Hard lockdown had the world in a chokehold. Besides dealing with a global pandemic, many people lost their livelihoods, forcing them to rethink the traditional 9-5.
The U.S. unemployment rate peaked at unprecedented rates during the COVID-19 recession. The Center for American Progress reported that 21.9 million nonfarm employment jobs were lost.
If there’s one thing that COVID-19 has taught us, it’s resilience. Those who found themselves without work created opportunities for themselves and their families, paving the way for others.
As a result, small business enterprises are flourishing. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, new business applications reached 16 million between 2021 and 2023. Now that you’ve joined the small business sector, things are much easier. Launching a business from home is even better as it saves tons of cash and anxiety.
In this article, we’ll discuss the marketing basics needed to get your home business off to a good start and increase visibility.
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Create a Business Website
Any digital marketing specialist will tell you a well-managed website is the starting block for any business.
Now that digital technology has advanced in leaps and bounds, you no longer have to be an expert in website building and website creation. You can design a professional website within a matter of minutes.
Hocoos states that AI website builders give you the freedom to create a business website from scratch. From generating unique website designs to an AI image completion tool, there’s no limit to what you can accomplish with an AI website builder.
Remember, your business website is a virtual storefront and the deciding factor when converting sales. Search Engine Journal says simple features should be integrated to maximize organic traffic, conversations and sales in your online store.
These are:
- A call to action
- An About Us page
- Contact information
- User-friendly website navigation
When investing in an AI website builder, make sure you have access to a customer support team and free website hosting.
Promote your Business on Social Media
This is where your brand strategy plays a big part. Social media marketing is one of the fastest-growing sectors, allowing your business to tap into new revenue streams.
A clearly defined market strategy and knowing who your target audience is key to your business’s success. Research your options and find out which platforms will work better in promoting brand visibility.
Statista predicts that the total spend on social media advertising is expected to reach $219.8 billion by the end of the year. It’s a sign that social media as a marketing avenue should not be ignored, no matter how small your business is.
Sprout Social describes the social media platform Facebook as an advertising powerhouse. The online publication noted that the average person in the U.S. spends 31 minutes a day on Facebook.
It’s also worth mentioning that Instagram is tied with Facebook with the highest ROI (return on investment). This might not be the case for long as Facebook and Instagram face stiff competition from TikTok.
Get Positive Reviews and References
Encouraging customers to leave positive reviews is a good way of putting yourself out there. The best part is that reviews are a low-cost way of marketing your business.
In Yotpo’s 2022 consumer review, about 85% of survey respondents said they were more likely to buy products with between 50 and 500 reviews.
It can be daunting at first if a negative review comes through, but view it as a learning curve and a chance for improvement. Don’t let those reviews go unanswered. Customers want to know you’re reading their feedback, taking it on board and making changes.
So, how exactly can reviews and references scale your small home business? Simply email the customer and request they review the product, suggests business owner Caroline Elston.
She told Business Insider that sharing their experience on a public platform was great for word-of-mouth marketing.
Participate in Local Events
Not a social person? You’ll have to get over your insecurities if you want your business to succeed.
By participating in local events, you are an active participant in growing local businesses. And nobody wants to see you thrive more than your community. Use opportunities such as attending events to network and make meaningful connections.
Yes, the business world is dominated by digital interactions, but the traditional way of fostering relationships still counts, according to Forbes.
If you’re passionate about your product and want others to experience it firsthand, why not host a corporate event? This gives attendees the chance to interact with the product and could result in sales leads.
A successful event isn’t leveraged on the amount of sales made, but rather a positive experience, says Forbes.
Always remember to nurture new and current relationships with customers. By being at the front of their minds, they’ll be quick to refer you to family and friends. Loyalty and trust are huge influencers in ensuring your business remains visible.
A small home-based business need not spend a fortune on gaining the visibility it needs to create buzz. Try these simple measures to be on top of your customers’ minds!