Target social media platform
Be it Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter or even Practo, one needs a social media presence for people to know about you and your business and not only is it effective, but it is also the cheapest way to advertise yourself.
Make sure your business is present online and that you update and check your profile regularly. Majority of these social media platforms are free and their algorithms target the audience in your business circle. They thus not only make sure your business has an online presence but also is the best place to reach out to your audience at once.
In case you are just starting out on and looking to increase your social media followers, don’t forget to check these easy steps that will you grow your Twitter followers.
In the past decade alone e-commerce market has grown 10 folds with online businesses like Amazon, Google, and Facebook becoming the best in the world.
According to Google India Research, India is expected to generate $100 billion on online retail revenue by 2021, and in this $35 billion will be generated through fashion e-commerce alone.
Publish and provide great content
While having an online presence gets you started, one needs to make sure that you don’t get lost among the masses and that people just don’t scroll by your page and actually engage in it. For that, you need to provide a kick-ass content and one that provokes a reaction from your audience.
If you can create it this yourself good, if not, get someone who can do it for you. The online platform is full of people who can take care of your content needs and provide it on content to content basis.
This means you can either hire a person who takes care of all your social media presence daily or if you are on a strict budget, hire a freelancer or an agency which provides you content from time to time and as and when you need them.
Always ask for reviews and feedback
While creating a social media page is free, with a small amount of money you can turn it into a business profile which will not only advertise to your target audience but also let users leave reviews and feedback on your business pages.
Encourage your customers to leave reviews on these profiles. When potential customers come across your profiles, they will see the reviews and praises from other customers. This will make them less apprehensive to approach you for the services. Further, these feedbacks would also let you know where you need to improve and thus help your business in the long run.
Apply online for Business Awards
While getting an award for your work leaves you with a great feeling, one can also use it to their business advantage and use them to promote themselves and build business credibility. Most industries have business awards that provide an online badge which you can place on your website and social media platforms and use to your advantage.
Badges like these can boost credibility, increase influence and thus increase sales.
According to a research by Hendricks & Singhal of the University of Western Ontario and Georgia Institute of Technology, out of 1000, more than 600 quality corporate award winners had 37% more sales growth. Nearly 44% higher stock price return than their peers after they won an award.
Organize online contests
While you will need to spend some money on a prize, that would more than be covered with the number of participants and new potential leads you will get as a result.
Also, if you play smart, the participants would increase your sales in the long run and provide you with great clients for the future.
Even small rewards like fancy backpacks or gift cards to a store might be enough to draw in some users and they will promote your page for free and to a great extent.
Advertise on Facebook
Facebook is the most popular social media platform with over 1.4 billion daily users . Advertising options for small businesses range from boosting the reach of a post to placing ads that promote your product — starting at under Rs. 1000. While you’ll have to spend more than 10 bucks for big results, the point is that Facebook ad campaigns can fit a small budget.
Use Messenger Ads
If you’re looking to start conversations with customers, Facebook’s Messenger platform offers an advertising option to make it easy for customers to reach out to you.
Create YouTube Video Ads
YouTube offers options for short video advertisements that play before videos on the site and app. Even less expensive, create great video content and optimize it well, or boost it to get more visibility. This is a good option for service businesses with informational content.
Use LinkedIn Ads
For businesses that target professionals or other businesses, check out LinkedIn ads. While more expensive than other social platforms, LinkedIn ads may be more targeted. For B2B businesses, they may be worth it.
Promote Social Posts to Encourage Organic Sharing
Social media platforms including Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest all offer advertising options to boost the visibility of posts. These options can jumpstart engagement, leading to more sharing of your content naturally.
Create a Sponsored Snapchat Lens or Filter
If your business is especially popular with young people and creatives, you could take advantage of some of Snapchat’s advertising options , including the ability to sponsor lenses or filters that promote your business.
Work with Influencers on a Campaign
Work with influencers relevant to your target market to spread the word about a particular campaign. Find influencers with an authentic following and encourage them to share their experience with your product. Be sure to disclose per FTC Rules , as required.
Sponsor a Podcast
Another audio format that’s gained popularity in recent years is audio podcasts. Many podcasters would be thrilled to have a sponsor. They’ll read a short message about your business in exchange for a fee. See this list of top business podcasts .
