Running a home business can be a huge challenge for entrepreneurs, especially if you’re just starting out. And once you’re past the hurdles of getting set up, paying those initial fees, and designing your business plan, there’s a whole other area to tackle: marketing.
Without a storefront or a public office, people won’t know you’re there – especially when you consider the vast number of startups doing their best to draw in customers and secure sales, just like you. But that’s where digital marketing comes in. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a way to boost your sales, here are a range of marketing strategies you can apply to your home business to stand out, attract your perfect customer base, and thrive.
1. Build a Social Media Presence
Social media has long been used to market products and services to its millions of users, but with changing algorithms, many businesses just aren’t leveraging them properly, which can lead to a blockage in brand growth and fewer sales.
However, social media can be easier to manage once you know the secret: platforms like Instagram reward users who post consistently and engage with all the platform’s features. That means posting one or two times every few months just isn’t going to cut it anymore. Home business owners would benefit from creating a full social media plan designed to encourage consistent posting, as this is the only way to build a presence – whether you’re posting on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or X.
Once you can harness it, social media comes with a wealth of marketing benefits, helping you get your business seen and attract new customers. Most importantly, social media builds a community around your brand. Customers can be fickle and come and go, but securing a like-minded group of individuals who share your values, dreams, and love for your product is a game changer.
If you’re not sure where to start with social media, here are a few post ideas:
● Promote products
● Drop deals
● Answer questions
● Share inside tips
● Share your brand story
● Share behind-the-scenes content
2. Get Creative With Content
Content is so important for any online business. Great content will establish your credibility as a brand and highlight the expertise you have in your niche. The easiest way to do this is by starting a blog and sharing industry news, how-to guides, or even stories directly from your customers.
The great thing about blogging is that you can pair it with any niche. Got a baking business? Your customer base will happily take a bite out of recipes and baking tips. Are you a fitness brand? Draw in your target audience through workout plans, meal ideas, and myth-busting articles.
Is writing not your thing? That’s okay! Consider other forms of content, such as video letters, podcasts, or infographics, to give your audience value.
If you have a big enough budget for marketing, you can also outsource content from an agency.
3. Optimize Your Website for SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a super important area of marketing, as it will help organic traffic find your website.
Start with keyword research to identify the terms people use when searching for products or services like yours. There are many different websites to help you do this. Once you know which keywords to use, you can incorporate them into your website’s content, page titles, and meta descriptions.
In addition to keywords, your website should load quickly and be mobile-friendly with a clean layout that customers can navigate easily. This will improve your potential customer’s user experience and help boost your search engine rankings.
4. Design an Email Marketing Plan
Email marketing is still just as effective as it’s always been, providing a direct line from you, the brand, to your customers. With email marketing, you already have a list of engaged followers who believe in your products or services.
If you’re just getting started with email marketing and are looking to build an email list, offer something valuable that customers get if they subscribe. This could be in the form of a discount (such as 10%, 15%, or even 50% off your store) or a resource, such as a free e-book or guide to something related to your niche.
Some best practices include:
● Sending regular newsletters with helpful tips
● Offering exclusive discounts
● Personalizing your emails whenever possible (e.g., including customer names)
● Tailoring content to their previous purchases
5. Run Contests and Giveaways
Who doesn’t love a freebie? Running a giveaway or contest is a great way to offer something exciting for existing customers, make new ones aware of your brand, and grow your social media following.
Choose a prize your target audience will resonate with, such as a free product from your store, an exclusive bundle, or even a gift card. You can also collaborate with other brands that align with your niche to create mega giveaways and expand your reach.
Ask participants to share a post, tag their friends, or subscribe to your email list to be entered into the competition.
6. Collaborate with Influencers
Influencer marketing is a great way to expand your reach, especially if you’re just building your home business and don’t have much of a following. Partnering with influencers who have an audience within your industry or niche will help get your products or services in front of the right people.
You don’t have to go for influencers with thousands of followers. Smaller micro-influencers will have curated a loyal audience, which means they can easily impact your own following and sales.
7. Use Paid Advertising
Although organic growth is the best way to sustain a loyal customer base, paid advertising can give your business a much-needed boost. Facebook, Instagram, and Google Ads provide the perfect way to target certain demographics and locations, getting your products in front of the right audience.
You don’t have to pour all your budget into paid ads. Start small and test different formats, such as carousels, videos, and sponsored posts, as this will give you a good idea of what your audience resonates with the most. It’s also important to monitor ad performance in case you need to adjust your strategy. This will ensure your money is going to the right place and you see a return on your investment.
8. Join a Community
Online communities, such as Facebook groups, forums, and Reddit, provide a fantastic way for you to connect with potential customers. By joining in on discussions, you can share expert advice and establish yourself as an authority in your niche.
That said, communities shouldn’t be used as a place to promote your products. It’s important that you give value, instead, as this will make potential customers more likely to checkout your online business.
9. Surround Yourself with Like-Minded Individuals
Connecting with others who share your passion for business will inspire you and help your business thrive. Join physical meetups or use platforms like SpareRoom to find business-orientated friends and roommates, creating an in-built community right at home where you can share marketing tips and swap ideas.
Surrounding yourself with people who understand your passion will do wonders for your home business.
Conclusion
From social media and email to SEO, there are lots of directions you can take to grow your customer base and secure all-important sales. The main thing is to stay consistent, even if it takes a while to build your business up. Start small and learn as you go.
