10 Reasons to be Thankful for Small Business Marketing
Too often, small business owners see marketing as a necessary evil — something they know they need but don’t really want. But, as it’s Thanksgiving, it’s the perfect time to start viewing marketing in a new light. Here are just a few of the many reasons to be thankful for small business marketing this year.
10 reasons to be thankful for small business marketing this Thanksgiving
#1. It evens the playing field
Small businesses face an uphill battle these days. With big-box stores and large corporations with seemingly endless resources competing for the same customers, it can seem nearly impossible to get ahead or even to get even.
The right marketing strategy gives small businesses the tools they need to compete with even the biggest competitors, helping to even out a very uneven playing field.
#2. It builds brand awareness
Small businesses not only need to figure out how to build a unique brand, but they also need to figure out a way to make sure that their brand stands out.
It doesn’t matter how amazing your brand is if no one ever sees it. That’s where small business marketing comes in.
Thanks, in large part, to social media marketing, small businesses now have a more effective platform than ever before to get in front of a wider audience and introduce their brand in a whole new way.
#3. It builds trust in your brand
Increasing your brand’s awareness and visibility is an important step in the right direction, but it’s just the first step. You also have to give people a reason to choose your brand over the many others out there.
People are wary of unfamiliar brands and products, especially online. That’s why consumers read reviews and ask for referrals.
Reputation management, email marketing, content marketing and even social media marketing are all avenues small businesses can utilize to build trust in their brand.
#4. It can be affordable
Did you know that as many as 1 in 10 small businesses don’t do any kind of marketing at all? There are lots of reasons for this, but one of the biggest reasons so many small businesses don’t market is because they believe the cost is too high.
But, small business marketing has changed. You no longer have to rely on pricey television or radio ads with the hopes that the right person is watching or listening.
These days, small businesses rely much more heavily on inbound marketing — which means marketing to people actively looking for your brand, products or services. Inbound marketing is a lot more cost-effective than traditional forms of marketing.
Plus, there are a lot of marketing strategies that don’t have to cost anything at all, like social media management and content marketing.
#5. It allows you to target the right audience
Marketing doesn’t have to be overly expensive, and one big reason for this is the ability to target the right audience. You no longer have to pay for everyone on a certain channel to see an ad. You can pay for only the right audience to see your ad.
With audience targeting, you can maximize your marketing efforts by getting in front of people who are already searching for what you have to offer.
#6. It drives high-quality leads
Not only is a smart audience targeting strategy much more cost-effective, but it also drives better results.
People who are actively searching for your products or services (or even your brand) are much further along in the sales funnel. They’re no longer in research mode just seeing what’s out there. They’re ready to make a purchase or schedule a service.
Content marketing and targeted advertising are just two of the many small business marketing strategies that can not only generate leads but high-quality leads that are ready to convert.
#7. It gives you valuable feedback
Marketing isn’t just about having the flashiest ad or the loudest message. It’s also about offering something that your customers want or need, and that can sometimes be challenging to figure out on your own.
Reputation management is a critical part of a modern small business marketing strategy. Not only can getting more reviews help you increase your visibility and build trust in your brand, but it can also provide you with valuable feedback you can use to get better.
#8. It builds customer loyalty
Too often, small business owners think that the whole point of marketing is reaching out to new customers. But, an effective, well-rounded marketing strategy is also about building customer loyalty and repeat business.
With strategies like email marketing and text message marketing, small businesses can stay top of mind with their existing customers, so that they’re always the first thing their customers think of when they need them.
CRM software is another marketing tool small businesses can use to build stronger, longer-lasting customer relationships.
#9. It provides measurable results
Not only are old-school methods of marketing expensive, but it’s also hard to measure results from a bus stop ad or a television ad. With these methods, it’s almost impossible to know whether or not your marketing investment is worth it or not.
Part of what makes modern small business marketing so remarkable is that it’s extremely measurable. You can see exactly how many leads your marketing strategies are driving and how much of a return you’re getting on your investment.
By measuring your results, you can see exactly which strategies are driving the best results so that you can invest more in what’s working for you and less in what’s not.
#10. It helps your business grow!
The number one reason to market your business is that it’s a key part of growing your business. You can offer the very best products or services and provide the ultimate customer experience, but if no one knows you exist, you’re not going to build a successful business.
We can be thankful for small business marketing because it helps small businesses grow and reach their goals.
Looking to grow your small business? The Marketing 360® platform has everything you need to market and grow your business, plus the marketing team you need to maximize your results.
Happy Thanksgiving!
