You likely have heard the phrase, “You need to spend money to make money.” While this may be true in some cases, businesses with very small budgets have been able to make a statement without a ton of cash when it comes to digital marketing.
It’s important to note that when it comes to social media or online advertising, you will have to spend some money. In these situations, it’s best to create a very targeted audience for the strongest return on investment. After all, Facebook and other online platforms are very happy to take your money. But if you tell them exactly who it is you want to place your message in front of, you will spend less of it and achieve greater click-throughs.
4 Tools and Tips to Gain a Larger Audience Through Minimal Investment
Before we get into the tools and tips for better marketing on a small budget, it’s important to lay out the assumptions. We assume you have a website and social media profiles on the platforms your target market visits most frequently. Those are the first things you need to secure if you don’t have them.
Also included in this list at the end of each tip or tool is advice on things to do later. These items require a little more investment but should be on your to-do list when you have additional money or are drawing up your next budget.
Now, let’s get back to that list.
Keywords
What do people use to search for your business? What phrases and questions might they ask to find a business like yours? Incorporate these into your web copy. The top keywords and phrases you want to rank for should be used in prominent spots on your website, such as headers and titles.
But don’t stop there.
Ensure that these words and the cities and areas you serve are used throughout your web copy. Write articles around these phrases as well.
If you have a website, you can make this change now in a few minutes and then brainstorm ways to create content around those words, phrases, and questions.
Things to do later: redesign your website with a professional writer or SEO expert who can make the most of your web copy to attract more interested potential customers and increase your organic rankings.
Call to Action
This is probably one of the most commonly overlooked ways to improve sales. When people read your posts or content and get to the end, they have spent time with you. Unless they are related to you or they owe you a lot of money, to make it that far shows interest. Capitalize on that by asking something of them.
Your call to action should fit the sales cycle stage they are in. For instance, if someone is checking out your About page they generally are just finding out about you and want to know more. Ending your About page with a “buy now” button Is probably a little premature. On the other hand, ending a demo video with a buy now call to action is not.
Things to do later: Track and test your calls to action. Words, fonts, colors, sizes, buttons, and locations all affect a person’s likelihood of following the call to action. Test these things by creating multiple formats for the same call to action. Analyze your data to see which are the most effective.
Blog
A blog is a great way for your audience to get to know you on a more personal level. It’s also the perfect way to tell your business story and allow it to evolve over time. It provides a way to let your personality shine through and encourages people to do business with you.
Keep in mind blog posts should have calls to action as well.
Things to do later: Create a written solution to your customer’s biggest problem. Use it as a lead magnet to increase sales.
Explanation and Framing
While you are reworking website copy, make sure you use some copyrighting skills. One of the many “tricks of the trade” is explaining why your company is the best. Then, use that reason to shape the best buying practices. For instance, if you provide Solution A in your business, create content around how Solution A is the only way to get the best solution.
Marketing your business doesn’t have to be expensive. Now is the ideal time to use inexpensive practices to grow your audience and establish know, like, and trust to improve sales.