How to Run a Successful Marketing Campaign for Your Small Business

When it comes to a new business start-up, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Of course, all entrepreneurs begin by having a good idea. This is usually then followed by a business plan of sorts, and a general idea of how they’re going to make the idea work.

The problem with this is; your idea is nothing – literally nothing – without people to consume and appreciate it. This is why your marketing campaign is so important.

You don’t have to be a marketing expert, in order to run a well-received campaign. All it takes is time, and a little bit of research – for which you’ve come to the right place. Here are some tips on how to run a successful marketing campaign for your small business venture.

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Don’t Underestimate the Power of Advertising

Marketing is essentially the business term for advertising. Your marketing campaign should literally revolve around advertising your company and what it has to offer in order to attract new and regular business. It really is that simple.

This is why you should never, ever underestimate the power of good old fashioned advertising. We’re talking radio adverts, sections in local papers and magazines, and there are even affordable vinyl banners designed online that are easily accessible and available nowadays to help you really lift your marketing campaign off the ground.

However, we do live in 2019 now – which means there the doors are open even further in the world of advertising. Basically what we’re saying is, there’s no need to stop there! Make friends with social media, and watch your business blow up – for the better. 

There is a direct correlation between the success of small businesses and social media nowadays. A lot of people associate social media with mindless scrolling and time wasting – and it hasn’t half gotten a bad name in the press. However, they often forget to acknowledge just how much social media has helped to revolutionise the world of business.

Take Facebook, for example. There is a free and easy tool that allows any person to make a business page on the site. This page can then be liked, reviewed and recommended by anyone who uses it and then goes onto the page.

But, what has that got to do with marketing? Well, once you’ve created your page, it’s free to share it. And share it. And share it again. The more you share it, and the more people you can get to share it, the further it reaches. The further it reaches; the more consumers are likely to be interested. The more consumers that are interested and become customers; the more successful your business will be. It really is as easy as that.

Know Your Target Audience

We’ve just given a list of useful advertising techniques, however using them is simply no good if you don’t know who your target audience actually is. 

Of course, the further afield you can advertise, the better it is for you – but try and remember throughout the process, exactly who it is you’re aiming your advertisements towards. When you’ve done this, you can tailor the kind of advertising you use specifically to who you need to access.

Let’s say your business idea was aimed at teens and young adults. You’d then think about where you could strategically place your marketing advertisements to ensure they saw it.

Of course, social media is an obvious one – but what about posters or banners on public transport? Or plastered around university campus’? We’re not saying neglect all other places of advertisement, but what we are saying, is think outside of the box and ask yourself, if I was a teen/young adult, where would I be, and where would I be most likely to notice this? Step into the shoes of your target audience – even if they aren’t your size! Then you can never go wrong.

Regularly Assess Your Progress

Finally, as with any successful campaign, in order to ensure your marketing process is up to speed, you should be regularly assessing its progress.

By assessing its progress, we mean take a look at the results. What advertisements are working, and which ones possibly aren’t? Did you make back the money you spent on buying that space? Only by figuring out what works for you and putting your emphasis on that, will you continue to reap the benefits of your marketing efforts. Even in the earliest of days, the customer knows best. Without them, your business can’t function. Never lose sight of that.

Adam Hansen
 

Adam is a part time journalist, entrepreneur, investor and father.