How to Advertise a Small Business

When forming a small start-up, advertisement and promotion is essential to attracting customers and clients. In order for your small business to be a success, your potential client base needs to be aware of your presence. There are many ways in which a small business can be advertised, and the most appropriate way of doing so will depend on your individual business and target audience. Regardless of which method you choose, you need to ensure that your advertising reflects your business accurately and ensures that your target audience knows of the services that you offer. Listed below are some of the most popular ways of advertising a small business. 

Posters and Leaflets

Posters and miniature leaflets are one of the most old-fashioned ways of advertising; however, this doesn’t make them any less effective. This is especially true if your target audience is older individuals, as digital means of advertising won’t reach them in the same way that physical copy will. When it comes to posters and leaflets, you need to ensure that they’re eye catching and that they have the correct amount of information. You don’t want so much there that your clients can’t be bothered to read, but not so little that they’re unclear about what you’re offering.

Social Media

Social media is the newest form of advertising for small businesses; however, it’s completely taken the world by storm. If your audience is predominantly millennials and Gen Z, then you need to hop onto social media in order to advertise. 90.4% of millennials are active on social media, while 93% of Gen Z are active on these platforms. Therefore, when used correctly, social media means that you can reach almost all of your target audience. Social media is all about being relatable, so make sure your content is something that appeals to your target audience.

Press Advertising

Another form of advertising is press advertising, which refers to magazines and newspapers. Similarly, the majority of newspapers and magazines are now available online, meaning that you’ll want to ensure that you also feature on these sites for further reach. Press advertising is ideal for businesses that operate in a local capacity, as you’ll be able to gain the attention of local residents. Your feature in the press might even include a cut-out voucher that the customer can bring with them to get a deal. An incentive such as this will attract clients to your business more readily. 

Email Marketing

Though email marketing can be effective when it comes to advertising your small business, you need to be careful of how you draft it. This is because if your email seems too “spammy” it will fall straight into your clients’ junk folder, never to be found. Similarly, you’ll need to put something in the subject line that entices the customer to open the email, otherwise they’ll just scroll past it as if it doesn’t exist. Perhaps you’ll offer them a deal right from the off so that they have an incentive for opening the email and engaging with your business.

Direct Mail

Last but not least is direct mail. As with press advertising, this is a great way to target the local area; however, like email, you don’t want your physical mail to appear as junk. You might avoid using envelopes, as this makes it more likely that the client will just throw the letter away before opening it. Instead, you might stick with flyers that are eye catching and to the point. Similarly, you might offer a deal with the direct mail to encourage customers to pay you a visit.