Promoting your business has become a matter of success or failure in the world we do business in. It’s a fact of life – if you want your business to grow, you have to advertise it. You need to make your target audience realize that you exist before you win them over. So, what is the best way to accomplish such a task? There are countless marketing channels for promoting your business nowadays. Running down the street screaming out your company name would probably peak some interest. After all, stranger guerrilla marketing tactics have worked in the past. But before you turn to extreme measures, let’s start with the basics.
What are the primary marketing channels for promoting your business today?
Every good business plan starts with proper research. Take a look at all the renowned and successful companies around you. What is the one thing that they all have in common? You can already assume the answer to that question – marketing. You can have the best product or service the world will ever know, but it’s worth nothing if the world never hears about it first. If you are not making the right moves and investing in proper marketing for moving businesses (or any other business for that matter), you are definitely not on the right track.
When you study the history of marketing, you will find that it doesn’t take much for it to evolve. And so it has, many times, during the course of the last couple of decades. Today, it’s all about the digital marketing efforts you invest in. So, if you are looking for the right marketing channels for promoting your business, you’ve found them! 6 channels for any business to get started with making a name for itself:
#1: Social media
When you think back 10 years from this day, social media was but a small fragment of what it now is. During this short period, it has exploded so much that the global impact it has made has easily re-shaped most societies as we knew them. We’ve come to a point in time where it’s available to anyone around the globe. And this makes it a primary among marketing channels for promoting your business.
And the best part is that anyone can learn how to work with it. So, if you don’t want to deal with this, there are professional social media management companies and freelancers for hire. A little fee and zero the trouble for the use of several platforms to promote your moving enterprise. Not bad, right?
How many social media channels do I need?
Well, the recommended minimum for social media campaigns is three platforms. And you can grow from there. What’s the catch? You have to be consistent when it comes to posting. Also, you have to post something people want or need to know – not just anything you can think of.
2. Professional website & logo design
We’re now on the threshold of the third decade of the 21st century. Everything worth anything is online at this time. So, for a business to have a one-page website with nothing but your company name and contact information is shameful. Especially when you consider the professional web design and development services around the globe. And they’re all at your disposal. Why is this important?
Because your website is the modern showcase for your business and everything it has to offer. It’s one of the best marketing channels in your arsenal. The overall design of the website with a unique and easily recognizable logo to go with it – the basic formula for brand creation.
3. Email campaigns and newsletters
One thing you will never be able to replace is the wide-spread usage of emails. With so many mobile users who influence the market today, they are essential. They might no longer be the primary means of communication with the introductions of apps such as Viber and WhatsApp, but they remain significant for business nonetheless.
And effective a tool as it is for promotion, there is such a thing as spamming your subscribers. Everything has a limit, especially when it comes to promotional emails. So, as far as marketing channels for promoting your business go, this one should be used in moderation. The last thing you want is a large unsubscribe rate to come knocking.
4. Local Ads
Digital marketing takes precedent today, that’s for sure. However, there is still gain to be had from more traditional means of promotion. Local advertising of your business is still an adopted and often practiced marketing strategy. After all, not everyone is online – it simply depends on who your target audience is. And when you are a local and family-owned moving company, for example, it can make a lot of difference.
5. Trade shows
Yet another form of marketing channels for promoting your business that leans more towards the traditional. And one that still proves as a great way to secure more business and get recognition for your brand. For smaller businesses, the way to start is locally, and then grow – regional, state, national, and global.
6. Online reviews
People today have a tendency to read reviews before buying products or services. Hence, it is not unreasonable to presume that online reviews have become a great way to advertise. However, the downside of this particular channels is that you have limited control over how people will rank ad comment your company. So, you might want to prepare to handle negative reviews as well.
Then again, as long you are true to your customers and offer them the services you promised, there’s really nothing to worry about. This is why calls to action (CTAs) exist – to invite people to contribute to your business. Positive reviews on Angie’s List or Yelp can go a long way, after all.
Some food for thought
Never assume that people will hear about your business by themselves. They need constant reminders of the work you do and why they should hire you. Start with any or all of these marketing channels for promoting your business and work your way up from there. Remember – patience is a virtue after all.
