How to Get the Word out About Your Business

Last Updated: May 6, 2021 References

One of the essential duties of running a business is marketing it to new customers. A strong marketing campaign often entails multiple strategies for attracting new customers, which can include various forms of advertising, digital marketing, and promoting your business’s brand. Through the utilization of these strategies, you will bring in new business and ensure the longevity of your enterprise.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Advertising Your Business

1
Send direct mail advertisements. If you are looking to quickly get the word out about your business, a direct mail campaign might be a great option. Working with a marketing firm or on your own, you can create an advertisement that will go directly to your prospective customers in less time than it takes to develop a print, radio, or television ad. This can be a flier, brochure, or coupons. Because you will use lists of potential customers from a marketing directory, direct mailing campaign also allows you to quickly target groups of people who will be more amenable to your product. ^{[1]
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- A direct mailing campaign will be in the mailboxes of your potential customers in a couple of months, while TV and radio advertisements can take six months or more to hit the airwaves.
- Direct mail is also much cheaper than other forms of advertisement.
2
Buy some billboard space. If your business has the resources, you may consider advertising your business on a billboard. These large, public advertisements are an easy way to attract a customer’s attention. With the right location and appealing media, a billboard can garner your company new business.
- Be sure to consider the importance of location. The right spot is the most important factor to think about when purchasing a billboard. Does the location have heavy automobile or foot traffic? Is it a residential or commercial area?
- If you do not want to develop the media on your own, work with a public relations firm to create what you want on your advertisement.
- Traditional billboard space is one of the most important facets of the out-of-home marketplace.
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3
Try a print advertisement. An advertisement in a local newspaper or trade publication can help you garner attention for your business. Be clear about what it is that your business does and how prospective customers can contact you. Include your telephone number and website in the advertisement. ^{[2]
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- Depending on your resources, you may want to work with a marketing firm. Although more expensive than doing it yourself, a marketing firm will have graphic designers and other professionals who will improve the quality of your ad.
4
Get a radio spot. Contact your local radio station about advertising on their airwaves. A radio advertisement is a great option if your business is located in a market where people commute to work. The commuters going to and from work every day are a prime audience for your radio advertisement. Radio is also a cheaper alternative to TV but more expensive than a print ad. ^{[3]
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- Radio stations will generally work with you to develop your advertisement, which is factored into the negotiated price. However, you have creative license with the advertisement.
5
Create a television commercial. Work with your local television station -- or independently if you or someone you know have some cinematic skills -- to create a roughly 30-second spot. Film an ad that highlights your business and is clear about what you do. Although expensive, a TV commercial will help you reach a much larger audience than other forms of advertising.^{[4]
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- A television commercial can cost upwards of $2,500, so make sure it fits your budget.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Marketing Your Business Digitally

1
Create a website. It is important that your business has a digital footprint, and developing a website is the first step in ensuring that. Your website should be a digital compliment to your brick and mortar business. It should contain information about the services you offer, prices for your services or products, hours of operation, and other relevant information about your business. An attractive and informative website is an easy way to attract new business. ^{[5]
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- Depending on your budget and tech savviness, you can work with a web designer or use a web design platform like Squarespace to create your website.
2
Use social media. Engaging with customers in social media is a relatively easy way to increase your brand’s profile. Applications like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram make it easy for you to market your business to customers in a space where they are already active.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Melissa Rodriguez
Marketing & Advertising Specialist
Expert Interview. 23 April 2021.} Simply create a profile for your business and use it to promote your business.^{[7]
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- Create accounts in as many social media applications as you can manage. It is important to have as much coverage as you can but not over-extend yourself.
- Be sure to link your social media presence to your website, and vice versa.
3
Consider viral marketing. One way to spread the word about your business is to create a piece of content that people will want to share with their friends, family, and coworkers. In viral marketing, you invest your resources at the front end, by creating a funny video or other clever content, and then allow customers to share the content. If customers find your content appealing, this can be an incredibly cost-effective way to reach a large number of people. ^{[8]
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- It is important to remember that most viral marketing campaigns fall flat and fail to garner much attention from customers. Consider a viral campaign in tandem with other marketing strategies.
- In order to increase the likelihood that your viral campaign will succeed, avoid using offensive materials or tired clichés. The former will drive customers away, while the later will make you look out of touch.
- Consider posting your videos to YouTube in order to increase the likelihood of its going viral.
4
Focus on mobile technology. Considering that most people engage with digital media through their mobile devices, it might be useful to consider creating a mobile application for your business. In many ways, a mobile app functions like a website, offering customers a space to learn more about your business while viewing your goods or services. A mobile app can also operate as a unique advertising tie-in by creating an experience that draws customers to your products. ^{[9]
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- A mobile game or interactive experience can be great advertising that attracts customers to your business.
- Consider creating an app that streamlines the customer’s ability to purchase goods or services from your business.
5
Try augmented reality advertisement. This form of marketing allows you to interact with your customers by overlaying virtual elements over the physical environment. Through the use of a mobile device or virtual display, customers will be able to virtually test out your product or engage with your services. Although this style of marketing is relatively new, augmented reality may help set your business apart from the competition, particularly among tech savvy customers. ^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
Harvard Business Review
Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices
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- Although extremely cost-prohibitive at the moment, augmented reality marketing will likely become more common and less expensive in the future.
- For example, IKEA recently created an AR campaign in which customers used their smartphones to see how furniture would look in their homes. Using their phone's camera, customers were able to test the look of IKEA furniture by virtually placing it in their home before they bought it.^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Strengthening Your Business’s Reputation

1
Create your brand’s image. Develop a logo and a slogan for your business. These both need to be eye-catching and memorable, yet simple. Your brand’s image should be something that customers are drawn to and that stays with them. Consider working with a marketing firm or a graphic designer to develop engaging logos. A marketing firm will also be helpful in crafting your logo. ^{[12]
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- Your logo will be instrumental in developing a customer’s first impression of your business.
2
Network with other professionals and business owners. Developing strong professional connections is an essential part of marketing your business. Aggressive networking can introduce you to new customers and untapped markets for your business. Attend professional conferences, local chamber of commerce meetings, and other professional gatherings in order to meet potential clients as well as those who have the resources to forward your business. ^{[13]
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- Consider joining regional and national organizations that are geared towards your business.
- Become a member of your local chamber of commerce and be an active member.
- Print business cards so that you can quickly share your information with potential clients and other contacts.
3
Build partnerships with other organizations. Partnering with other organizations introduces your business to new customers and allows you to share the expense of marketing. By working with other organizations, you are able to engage with its membership while sharing resources. Reach out to local groups in an effort to develop these partnerships, or contact regional and national organizations.
- Consider partnering with a non-profit organization or a charitable group.
- Share your resources with a regional or national organization that will market your business broadly.
4
Promote customer relations. A satisfied customer is the best marketing tool a business can have. Many businesses attract new customers through word-of-mouth referrals from other happy customers. Customer satisfaction can be maintained by ensuring your products quality, creating helpful customer service, and facilitating an accommodating atmosphere.
- Consider ways in which you can make the customer’s experience as hassle free as possible. For example, offer mobile services that can allow your customer’s to engage with your business from home.
- Encourage customer feedback. Customer reviews can be a great marketing tool that reflects their level of satisfaction.

Community Q&A

Question

What can I do to promote my small business?

Melissa Rodriguez
Marketing & Advertising Specialist
Melissa Rodriguez is a Marketing and Advertising Specialist and the Founder of Social Media Relations out of Los Angeles, California. With over 5 years of experience, she specializes in branding, content production, social media marketing, and public relations. Melissa holds BS degrees in Global Perspectives and Corporate Finance and Accounting from Bentley University.

Melissa Rodriguez

Marketing & Advertising Specialist

Expert Answer

Try making social media accounts on sites where your target audience is already very active.