In the ever-evolving world of marketing, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) must stay ahead of the curve to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.
As we venture further into 2023, it's crucial for SMBs operators to adopt the most effective marketing strategies to reach their target audience, foster customer loyalty, and drive growth.
Let’s take a look at the top SMB marketing strategies for 2023 and give you a foundation to start with:
1. Amplify Your Reach with Social Media Marketing
The importance of social media marketing has been pounded on business owners for years – but the truth is – it’s now imperative that your business is at least present on all of the major social platforms.
The power of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and LinkedIn cannot be understated. They provide an unparalleled opportunity for SMBs to engage with their target audiences, showcase their brand personality, and foster meaningful relationships.
By crafting compelling content, utilizing hashtags strategically, and participating in relevant online communities, SMBs can elevate their brand visibility and attract new customers.
Providing Value Across Social Platforms
You have to be willing to provide free value to your customers in order to build an engaged audience. Creating content that educates, entertains, or simply resonates with your target audience can help to drive website traffic, increase brand awareness, and will eventually lead to a pipeline of organic leads.
Here are some ideas to consider when planning out your content:
- Directly actionable tips and tricks
- Trending industry topics from experts
- How-to guides and instructional videos
- Engaging polls and quizzes
- Behind-the-scenes updates
- Giveaways and Contests
The beauty of having your business present across social platforms is that you can truly make it yours. Meaning your social platforms should echo your brand voice, and should reflect your personal creativity as well.
This helps set you apart from the competition, improve top-of-mind retention, and build a long-term community. Check out our recent article on mastering the art of content creation to learn more about leveraging social to grow your brand.
2. Master the Art of Local SEO
For SMBs catering to local customers, local search engine optimization (SEO) is a game-changer. By optimizing their online presence for local searches, businesses can ensure they appear at the top of search results when users seek products or services in their area.
Here are some actionable local SEO tips to rank faster on Google:
- Incorporating location-specific keywords into your website content
- Optimize images with location-specific keywords
- Make sure Google My Business (GMB) is set up with your target area
- Create long-form content that specifically relates to local landmarks, events, or businesses.
- Generate consistent customer reviews on platforms like Google My Business and Yelp.
- Take advantage of local citations from directories such as Yellow Pages and the Local Chamber of Commerce.
By investing in local SEO and emphasizing its importance, SMBs will not only attract more customers but also build trust and credibility in their respective industries.
3. Engage Your Audience with Email Marketing
Email marketing continues to be a powerful tool for SMBs to stay connected with their audience. By crafting personalized and value-driven email campaigns, businesses can nurture customer relationships, increase website traffic, and boost sales.
While it takes a bit of time to get your email list churning, once you have a sizable audience, this becomes an invaluable long-term asset. From soliciting referrals and reviews – to reaching out to past customers and re-engaging – making an email list a must-have for any SMB marketing strategy.
Once your email list is big enough, you can utilize segmentation techniques to tailor your messages based on customers' preferences, behavior, and purchasing history to drive engagement and enhance customer satisfaction.
The first step is to choose a CRM and Email Marketing Platform–Choosing the Right Software–can save you a ton of headaches down the line.
4. Showcase Your Expertise Through Content Marketing
High-quality content is the backbone of a successful marketing strategy. By consistently providing informative, engaging, and valuable content, SMBs can position themselves as industry thought leaders. Leveraging your experience to build trust with their audience and generate leads.
Explore various content formats, such as blog posts, podcasts, webinars, and infographics, to cater to diverse audience preferences and create a well-rounded content marketing strategy.
If you're unsure where to start – think of the most common questions you receive from customers – and start writing short blog posts that address these questions.
5. Captivate Your Audience with Video Marketing
Video content is taking the digital world by storm, with platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram Reels captivating audiences across the globe. Video marketing can bring significant benefits to small and medium-sized businesses across the globe. By creating captivating, authentic, and highly shareable content that resonates with their target audience, they can harness the true potential of video marketing.
While being on camera may not be your favorite thing to do, it may be necessary as we progress through 2023 and beyond. Many people often think of expensive production and editing when it comes to social video content. The truth is, you can create ultra-viral videos directly from your phone camera with the quality that is availble in today's day and age.
Experiment with different video formats, from product demonstrations and customer testimonials to educational content and behind-the-scenes footage, to keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.
6. Harness the Power of User-Generated Content
User-generated content (UGC) is an invaluable marketing asset for SMBs. Through using this type of content you are easily able to build trust, showcase your products and services in action. By trusting your audience with your brand you foster a sense of community among your customers. UGC includes content created by your customers or fans, such as reviews, testimonials, social media posts, or even videos showcasing your products or services.
By incorporating UGC into your marketing strategy mix, you can demonstrate the real-world impact of your offerings. Creating a sense of authenticity that will resonate deeply with your target audience.
Here are some actionable steps to leverage UGC in your strategic marketing efforts:
- Encourage customers to share their experiences with your products or services on social media (while tagging you of course).
- Host contests or giveaways that prompt customers to submit their content for a chance to win a prize. This can create buzz around your brand and encourage participation from your audience.
- Showcase UGC on your website, in email marketing campaigns, or even in paid advertising to add a layer of social proof and demonstrate the value of your offerings.
- Engage with customers who create content about your brand by liking, commenting, or sharing their posts. This shows appreciation for their efforts and fosters a sense of community around your brand.
Being intentional around the power of user-generated content, SMBs can create a more authentic and engaging marketing strategy that leverages the voice of their customers and drives brand growth.
7. Optimize for Voice Search to Stay Ahead of the Curve
Voice search is revolutionizing the way consumers find information and products online. With the increasing popularity of voice-activated devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home, it's essential for SMBs to optimize their content for voice search queries.
How to optimize your local website for voice search:
Is your content optimized for voice search queries for devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home? Let us help.
Structure content for quick answers: Craft concise and easily digestible content to provide quick answers to voice search queries.
Keep your content concise and clear for prompt responses and effective communication with your audience. Focus on brevity to offer insightful and easily understood messages.
Optimize your content for voice search by using location-specific keywords and regional language to target your audience.
Optimizing for voice search helps small businesses reach local audiences and stand out from competitors. Plan a digital marketing strategy with actionable steps to grow your business. Focus on the most effective platforms and strategies.
With the right strategy in place, you'll be well on your way to success!
Additional SMB Marketing Strategies Consider:
While we've covered some core SMB marketing strategies to enhance your online efforts, let's delve into a few more supplementary tips that can make a significant difference in your overall marketing success.
Community Engagement
As an SMB, one of your greatest assets is your local community. Consider participating in local events or sponsoring community projects. This not only boosts your visibility but also establishes your business as an active community member. Don’t forget to share these experiences on your website and social platforms, which can provide a positive boost to your online presence.
Referral Programs
Word-of-mouth remains a powerful marketing tool. Implementing a referral program can encourage your current customers to become brand ambassadors. Offering incentives like discounts or free products can motivate your loyal customers to spread the word about your business.
Establish your business as a thought leader by sharing expert insights and industry trends through webinars, podcasts, or LinkedIn posts. This helps you build credibility and trust with your audience, which can be instrumental in attracting new customers and retaining existing ones.
Personalized Customer Experiences
In today's digital age, consumers appreciate personalized experiences. Utilize CRM tools to understand your customers' behaviors and preferences. This enables you to tailor your marketing messages to resonate more with each individual customer, leading to increased engagement and loyalty.
Ready to grow your business?
For guaranteed success, it's crucial to meticulously craft and execute a strategic plan. Collaborating with a marketing specialist to assist in accomplishing your ambitions and objectives is highly recommended.
Connect with CorEthos if you have any questions around next steps or collaborating on a path forward for your team; we are here!
