How to Start a Business the (Less) Risky Way

Now comes the fun part.

It’s time to start marketing your business and let the world know what you’re up to! The options are endless, so be sure to take your time and figure out which strategies are best for you.

Here are some steps we think are vital to the marketing process:

• Learn SEO
• Spend on AdWords
• Build an email list
• Get Social
• Start a YouTube channel
• Partner with related businesses
• Find referral partners
• Outbound sales
• Start a blog/content marketing

Learn SEO

If you’re going to make an impact in digital marketing, you have to learn SEO.

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It is the process of optimizing your website so it gets more visibility on search engines like Google.

By increasing your visibility online, you can get more qualified visitors to your site who are likely to convert into customers or followers.

The Small Business Bonfire team and I have done extensive research on the subject and can safely say that SEO is one of the best strategies for growing your business.

Spend on AdWords

AdWords is Google’s advertising platform, and it can be an invaluable tool for getting your business in front of the right people.

It allows you to create ad campaigns with targeted keywords that will show up when someone searches for a keyword related to your business.

This means you can reach potential customers who are already interested in what you have to offer.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that AdWords campaigns can get expensive quickly, so make sure you have a budget set aside before getting started.

Build an Email List

One of the most crucial steps to start marketing your business is building an email list. Look, we get it – the term might sound a little outdated, but hear us out.

Your email list is an untapped goldmine of potential customers who are genuinely interested in what you have to offer.

And no, we’re not talking about spamming their inboxes with irrelevant promotions.

By providing quality content and personalized offers, you’re building a relationship with your subscribers based on trust and value.

Start by offering a valuable incentive for signing up, such as a free e-book or a major discount. Then, segment your list based on their interests and preferences to create targeted campaigns.

And always remember to prioritize quality over quantity – it’s better to have a small list of engaged subscribers than a large one that doesn’t care.

Trust us, with a well-crafted email marketing strategy, the sky’s the limit for your business’s success.

There are a ton of great platforms to assist you with this, including:

So what are you waiting for? Start building your email list today, and get ready to engage with customers like never before!

Get Social

Social media is no longer just a platform for connecting with friends and sharing memes – it’s become a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes to reach a wider audience and build their brand.

But don’t just create an account on every social media platform and hope for the best. Be strategic in your approach.

Firstly, determine where your target audience is most active – is it on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, or something else?

Once you’ve identified this, create content that is tailored to each platform’s unique features and formats.

Instagram, for instance, is visual and can be used to showcase products, while LinkedIn is more professional and can be utilized to showcase thought leadership in your industry.

Additionally, consistency is key. Don’t just post once a month and expect to gain a following. Develop a content calendar for each platform and post regularly.

Respond to comments and messages in a timely manner, and engage with your audience. Social media gives you the opportunity to build a community around your brand and establish two-way communication.

Start a YouTube Channel

Nowadays, people are consuming more video content than ever before. So why not take advantage of this trend and start your own YouTube channel?

By creating videos that cover topics related to your business, you can help position yourself as an authority in the industry – plus, it’ll make it easier for potential customers to find you when searching online.

And the best part is, you don’t need a professional studio and top-notch equipment to get started (although it does help). All you need is a smartphone and some creativity to make engaging videos that your audience will love.

Partner With Related Businesses

Another great strategy to help with your marketing campaigns is to partner with related businesses. This will allow you to tap into each other’s customer base and leverage their existing relationships.

For example, if you own an online clothing store, consider collaborating with a popular fashion blog or beauty influencer that targets the same audience as you. You could offer them free products in exchange for a shout-out on their platform.

Just make sure to pick a partner that will represent your brand in the right way and whose values align with yours.

Some examples of business partnerships include :

• A local cafe and a yoga studio offering discounts for each other’s services
• A travel agency teaming up with an airline to offer holiday packages
• An online business linking up with a popular lifestyle blogger for giveaways

By building relationships with related businesses, you can significantly expand your reach and get more people interested.

Find Referral Partners

Referral partners are businesses or individuals who are willing to refer customers to your business and endorse your products/services.

Think about it – referrals can be an incredibly powerful marketing tactic, as the person doing the referral is likely to have firsthand experience with your product or service.

This will help build trust among potential customers and increase conversions.

Some examples of potential referral partners include:

• Local businesses that serve the same target market as you
• Affiliate marketers who recommend your product/service on their website and social media
• Influencers in your industry who are willing to promote your brand

Outbound Sales

Outbound sales (also known as cold calling) has been around for a long time and can still be an effective marketing tactic if done right.

It involves contacting potential customers directly through phone calls or emails and pitching them on your product/service.

This tactic is especially useful for B2B businesses, as it allows you to target a specific audience and tailor your message to their needs.

Just remember that outbound sales requires patience, persistence, and excellent communication skills. It may take several attempts before you see results, so don’t give up too soon!

Start a Blog/Content Marketing

This is one of our favorite marketing tactics for small businesses, as it’s incredibly cost-effective and can be done with little upfront investment.

Starting a blog or engaging in content marketing is an excellent way to accomplish the following:

• Bring traffic to your site
• Establish yourself as an authority in the industry
• Attract more leads
• Build relationships with customers

Write engaging articles that provide value to your target audience, and be sure to include keywords related to your business.