You’ve worked day and night to make your dream a reality. It’s been tough getting your idea into an up-and-running business. And now you feel like taking a break from it all.
I know you’re thinking about it, but this is not the time to slack off and let your online business run itself.
Let’s cut to the chase.
The digital space is getting more competitive. Small Business Association (SBA) claims that 30% of new businesses fail during the first two years, 50% during the first 5, and 66% during the first 10. Inadequate or poor marketing strategies are often one of the reasons a business does not fair so well.
Even if you can build an awesome product and have the essential ingredients for successful entrepreneurship, you won’t get too far if you don’t know how to get it to your customers.
So let me tell you something I learned even before I knew anything about running a business.
When I was in high school, I took a course in business studies. Though it’s been 25 years, I still remember this one particular class. Our teacher asked us a hypothetical question. You want to buy a product at the supermarket, and there are five brands on the shelf that are priced the same. Which one would you buy?
At that time, we didn’t have Google, so getting product reviews about each brand was out of the question.
It soon became apparent that instead of buying a product from an unfamiliar brand, people felt more comfortable interacting with a recognizable name, even if it’s their first time.
That being said, consider what consumers are facing today. With everything going digital and the availability of numerous similar products online, making a selection can sometimes be overwhelming. You really need to work hard on promoting your brand and increasing visibility.
If you are searching for ways to promote your online business, then you’ve come to the right place. And even if you already have a marketing campaign in place and are getting a steady, year-round profit, there just be something you haven’t thought of.
Consider boosting your online presence and sales with other innovative ideas. Here are some tips that you may find helpful:
1. Promote your brand as much as possible.
You need to promote your brand consistently across all platforms, whether it’s the packaging, flyers, business cards, social media posts, or website. Forbes states that simply considering this aspect of boosting brand identity can help increase revenue by up to 23%.
Tip: Consider including your store’s URL in the email signature, on all marketing materials, on shopping bags, etc.
2. Mention your product in gift guides.
People are googling gift ideas for family, friends, and colleagues, so make the most of the holiday season. With 53% of holiday shopping expected to be done online, you want to make sure that shoppers spend money with your business.
Why not get your product included in gift guides?
Tip: Make your product stand out from the others on the list. Provide product details that highlight how it is a unique, useful item.
3. Get your brand extra attention.
Contribute to spreading goodness and build a philanthropic image. As you promote the brand’s core values, brand recognition, and revenue immensely jump. 87% of consumers are willing to purchase a product from a company that advocates for an issue they cared about.
In fact, according to Customer Thermometer, some consumers are willing to pay 31-50% extra for products or services if they believe that a business is making efforts to create a positive impact on the world.
Tip: Promote the values consumers deem important, such as the environment, human rights, etc. Bring your views to the public’s attention, preferably through the appropriate media channels.
4. Offer deals regularly.
Whether it’s Mother’s Day, Black Friday, or Christmas, offer discounts to customers. Advertise your sales before the starting date so that people know about them in advance.
Tip: Use exclusive promo codes to entice shoppers to buy your products even when there is no special occasion.
5. Don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth.
According to WP Forms, 62% of consumers share online deals with their friends. Even in this day and age, people are compelled to share information about attractive online deals with friends and family. And with the aid of social media, this promotional aspect has skyrocketed over the last decade.
Tip: Know your customers. Leverage your products in front of the right ones.
6. Create a hype.
FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) is quite common in the world of commerce. Phrases like “Limited Time Only” and “While Supplies Last” are effective marketing techniques. They encourage shoppers to act quickly. FOMO can boost your conversions by 40%-200%, claims business2community.com.
Tip: Show that people are buying and using the product. Display stock levels so that customers know when levels are running low. Even Amazon utilizes this tactic.
7. Use eye-catching visuals.
People trust the images you put online. They base their purchasing intentions on what they see. So whether you upload photos, videos, or any other visual material, make sure that they clearly and accurately represent the products that you are marketing. Businesses such as Autocoincars and Airbnb have successfully used visuals to connect with their audience.
Tip: 74% of marketers use visuals on social media. Visual storytelling is picking up considerable momentum in the marketing world. It’s engaging consumers on a deeper level.
8. Get social.
Buffer.com states that 73% of marketers find social media marketing successful. There are various ways that brands can promote a brand, such as story ads and influencer marketing.
Regularly upload content on your social media platforms to generate engagement. Branch out onto various platforms, especially YouTube, as the future is all about video content.
Post questions, quizzes, polls, etc., or ask about their opinions to elicit a response from viewers.
Above all, make sure to reply to their comments.
Tip: Encourage your followers to take action by including a CTA in your post.
9. Utilize incentives.
Holding contests on social media platforms is the ideal way to attract consumers to a brand. On average, 34% of new customers are acquired this way. Not only does it promote your online business, but it helps boost traffic to your site.
But some brands are taking efforts to another level. They are encouraging customers to shop again by providing exclusive coupons every time an online order is placed. Giveaways are another cost-effective way to promote a brand. I mean, who doesn’t like a free gift?
Tip: Post pictures of contest winners or names of giveaway recipients to make your efforts worthwhile. Toss in printed coupons in your giveaways to encourage more transactions.
10. Get additional help.
You may already have an email marketing campaign in place. How about establishing your brand as an authoritative figure in the industry with the aid of a blog? If this is too much for you, consider reaching out to other bloggers to mention your brand.
Tip: Gauge the popularity of other bloggers by noting how many followers they have and the comments they receive. You only want contact with those bloggers who can shed a positive light on your brand.
Final thoughts.
These are only a few ideas on how to promote your online business. The good news is that you can do a lot more, even with a limited budget. Knowing what to do and how to get the right results is just a part of the learning process. So don’t be scared to try something new. With just a little guidance, you can start promoting your brand like a pro in no time at all.
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