand stand out
Whether you own a physical store, you provide services, or you sell online, making your brand stand out is a challenge. Consumers today have a huge range of choices and options. Use your marketing strategy to draw attention to your brand. Tailor your approach to the target buyer and the marketing methods you use.
If you’re going to a festival or a tradeshow, for example, think about the aesthetics of the stall or stand and build a crowd by offering free samples, doing demos, hosting interactive talks or handing out branded promotional items. If you’re advertising on social media, build a following by working with influencers or running a giveaway.
Ask followers to share your posts and tag others to enter a competition to win a prize. If you’re using press adverts or flyers, make your brand stand out by up-selling your USP and offering a discount or access to a promotional offer or sale.
Encouraging recommendations
Word of mouth remains one of the most potent marketing weapons. In recent years, word-of-mouth marketing has evolved thanks to the growing influence and popularity of online reviews. Consumers still ask for recommendations from friends, colleagues, neighbors and family members, but they also read reviews online to help them make decisions.
More than 90% of people check online reviews. Encourage recommendations and referrals to spread the word about your business. Ask existing customers to share reviews and incentivize referrals. You could offer a loyal customer and a friend they refer 10% off their next order, for example.
Image credit: Pixabay
If you’re ready to launch a new business, it’s natural to want to shout about it from the rooftops, but how can you promote your brand effectively? To spread the word, create and convert leads and build a client base, it’s beneficial to research thoroughly and draw up a targeted marketing strategy.
Design a brilliant website and drive traffic using SEO. Get to know your ideal buyer, tailor campaigns to reach target audiences and set your brand apart. Offer incentives, run promotions and encourage customers to leave reviews and recommend your business to friends and relatives.
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