Vetterview Blog

Implementing a successful small business marketing strategy is integral to your success. An effective marketing strategy for a small business should be the number one priority when developing your business. The problem is, with how quickly media trends shift, it can be difficult to plan or keep up with the constant changes. However, there are a handful of techniques you can use that will help you create and implement your marketing plan.

Here are the top seven tips to get you started on creating a strong marketing strategy.

Maintain A Content Calendar

A content calendar is a great way to organize all of your marketing content across your various platforms and campaigns. It will help you keep track of what, when, and where you want to post. In the case of influencer content, it will also help you manage who is posting and when. Also, by using a content calendar, you will have a complete history of your content marketing, making it easier for you to see what you’ve already posted.

To start developing your content calendar, create a list of content that you want to share and then select the best option for delivering that content, such as Instagram, blog posts, etc. Then, plan when you want to post this content and compile that information either in a spreadsheet, on a physical calendar, or a browser plugin.

Using a content calendar will help you stay organized and you will also always know what’s next for your online marketing plan.

Optimize Your Small Business Website For Conversions

When developing your business’s website, it’s important to not only focus on how your website looks, but also how your website works and how well you introduce your business to the consumer.

While you may be tempted to spend a lot of your time making sure your website is aesthetically pleasing, you should also consider how well your website converts viewers to new customers.

A conversion based website typically involves the following:

• An effective headline: it’s the first thing that will be seen on your website and it should immediately hook the viewer.
• A call-to-action: this can be something simple, such as a “Learn More” link beneath a short description or image of your product.
• Social proof: show your viewers what others think of your business in the form of reviews or testimonials.
• Contact information: consumers may have questions and you should ensure that they have the means to ask those questions. This will also serve to start building that connection between your business and your new customers.
• Visual features: a text-heavy website is not the most effective way to draw in website traffic. Ensure that you include some images and/or videos, but try not to overdo it either.

Build and Invest in Your Content Team

Behind all great businesses is an even greater team. Having a team to back you up will take some of the pressure off of your shoulders and help everything run more smoothly.

First, start by building a team of strong content creators who can effectively represent your brand. Next, you should ensure that you are creating strong relationships with your team of content creators so that there is a cohesive online presence for your brand’s voice. Lastly, always be willing to listen and respond to your team’s ideas and questions.

Focus on SEO To Drive Traffic

Most people will find your website via a search engine such as Google or Bing. As such, to pull in traffic to your website, you will need to implement some SEO techniques. Some of the basic SEO principles will help to generate traffic in the early days and beyond.

Therefore, you should consider the basic principles of local SEO strategy, some examples are:

• Displaying customer reviews
• Creating effective title tags and meta descriptions
• Optimizing your Google My Business Listing
• Listing your business’s name, address, and phone number

Identify Key Influencers

Influencer-driven marketing is a strategy where social media influencers will promote a product, business, or service to their audience. While you may think that influencer marketing is only available for larger businesses, there are options for small businesses to benefit from influencer marketing as well.

There are micro-influencers who have a smaller audience but have built a dedicated, niche audience that could be the perfect fit for your brand. These micro-influencers will also tend to cost less than larger influencers while providing higher ROI.

To start a connection with a micro-influencer that you feel is a great fit for your business, start by following their social media accounts. Then, like and comment on their most recent posts. Afterward, initiate further contact by sending a private message asking if they would be interested in working with you. Ensure that you mention how the partnership will benefit the influencer as well as their audience.

Stay on Top of Small Business MarektingTrends

You should always know what trends are current in your industry and show your audience that you know these trends by implementing them in your online presence. For example, you might create a giveaway contest with a social media influencer. You could also try creating an online quiz or doing a live Q&A session on Facebook or Instagram.

You may not always be successful when trying new things, but you will be able to track what methods are effective and which are not so that you can focus on the ones right for your audience. The important thing is to challenge yourself and step outside the box because that’s when good things can happen.

Analyze the Data

You should always be reviewing your data to pinpoint what marketing methods are working and which are not. This will add significant value to your business in the long term.

Keep track of what content you’ve posted and when. Then, try out different posting times if you find one isn’t working. Additionally, if you’re sending email newsletters, try out different styles if you find there isn’t much engagement. Lastly, review your social media analytics. Figure out which posts are gaining the most traction and why.

Once you’ve compiled and reviewed the data, you can use this information to strengthen your marketing strategy even more. You are able to repeat and expand the successful activities and eliminate the ineffective ones.  Having a fully developed marketing strategy is the key to a successful business and keeping track of your data will set you up for success in the future.