Category: Tips and Tools

Building your business and brand, both online and off, takes a passion for creating engaging and relative marketing campaigns that truly draw a consistent audience. Let’s face it, you’re competing with millions – if not more – of other business sites online, so it takes real innovation and strategy to attract the attention of an audience that’s going to enable you to grow.

Here are some methods that can implement to help grab the attention of current and potential customers.

1. Polish your reputation

While it might not seem like new advice, it’s worth repeating: your reputation is everything. You naturally want your target audience to think your brand is amazing, but if you don’t establish and legitimise your reputation all that admiration can go for naught. Building your reputation online can mean a lot of different things, but it’s never a bad idea to include a lot of positive reviews of your business and product(s) on your website.

2. Create fresh content

Creating original and fresh content on your business blog is a cost-effective way to boost your online traffic. Make it content that’s unique, but doesn’t sound like an advertisement. Focus on information that gets your audience excited because it helps them solve a problem and educates them. Also, make it easy for your readers to share your content, i.e., include buttons so that they can share your content on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.

3. Hire the professionals

There are many reasons why hiring a proven marketing agency can help you build your audience as you envisioned, and beyond. Find a company, like this marketing agency Hampshire, who offer a variety of core services, such as web design, brand development, advertising, direct marketing, and much more. This way, you’re getting help with all aspects of your online marketing, rather than getting one thing professionally done and being individually stuck on everything else.

4. Video

There’s no question that a well-done, relevant video can grab your audience’s attention. But it has to be just that – well-done and relevant to your sales message. Make it short, and one that can be used across all channels. Videos are likely to get shared with others to produce even greater traction.

5. Keep it fresh

Don’t make the mistake of letting your website fall into a demise because you never refresh or revamp it. Doing so make your audience think that there isn’t much unique and relevant going on behind your brick and mortar walls either. That said, keep your graphics, videos and content fresh, and even add new landing pages to let your audience know that you – and your business – are alive and well.

6. Keep a pipeline of ad campaigns

It’s always wise to have a variety of different ad campaigns available that can be used to address specific issues or problems that your audience is concerned about. You’ll not only attract different audience members, but you’ll also let your audience know that you’re active and keeping up with what matters.

7. Develop a targeted SEO strategy

Growing your audience means appearing as close to the top as possible of search engine results, and this is where a dedicated search engine optimisation strategy will make a world of difference. It’s all about finding the right customer and converting customers who are looking for what you have to offer.

8. Advocate marketing

Advocate marketing is all about identifying your highest-potential customers while motivating them to preach about the many virtues of your business and products. They might not even be customers who are your biggest in terms of revenue and profit, but they’re your highest share customers and can easily help grow your audience. You can do everything from having them write reviews, share information about your company, or generally just build a buzz about what you do in exchange for rewards.

The greatest portion of your audience is can be reached through online methods, so neglecting online marketing really isn’t a viable option. By implementing some of the above tactics, you’ll be putting yourself in a much greater position for success.

The online business model comes with many advantages. Particularly, if you are trying to run a successful company and be there for your family. You can run an online business from the comfort of your home. That means you’ll be there when your kids come home from school and still get the income for a great quality of life. In fact, the benefits are so attractive you might be thinking about adopting the online business model yourself.

Get Rid Of Your Office

Photo credit: David Mulder

The first step is to get rid of your business office. You can also sell most of the equipment and the furniture that you’ve bought. You see? Already, you’re saving money and making some of what you spent back. Instead of an office, the home base for your company will be, your home. You’ll be able to run your company from there with no issues at all by the time we’ve finished.

If you’re worried about looking like a home company, there’s an easy fix. You can use a virtual office. A virtual office is an address where you can have your mail sent. It can also appear on your business website as the official address of your company. No one outside of your business needs to know that your company is run from the spare room in your home. The appearance and perception of your company will not be altered. You can even get a virtual number. When customers call you up, it can seem like they are contacting one of the main offices in London.

Setting Up Your Site

Your business site is the real, digital heart of your office now. If you don’t have a business website yet, it’s time for you to set one up. You can work with a web designer to do this. Remember, it’s worth getting a professional service here. Your website is now going to be the first impression clients receive of your company. You want them to see it and immediately have the desire to buy from your company. With the right design, that’s exactly what’s going to happen.

You also need to make sure that customers find your website online. The trick here is to hire a great SEO team. SEO services will ensure that your business is found by people who want to buy your products. Don’t worry about the cost either. You’ll find the price of online marketing is a lot less than the promotional costs you’ve grown accustomed to.

Keep In Contact

Lastly, unless you’re a solopreneur, you will have workers and employees in your business. Now, they won’t be working in the same place as you. Instead, they might be working from their homes, a separate office or a new company. It all depends on your specific business model, but you need to keep connected to them. There are easy ways to do this, and one of the best is through social media. That way, you can keep in contact at no extra cost. You might also want to set up a cloud server to ensure your company is still fast and efficient.

That’s all there is to it. Follow this advice and you will have successfully adopted the online business model. We’re sure you’ll find it incredibly profitable.

Evidence is starting to emerge that new businesses aren’t as dynamic as they once were. Recently, a Brookings Institute report tracked new startups to find out how many were successful. They found that while startups continued to be formed in large numbers, far fewer were actually making it. The news seemed to throw a spanner in the works of today’s startup culture. We like to think that we live in the age of enterprise and entrepreneurship. But it turns out, entrepreneurs are having a seriously tough time out there.

Added to this mix is the interesting fact that venture capitalists and investments banks have never had more money to lend. In theory, there should be plenty of cash sloshing about for new startups to use. It just seems as if something is sapping entrepreneurs of their productivity and drive. Many place the blame on the sheer cost and barriers today to starting a business. Regulation and compliance costs are enormous. But so too are the time it takes to set up a business, as well as labor costs.

Costs for small businesses are traditionally broken up into key, distinct areas. There’s the cost of actually selling the good. This includes things like packing, shipping, paying for inventory and warehousing. Then there are professional fees. These include the cost of establishing a corporate structure, paying for trademarks and so on. Wages and employee benefits also take up a significant chunk of the business income, as do payroll taxes. Then there are sales and marketing and administrative costs, and the cost of technology.

Traditionally, firms performed all these functions themselves. The option of getting somebody else to do it for you just wasn’t there. But today, these costly functions can be passed over to another business for a lower overall cost. By the way, this isn’t just theoretical. Practically every large business today outsources some function to an external company. It might surprise you to learn that most companies don’t do their own audits or their own accounts. Some don’t even do their own packing or their own marketing. And that’s why you don’t have to go it alone in business. Almost every function that is not strategic to your business can be passed on to somebody else. Does that sound like a recipe for reducing costs? You bet it does.

So the question becomes, what can you outsource? And, if you can outsource it, should you? Let’s take a look.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing is one of the most capital-intensive industries on the planet. That means that it’s incredibly expensive to set up your own manufacturing facility. For lean startups, it’s just not an option. So what should startups do? In the US, the trend is now to get manufacturing outfits overseas to do the manufacturing for you. Remember, there’s already a well-oiled global supply chain in place. So if you go down this route, you can expect good commercial availability. Manufacturing work will probably be carried out in China, or some other East Asian country. And it’ll be delivered to you fast.

By Mixabest (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

You can also look for options closer to home if you don’t want to deal internationally. Remember, US manufacturing is on the rise and automation is bringing factories back to the US mainland. So there are now more opportunities for SMEs to avoid costly international negotiations.

Finance And Fractional CFOs

Go back 20 years, and you couldn’t find a single company without a chief financial officer. The CFO was a full-time employee, responsible for all the financial matters at the enterprise. But here’s the problem: most smaller companies didn’t actually need a full-time CFO. They would have been okay with hiring a part-time CFO to do their accounts when they were required. The problem, however, was getting a CFO who didn’t mind working only a few hours a week.

It’s this issue that has become the driving force behind the trend towards the “fractional” CFO. Now companies can benefit from the services of a highly trained CFO. But they don’t have to pay them a full-time salary. They just pay them for the CFO services that they need. CFOs, therefore, are no longer as bound to individual companies as they once were. They’re branching out and working with many businesses, saving lots of money in the process.

Startups and small companies are also saving by replacing people with software. No longer are finance departments staffed by teams of accountants. Now a simple software tool will do. And we’re not just talking Quickbooks here either. Now there are platforms available that fully integrate payment into the accounting solution. Apps like Wave allow you to link merchant payment services with your business account and accounting software.

Packaging And Shipping

Packaging and shipping might sound like a simple process, but it’s not. There’s a lot of complexity involved in taking orders from customers, finding what they want and then shipping it to the right address. For most companies, packaging and shipping are just a byproduct of their processes. They’re not the primary focus on their business. And yet, packaging and shipping can become a nightmare for those who do not have the technical know-how.

Photo credit

This is where fulfillment services come in handy. Here an external company comes into your business and organizes packing and shipping for you. They’ll work alongside you, providing you with the knowledge you need to meet customer needs. The expertise of fulfillment companies is often vast once they’ve worked with clients with many different needs. And their experience of picking, packing, and shipping is often just the tip of the iceberg. Often, these companies can improve the way your business stores products and organize its warehousing.

Technology: Computing As A Service

Go into any older business, and you’ll find legacy computer systems. There will be old-fashioned, fixed computers, servers and physical networks in the office. But if you’ve been to a startup recently, you’ll notice a big difference. Where are all the big, bulky computers? Where are the servers for that matter? And why aren’t there legions of technicians working to keep the network alive?

Modern startups don’t bother with all these extras they don’t need. Most just carry a laptop, or even a tablet, depending on what they need. The reason they can do this is because of distributive computing, otherwise known as the cloud. Rather than having to build services at the location of their office, new businesses can just stream services over the internet. Need a CRM service? No problem. Just hook your computer up to the web, and grab one of the many CRM cloud packages out there on the web. Want a Software-as-a-Service platform only previously available to medium sized firms? Now you can, thanks to streaming services. And you don’t have to pay through the nose for them like you did in the past.

Right now, small businesses are leveraging cloud apps and generating incredible value. Apps, like InsightSquared, are enabling companies to collect real-time data on their performance. GetFeedback is another app where businesses can gather feedback on the quality of their customer service. Geopointe helps companies expand overseas by managing new territories and shipping routes. You can even have your own custom cloud app developed if you feel your business would benefit.

Professional Employer Organisations

Lastly, there are professional employer organizations. These companies help small businesses reduce the burden of their HR departments. They take over the cost of hiring, recruiting and even taxing employees that work at your business. All you need to do is go to the PEO and tell them what you want. And they’ll then go about finding the right candidate for the job.

Are you looking for new revenue opportunities for your business? If so, there are some relatively simple ways to increase the number of services your business provides. Below are some of the most effective ways to reach a wider, more diversified range of customers.

Outsource

It’s never been as easy as it is now to hire specialists who are able to complete all kinds of tasks. You may be a specialist in a certain area, but having the luxury of calling on people who are experts in other areas can greatly increase the number of services you provide. The internet and mobile technologies in particular, have made it much simpler for employers and outsourcers to meet and build successful business relationships.

Learn to Drive

If you can’t drive, you are limiting the number of business opportunities you can avail of. In some instances, it may be necessary to visit clients in person. If you don’t have access to a car and can’t drive, you may not be able to provide the quality of service your clients expect. To rectify this problem, you can find more information about mock driving tests and the Highway Code at websites like Top Tests.

Increase Your Knowledge and Skillset by Continually Training

The business world continues to evolve and change. This means you have to keep up with the latest developments in your industry and identify any potential future opportunities. Continually taking training courses when you have the time to do so is the best way to do this. A huge number of affordable and free online courses are available, so you don’t even have to leave your home or office to increase your knowledge and skill set.

Invest in Specialised Tools and Software

Some services require extremely expensive and specialised tools and software. However, not all businesses are willing to invest in these tools and software, which can leave a gap in the market for you. If you can afford to purchase them, you may be able to provide a valuable service other businesses can’t provide.

Find Out What Other Related Services You Could Provide

There may be a whole range of related services you could be providing to clients, but don’t realise they exist. Look at what other similar businesses to yours are doing and find out what additional services they provide. This exercise could be a real eye-opener and give you the inspiration to widen your horizons.

When you speak with existing clients, ask them if there are any other services you could provide, that they would be interested in. If there’s enough interest, you could eventually start providing this new service, which could be as popular as your current services.

It’s never been as easy as it is now to expand a business and provide additional services that are related to the core services you currently offer your clients. Each of the tips above has the potential to guarantee new revenue streams and uncover business opportunities you may not have known existed.

Setting up a business is a common go-to option for younger people in the UK, with around one in five of the 18-34 age group having a marketable idea. It’s especially important as this age group is three times as likely to be unemployed, so becoming self-employed or starting a company is a good idea.

Of course it won’t work out for everyone, but even so, the experience gained is invaluable. If you’re thinking about making your idea a reality, read on for some common sense tips that will help you along.

Learn from the mistakes of others

Every single successful entrepreneur has made more than a few mistakes – it’s why they’re successful now! Read about them, or follow them on social media to gain some insights.

Get hands-on experience

Learn about the sector you’re aiming at – spend some time on the bottom rung, learning how the business works at the grass roots level. If you can see where you could make improvements, you could be onto a winner.

Have a business plan

An idea doesn’t make a business by itself, you have to understand the nuts and bolts and to be able to create and meet targets. You need to incorporate overhead costs, like premises, and telecom providers. There are many utility providers that can help start-ups, like woav.co.uk, which provides internet and phone packages for SMEs. You need to pare your expenses down as far as you can, and aim to just break even for the first couple of years.

Find a mentor

There are several government-backed, free mentor services for small businesses and entrepreneurs. If you don’t fancy that, talk to friends and family members who have run businesses, even if they’re not in your sector.

Use support organisations

Contact Youth Business International, or Start-up Direct if you’re in or around London. You can also head to your local Chamber of Commerce for advice and signposting to other advisory bodies and resources.

Apply for grants

Again, as your Local Chamber of Commerce for advice on grant-awarding bodies – you may qualify because of your sector, your age, your postcode, or even the fact that you’ve been unemployed. It never hurts to ask!

Make a name for yourself

You’ll need a name that’s available – not just as a business name, but also as a domain name, a copyrighted name, a “trading as” name and one that’s not already registered at Companies House.

You can try a play on words, or use your own name – whatever makes it easy for customers to remember you and makes a statement about you and your enterprise.

Design your logo

A great logo – one that’s well-designed and “speaks” to your audience – is half the battle. You need a design that fits your sector and gets your personality and message across.

Shameless self-promotion

Yes, you’ll have to do your early promotion yourself, because PR companies are expensive and you’re bootstrapping, remember. Use social media, enter competitions, whatever you can think of and find to draw attention to yourself and get people talking to you.