Lately, I have seen a lot of small businesses that don't realize the importance of marketing. Perhaps they do not know how to start, or they are afraid it will cost too much. I'm here to tell you that getting started is easier than you think, and it does not have to cost you anything.

To market your small business, you need to find out what makes your company special and unique. What is the one thing you can offer that no one else can? Once you figure this out, you need to make it clear to the customer how they can experience this benefit.

The thing that makes your business special or unique is considered your Unique Selling Proposition (USP). It's the one thing (or multiple) that makes your company unique that nobody else can do. Once you have identified this, the next step is making sure customers know about it. The message should be clear for customers and present across all of your marketing platforms.

The Importance of Marketing Your Small Business

Marketing your small business is crucial for its growth and sustainability. To be discovered among the many other businesses out there, you need a strong marketing plan that can grab people's attention.

Customers these days are bombarded with commercials, Facebook ads, and pop-up ads. They need to be shown how your business will offer them something they can't get anywhere else. Make it clear what peace of mind or happiness you offer when they choose your company over a competitor's.

Marketing may seem like a costly endeavor, but you don't have to spend a lot of money to market your business and be successful. Simple marketing tactics will work like magic for your small business and won't break the bank. More on this later, let's get back to your unique selling point.

Find Your Unique Selling Point

So how do you find this magical USP? It could be anything from offering the lowest prices on a particular product, being the only one in your area offering the service, uniquely treating customers, providing exceptional work, or even including attractive incentives with their purchase. Every business should find this one thing that makes them unique and stand out.

Finding your USP is not always easy. You might need to do some research, talk to customers and employees, or even try out a few different things before you can identify what makes your business special.

In my opinion, your USP is something that you discover along the journey of your business venture; it is not something you determine from the start. Of course, you can focus on a USP from the beginning, but as you learn more about who your customers are and how they feel, your USP will likely change along the way.

Affordable Marketing Tactics for Small Businesses that Work

If you have already determined your unique selling point, then great! You are on the right track. Now let's discuss some marketing tactics that will help market your small business to potential customers.

Marketing your small business should be a balance between being unique and getting the word out. Here are some ideas to help you put together a marketing strategy: 

• One of the most effective ways to market your business is simply word of mouth. Make sure you always provide exceptional service, so your customers will recommend you to their friends and family.
• Make sure your website is professional. Your website is where your USP should be front and center for everyone to see. Make sure it is easy for customers to contact you, buy, or schedule your service.
• Settle on a social media platform to focus on, whether Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Spend time improving how this looks and developing an audience on it. Your choice of social media likely will be determined by your product or service.
• Market yourself as an expert in your industry by writing articles and offering tips online. You can do this in local Facebook groups, niche groups, and on your blog.
• Create and update your Google My Business account. GMB is arguably the easiest way to get found online locally. Plus, it can often be the first impression of your business.

There are dozens and dozens of other options to market your business; these were just a handful of practical, affordable ways to get started marketing your business.

What other options can you think of? Leave a comment with your own ideas.



Happy Marketing!