Establishing a new business is not something you can accomplish over night. There is so much that goes into it. You need to set up a structure, a product line, services, build a team, find talent and then get to the point where you are ready to make sales.
Promotion is next in queue and it can be intimidating when you do not know where to begin.
You may have a huge marketing budget that may be sufficient to reach your audience and you may even have a wonderful product that when used will make customers go wow. But how do you get the word out about your new business is the big question.
The obvious choice is to meet with people and talk about what you are doing. But there is more to promotion than word of mouth.
In a fast changing marketing scenario, social media and content marketing is making life interesting for marketers. Especially those who are setting up a new business.
Giving a face to your product is important. Because this face is what people will associate with your business brand.
If you are looking to get started, then these pointers will help you find direction.
What you didn’t know a website could do
Creating a website is like switching on your promotion drive. Think about it. What is the point of getting the word out about your business if people are googling you and can’t find anything.
That’s a disaster. So yes, a nice, easy to navigate website is a first step. But then there is a whole design perspective.
Read: Why your start-up needs a website
Those early internet – old days of creating a website with loads of content are gone. Visuals telling stories, compelling ideas and activations on your websites make so much more impact. Engagement is key.
People today are looking for an experience online more than ever before. If you are a business and you are not offering a positive or engaging experience to your customer, something is not right.
People will use your website to find you and lose you. Quickly.
But if you can make them stay – there could be unlimited possibilities for engagement. Here’s where you get strategic.
Use photographs, visuals and graphics to aid your business communication. Create a storyboard on a one pager website urging customers to stay on your homepage.
When you want to give some extra information, use a pop up window or a speech-cloud.
Your home page should be calling out with an action item. These could include subscription to a newsletter, registering to your website or leaving their information so you can get back to them with details.
Your website navigation needs to reflect your business thought process. Simple. Effective. Awesome.
Why is everyone on about a blog
[tweetthis]Blogging rocks for many reasons. For starters, it is a great way to connect with your audience. [/tweetthis]
Blogging is also an effective way to build new B2B relationships, find talent, create a knowledge base and archive your brand evolution.
Read: Why you should blog for your business
Through a blog you can exhibit your expertise, help people find your product or service and enhance their understanding about your niche. And of course, it is the best way to get the word out about your new business.
A business blog is also a fantastic way to give a voice and a face to your brand. Your brand would need little introduction if you have a blog that’s offering advisory, knowledge and news in a unique voice.
Gawd. There are already so many videos online
There is a certain appeal to the play button. The ideal length is 60-120 seconds where you get the chance to get people to laugh, smile or hit a like button. It is also possible they will never come back to your video again.
If you can manage to create interesting, engaging short videos about your products and services, then you have the opportunity to make people stay with your brand.
If you can’t, there are several websites from where you can borrow videos that will match what you offer. Just be careful about copyrights and seek all permissions before you publish them on your own platform.
What? Now I have to be social too
Social media cannot be put aside if you are looking to get the word out about your new business. Its importance is increasing by the day. You have to get active if you want your customers to get busy.
Tweet. Share and Like. Get the word out about your new business by engaging, liking, sharing and curating information. It is going to get you a following which you can always direct back to your business goals. This kind of interactivity is the most amazing thing about social media.
Make that happen for yourself and your business brand. Content marketing is all about how strategically you can get customers to engage, learn and associate with your brand through the content and information you bring forth.
Make the social presence happening and beneficial for others so that they associate with your business as a knowledge base.
Networking too? How is this making any sense
Collaboration with other businesses, important people and service providers provide ample opportunities to build a solid base for your business. Plus it helps to get the word out about your new business.
Marketing yourself via conferences, workshops and webinars is a great way to get the word out. There is no way you have anything to lose from such opportunities. Stay alert and network.
Get media engaged, Don’t underestimate the power of traditional journalism
Conventional media by no means has lost the mark that it makes on millions of minds everyday. As a beginner, you may want to reach out to more targeted audience and newspapers, magazines. But this could change as your business grows.
Get media involved. Build relationships. Keep them informed and plan a workshop now and then to keep them updated on the latest at your end. A little networking with the media never hurt anyone.
Other than these few pointers, you can also look into third party endorsements, app development, gamification, SMS marketing, email campaigns, brand activations and much more. For more details, write to me at sohaib.mustafa@wordsmith.com.pk and I’d be happy to help.
Let me know what you think of these ideas for content marketing. I would love to hear about your addition to the list as well.
Until next time, happy communicating!
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