Small Business Marketing Trends 2013

2013 is going to be the year of content sharing, mobile marketing, and the significance of social media.  As we begin the New Year it is more important than ever to know your target customers and how to effectively market to them online while continuing face-to- face networking and traditional marketing. The way to market and promote your business is changing. Social media gives you many more options and enhances your traditional marketing efforts.

As in traditional marketing, a marketing plan needs to be written and incorporated in your traditional plan.  To be effective start with the following:

Set Goals:  Make them realistic – what do you want to accomplish & by when?

Check Your Website:  Does it reflect your brand?  How is your business perceived?

Determine Your Target Market:  What are they interested in?  Where can they be found?

Once you have established the basics of your plan develop strategies for your content sharing, search engine optimization (SEO), and social media.  Each strategy needs consistent actions that reflects your brand and sends the message to your target audience.  Questions to ask yourself:

Content Marketing:  What is your message? How will you broadcast it?

Social Media:  Which of the social media strategies work for your business?  How will you participate and drive leads?

SEO:  What key words will you use for people to find you?

Each of the above is crucial to the success of your inbound marketing plan.  Consider how you will implement the strategies for both your inbound marketing and traditional marketing efforts. Strategies should include how you will build quality relationships for all marketing efforts and measure what is and what is not working.

Don’t become over burdened with inbound marketing.  Think of it as a complement to your present marketing efforts. Incorporate this in your overall marketing plan, strategically plan, and determine the actions that need to be taken. Combining all your efforts will increase visibility and assure you of repeat, referrals, and new business.