Entrepreneurship is a challenging but rewarding journey. You have to wear many hats and take charge of various aspects while managing and marketing your business.
As an owner of a small business, you must be actively involved in marketing and promoting your business. If you’re just starting out, you most likely don’t have the luxury of hiring a dedicated marketing team and must develop your marketing plan on your own. If you’ve grown your business to a level where you have delegated some routine tasks, you should still have a handle on the overall strategy and plan creation.
June is Entrepreneurs “Do it Yourself” Marketing Month to raise awareness for small businesses to focus on creating and refining their own marketing plans.
As a DIYer, you are willing to take control of your marketing strategy by opening your mind to reevaluate your current processes and learn new tactics. You can leverage free or low-cost tools in social media, email campaigns, and content marketing to promote your business.
You’re able to experiment with different marketing tactics and measure their effectiveness. You can test different messages, visuals, and channels to see what works best for your business. This experimentation can help you refine your marketing strategy over time and achieve better results.
Here are 5 Do it Yourself tactics to boost your marketing effectiveness right now.
Read the Book “Marketing Made Simple.”
Donald Miller and Dr. J.J. Peterson’s book “Marketing Made Simple” is a must-read. If you’ve already read it, it’s worth revisiting for a refresher.
The book is based on the proven principles from “Building a Storybrand.” It provides a 5-part checklist and a resource that we use frequently to cultivate sales funnels plus develop and strengthen customer relationships for both our company and our clients.
Clarify Your Messaging
It’s crucial to understand your target audience. What are their pain points, and what motivates them to buy your product or service? Use this information to create messages and visuals that resonate with your audience.
As a coach, consultant, or speaker, you understand your expertise and how you can help others. However, it can be challenging to convey your message in a way that translates into closing more sales.
Register for the next Storybrand Marketing Livestream. During this two-day virtual workshop, you will focus on clarifying your messaging and creating a 5-part marketing plan for your business. This workshop is not just lectures; you will work on your marketing assets during small group breakout sessions with a Storybrand Certified Coach guiding you through the process.
Consistently Collect Email Addresses
Collecting email addresses from your customers is a crucial aspect of any successful marketing strategy. Email marketing allows you to communicate directly with your audience, build relationships, and drive conversions.
One effective way to collect email addresses is by offering something of value in exchange, such as a free e-book or discount code. You can promote this offer on your website, social media channels, and other marketing materials to encourage sign-ups. Another way to collect email addresses is by including a sign-up form on your website or at the end of blog posts. Make sure to clearly communicate the benefits of signing up, such as exclusive content or early access to promotions.
Once you collect email addresses, it’s important to consistently provide value to your subscribers. This can include sending regular newsletters with updates about your business, sharing helpful resources, or offering exclusive promotions. Make sure to personalize your emails and segment your list based on subscriber interests and behavior to increase engagement and conversions. By collecting email addresses and providing valuable content, you can build a loyal audience and drive long-term success for your business.
Increase Your Social Media Presence
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can be powerful marketing tools. Create a social media strategy that aligns with your business goals and post regularly to engage with your audience.
As a solopreneur, you likely have limited time to dedicate to social media. The good news is that you don’t have to be super active on every social platform. Instead, focus on one or two platforms where your target audience is most active. This will allow you to be more present and consistent with your posting, which is key to growing your following.
When it comes to social media, visuals are everything. Eye-catching images and graphics can help your posts stand out and grab your audience’s attention. But not everyone has design skills or the time to create custom graphics for every post. We recommend using Canva, a user-friendly design tool that allows you to create professional-looking graphics quickly and easily. Even with the free version, you can choose from hundreds of templates, images, and graphics to create custom social media posts that will help you build your following.
Be the Voice of Authority in Your Niche by Publishing Content
Creating valuable content in the form of a blog, podcast, or video is a great way to position yourself as a voice of authority in your niche. By sharing your expertise and insights, you provide value to your audience and build trust with potential customers. Producing content also allows you to connect with your audience on a deeper level and establish a relationship with them before they even do business with you.
For small businesses, producing content is especially important because it can help level the playing field with larger competitors. By creating high-quality content, you can attract and engage potential customers who may not have heard of your business otherwise. This can help you build awareness and credibility for your brand, which can ultimately lead to more sales and revenue. Additionally, producing content can help you establish a consistent presence online, which can make it easier for potential customers to find you and learn more about your business.
The Bottom Line
Being a DIYer is a great way to get momentum going and have a good understanding of how different processes work so that you have a good pulse on your small business. When you’re just starting out, being a DIYer is necessary for practically everything. However, as your business grows and your role shifts, it’s important to recognize when it’s time to get help. A fractional marketing agency can keep you close to your marketing while providing the specialized expertise and support you need to take your business to the next level.
If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, consider working with a fractional marketing agency like Scrivener Solutions. Our team of experts can provide the specialized insight and support you need to implement your marketing plan.