If you think that starting your business is difficult, then let me tell you that marketing your start-up is far more complicated than starting one.
Marketing your business means that you increase your brand value by ensuring that people are aware of your brand’s existence. Marketing is a potent tool to attract customers, while big businesses spent billions of dollars to market their brand; a start-up entrepreneur can’t do the same.
Here’s a list of dos and don’ts for marketing your start-up venture:
1. Listen to the Customer
As a start-up business, you need to secure a loyal base of customers. If your customers are satisfied, you’ll be able to earn more revenue and NEVER EVER underestimate the power of word of mouth. Your customers are your best and worst critics, and they can make or break your business.
Even if you have a disagreement with your customer about anything, make sure you resolve it on time so that you don’t lose out on a potential loyal client and revenue.
2. Engage in Social Media Marketing
Social media is a valuable, cost effective and versatile tool used for marketing. So if you wish to promote your business without spending too much, social media is your wisest bet.
Advertising your business using social media can be done in many ways:
- Advertise on Facebook by paying a nominal fee to reach a certain number of people.
- Advertise using Google AdSense and have your work displayed in different Google products.
- Pay an Instagram influencer to advertise your product (this method is not cheap, but if you can afford it, it’s the most effective).
A lot of people use various social media applications; Facebook alone has over a billion users, so it’s a great way to advertise your business. Plus, it gives you an added benefit of reaching out to your target audience.
3. Invest in a Good Website
These days, a website forms the first and most important impression for your business. Your website needs to be up-to-date with the most recent development; it needs to be user-friendly and have a friendly and informative ambiance.
In case it’s a retail website, it needs to be secure for financial transactions.
4. Do NOT invest in expensive traditional Marketing
As a new entrepreneur, you may be tempted to gain more customers. You might consider advertising in newspapers and electronic media, but we strongly advise that you don’t, as they’re expensive and will cost you tons of money that you can spend somewhere else.
As a start-up venture, you need to spend money a little cautiously.
5. Don’t Think Any Publicity Is Good Publicity
In the early years, you have to focus on your brand’s reputation. By the wrong advertisement, you’re jeopardizing your future, and that’s the last thing you want.
If you’re able to market your brand and your product correctly, you’ll be able to reach great heights. Just don’t over-spend and make sure that things are in order and you’re good to go.