7 Cost-effective Online Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses

Online marketing is the latest trend in the business world especially in first world countries. Sooner, this is expected to reach the Philippines as well. Although there are already companies in the country that are using digital marketing to promote their products and brands, this strategy is not that popular to medium-scaled and small businesses yet. However, as the Internet is becoming more accessible to everybody, it would not be too long before this kind of marketing becomes the ultimate battlefield for local businesses.

Before your competitors discover its advantage, start investing in online marketing today. No worries about spending much on this. Here are some cost-effective online marketing strategies for small businesses that can surely help your enterprise take the lead.

1. Create social media accounts for your business

Everyone is already on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media sites. Why not use these as your avenue for reaching out to more clients? Sign up an account for your business on each site. You can also create a Facebook page for it. With social media, your enterprise will have online visibility, and you can get connected to partners, target customers, and even become part of a network in your industry. You can also do business through these.

2. Get local endorsers

Ads, like on TV, billboards, and other media, are very costly. It becomes more expensive when you get commercial models or known celebrities for endorsement. Nevertheless, with just creativity, you can have cheaper advertisements online. Moreover, you can save a lot more when you get a local endorser. Consumers these days are already wise and practical, so many of them do not believe celebrity endorsers anymore, because they know they are paid for it. Therefore, you need to choose believable endorsers. Find people within the community who are using your products or are loyal to your business. These can be professionals, students, or anyone who does not have any bad record. Then, ask these people to share their testimonials of why they like or trust your business.

3. Take advantage of Youtube

Youtube reveals in its statistics that it has 1 billion users. This social media site is not just used for watching music videos, movie clips, or other shows anymore. This is already one of the popular tools used by digital marketers to reach their target audience. You can also use this for your own business. Create an account and then upload videos about your business or products. Make them short, informative, and interesting. Then, to get many viewers, use keywords for your titles that are relevant to your business. Then, you can share these videos on your other social media accounts to make them viral.

4. Create blogs

Blogging is one effective way of marketing online. By writing informative and interesting content about your brand or products, you can convince your target customers to pay your shop a visit. You can create your own blog site. You can follow the steps given by The Minimalists on how to start a blog. You can also guest post on other blog sites about business to get more readers.

5. Write eBooks

Why not write an eBook about your business or industry? This can help promote your brand as an authority company in your niche or type of business. The good thing about eBooks is that you can publish it for free. When it is sold on sites like Amazon, you can even get profit from it.

6. Share PowerPoint presentations on SlideShare

If you have data presentations that you think will get the interest of other business owners and customers who need information about your niche, then you can share them on SlideShare. If your posts are really informative, your business will gain respect in the industry. This will turn more customers to your products or services then.

7. Interact

Last, but not the least, you need to interact with those who visit your social media, post comments on your blogs, or ask questions about your business. If your customers see that your business got friendly owners and staff, then they are more likely to come back and develop loyalty to it. Interact with them by answering questions, replying to their posts, and taking time to thank everyone who appreciates your posts or business.

These online marketing ways will soon be common in your industry. Before other businesses get hold of these strategies, you better start using them already. With these, you will have an edge over your competitors and you can even expand your market.