Unexplored Opportunities To Market Your Business
There are hundreds of traditional ways to market your business. You can put an ad on the radio, purchase billboard space, put an ad in the paper, or just use mouth-to-mouth advertising. While many of these avenues are successful, you may feel overwhelmed, or you may feel like they are just not working for you. Below are six creative ways to market your business, that you might not have explored yet.
Trade Shows
Trade shows can be an amazing opportunity for your business. They put you right in front of your customer and allow you to speak with them face-to-face. Trade shows are very common and there are many different shows that could be applicable to your business, as well as fit your budget. While many events can easily run a few thousand dollars (between the booth, marketing material, lodging, and travel), some can cost under $100.
There are many local event groups that you can join and have a booth at a small, local event if you are concerned about your budget. However, as emphasized here, make sure that you chose the right show. Many shows are industry specific, so choose the events that will best fit you and your brand before you sign up.
Laptop Skin and Desktop Screen
There is advertising potential on the back of your laptop. You take your device everywhere, and use it on the go: in airports, coffee shops, etc. Why should you allow your laptop advertise for Apple, when you can use the landscaping to advertise for yourself? Get a nice laptop skin that has your business name, logo, and slogan. People will notice it and ask. Also, change the background of your computer to something that will advertise your business.
This is often seen by potential clients and customers. For example, when you are giving a presentation, people will see your desktop picture as you are getting ready to present. While it may seem more personable to have a picture of you and your family, it may be more beneficial to have your background be a picture with your business name and logo. Take advantage of these two places to easily market your business.
Business Cards
Your business cards are what your customer will take away from you and remember you by. You can give away traditional business cards, however, having a unique design or making your business card useful will leave a lasting impression on your customers. You can make your business cards fold out to become an airplane, easel, or chair. Or, you could make your business card a useful multi-purpose tool.
Some other ideas are: edible business cards, business cards that have an equipped thumb-drive, tear away business cards (so they can give one to a friend), a cheese grater, picture frames, or have a tear off sticker.
Community Events
Getting involved in the community will get your name out there, give back, and also have a tax-deductible way to make yourself look great. Find a way to sponsor a local fundraiser, such as a school fun run, a Relay for Life, shoe drive, 5k, etc.
Just make sure that the event is a good way to represent you and your culture. You don’t want to sponsor an event that your audience is not attending. If you can’t find a good event, host your own!
Collaborate
Another great idea is to find a complementary business and advertise alongside them. For example, many gyms have business cards for health foods stores and vice versa. Reach out to other local businesses and work together as sister companies.
Have each other’s business cards at your business, attend events together, mention each other on mailers, etc. Just make sure that you partner with a business who has similar goals to your own, and the key players in the business are people that you can work with over time. Nothing is worse than constantly butting heads with someone that you are trying to collaborate with.
Online Video
Online video is one of the newest and fastest growing method of sharing information. It is predicted that within the next few years, 70% of all interactions online will be through video. Help promote your business by creating a relevant video online.
Market your Business
It could be funny, serious, or inspiring. It doesn’t really matter, just create something that your customer base will share with their friends. Make sure that you constantly acknowledge your brand throughout the video, and provide links in the description and in the video itself.
