SK Consulting

Small businesses have small budgets.  We get it.  But, don’t limit your creativity or your marketing strategies because of it.  

There are a lot of things you can do to promote your business without spending a lot of money. You don’t necessarily need to go big – go small and intimate! 

1. Get personal.

Customers love the opportunity to make something their own. Studies have shown that the majority of consumers said receiving a personalized incentive would improve consideration of the brand.  If there’s a way for you to allow customer customization, give it a try and see how your audience responds. Not sure how to add a personal touch to your business? Anything that gets your customer’s name on your product works -- using frosting to write the order name on your donuts, or offering free monograming on your inventory of purses or apparel.

2. Promote customer engagement.

In today’s social world, whatever you can do to make your small business more shareable is good for marketing. What is something you could implement that your customers would find Insta-worthy? Create an opportunity for photo ops and increase your social reach without spending a cent. Try a selfie campaign, Facebook Live, a contest for the most creative slogan.  Add a prize component to entice people to use your custom hashtag or tag your business in their posts.

3. Say thanks.

How often do you let your customers know that you appreciate them? You’d be surprised the power a simple “thank you” can have on creating customer loyalty. Everyone likes to feel appreciated. While a card can often be effort enough, let’s try to remember that we’re thinking outside the proverbial box and go for something bigger. How about hosting a special event where guests can sample new menu items, or you highlight one of your customer’s businesses?. Try utilizing Meetup.com or another event website that can gain the attention of new customers as well as current ones.

4. Develop a loyalty program.

If you’re losing customers, you need to establish a way to cultivate repeat business. If your target audience is Generation Z – you’re LUCKY!  They are more willing than any other generation to sign up for loyalty cards in exchange for deals or discounts. Your loyalty program can be as basic as a punch card or as elaborate as a membership that rewards customers based on how often they visit or even how much they spend.  

5. Utilize LinkedIn.

LinkedIn is a frequently skipped social media networks for small businesses. But why? While not the most exciting platform, it does provide unique opportunities for marketing your business. Without even spending any money, you can connect with people in your community by creating a group, joining existing groups and reaching out to other small business owners and potential customers in your area.  This platform is geared toward the more professional audience.  EVERYONE has a Facebook page.  But, show other business professionals that you and your business mean business by using LinkedIn.

6. Survey your current customers.

If you’re not sure what types of marketing or promotions your customers will respond to best, ask them. A simple survey can provide endless insight into what you’re doing right and wrong, and what you’re not doing that you should be. Include a raffle-like component, where one participant will win a prize (such as a $100 credit to your business) to encourage your audience to take part.  Your customers are your best PR tool.  If they respond that they love this or that, ask them for a testimonial on this or that.

Small business owners fight an uphill battle every day.  There are corporations that offer some of the services you do and have spent the big money promoting it.  The small mom and pop store down the street from a WalMart struggles.  But, don’t brush aside everyone’s inherent need to feel special.  Nobody wants to be an account number, a credit card number, a client number.  Customers will come back (and probably be willing to spend a little more) for authentic, genuine, person-to-person customer service. 

That’s something us true small business owners can hang our hat on.  If you need help finding your strengths and being the David against the Goliath, contact SK Consulting today!