Marketing is a crucial aspect of running a small business. Despite the challenges of small marketing budgets, there are several ways to gain brand exposure and connect with the target market without incurring huge costs. For instance, 88% of New Zealanders search for a product online before purchasing, and 35% use social media as the main research tool when researching brands. Therefore, creating a strong brand presence on social media aligns with business goals and objectives.
Support from the local community is also a valuable starting point. More than three-quarters of New Zealanders shop from local stores weekly, with 67% doing so to support local businesses. Some of the marketing strategies that small businesses can use to maximize their return on investment include investing in social media marketing, making use of content platforms, considering pay-per-click advertising, engaging with customers, and leveraging marketing automation tools.
Social media marketing is a free, easy-to-use tool that can significantly boost brand recognition. Consistency is key in posting on social media to maintain interest. Content marketing, which involves producing usable and interesting content containing popular keywords, attracts potential customers and drives organic traffic to digital platforms. It is also likely to be shared via social media channels, leading to further business exposure.
Pay-per-click advertising, where payment is made only when someone clicks on an ad, is a popular strategy due to its quick results. Although not always cheap, it allows for audience segmentation and is cheaper than traditional advertising options. It is also highly trackable, enabling optimization of campaigns. Customer engagement, especially when dealing with complaints, can boost brand profile and increase customer loyalty.
Marketing automation tools can manage some marketing tasks, including managing social media channels and sending targeted emails. This saves time, which is crucial when running a small business.
Key Takeaways:
- Small business owners can increase brand exposure and connect with their target market using various strategies, even on a tight budget.
- Utilizing social media marketing and content marketing can be highly effective for small businesses, as these platforms allow them to engage with customers and increase brand recognition.
- Other marketing strategies for small businesses include pay-per-click advertising, customer engagement, and leveraging marketing automation tools, which can save time and money.
“There are several marketing strategies that small businesses can use to maximise their return on investment (ROI) from their marketing efforts, even on smaller budgets, including: Invest in social media marketing, Make use of content platforms, Consider using PPC (pay-per-click) advertising, Engage with your customers, Leverage marketing automation tools.”
More details: https://www.smartpay.co.nz/blog/small-business-marketing-beginners-guide-nz/