Digital Presence: How to Market on a Budget
Especially in times like these, it can be hard setting money aside for marketing your business. A lot of people are suffering right now, and expensive ad campaigns are not even sort of top priority when you have a business to run. That’s why I’ve dedicated my studies of marketing to specifically find free or low-budget ways for small businesses to market their business, because I know that not everyone has the ability to run ads or commercials. So what did I come up with, and how can you market your business for almost no money at all?
Digital Presence
I’ve mentioned a “digital presence” before, but I’ve never fully explained what that is. In short, a digital presence is something almost every person or business has: some sort of occupancy in a digital space. This includes press, social media, websites, online reviews, emails, search engine results, really anything that can be found about you or your business online. The good thing is, you probably already have some sort of digital presence without trying. If you have a website for your business, a social media account, if anyone has ever reviewed your business online, you have a digital presence. Your digital presence is the key to marketing online without spending much money. Next, I’m going to give you some FREE tips to managing your digital presence, so keep reading!
Taking Stock
The first thing you want to do is start a list or document detailing the entirety of your digital presence. Articles about your business, any and all social media platforms, your website, review sites, search engine results, anywhere your business shows up online. Take a good look at how you’re using these platforms as well. If you have social media accounts, are you interacting with customers consistently? If you have reviews about your business online, are you responding to them appropriately? Really reflect on the impact your business has online and how well you’re using that impact.
Maximize Your Impact
Now that you know where your business can be found online, you want to do your best to use those platforms well. If you already have a website, create an email list and allow customers and fans to sign up for deals or newsletters. If you’re on social media, create content to engage with your followers, and respond to their messages and comments. Level-up from the management you were already doing, making the most of every platform you have. The better you manage the presence you have, the more people you’ll reach and the more loyalty you’ll inspire in your customers.
Expand Your Impact
Once you're confident in handling the platforms you already have, you can expand to others and reach new people. Start an email list or a blog, or join a new social network, but be smart about it! You don’t want to waste time and energy expanding to a platform where your ideal customers can’t be found. For example, if your target market is middle-aged and older adults, you probably don’t want to make a Snapchat or TikTok account for your business. If your business sells to mostly children and teens, you don’t want to make a LinkedIn account. Go where your followers are and slowly maximize that platform just as you did the ones you started out with.
And there you have it, an explanation of your digital presence and how you can use it to market your business! The best part is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to reach new people, you just have to know what you’re doing. If you want to know how to maximize your unique digital presence, set up a Consulting Call with me! Thanks so much for reading!
