Do you ever feel like you are out of ideas when it comes to marketing your business? You think you’ve used all the tools and resources available, but you just aren’t getting anywhere? You’re ready to lay down, have a nap and hope ideas come to you in a dream?
These are all extremely normal feelings. No one said marketing was easy. In fact, if it were that easy, we would be out of a job!
We have over ten years’ experience providing businesses with marketing ideas that have helped them generate leads, grow their target audience’s awareness of their products or services and change the direction of their brand entirely. But staying on top of the latest trends and technologies takes time. Something many business owners simply don’t have!
So today, we’ve done you a little favour. We’ve pulled together seven ideas to market your business so that you can check off your homework and start putting your business marketing to work.
1. Don’t get your business on social media (if it’s not right for you!)
What’s that you say?!
You heard correctly. We don’t want you to start using social media IF your audience isn’t there waiting for you.
You should invest your social time on the platforms that your target audience is already using.
Is your community dancing away on TikTok? If so, you’ve got to get in front of the camera and be present! Are you wanting to reach business professionals in a space they already use? LinkedIn is about to be your number one networking tool.
We don’t want you to throw your eggs into all the baskets. Be strategic, put your time to work in the best way, and choose your social platforms wisely.
2. Use one piece of content in many ways
We have many catchphrases here at The Marketing GP.
‘You didn’t even podium’ (used frequently on games nights). ‘Eat the frog’ (when we try to get our biggest task done first thing in the morning). ‘What’s the Wi-Fi password?’ (When the fridge magnet mysteriously disappears…).
But without a doubt, our most frequently used phrase is one piece of content, many ways.
If you write a killer blog, are you only going to upload it to your website and leave it at that? No!
You’re going to share that bad boy on your social media, turn it into a potential media release, or use it as a lead magnet to help attract new customers.
Don’t let an awesome piece of content go to waste. Find ways to use it on multiple platforms so that you can leverage all your hard work throughout your marketing activities.
3. Be a leader in your industry
Too often we see businesses falling into the habit of becoming sheep. When a competitor does something in their marketing, they follow suit.
Rather than doing what everyone else is doing, we recommend exploring the opportunities on platforms that may not already be owned in your industry.
Are your competitors focusing their social efforts on LinkedIn? Can you make a wave on TikTok instead? Are competitors struggling with manual processes, and you are too? Could a system like HubSpot streamline and automate your processes and customer experience?
It’s not difficult to be the leader in your industry if you are open to widening your opportunities through your marketing. Find a way to be interesting and unique.
4. Make the most of video content
Short form video content has fast become the biggest marketing trend of 2022. Videos can be easily shared across various platforms, in EDMs and on websites, so there’s no surprise its popularity is growing.
Video content is more engaging and is often quick and easy to create – it’s a lot less work than you think!
We’re not the only business thinking about video content. HubSpot shared the following video marketing statistics in 2021:
- 85 per cent of marketers rank short-form videos as the most effective type of social media content in 2021.
- 64 per cent of marketers plan to invest more in short-form video in 2022.
- On Instagram, videos get 21.2 per cent more interactions compared to images and 18.6 per cent more interactions compared to carousels.
If you’re interested in seeing more short form video content this year, why not take a look at our team’s Instagram Reels?
5. Add a bit of spice (🌶️ ) to your brand!
Ask yourself these important questions:
- What does your logo mean to your business?
- How long have you had your logo?
- What do your brand colours say about your business?
If you felt unsure about any of those questions, it might be a great time to visit a rebrand for your business.
As businesses evolve and the times change, it’s important to consider how your brand sits in your industry, to your target market and in comparison to your competitors.
Why not consider spicing up your brand with a new logo or branding suite? We put our words into action recently to celebrate 10 years in business with a complete overhaul of our brand.
6. Leverage the power of EDMs but don’t spam your customers
A simple, but effective idea for marketing which will keep your customers interested is to develop and send regular EDMs.
EDM stands for electronic direct marketing – it’s a tool based around sending marketing emails to your clients and customers. While it may seem like a pretty boring idea, marketing emails are the perfect way to keep your business at the top of your customers’ minds.
Sending regular emails (an average of one a month if you have something new and valuable to share) means you’re not spamming your customers while still getting your message out there.
However, according to Campaign Monitor the average person receives over 120 emails a day. So, you need to find a way to personalise your emails and make them stand out among the many offers, spam and messages from overseas website developers wanting to ‘improve your business’.
7. Outsource your marketing
If the thought of putting all of these ideas for marketing into action terrifies you a little, you don’t have to do it alone.
Outsourcing your marketing is one of the most effective ways to get your business noticed, with less heavy lifting on your end. When you work with a marketing agency, they know what your business wants and the best way to achieve your goals, and can work behind the scenes to make magic happen for your business.
If you’re ready to kickstart your business’ marketing journey, book a meeting with our Chief Marketer, Holly Martin.
