Millions of Internet users around the world surf the Web in search of goods, services and information. The Internet, therefore, provides small businesses with an audience and free and low-cost marketing opportunities. The key to successful online marketing, however, lies in a small enterprise's ability to locate its target audience and craft messages that will attract and retain the audience's business. Small business marketing efforts can be undertaken by one person or can be outsourced to marketing specialists.
Instructions
1. Online classified advertisements. Online classified ad marketing can be an effective way to market some businesses, especially those who deal in products and services typically sought in classified ads such as domestic services, real estate and used goods. If you own a real estate brokerage firm, for example, you can advertise your firm's listings in online classified advertising sections to attract clients. Although you must place classified ads on a regular basis to get noticed, you must follow classified ad website rules regarding frequent posting and advertising content to remain in good standing with the websites.
2. E-mail marketing. On-going communication keeps your business on potential clients' minds. You can encourage your website or blog visitors to add their names to your mailing list by placing a subscription sign up box in a prominent location on your website and asking visitors to sign up. If you sell products or services, you can also provide website visitors with incentives, such as coupons, to sign up for your mailing list. You should also encourage interaction among mailing list participants by hosting a discussion forum or feedback Webpage to keep potential clients focused on your business.
3. Social networking. Successful social network marketers invest a significant amount of time interacting one-on-one with potential clients and customers. An effective way to attract business in social networking forums is to create a "viral" message, meaning a message capable of spreading to multiple users quickly. Although it can be difficult to pinpoint what message content has the capability of going viral, spending as much time observing your target audience as you interact with them could give you ideas about the kinds of marketing messages to which they respond.
4. Instructional and educational writing. Websites and blogs provide you with an platform to share knowledge and to market your business. If you run a catering business, for example, providing potential customers with information that expands their knowledge on related topics increases your chances of gaining their business. Similarly, writing articles for publication in online magazines and other information websites and writing books that showcase your expertise puts your business in the minds of customers for future patronage.
Tags: your business, mailing list, potential clients, Online classified, products services