Whether you’ve just started your business or you’re an experienced business owner, one question we get asked quite a lot is “How do I market my business?”.
Our answer would be… in many ways and it does depend on your budget. In this blog, we will explain everything from the FREE options right up to spending thousands on print and billboards.
Our marketing agency is based in Coventry so we will share some of our local knowledge. If you’re not from this area there may well be an equivalent where you live.
Free Ways To Promote Your Business
Facebook and Facebook Groups are a great way to promote your business. If you are just starting this option should not be ignored.
Your local community Facebook groups are full of people asking for recommendations for everything from plumbers to cake makers. Be sure to take a look at the rules associated with promoting your business and then start to promote your latest products, services and events.
X / Twitter
X formerly known as Twitter is great for connecting with local press, radio and TV. If you’re looking for local PR consider connecting with your local publications and radio stations.
Email Marketing
When you start in business you may have a relatively small list of contacts. However, one of the ways that you can stay in touch with your customers for free is via email.
You can use services such as Flodesk and Mailerlite to create email campaigns and track your open rates and success. If you’re looking to use Flodesk our code can save you 50% in your first year. Simply click here to sign up.
Feel free to take a look at further information in our blog – 7 Reasons Why We Love Email Marketing.
Google My Business
Make sure that you set up your Google My Business account for your business. This FREE tool allows you to be found on Google. As your business grows be sure to keep it up to date and look to gain positive reviews on this platform.
You can also add updates, photos, offers and events.
Online Business Directory
Take a look near you to see if there are any online business directories that you can register with.
A few we would suggest are Yell, Thomson Local, Dotty Directory. Here in Coventry, we have a business called Coventry Rocks where you can list many things for free or at a low cost, here’s our listing on their site. As many of these are free it is a great idea to use these free resources. You may find that your listing on these big directories appears quite high up the search engine rankings.
PR
Do you have a good business news story to share? Be sure to take a look on platforms like X to see if your local newspaper or radio stations are looking to share stories like these. If you search the hashtag #journorequest you may well find people who are looking for stories.
Social Media Essentials
Social Media Essentials is your one-stop shop for all you need to know about marketing your business via social media. We have a Facebook Group and free monthly resources that will help with social media content planning. You’re more than welcome to join us.
Low-Cost Ways To Promote Your Business
Pay Per Click Advertising
Done correctly, Facebook and Google adverts can be a very cost-effective way of reaching your ideal customer. Each of these options is slightly different and we explain a bit more about the differences in our blog The Difference between Facebook and Google Ads.
GO CV
The Go CV card is a free scheme for Coventry residents that gives exclusive offers with some of the city’s most exciting events and activities, including free entry to Coventry Transport Museum, reduced-price comedy and theatre tickets and discounted entry to The Wave. As a business owner if you have an offer that may be of use to the city’s residents you could contact them to see if this is something that they can feature in their monthly mail out.
There may be a charge for using this service.
Local Magazines
Your Call Magazine is an independent publication run locally in Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull Villages. Established in July 2005, we are part of the local community, encouraging local people to use local businesses. We are trusted by many Coventry, Warwickshire & Solihull Villages businesses who advertise with us, as a proven way to reach new local customers.
Other Ways To Promote Your Business
As your business grows there may be other ways in which you would want to promote your business, such as sponsorship opportunities, out-of-home advertising such as billboards and maybe an advert on the back of a bus.
You might even consider Radio and TV.
As with any marketing and advertising, it is important to understand what you are getting back for your investment. When those new customers come knocking, make sure you ask that all-important question if it is not clear how they found out about your business.
Once you know what is working you can then flex the amount of time or money that you spend on the various options listed above.
If you are looking to plan your social media more effectively and would like more ideas, take a look at our Social Media Essentials Club.
Have you got a creative block? Do you need someone to help with content creation for your social media? Our social media content creation prices start from £125 per platform. Complete social media management services are available and our price list can be found here.