Standing out and cutting through the noise in marketing is an art. So how do you outshine that Instagram ad you see all the time? And what really trumps your competitor’s smart and well-written LinkedIn post? We encounter millions of impressions daily and need to filter through them. What’s relevant and what’s not? In this guide, we’ve gathered our eight best tips on how to succeed with your marketing.
It’s become easier to get your marketing out there but harder to stand out in the overwhelming amount of “content” flooding every channel. The biggest challenge today isn’t finding ways to communicate with your customers. The challenge is making sure your communication contains something valuable that makes customers want to follow and listen to you.
“If you’re not visible, you don’t exist” is an old truth that’s perhaps more relevant than ever. The tricky part about communication science is that it’s exactly that – a complete science, while also being subjective about what is considered “good” communication (though it’s easy to spot bad communication). There’s right and there’s wrong – and then there’s right that’s wrong and wrong that’s right. That’s how complicated marketing can feel if you’re not well-versed in it.
To make things easier – or at least less difficult – here are eight tips on how to reach your customers without spending a fortune on advertising.
Being active is key. If you want something to happen, you have to be willing to work for it. Dedicate part of your work time to marketing yourself or your business. It’s an investment that will definitely pay off!
Give your followers a reason to keep following you – and make them want to tell their friends about you and your business. Sharing knowledge, tips, and inspiration without selling builds trust and long-term customer relationships.
Don’t underestimate various forms of direct marketing. Email your customers, talk to everyone you know, participate in discussions on social media and relevant forums.
Have a website and accounts on relevant social media. Don’t waste time on channels where your target audience isn’t present.
Hand out your business cards. Put up a poster. Digital is great, but sometimes it’s good to go “back to basics.” One doesn’t exclude the other.
Make it easy for others to spread information about your business. This can be as simple as providing such great service that others want to share their experience.
… and that no one understands why they should deal with you and your business. Explain, argue, and repeat until it sticks.
Attend fairs, go to lectures and events. Be where your customers are! And when you can’t meet in person, focus on your digital presence and network on various digital platforms.
One last tip: dare to try new things! If it doesn’t work, then you know! The more you work on your marketing, the more fun and easier it will become. Communication works like everything else in life – practice makes perfect!
