7 answers
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Palo Alto, California
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How do I publicize and market a new business?
This is part of our professionals series
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7 answers
Yhtiyar Achilov
Senior Advisor
17
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Yhtiyar’s Answer
Hi, I have started 3 businesses on my own, and all from scratch. So depending on the nature of your business be clear about your services or products and simply start telling about your offerings online, instagram, tiktok, youtube and etc. These platforms are amazing for exposure. At first, you may not get any views, but that’s fine. After few months you will get them .
Social media
Forums, Fb Groups
Friends and family
Yhtiyar recommends the following next steps:
Edward Overtree
Senior Counsel
57
Answers
Pennsylvania, PA
Updated
Edward’s Answer
My employer SCORE did a survey in 2015 that found that 75% of customers now shop solely on the internet, so your internet presence is crucial. More than just a website (try Wix or WordPress to make your own) but also LinkedIn, Yelp and Facebook
Nicola Catalano
SEO Manager
2
Answers
Munich, Bavaria, Germany
Updated
Nicola’s Answer
Hi,
My suggestion would be to start advertising your new business through an online paid campaign (e.g. a Google Ads Campaign).
Try to allocate a small budget for your first ads campaign, choose the keywords that matter the most for you and takes notes about the reactions of the public, namely: did you get views? Did you get clicks?
In addition to this, you can rely on free tools and resources (e.g. Google Trends) that can give you insights about trends in your business niche, product demand, seasonality etc.
Logically, depending on your type of business, you can try offline solutions, namely local events and promotions, words of mouth, print advertising, but I'm not an expert here.
Good luck!
My suggestion would be to start advertising your new business through an online paid campaign (e.g. a Google Ads Campaign).
Try to allocate a small budget for your first ads campaign, choose the keywords that matter the most for you and takes notes about the reactions of the public, namely: did you get views? Did you get clicks?
In addition to this, you can rely on free tools and resources (e.g. Google Trends) that can give you insights about trends in your business niche, product demand, seasonality etc.
Logically, depending on your type of business, you can try offline solutions, namely local events and promotions, words of mouth, print advertising, but I'm not an expert here.
Good luck!
Alex Cooke
Sr Program Manager
11
Answers
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Updated
Alex’s Answer
Marketing a new business requires planning before any other steps can be taken.
First, determine a budget for marketing. Once determined, you'll need to figure out what your web presence will look like - website and social media (which platforms to use). How will you and how often will you interact with your prospective customers? Will there be a benefit to print advertising? Also, how effective will word of mouth advertising be for you.
Print media can be as grand as a billboard or something as simple as advertising in the back of the local high school yearbook--and anything in between.
Word of mouth is effective AND can get even better when you offer referral bonuses for people who bring you new business.
Finally, ensure that you're always providing the best product/service that you can. YOU are the marketer for your new business more than any other form.
First, determine a budget for marketing. Once determined, you'll need to figure out what your web presence will look like - website and social media (which platforms to use). How will you and how often will you interact with your prospective customers? Will there be a benefit to print advertising? Also, how effective will word of mouth advertising be for you.
Print media can be as grand as a billboard or something as simple as advertising in the back of the local high school yearbook--and anything in between.
Word of mouth is effective AND can get even better when you offer referral bonuses for people who bring you new business.
Finally, ensure that you're always providing the best product/service that you can. YOU are the marketer for your new business more than any other form.
Valeria Melzi
Marketing Manager
1
Answer
Lima, Callao Region, Peru
Updated
Valeria’s Answer
If you are just starting a business, online presence is a must, but be sure to define your target audience first.
Heidi Hokanson
Marketing
7
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Heidi’s Answer
Spending money on ads can get expensive really fast, so you want to make sure you can expect a good return before you start. I recommend starting out with a referral marketing push, asking your first batch of customers to write reviews, share coupon codes, or post to their social networks about your products. This is a great way to validate how much value your customers place in your products as well as amplify your brand.
Shannon Renz
Marketing Operations Director
3
Answers
Tiburon, California
Updated
Shannon’s Answer
Hi! I would recommend thinking through the below when deciding how to promote your business:
--Who-- who is your target audience, those that would buy your product or service? Be as specific as possible.
--Where-- where does your target audience consume their information and meet people? Online, which sites do they primarily use? Offline, what events do they attend? what do they read?
--Why-- why should they care about your product or service? what is their need or problem that you solve? Make sure you can articulate from 'their' perspective, not yours - as folks are pretty desensitized to being sold or marketed to.
If you map out the above for your target audience, you'll have a great start to marketing plan: who you are targeting, through which channels which you reach them and with what messaging. You most likely will have a few different flavors or 'segments' of audiences to map out, since different groups of people have different needs and different means of getting their information. Good luck!
--Who-- who is your target audience, those that would buy your product or service? Be as specific as possible.
--Where-- where does your target audience consume their information and meet people? Online, which sites do they primarily use? Offline, what events do they attend? what do they read?
--Why-- why should they care about your product or service? what is their need or problem that you solve? Make sure you can articulate from 'their' perspective, not yours - as folks are pretty desensitized to being sold or marketed to.
If you map out the above for your target audience, you'll have a great start to marketing plan: who you are targeting, through which channels which you reach them and with what messaging. You most likely will have a few different flavors or 'segments' of audiences to map out, since different groups of people have different needs and different means of getting their information. Good luck!