If you have just started a new company, that is great. Congratulations! With that said, where do you go from here? For entrepreneurs who are just starting, now is a critical time to be spreading the word about your next company. What have you been doing so far?
Even if the answer is less than the ideal one you would like to give, that is okay. The important thing is that you start putting energy toward promoting your business today. To start, check out these eight ways to get the word out about your brand.
1. Invest In a Content Subscription Service
Because so many people use the internet on a daily business for all of their needs, one of the most effective ways to market your brand is through the strategic use of search engine optimization and content subscription service options.
2. Leverage the Almighty Power of Google
While SEO certainly involves Google, another way to also involve the search giant is through the use of advertising and business listings. If you are on a budget and you cannot afford to pay for ads right now, the least you should do is at least your company in the local Google business directory so that potential customers can find you.
3. Create Engaging Videos
For a more fun way to get the word out about your brand, why not try creating some engaging YouTube content? While businesses sometimes overlook the potential of this media powerhouse, the truth is that millions of users tune into the site every day to watch videos from all over the world. You could be potentially missing out on countless viewers.
4. Hold Fun Contests
To turn up the fun dial one notch even higher, consider holding fun contests to engage your audience. From in-person sweepstakes ideas to online social media contests, the options are endless. Make sure the prize also includes your company’s logo somewhere. (After all, free marketing.)
5. Reward Loyal Customers and Active Followers
Another way to get spread brand awareness is through the word of mouth from the people who appreciate your company. One effective way to encourage this behavior is by rewarding loyal customers and active social media followers with coupons and other small tokens of appreciation.
6. Business Cards
Speaking of word of mouth, of course, you want your customers to talk about you more than you talk about yourself, but there is no hard in promoting yourself sometimes, too. For example, when you are out with colleagues or others who might benefit from your products or services, it can be beneficial to have business cards on hold that you can share with others you encounter.
7. Hand Out Fliers
Another more traditional marketing method is that of the good old-fashioned flier on paper. If your business has a physical location, this actually is not a bad idea. For online services, it really depends on the context and industry. If, for example, you live near a large university campus where this is an abundance of billboards, it may be very beneficial to spend $50 printing out fliers.
8. Send Interesting Emails
Finally, some people think email marketing is dead, but that is not true. The truth is, it just has to be super focused. Think about the emails that you open. In most cases, they need to be interesting to engage readers. With that said, email provides a unique avenue for communicating a substantial amount of information that may not make sense to communicate via other mediums.
If you are trying to spread the word about your business, any of the eight methods may prove useful. Remember, trial and error is usually the best approach. Do not be afraid to get creative!