Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

By Lizzie Weakley

Everyone who starts a business should learn all they can about marketing their company. Some small startups depend on word-of-mouth advertising from satisfied customers, and that can be very effective. However, to reach more prospective customers, it pays to know easy, low-cost ways to build your business through additional marketing strategies. Word of mouth can be one of the most effective ways to get new customers, but it can be difficult to rely on and control. Below are a few ways to get the word out about your business.

Use social media

Since you’re probably already using one or more social media platforms, get the most from your memberships by promoting your business. Do this in a low-key way by offering valuable industry insights or business tips that readers can use. As you become established as a reliable source of helpful information, people may decide to do business with your company.

You can also like or comment on other members’ posts to become more visible at the site while getting to know more about people who share your occupation or interests. Promote sales or events at your business. Offer special discounts or promotions for those who engage with or share your posts. All these techniques can drive traffic to your business.

Join local business groups

When you join area civic and business groups, you can learn from others while sharing updates about your company. You may also have the opportunity to give a talk or make a presentation about some aspect of your business, the industry, or the economy that others will find relevant. You might be able to participate in public panel discussions or attend trade shows and conferences. At events like these, you could have opportunities to explain what your company does as well as introduce your products and services.

Get involved with the community

In addition to online interactions and business involvement, look for ways to engage with the neighborhood or area where your business is located. You might want to donate to fundraisers, sponsor a youth sports league, or hand out freebies during the annual festival. As residents get to know you, they may want to check out your business when the need arises. Making your business an active presence in the community ensures that people will think of you when they need your services.

Hire advertising professionals

If you want to cast a wider net to interest the public, you could hire a creative advertising agency to help you design and implement marketing tools that fit your line of business. Based on their experience, they can work with your company to find the best ways of reaching the customer base that you want to attract. They can work with your budget and company growth plan to develop a marketing campaign for your specific advertising needs.

Don’t passively wait for customers to find you. Get busy with these and similar strategies to alert prospective customers of your existence and quality products. Word of mouth will spread as you promote and solidify your business.

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Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.