Marketing products for a small business requires creativity and resourcefulness. If you are a new entrepreneur, not promoting your business could mean slimmer chances of making money. Big brands with a marketing budget can allocate enough advertising across different platforms. The presence of social media channels makes it even more accessible for large businesses to gain a competitive edge. It makes it challenging for small companies to reach the audiences they build. But don’t be intimidated by the success of big names in your industry. We’ve got you covered- this guide explores 12 creative marketing ideas we’ve seen in independent brands.
1. Sell mystery boxes
Do you have slow-moving products in your inventory? Sell them as part of a mystery box. The mystery box is practical for several reasons:
- People love surprises
- Mystery boxes induce FOMO (fear of missing out), a phenomenon that causes most people to make reactive purchases.
- Shift slow-moving inventory and free some space from more popular and profitable inventory.
The Pastel Roses is an online gift shop that offers mystery boxes. Mystery Boxes are a unique and exciting way to discover new products and enjoy an unforgettable unboxing experience. Shoppers can try several products at a lower price, and the brand can shift slow-moving products.
2. Sell gift cards
Gift cards are a cash flow win-win. You get paid upfront and skip product costs. Plus, studies show people spend more than the value of a card! To maximize sales, promote them during peak gift-giving times like Mother's Day, Black Friday, and Christmas.
3. Optimize your website for SEO
SEO is a long-term but robust strategy. By optimizing your eCommerce for search engines, you'll show up exactly when potential customers are searching for what you offer. It's a simple idea, but it takes work to implement effectively.
Now, start by finding the keywords for your target audience. Free SEO tools like BuzzSumo, Semrush, and Moz can help you implement this idea.
4. Share user-generated content (UGC)
Turn your fans into brand ambassadors! Showcase photos and reviews from real customers using your products. People trust these authentic experiences more than traditional advertising, and seeing others enjoying your products can inspire them to do the same. Keep an eye out for mentions of your brand online and share the positive buzz!
5. Host a live stream
Think about this. If you’re a cosmetics brand, work with beauty influencers in your live stream. You could ask them about their favorite beauty secrets and how they use your products or give a quick tutorial on how to use them.
6. Curate compelling YouTube videos
With over 2.7 billion monthly users, YouTube is a massive platform to consider if your audience enjoys video content.
Start a YouTube channel that resonates with your brand. If you're stuck for content ideas, revisit your keyword research. In addition, you can bring new life into your existing blogs by turning them into video scripts. You can also embed the videos in your blog posts to reach viewers who prefer written or visual content.
7. Write a weekly newsletter
A newsletter is a content that gets delivered to your subscriber’s inbox. Many ecommerce stores use their newsletter to introduce new products and retarget customers who haven’t purchased in a while. It would be best if you were doing both things, but a non-salesly newsletter can be the icing on the cake.
8. Create a Google Business profile
Google is the world’s largest search engine and isn’t used only by online shoppers. Google My Business allows you to create a free profile that shows up in Maps and local search results. The goal? Crack the coveted "three pack" - the top three results displayed on Google Maps.
It would be best to consider other local business listings. This can build consistency for your name, address, and phone number or NAP. Google uses NAP to confirm the credibility of a business when ranking it in search results.
9. Participate and win in business awards
Being voted the “best” product in your industry is one way to build credibility and attract attention. Below is your starting point in award submission research:
According to industry experts, participating in relevant awards competitions offers a powerful return on investment. Winning (or even just being nominated) can significantly boost your brand's credibility and generate positive publicity.
10. Partner with other small businesses
Start promoting your product by growing your network within and outside your industry. This is a great marketing idea if you work with a zero budget. Initiate partnerships with other small businesses whose target market is yours, provided they’re not a direct competitor.
With your collaboration with another small business owner, you can run a joint marketing campaign, such as:
- Giving discounts to each other’s email subscribers
- Co-hosting a webinar
- Promoting each other on social media
- Becoming guest on each other’s podcast
- Sharing the costs for opening a pop-up store
The advantage of co-marketing is supporting fellow small business owners while reaching an existing audience for free.
11. Gather customer feedback
Ensuring customer loyalty is essential for thriving businesses. The people who see your digital marketing campaigns and buy your products because of them can be your “best friends.” Tap them as your starting point when marketing products for your small business.
Use free survey apps to send quick satisfaction surveys after every purchase in your online store. Ask what they loved (and why!), how they found you, and what convinced them to buy. Use those insights as customer testimonials in your website, landing pages, social media, and product description.
Final Thoughts
There are several ways to market products for small businesses. We've chosen the most actionable tips suitable for new and growing businesses aiming to become more profitable. Follow these tips to guide your marketing efforts toward achieving your goals.
