So, you’ve got everything sorted with your small business – a great product, good people, good systems but your market just isn’t that into you.   Why?!

They don’t even know you exist! So the big question is ……..

What is a great cost efficient way to attract, convert and retain new customers?  

It may seem obvious but the (not so secret) secret is … digital marketing. For most businesses though, Digital Marketing is perceived as being expensive, complex and time consuming. It doesn’t have to be – here’s how you can get started.

Start with a Free Health Check

For starters, assess your current online presence with a FREE Health Check from Discover Me :).

While that’s a great first step, there are plenty of quick and easy in-house actions you can take. Consistent, disciplined efforts are key to seeing results. Many small business owners fail to keep this up once things get busy. Remember: investing in building your business should always be a priority.

Here are some quick and effective tips to get you started:

1. Embrace Social Media Like Your Morning Coffee

Social media is a no-brainer. It’s free, and your market is already on it. To succeed, you need:

• A plan
• A schedule
• Consistent content
• A clear understanding of your audience, their pain points, and their buying journey

Avoid the scattergun approach. Use targeted messaging and choose the right platforms for your customer personas:

• Instagram: For visually inclined audiences
• Twitter: For quick and witty updates
• Facebook: For a broad, often older demographic
• LinkedIn: Perfect for B2B connections

Consistency is essential. Post regularly, engage with your audience, and watch your digital presence boom.

2. SEO: Google Is Your Best Friend

Search Engine Optimization – now we’re talking!!  Social Media is big but SEO is your best friend if you want to succeed long term in the digital marketplace. Optimize your existing website content and publish great quality content with relevant keywords, sprinkle in some meta tags, and convince Google your site is providing visitors with great information. Did I mention good quality original content – you must have content, content, content – keep generating content.

Encourage your team to create blogs, how-tos, top 10 lists, and videos. Share this content on social media, too. The more valuable content you produce, the higher you’ll rank in search engines, attracting more visitors.

3. Content is King, Queen, and the Entire Royal Family

Did I mention that content is important.

Content isn’t just good for SEO. It engages visitors, provides value, and establishes you as an authority in your field. Answer your audience’s burning questions and give them reasons to stick around. Engaging content is more likely to be shared, turning your audience into your advocates.

4. Email Marketing: The OG of Digital Communication

Email marketing remains a powerful tool. Start by building a mailing list by giving away valuable information, specials whatever it takes – build it up.

Then send out newsletters, specials, valuable insights and great content. Keep your audience in the loop and watch your retention and return sale KPIs rise.  

Set up your Mailchimp or preferred system, segment your audiences and personalize your emails. Don’t overdo it just keep it real, keep it valuable and stay out of the spam zone.

5. Embrace the Power of Influencers

You either love ’em or you hate ’em. We’ve probably all met someone at a party who claims to be an influencer – what’s your initial reaction!? Hmm well, for anyone over 40 its probably “why don’t you get a real job!”  BUT in todays business world they serve a purpose and I would say a necessary evil. People believe what they say – I cannot believe it works, but it does. 

Influencers can be a game-changer for your small business – especially when starting up and your desperately need to get some of that juicy traction in the awareness phase. Find influencers who align with your brand, reach out to them, and let the magic happen. Their followers trust their recommendations (god bless ’em), and suddenly, your business is in the spotlight. It’s like having a celebrity endorsement without the Hollywood price tag.

6. Analytics: Your Digital Crystal Ball

Last but not least, let’s talk analytics. Don’t be afraid of the numbers; embrace them. Platforms like Google Analytics are a digital crystal ball, revealing insights into all your channels performance. Track what’s working, what’s not, and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Summary

Digital marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. With a clear plan, consistent effort, and the right tools, your small business can thrive in the digital landscape. Remember, it’s not about the size of your business; it’s about the size of your digital presence.

If you’d like to discuss your strategy further, book an appointment with Glenn Hull, Digital Marketing Consultant.