You’ve made your business cards, built your Facebook page and now you’re ready to throw open your doors and show the world what you’ve got. But what other marketing strategies are you missing? Here are five advertising tips for the new business or start-up company.
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1: Be Everywhere
When you’re just starting out, the most important thing on your agenda should be exposure. In your community, you’re a little fish in a big pond; online, you’re a miniscule amoeba in a vast ocean. You need to fight the current and make people realize you’re out there. Don’t be afraid of over-advertising, at least not in your company’s early days. Make the biggest impression you can in as little time as you’re able.
2: Have A Vision
Where do you want your business to be in five years? Five months? Five weeks? It’s important to have both long- and short-term goals to keep your brand from stagnating. It’s all too easy to get swept up in the romance of your grand opening and forget to build a realistic business model that will support you even after the balloons come down.
3: Get Help From the Experts
They’ve been where you are. They understand the industry. They probably have a good idea about what does and doesn’t work. For example, veterinary marketing specialists have successfully advertised everything from animal clinics to horse trainers, so if you need to get your pet hospital off the ground, they’re the ones you should call. Whatever your area of business is, try to get some help from experts in your field whether it be a specialized consulting group or an experienced business mentor.
4: Offer Good Deals Right Away
Since you just started selling, you may not believe you need a clearance rack yet. But which will your customers care about more, your time-line or their checkbooks? Offer sales right off the bat so curious shoppers will be more likely to think “Oh, this place is really affordable!” and come back a second time.
5: Take Advantage of Opportunity
If you see the chance to sell your brand, then take it, even if that means being sneaky or scratching someone else’s back so they’ll scratch yours. For example, if you’re an up-and-coming bakery, you can offer free coffee to any graphic designer who will make you a nice logo. If you’re selling candy for your child’s fundraiser, you can slip in glossy postcards from the 123 Postcards marketing services team that advertise your dental company. Keep a sharp eye out for these kinds of opportunities that come into your path. You’ll be surprised how often they pop up and what a big difference seizing those chances as they come can make.
These are just a few methods of getting the most out of early-day marketing strategies. For more great tips, check out another of our articles. You’ll still have plenty of time to figure things out as you go, so don’t be too afraid of making mistakes. Whatever methods you choose to pursue, remember that it is always better to advertise a little more than necessary when you open rather than do too little and slip under the radar unnoticed.