As an entrepreneur, you want to ensure that your business is visible online and has maximum exposure to your market. This means honing your digital marketing strategy and welcoming the world of social media into your remit. It can be difficult to find the time to dedicate to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. However, to compete with your rivals, you must regularly update your status, encourage new followers and direct traffic to your website. But is social media the be all and end all of online marketing? Read on to find out about alternative marketing platforms for your business.
Social Media
In the twenty first century, social media is vital to get your brand out there. If you are a new startup struggling to compete with your industry rivals, it is imperative that you can hold your own on Twitter and Instagram. With Instagram being a visual platform, this is an ideal vehicle to show off your items, products and services in all their glory. It doesn’t matter whether you are a small accountancy firm or a bespoke jewelry maker, Instagram will attract your niche market if you utilize filters and hashtags.
The same goes for Twitter, albeit in a more communicative sense. You can find your more informal company voice and veer away from the stuffy corporate tone. Your followers will appreciate this level of chattiness. Coupled with relevant and meaningful posts, content and links, you can direct traffic effectively to your website.
Other Online Options
To secure further sales, you can check out alternative avenues online to market your business and brand. You can research how to use LinkedIn to get clients, by creating a professional profile and making connections. Like a more professional and more intuitive Facebook, everyone on LinkedIn is business minded and wants to further their careers, their brands and their capabilities. As a service provider, you can be the solution to many potential clients’ issues. You will also have a unique insight into who has viewed your profile. This means you can follow up this interest with a quick message or check in to introduce yourself, being proactive and possibly securing business.
Go Local
While social media is a great way to get your business to have a global reach, you need to think about making links with your local community. This means getting into your area, leaflet dropping, having adverts in your local newspaper and being present. Local businesses might not be keen to source their service providers online and may rely more on word of mouth. Ensure that you dedicate enough time to your business links physically rather than solely online.
Honing your digital marketing strategy is vital if you are to compete with your rivals. Being a small fish in a big pond can take some getting used to and you need to use marketing as a tool to gain exposure and boost your sales revenue.
Social media is crucial to business marketing, but it should not be at the expense of other marketing channels.
