Small Business Marketing Strategies that Work in 2020

Small Business Marketing Strategies that Work in 2020

Every year, it seems like a new killer app is being launched or a new marketing strategy is poised to take the world by storm. While there may be some merit in a few of the new tactics, most are nothing more than smoke and mirrors. 

To grow a small business doesn’t require a degree in rocket science. All it takes is an understanding of your market and the right strategies to get in front of them. 

In this article, you’ll learn 4 small business marketing strategies that’ll work in 2020 and beyond. They’ll not only get you customers but build up goodwill that’ll take your brand forward.  

Content marketing 

Before it was cool, brands were doing content marketing and reaping the rewards that come with it. A few years ago, it was popularized by companies like HubSpot and Content Marketing Institute. Even Bill Gates once said content is king. 

Today, it’s no secret that a well-executed content marketing strategy can springboard your growth and there are a few ingredients that’ll help you achieve success. 

1. A deep understanding of your market. This will allow you to create the right content and drive targeted traffic to your business. 
2. Great content. Once someone gets to your content, it should be high quality. Answer their questions thoroughly and show them what the next steps are. 
3. Well-developed promotion strategy. Every piece of content takes time and energy to create. It’s important to have a promotional strategy that gets it in front of the right people. Without this, it’s all for nothing. 

Podcasting 

Podcasting is having a moment. Over 50% of the American population knows what a podcast is and over 30% listen to them at least once a month. 

The best part is that it’s not saturated. There are less than one million podcasts in the world which means you have a better chance of getting found if you start one today. When you’re consistent with podcasting and have a decent marketing strategy in place then you’re likely to get traction.

There’s a caveat. 

It’s harder to start a podcast than it is to start a blog. The creation process is more difficult and editing is also tougher. You can’t just hit the delete key when you make a mistake. That part has to be recorded again. 

Don’t let that stop you. 

Here are a few things you can do to improve your chances of success. Choose a solid podcast hosting company. There are many out there with more springing up every day. A few of them are completely free but that may not be a good option. Focus on the podcast hosts that meet your needs and are affordable. 

Second, get good equipment. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on your setup. Instead, focus on a few key items such as your mic and headphones. You can’t go wrong with a Blue Yeti mic or a pair of Sony MDR7506. Together, you may spend just shy of $200. 

After you’ve gotten your hosting and equipment, the last thing is to produce relevant content on a steady schedule. This allows you to build a following that counts on you to consistently deliver great content. 

When things start working in your favor and you’ve built up an audience, you can turn your podcast into another revenue stream through sponsors or promote your own products and services. 

Webinar marketing 

Webinars are a powerful way to connect with a large number of people at once. It combines the power of one-on-one interactions and lets you do it at scale. There are many examples of brands generating millions of dollars a year by consistently scheduling and running webinars. 

It’s important to choose the right webinar platform that has the features you’re looking for like live chat, surveys, presenting offers, and more. That way, you won’t be limited by technology and can focus on delivering a unique experience for users. 

The formula for success is simple. 

1. Build a few compelling lading pages so people sign up for the training
2. Educate them on a topic that’s relevant to your business
3. Pitch an offer at the end of the one hour presentation

Of course, there are many nuances throughout this process like choosing the right webinar platform, selecting a topic that people care about, scheduling, and more. 

Don’t let those things discourage you because getting it right is a one-way ticket to business growth. One thing that you should keep in mind is that webinars are only as effective as the time you put into them. If you spend an hour coming up with the presentation then you shouldn’t expect much from it. 

Social ads 

Social media advertising has become a staple of the business world. There are a few platforms that dominate the headlines and tend to make people overlook other platforms. 

Yes, Facebook is a viable option but it’s not the only option. There are other platforms such as YouTube, Pinterest, and Quora, that will make it easy to get in front of your target market. 

Follow advertising best practices like matching the ad and landing page, using clear action-oriented copy, and focusing on the benefits. 

Another thing to keep in mind are the demographics of the platform you’re advertising on. Are the people you’re trying to reach on the platform in large enough numbers to make it worth your while? If so, you may want to partner with a consultant or freelancer to help you understand the platform and get started on the right foot. 

Conclusion

You don’t need the shiny new marketing tactic to scale your business. You just need an effective strategy that will work in your situation. This article has gone through four proven methods you can start using this year to grow your small business. 

Pick one and work at mastering it before moving on to the next one. That way, you’ll get the best results.