Looking for unique marketing ideas for small business?

Small businesses have a higher failure rate than any other – it is a tough gig!

The economy isn’t helping right now, people are reluctant to spend, they’re saving their money and the future is uncertain, so that’s not going to change in the near future.

Marketing Ideas for Small Business – The Latest Competition
One of the biggest competitors to small business are the giants, the bigger companies, like Myer, Bunnings, Woolworths, whatever the big guys are in your chosen industry.

They still are a big threat to smaller businesses because of their huge buying power, large product ranges, price competitiveness and advertising budgets, however there is another competitor – consumer confidence.

The best defense is always offense, so consider these marketing ideas for small business, select which appeals to you most and get on with it. Take action and go for it!!

I can give you an example that I see almost weekly – our local Milk Bars are closing down – why? Because why would you go to a local Milk Bar / Corner Store when the big supermarket chain store is open 24/7 at a much cheaper price and with a larger range. The local store can’t complete UNLESS they find a point of difference – they need to find a way to survive – something that brings their customers back to them.

Marketing Ideas for Small Business – Brick and Mortar
If you are a brick and mortar business (and by that I mean a “physical” business, not just online) and you have a similar product range to one of those “giants” then you have a massive task at hand.

As I said with the Milk Bars – you need to become unique – be the “goto” person for your product – become an expert, offer the best customer service. Then you just need to spread the word – become famous!

My local newsagent was managed by a VERY disorganized owner and it was a very unpleasant place to shop, so I would go out of my way to go to another shop to buy my newspaper, just for a less frustrating experience!! My local newsagent has now been taken over by a new owner and I have to tell you it is a completely different shop and they have definitely won me back as a customer – simply by having the shop organized, shelves neatly stacked without boxes of product all over the place. I knew the previous owner for 15 years and he never knew my name, the new owner knows me already in a very short time and it makes you feel like a valuable customer when you get a “G’day Karen” when I walk in the door!

So what can you do to make your business stand out from the crowd? Find out what your competitors are doing, what do their customers like about it, is there anything that could be improved. Don’t be afraid to ask people what they think of your competitors service – you’ll be amazed at what you can learn.

Use this knowledge to your advantage. Lift your game, make your service outstanding, offer some “value-added” products in your range, introduce a reward system.

Another great idea is to get your business online. It is amazing how many small businesses don’t even have a basic website. People shop differently now, even if you are a local business.

Think about your last purchase, did you scour the phone book or get onto Google? Chances are you used your computer, iPhone, iPad to search what you wanted.

Make use of free marketing – Google maps, Facebook Fan Page, Business Directories. A website is a must and can be created very cheaply. You need to make it easy for your customers to find you BUT it’s also important that they can find you the next time. Start building an email list so that you can interact with them, send them special offers as a thank for for staying connected.

Marketing Ideas for Small Business – Getting on the Internet
Many small business owners are completely overwhelmed by the idea of getting their business online, that it will cost them a lot of money,. This couldn’t be further from the truth – you can have a website or blog setup for just a few hundred dollars. You can also create a Facebook Fan Page, Twitter account and other social media platforms to promote your business.

As a minimum a small local business should have a basic website describing what the business is about, what you offer, what makes you different, a map / directions so that people can easily find you, opening hours, contact numbers and an email address. You can always expand on this with more detailed product listing, prices, bookings etc. You can also advertise affiliate products or use Google AdWords to earn some additional income.

Make sure you have a form where visitors to your site can leave their details to join your mailing list. Keep them interested by sending out regular newsletters and special offers.

Marketing Ideas for Small Business – the Internet Business
Businesses that are internet-based have a harder job at hand. Your website becomes a much bigger part of your business. Almost everything mentioned above applies to your business also but you need to employ much more technical and marketing tactics to promote your business. It is even more important here for your website to truly show who you are and what you offer.

To promote your site you need to be active in social media, forums, networks and have regular quality content on your site. Provide value to your readers, give them the answers they need to solve their problems. You will find your following, find your market if you have a quality site and use the right marketing.

Karen Glover is a wife, mother and businesswoman who is passionate about family, life and business! She is always quick to help others succeed and with a background in training, is able to teach others how to find success with their own home based business.

The Wealth Nest is all about creating wealth for yourself and your family. There are many ways to increase your wealth and Karen has many different ways to do this, depending on what you are looking for.

Karen lives in Melbourne, Australia, is married with two daughters, has a Boxer called Daisy, loves reading, good food and wine, travel, friends and family. Her family love surfing and love spending time at the beach.