There’s never been a better time to be a small business owner. At no other time in history have the tools for setting up and managing a small business been more accessible. Today’s entrepreneurs don’t have to worry about running from place to place to manage their companies – they can now do it all from the convenience of their own homes.
However, just because there are more marketing techniques available doesn’t mean that small business owners don’t have to think out of the box. With fierce competition, sometimes the only way to stay ahead is to explore creative solutions.
Here are a few tools that you can use to keep your marketing strategy dynamic and unique.
PLASTIC POSTCARDS
Direct mail might seem like the last place to get creative, but it’s actually one of the best opportunities for making a splash. Direct mail marketing brings your marketing materials right into your customers’ homes, meaning you can make an impression that lasts.
Marketing company Triadex Services claims using plastic postcards instead of regular paper materials can boost redemption rates up to 71%. With high-quality digital printing and interactive elements like pop-off tags and more, they’re a great way to ensure your campaign sticks in customers’ minds.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The next tool small businesses can use is artificial intelligence. In our previous article ‘Four Budget-Friendly AI Solutions for Small Businesses’, we talked about the role AI can play in sales, HR, data analysis, and much more.
AI is an integral part of modern marketing, and can often be the element that sets a good marketing campaign apart from a great one. AI can be used in automated chatbots, for example, that are ready to address customer concerns and queries 24/7. They can also be used to collect and analyze data for better future campaigns. While a good chatbot can cost a pretty penny, it’s worth the investment, especially since the technology looks like it’s here to stay.
INTERACTIVE VIDEO
Video has been recognized as one of the top marketing tools in recent years, but now there’s a way to push it even further. If you feel like regular old video marketing can be pushed even further, then it might be time to turn to interactive video.
BusinessBlogs outlines several methods you can employ to make your videos more interactive. These methods include simple solutions like adding links into video, creating long, interactive choose-your-own-adventure campaigns, or customizable video content.
While your competitors are only just starting to make the most of video, you can put yourself ahead of the pack with creative content that’s sure to stick in customers’ minds.
ZOOM CLASSES
Finally, another tool that you can use to market your small business is Zoom classes. Zoom has risen to prominence in recent months and has become the go-to video conferencing app. It’s used to host conference calls, classes, and webinars to audiences all over the globe.
You can use this to your advantage by using Zoom for your business’ own webinars, classes, or open forum discussions. Julie Knudson states on SmallBusinessComputing.com that online webinars can be a great tool for customer-facing interactions, as well as staying engaged with employees.
Zoom classes can be used for the double purpose of establishing yourself or your business as thought leaders in your area while promoting your products and services to a captive audience. It’s mostly free, easy, and can go a long way in building your network.
