Businesses can come in all different shapes and sizes. Many people aim to start a small home business as a side hustle, or a way to earn some extra income in addition to your other responsibilities. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent looking for work you can do in the few moments respite you have in the day, or someone who works full-time but wants to earn more to support your family, home businesses can be a great place to start. This is a contributed post
However, even home businesses can have the potential to grow. There is a huge variety of businesses you can set up from home, each taking advantage of your skills and the tools available to you.
You might make money selling crafts online, freelance writing, bookkeeping, or even cutting hair from your home. No matter what your business offers, a good marketing strategy can help you expand your business and boost your profits.
Here are some tips to get you started.
Set Up a Social Media Account
One of the most effective modern ways to market your business is to embrace digital marketing strategies. There are a number of different digital marketing techniques that you can use, but social media marketing is one of the most accessible and effective forms of marketing.
People won’t buy from a business that they’ve never heard of. If you want to grow your business and find more customers, you need to go where they are. People are on social media all day, every day. So they see adverts and posts when they scroll or explore different platforms.
The social media platform you choose depends largely on your target audience. TikTok is great for younger people, Facebook is ideal for middle-aged or older people, and Instagram and Twitter can catch almost everyone in between. Platforms like LinkedIn are ideal for professionals and other business owners.
You can create an account for free on most social media platforms, and while advertisements still cost money, you can still create posts and other content to market your business. It only costs time and effort.
In order to get the most out of your social media account, make sure you post regularly, but without spamming any followers. Ideally, you want to attract followers to your account, so make your content worth their while. It should be interesting, entertaining, and informative. You can also include promotions and deals for people who follow your social media account.
This is also a good opportunity to link with other businesses and even influencers. This is a great way to get the word out about your business.
Your Website or Online Platform
Your selling platform can also provide some great marketing opportunities. Many people who run small businesses and sell things online use platforms like Etsy or eBay. While the website itself isn’t owned by you, it’s still up to you to make your products more desirable.
Use keywords when describing your products that are relevant to your customers. Take good pictures that let people know exactly what the product looks like and even how it works, when possible. Be precise with your descriptions. Offer deals on occasion to attract more customers.
Of course, the selling platform you use can depend on your product or service. Some businesses are better off with a dedicated business website. This provides plenty of chances to use content marketing strategies to attract people to the site. A business blog can be especially helpful for this.
Finally, if you provide a service, try to get involved with job boards and tradesperson listings local to your area. Online job boards make it easier to link with potential clients, while tradesperson listings allow people to find you.
Take advantage of reviews and testimonials whenever possible. People listen to other people, and are more likely to trust a product with great reviews.
Networking and Word of Mouth
Speaking of reviews and testimonials, word of mouth is one of the most effective ways to get the word out about your business. Encourage people to leave a review, even if it means offering a discount on their next purchase. This means they’re more likely to leave a positive review and more likely to purchase from you again, killing two birds with one stone.
But you also want to make connections with other small businesses. There are a few ways to do this. Social media is a great first step, and it helps to find similar industries in your area that don’t perfectly cover your niche. Some businesses work better with this technique than others.
Here’s an example. Let’s say you’re a florist and can create bouquets for weddings. Another business in a similar industry might be a hairstylist or a makeup artist, or even a cake baker. If you make the connection, you can offer a deal that benefits both businesses.
You can create networking opportunities through expos and events, as well as simply searching for local businesses in your area.
Traditional Marketing Techniques
Finally, one great way to get the word out is to embrace some traditional marketing techniques. While digital marketing and social media marketing has taken the world by storm, there is still a lot of value in traditional marketing methods, especially if your business caters to the local market.
You can create flyers and posters to get the word out and encourage people to look your business up. Custom business cards can be helpful when you meet people, and it’s a good idea to offer them to customers to pass on to other people.
Whether you’re working from home or a local commercial space, traditional marketing lets people know who you are and how to get in touch. Of course, there’s always a level of investment, especially if you’re engaging in a larger campaign. But marketing is the only way to get more customers and boost your profits. So get the word out every way you can.