4 of 6

Write now Article Tools

The world has changed and marketing your small business, whether you are an office dweller or a farmer, has to change with it because today, consumers are AWARE and want to make their own choices.
It's all about peer counseling.
Social networking websites like facebook, myspace, linkedin and many others, allow you to easily create a page for your business and join similar interest groups while easily and visually keeping track of your increasing database of contacts.

Word of mouth and social networking have to be backed up by
1) a web page with a simple address, which needs to be prominently visible on all your business material, from your letter to your receipt; usually you can buy the domain name from the same hosting service where you are creating your page. Many web hosting sites offer free templates for your website, such as freewebs.com, and you can set up in minutes.
Add more targeted search keywords and meta tags to your web pages so you will get a better ranking on google and other search engines, which you will need to submit your website to at least every 6 months.

2) endorsements and testimonials, in the form of letters or short paragraphs, to be added to your website or hard copy packages. Writing a blog becomes also a bit of an endorsement for yourself since it builds up your perceived power position. Blogs are basically quick articles regarding topics you feel strongly about. You can have a blog on your own page too, usually a simple uploading process.

3) strategic alliances, by associating yourself and your business with a bigger one. Creating a blog on a prominent or established site would create such an alliance. Also exchanging links on webpages, especially if you can hyperlink your LOGO, are the simplest form of alliance.

4) organizing events to raise awareness about your business is the easiest part of branding that will feed into the above number one and then down this list again and again, snowballing on you and your business network. Use email to invite people or try social invite networks such as evites.com; send reminders through text messaging from your cell phone, or email to cell phones to be more effective.
With a very small investment, get the most ROI if you have done your prep work.

Add your info and some details about our services and products and of course your events- bulletin boards, like kijiji and creigslist. The more people see your name the more they will likely buy from you.
People still need to see (and hear) something three times before they buy it.
So why not create a simple viral video that you can post on many sites and internet channels (like youtube, break, google video, your website, social networks and similar). You can also contract a production company like dbdigital.tv to create one for you.
This way you can be sure to grow your business exponentially without digging too deep in your pockets.

Learn more about this author, Brunella Battista.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about The new basics of marketing: A guide for small businesses?
We want to hear your view. Write now!