• Tips for Handling Your Effingham County Small Business DIY Marketing Successfully

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    October 06, 2022

    You don’t need a big budget or a team of specialists to create an effective marketing strategy for your small business. By taking a few simple steps, you can develop and implement a plan that will help you reach your target customers and grow your business. These tips from the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce will get you started.

    Your Marketing Strategy Should Evolve

    As your business grows and changes, so should your marketing strategy. Revisiting your marketing strategy regularly ensures that your efforts are aligned with your current business goals. Furthermore, it’s important to adjust your strategies as new technologies become available, like different social media platforms or new information on SEO strategies. Women Belong argues that taking the time to reevaluate your marketing strategy every few years gives you the opportunity to take advantage of new opportunities and grow your business in new and exciting ways.  

    Choose the Right Channels

    There are many prospective marketing channels available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. To decide which channels are right for your business, you must consider your target audience, your budget, and the resources you have available. Even if you think you know your target audience, take the time to reevaluate your customer profile. If it’s been a few years, your demographic may have shifted and you’ll want to pivot your marketing to address that change.

     

    Some of the most popular channels include television, radio, print, and online advertising. Once you’ve narrowed down the list of potential channels, it’s time to start testing and experimenting to see what works best for you.    

    Clarify Your Marketing Message

    Your marketing message should be clear, concise, and relevant to your ideal customer. It should also be differentiated from the competition. According to Medit Communications, an effective marketing message will include your company’s values and beliefs, along with what makes your company unique. Start by identifying the unique selling proposition (USP) for your business. Once you know what sets you apart from the competition, you can create a message that resonates with your target audience.   

    Analyze the Effectiveness of Your Efforts

    If you want to ensure that your marketing efforts are effective, you need to track key metrics on a regular basis. Doing so will give you insights into what’s working well and where there is room for improvement. There are plenty of different ways to monitor the effectiveness of your campaigns, including web analytics, A/B testing, surveys, and focus groups.

    Tools to Help With Your Marketing Efforts 

    There are a number of tools available that can help with every stage of the marketing process, from research and planning to implementation and tracking. These tools include Hootsuite Insights (for social media monitoring), Google Analytics (for web analytics), MailChimp (for email marketing), and Crazy Egg (for website optimization). 

    A Freelancer Might Be Worth the Money

    While it’s possible to handle all aspects of your small business’s marketing yourself, working with freelance specialists can save you time and money in the long run. When choosing a freelance specialist, be sure to look for someone who has experience in the specific channels you want to use as well as someone who is knowledgeable about your industry.

     

    When it comes to sharing ideas and files with your freelancer, PDFs can be an essential tool. Rather than worrying about file size when graphics and images are involved, you can simply convert your file to a PDF. This format will compress the file without compromising the quality, which makes it easier for everyone to review work and provide feedback. Plus, since PDFs can be password-protected, you can rest assured that all intellectual property is safe when sharing files electronically.

    Grow Your Marketing to Grow Your Business

    Implementing an effective marketing strategy doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive — you can do it yourself! By following the steps outlined above, you can develop a plan that will help you reach more customers and grow your small business. But if you do choose to consult with a design or marketing freelancer, use tools to make sharing files easier to ensure you get the end results you want to push your marketing - and your business - forward.

     

    Membership in the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce offers invaluable benefits to entrepreneurs in our community. Join us today!