The 14 Best Ways To Market Your Business

When you're looking to expand your business, one of the most important things to consider is marketing.

Sure, you might have a great product or service, but if no one knows about it, then money will go right out of your pocket. And that's not a good thing!

However, marketing can be tricky—especially when you're new! You don't know where to start (what's the best way to advertise?), and you don't have time to learn how to do it all yourself.

That's why we're here: we've got all the answers for you! There are many ways to market your business, but this article will focus on some of the best ways to market your business and get noticed by potential customers.

1. Optimize Your Local Listings for More Customers

Whether you're a small business or a large corporation, it's important to make sure that your company is visible online. One way to do this is by setting up a Google My Business account. This is one of the best ways to market your business for free. It will allow potential customers to find your company's location and hours of operation easily. Customers can also post reviews of your business. By taking advantage of local listings, you can extend your reach with a free form of advertising. 

How do I set up a Google My Business account? 

Setting up a Google My Business account is easy and only takes a few minutes. You'll need to provide some basic information about your business, such as your business name, address, and phone number. You'll also need to verify your business through Google. Once your account is set up, you can start adding information about your business, such as photos and descriptions. 

What are the benefits of setting up a Google My Business account? 

There are many benefits to setting up a Google My Business account. First, it allows you to manage your online presence easily. You can control what information is displayed about your business, and you can respond to customer reviews.

Additionally, setting up a Google My Business account will help you extend your reach with a free form of advertising. When customers search for businesses in their area, your business will be more likely to show up in the results if you have an active account.

2. Market Your Business on Social Media

In today's age, no business can survive without an active social media strategy as it is a necessary part of a marketing campaign. Social media strategies help brands to inform their followers about their products and engage them with relevant content.

Best of all, it is completely free to set up a business account on most social media sites, making it one of the more affordable ways to advertise your business. Creating paid posts and other forms of social media ads, however, will still require an investment.

Benefits of Using Social Media for Business 

If you’re not already using social media for business, now is the time to start. These platforms provide an affordable way to reach new customers while also increasing engagement with existing ones. When used effectively, social media can be a powerful marketing tool—one that can help take your business to the next level.

1. Informing Customers 

One great way that social media can be used for business is by informing your customers about new products or services. This is an especially effective marketing tactic if you offer seasonal items or have a new product line that debuts regularly.

Customers who follow your business on social media will appreciate being the first to know about what’s new, and it might prompt them to make a purchase sooner rather than later.

Depending on the product or service, you could even offer a discount to customers who learn about it through social media. 

2. Attracting New Customers 

In addition to keeping your existing customers in the loop, social media can also be used to reach new ones. By posting engaging content, optimized for SEO with the right keywords, you can attract people who might not have otherwise heard of your business. Once they’re engaged with your brand on social media, you can then work on converting them into paying customers. 

3. Increasing Engagement 

Social media provides an excellent opportunity to increase customer engagement. You can do this by asking questions in your posts, hosting giveaways or contests, or simply by responding to comments and messages on time. The more engaged your customers are with your brand, the more likely they are to purchase from you—and the more likely they are to continue doing business with you in the future. 

3. Get More Traffic to Your Website With SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is used by businesses and individuals to improve their visibility online. By using relevant keywords throughout your website's web pages and blog posts, you can increase the chance of users finding your site when they search online for businesses like yours.

However, SEO involves much more than just keyword usage. To truly optimize your website's SEO, you'll need to do some research and potentially hire an agency specializing in this area.

Keep reading to learn more about how to optimize your website's SEO. 

Why is SEO among the best ways to market your business? 

Search engines remain the main driver of traffic to your website, despite that people are using social media more frequently to search for information about products and brands. This trend has been witnessed across niches and types of websites and applies to product-based, informational, and service-based websites.

How does SEO work? 

SEO works by optimizing individual web pages so that they are more likely to rank highly in search engine results for relevant queries. This process involves both on-page (i.e. within the actual page content) and off-page (i.e. external factors such as link popularity) optimizations. 

3 Ways to Improve Your Website's SEO ranking 

Many factors contribute to a website's ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs). While some of these are under your control (e.g. the quality of your content), others are not (e.g. link popularity). Here are three of the best ways to market your business through SEO ranking: 

1. Publish High-Quality Content 

One of the most important things you can do to improve your website's SEO ranking is to publish high-quality content regularly. This includes blog posts, articles, whitepapers, infographics, ebooks, etc. Not only should this content be informative and keyword-rich, but it should also be engaging and visually appealing. If you're not a talented writer or designer, consider outsourcing this task to professionals who can help ensure that your content is up to par. 

2. Optimize Your Web Pages for Search Engines 

To rank highly in SERPs, each of your web pages must be optimized for certain keywords or phrases. These should be included in key places throughout each page, such as the title tag, meta description tag, header tags, image alt text, etc. If you're not sure how to properly optimize your web pages for search engines, consider working with an experienced SEO agency that can help ensure that all of your pages are properly optimized. 

3. Build Backlinks from High-Quality Sites 

Backlinks are links from other websites that point back to your site. They act as “votes” of confidence from external sources and can help improve your website's overall link popularity (i.e., the number of links pointing back to your site).

However, it's important to note that not all backlinks are created equal; links from high-quality sites carry more weight than those from low-quality sites.

Therefore, it's important to focus on building backlinks from high-quality websites if you want to see a significant boost in your site's SERP ranking. 

4. Use Google Ads to Grow Your Business

Google Ads is an effective way to get your product or service in front of potential customers who are actively searching for what you have to offer. To run an effective campaign, start by doing keyword research, creating relevant and useful ads, and including a call to action with a relevant landing page link. Then track your results so that you can improve your campaign over time.

How Google Ads Works

A Google Ad runs by offering advertising space and inviting bids. The top bid is given the space to host their advertisement. When a user performs a Google search for any keyword, the auction is triggered and all of the advertisers that are bidding on that keyword have their ads displayed in order from highest bid to lowest bid. The position of your ad on the page is determined by your bid amount as well as your Quality Score, which is a measure of how relevant and useful your ad is determined by factors like click-through rate and relevance of your landing page.

Creating Effective Ads

To run an effective Google Ads campaign, you need to create ads that are relevant and useful to potential customers.

Start by doing keyword research to identify the keywords that people are using to search for products or services like yours. Then, craft your ad using those keywords so that your ad is relevant to what people are searching for.

Include a call to action so that people know what to do next, and include a link to a relevant landing page on your website.

Make sure to track your results so that you can see how well your ads are performing and make improvements as necessary.

5. Advertise on YouTube 

YouTube is a powerful platform with over 2 billion active monthly users. That’s a huge potential audience for your business! Here are some tips on how to make the most of your advertising on YouTube.

How to Get More Views on Your YouTube Ads

Advertising on YouTube is an effective way to reach out to potential customers as it is one of the best ways to market your business through video content. You can create video ads that play before other videos in relevant categories, or through text ads that appear in search results. When done right, advertising on YouTube can be a great investment for your business.

Here are some tips to get the most out of your advertising on YouTube: 

1. Create Engaging Video Ads

The first step to creating effective video ads is to make sure they’re engaging! No one wants to watch a boring ad, so make sure yours is creative and visually appealing. Include a call-to-action (CTA) so viewers know what you want them to do after watching your ad. And finally, make sure your video ad is relevant to your target audience.

2. Use Targeted Keywords

To ensure that your text ads appear in front of potential customers who are searching for terms related to your product or service, use targeted keywords in your ad copy. You can use Google’s Keyword Planner tool to research which keywords are most relevant to your business. Once you have a list of keywords, include them in your ad copy so potential customers will see your ad when they search for those terms on YouTube.

3. Monitor Your Campaigns Closely

Once you’ve launched your advertising campaign, it’s important to monitor it closely and make adjustments as needed. Keep an eye on your click-through rate (CTR) and cost-per-click (CPC) to see how well your campaign is performing. If you see that your CTR or CPC is increasing, that means your campaign is working and you can continue running it as is. However, if you see a decrease in CTR or CPC, that means something isn’t working and you may need to adjust your approach.

6. Email Marketing Campaigns: One of the Best Ways to Market Your Business Online

If you're not using email marketing as part of your overall marketing strategy, you're missing out on a huge opportunity to reach and engage your target audience. Email marketing campaigns are a cost-effective way to stay in touch with your customers and keep them updated on what's going on with your business.

Why You Need Email Marketing To Grow Your Business

Here are some of the reasons why email marketing is so important:

Email is a Popular Communication Channel

People love to stay informed, and email is one of the most popular and best ways to market your business. 77% of people prefer to get permission-based promotional messages via email versus other modes of communication. And it's not just consumers who prefer email; businesses also find it to be a valuable communication tool. That's because email offers detailed reporting, segmentation, and the ability to send targeted personalized messages. 

It's Cost-Effective

One of the best things about email marketing is that it's extremely cost-effective. Email marketing generates a 30x average return on investment. That means for every $1 you spend on an email marketing campaign, you can expect to see an average return of $30. Not too shabby! 

It's Easy to Use

Another great thing about email marketing is that there are plenty of platforms out there that make it easy to create and send your campaigns. Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, there's an email marketing platform out there that's perfect for your needs. And if you need any help getting started, there are plenty of resources available to guide you through the process. 

7. Promote Your Business With Workshops And Webinars

Hosting workshops and presentations, either online or in person is one of the best ways to gain exposure for your business and position yourself as an authority in your field. By sharing your knowledge with prospective customers, you'll be able to make contacts in your industry and collect contact information from attendees. Plus, you'll be providing valuable information that people will be able to use.

How to Host a Webinar

Here are some steps on how to host a successful workshop or webinar.

Planning Your Workshop or Webinar

The first step in hosting a successful workshop or webinar is to plan it out properly. This means having a clear objective for your event and determining who your target audience is.

Once you have those two things figured out, you can start working on the details, such as creating an agenda, finding a venue (if you're planning an in-person event), and marketing your event.

It's also important to create materials that attendees can take away with them, such as handouts or a digital copy of your presentation. 

Delivering Your Workshop or Webinar 

Once you have everything planned out, it's time to deliver your workshop or webinar. If you're hosting an in-person event, make sure to arrive early so that you can set up everything and greet people as they arrive. During the event itself, be sure to engage with the audience and encourage questions.

If you're hosting an online event, send reminders beforehand and provide instructions on how people can join the webinar. During the webinar, pay attention to the chat function so that you can answer any questions that people have. 

After the Workshop or Webinar 

After your workshop or webinar is over, take some time to follow up with attendees. Thank them for coming and invite them to contact you if they have any questions. You can also ask them for feedback so that you can improve future events. And if you collected contact information from attendees, be sure to add them to your email list so that they can stay up-to-date on what's going on with your business. 

8. Join Online Communities

One of the best ways to market your business is to join an industry-specific online community. Try to create connections with your social media followers by participating in online discussions and steering them in the desired direction. Reputation-building is an important activity that you can do by commenting on blogs similar to yours and even offering to write guest posts. This will not only expand your network but can also help boost your and your business's credibility.

Why Get Involved? 

When you become involved with an online community related to your industry, you open up new opportunities for networking and collaborating. Additionally, getting involved can help improve your visibility which can then lead to more customers or clients. Furthermore, you may be able to establish yourself as an expert in your field which can help build trust with potential customers or clients. 

Here are a few specific examples of how getting involved in an online community can benefit you and your business: 

1. Forums

If you own a small business, one of the best ways to get involved is by finding forums related to what you do and commenting on threads that are relevant to your area of expertise. For example, if you run a pet sitting business, you could find forums about pets and pet care, and offer advice and tips from your professional perspective. Not only will this help get your name out there, but it will also give people a taste of the kind of advice and service they can expect from you. 

2. Guest posts

Another way to get involved is by writing guest blog posts for industry-specific websites or blogs. This is a great way to share your knowledge while promoting yourself and your business. Make sure that the website or blog you're guest posting for is reputable and has a good following; this will help ensure that more people see your name and what you have to say. 

3. Podcasts And Webinars

You could also start or participate in webinars or podcasts that are focused on topics related to your industry. This is one of the best ways to market your business to a wider live audience and a great way to position yourself as an expert. Providing valuable information for free – something that potential customers or clients are always looking for is a great way to build your credibility.

9. Attend Local Events

As a local business owner, it's important to participate in events where your target audience is likely to be. Not only is this a great way to network with fellow business owners, but it's also an opportunity to promote your business to prospective customers.

Why Attend Local Events?

If you own a local business, attending events — both virtually and in person — is a great way to network and promote your business. You'll have the opportunity to meet your target audience face-to-face, raise awareness for your brand, and generate leads and sales. So if you're looking for ways to grow your business, don't forget about the power of local events!

1. You Can Meet Your Target Audience Face-to-Face

One of the biggest benefits of attending local events is that it gives you the chance to meet your target audience face-to-face.

This is an opportunity to get to know them on a personal level and learn more about their needs and pain points. When you have a better understanding of what your target audience wants, you can tailor your products or services accordingly.

In addition, meeting people in person can help forge strong relationships that will benefit your business in the long run.

2. You Can Raise Awareness for Your Brand

Another benefit of attending local events is that they are among the best ways to market your business to local audiences.

If people are seeing your name and logo in person, they're more likely to remember it when they're ready to make a purchase. And if you're handing out promotional items like stickers or pens, you'll further increase brand awareness every time someone uses them.

In today's competitive marketplace, anything you can do to make your brand stand out is worth considering.

3. You Can Generate Leads and Make Sales

Participating in local events can also be an effective way to generate leads and make sales. If you're selling products, setting up a booth at a community festival or flea market is a great way to reach new customers.

And if you're looking to expand your client base, participating in networking events can help you connect with potential new clients or referral sources.

No matter what your goals are, there's a good chance you can achieve them by participating in local events. 

10. Attend Trade Shows

Attending a trade show can be a great way to connect with potential customers and learn about the latest trends in your industry. But trade shows can also be overwhelming, especially if you're not sure how to make the most out of them.

How to Make the Most Out of Trade Shows

Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of attending a trade show.

1. Do your research ahead of time.

Trade shows can be huge, and it's impossible to see everything in one day. So before you go, take some time to research which exhibitors will be there and which ones you want to visit. This will help you make the most of your time at the show.

2. Bring plenty of business cards.

You never know who you're going to meet at a trade show, so it's always good to have plenty of business cards on hand. If you run out, don't be afraid to ask others for their card so you can follow up with them later.

3. Dress professionally.

First impressions are important, so you want to make sure you look your best when meeting potential clients or customers. trade shows can be casual affairs, but it's always better to err on the side of caution and dress professionally. 

4. Follow up after the show.

Just because the trade show is over doesn't mean your work is done. Be sure to follow up with the contacts you made at the show, whether it's through email, social media, or even a phone call. 

CRM For Better Email Marketing

If you're not using a customer relationship management (CRM) system to manage your customer data, you're missing out on a lot of valuable insights that could help improve your email marketing. 

When it comes to email marketing, a CRM can be a powerful tool for segmenting your list, personalizing your messages, and improving your results. Here's how.

How to Use a CRM for Better Email Marketing

1. Segment Your List for More Relevant Emails 

2. Personalize Your Emails for More Engagement 

3. Use Your Data to Improve Your Email Marketing Results 

4. automate email marketing tasks with workflows 

A CRM system is essential for managing customer data and driving better email marketing results. By segmenting your list, personalizing your messages, and using data to improve your results, you can cultivate better relationships with your customers and drive more sales for your business.

12. Co-Marketing

As a small business, it can be difficult to get your name out there. You may be thinking, why would I want to promote another business when I'm trying to promote my own? But co-marketing is a great way to reach a larger audience while also building relationships with other businesses in your industry.

Here are some benefits of co-marketing.

1. Reach a Wider Audience

When you partner with another business for a co-marketing campaign, you're able to tap into their customer base and reach a wider audience than you would if you were promoting your business on your own. This is because you're not only promoting your business to your followers, but you're also promoting it to the followers of your partnering company. And since people are more likely to trust recommendations from companies they already know and support, there's a good chance that some of those new leads will convert into customers.

2. Cost-Effective Marketing

Co-marketing campaigns can be much more cost-effective than traditional marketing campaigns because you're essentially sharing the cost of promotion with another company. This means that you can do more with your marketing budget and get better results. Not to mention, since you're reaching a larger audience, you're more likely to see a return on your investment.

3. Build Relationships with Other Businesses

Co-marketing is also a great way to build relationships with other businesses in your industry. These relationships can be beneficial down the line if you ever need help with something or if you want to collaborate on future projects. And since people like doing business with companies they know and trust, it's always beneficial to build positive relationships with other businesses in your industry. 

13. Create A Referral Program

A referral program is a great way to get new customers and show your existing customers some love. By offering a discount, free gift, or other perks, you can incentivize your customers to bring in new business. Referred customers are 18% more loyal than those who aren't and tend to spend 13% more on purchases, so it's a win-win for everyone involved.

Tips For An Effective Referral Program

There are a few things you'll want to keep in mind when developing your referral program to make sure it's successful.

First, you'll need to decide what kind of incentive you'll offer. A discount is always a popular choice, but you could also consider a free gift or some other perk.

Second, you'll need to promote your referral program. Make sure your existing customers are aware of the program and how they can participate. You can promote the program on your website, social media, or even in-store.

Finally, you'll need to make it easy for customers to refer others. The process should be quick and simple; otherwise, people will likely be discouraged from taking part.

A referral program is a great way to get new customers and show your existing customers some love. By keeping a few things in mind—such as what kind of incentive to offer and how to promote the program—you can develop a successful referral program that benefits everyone involved.

14. Use Social Media For Customer Support 

To have a successful business, you need to have satisfied customers. Good customer service is key to having satisfied customers. In the past, businesses would primarily use telephone calls or face-to-face interaction to provide customer service. 

With the rise of social media, businesses now have another avenue to provide customer service: social media platforms. Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram offer businesses a way to reach out to a larger audience with ease. It also provides customers with an easy way to reach out to businesses with questions or concerns. 

When used correctly, social media can be a powerful tool for customer service. Here are some tips on how your business can use social media for customer service.

TIPS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR TWITTER, FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS

1. Be Where Your Customers Are 

The first step is finding out which platforms your customers are using. If you're not sure which platform to choose, start with the one that's most popular among your target demographic.

It is important to be responsive to people who post queries, messages, and comments on your platform. This increases the credibility of your brand and your audience learns to trust you more. Many brands have learned this the hard way, but you can avoid this by establishing an active presence on your social platforms.

An experienced social media manager can do wonders for building an active and dynamic social media community. Not only would they post content according to a social media calendar, they would also respond to followers to their satisfaction.

2. Make It Personal 

Another important thing to remember is that social media is a two-way street—it's not just about broadcasting information from your brand to your followers. It's also about engaging in conversation and building relationships with your customers. When interacting with customers on social media, always remember to use a friendly and professional tone. If a customer expresses frustration or anger, do not engage in confrontation. Instead, apologize and try to resolve the issue offline if possible. 

3. Monitoring Social Media 

It's important that you regularly check your brand's social media accounts for mentions of your business—even if you're not tagged in them directly.

You can do this by setting up Google Alerts for your brand name as well as any relevant industry terms or keywords associated with your business. This will help ensure that you're always aware of what people are saying about your brand on social media and can take appropriate action if necessary. 

Social media is a powerful tool that every business should utilize for customer service—if used correctly. By following the tips above, you can start using social media to provide better customer service for your business today.

Final Thoughts

In the end, marketing your business is all about knowing your audience and delivering value. It's about being creative and getting creative with other people. It's about putting yourself out there and doing what you love so that you can get paid for doing it. But most of all, marketing your business is about taking risks—risks that someone will want what you have to offer, risking that they'll be willing to pay for it, and risking that they'll take action.