It is challenging for small businesses to go head-to-head with big industry players. Larger companies have more resources and budgets that cover their marketing campaign expense. Therefore, small businesses have to be a bit more frugal when it comes to advertising. But that does not mean they can’t elevate their brands through marketing. In this technology-driven world, there is no shortage of affordable small business advertising ideas.
Claim and Verify Your Local Listings
There’s nothing more important for today’s small businesses than a solid online presence and without taking this step, any advertising money you spend could drive your potential customers to other businesses. Being found on the internet, means you will need to list your business wherever your customers might be. The internet is chock full of free local business listing sites like Google, YELP, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TripAdvisor, etc.
Create a Google My Business Account
One of the best local listings you can create is a Google My Business account. It can help you become closer to your target audience online. It also provides your business with a stronger online presence on Google Search and in Google Maps. Your Google My Business account acts as a “business listing.” And the best part is — it’s free! Within your account you not only have a business listing, but a place where you can post small weekly ads that will display along with your business listing in Google. These ads can be offer driven or small blurbs with pictures that include a call-to-action button.
Social Media Advertising
Besides claiming your business on social media platforms, you can affordably advertise your business there, and be highly selective with the audience you target. For example, if you own a retail store, you can use ad targeting options to narrow the audience so that only people of a certain demographic living within a certain mile radius of your store are served your social ads.
Here are a few popular social media platforms for social advertising:
Facebook is a great advertising choice for small businesses, due to its widespread adoption of the platform and the relatively low cost of their ads. Nearly 71 percent (Statista) of Americans use Facebook, and among those who use it, 73 percent (AudienceProject) log in to the service at least once per day. There are different ad units to choose from on Facebook, including video ads, customer offers, carousel images, lead generation, page likes, event responses and more.
Instagram ads are a great option for small businesses with a highly visual brand that appeals to younger audiences, almost 60 percent (emarketer.com) of Instagram’s more than one-billion users are under the age of 35. Instagram includes many of the same targeting parameters offered by Facebook and their ad units include image ads, video ads, story ads and carousel ads. You can also include clear call-to-action buttons to drive traffic to your website.
LinkedIn advertising is a bit more expensive compared to other social networks, but it’s a great option for small businesses with a business-to-business (B2B) sales model. You can target professionals in specific industries, with certain job titles through LinkedIn ads. They now have almost 774 million members with over 57 million registered companies (LinkedIn).
Run a Referral Campaign
Small businesses often rely on word of mouth advertising to help grow their business. Aside from other advertising methods, word of mouth can help scale your venture quickly. Plus, it can be accomplished in cost effective ways. One example would be to give coupons or special discounts to your customers who refer two or three new customers. Or if you’re in the restaurant business, you can ask consumers to dine in with five other people for a free drink or dessert. You can also offer coupons or discounts to customers who write reviews or refer your business (with a link to your site) on social media.
As you can see, there are many cost-effective options to advertise your small business. And if you need help designing and creating your ads, there is always the option of hiring a creative agency, like IGM Creative Group to produce your eye-catching graphics or to help you plan and implement your next Social Media marketing campaign.
About IGM Creative Group
IGM Creative Group provides advertising solutions, marketing strategy, web development and professional SEO services for Fortune 500, mid-market and small businesses.
Contact by phone at 973-709-1126 or send an email to creativeteam@igmcreativegroup.com.
Find out what IGM Creative Group can do for you and request a complimentary consultation.