If you’re a small business owner, you know just how important it is to get your company’s name out there. And in 2022, you’ve got to do something innovative and clever to stand out from the crowd.
And, as Henry Ford once said, “if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”
So, when it comes to marketing your business, it’s a great time to try something new—and there’s an abundance of cost-effective opportunities available to you.
Let’s look at some ways you can boost visibility and make your small business known. Here are eight ways to promote your small business in 2022.
8 Clever Ways to Promote Your Small Business in 2022
Create Video Content and Reels
Video marketing—especially with the rise of Instagram Reels—has blown up over the past few years and is now one of the most effective ways of capturing the attention of potential clients.
Here are a few ways to use video to promote your small business:
- Create how-to video guides for your products.
- Include an “About Us” intro video on your homepage or pinned to social media.
- Record reels that are on-trend and popular—here are our best tips for using Instagram reels to promote your small biz.
- Live-stream with your followers and do an AMA (ask me anything).
Get Into Podcasting
Podcasts are everywhere these days—you probably even know a few people who started their own during the pandemic. It’s a great long-form content medium that really connects with niche audiences. If you want to start a business-boosting podcast, there are a few key steps to take:
- Pick your podcast theme, topic, and name.
- Think about your cover art and branding.
- Stay organized with a calendar.
- Get the right equipment and software to record.
- Create scripts and interview questions, if you’re going to have guests on.
- Edit your podcast into the final product.
- Get transcriptions and show notes to help maximize SEO and visibility.
- Publish and get the word out there!
And if you don’t want to start your own, consider going as a guest on established podcasts. You’re an expert in your business industry or niche and can provide value by guesting on podcasts. It helps establish you and your business and industry leaders and will expose your small business to a wider audience.
Need some podcast inspiration? Check out these 10 great podcasts for on-the-go pros to get some ideas for topics and formats.
Perfect Your Email Marketing
Email marketing is pretty common, but great email marketing is rare. It’s one of the most high-impact forms of marketing (when it’s done right!) and there are many ways to use it in a creative and clever way.
Focus on writing emails people want to read by offering value and keeping it relevant.
Here’s how:
- Incorporate videos into your emails.
- Don’t be afraid to have fun and get silly sometimes—use humor, memes, or trending pop culture to connect with the audience.
- Focus on value—make sure your emails are going to the right people with the right content by utilizing an effective CRM system.
- Host contests or giveaways in your emails and newsletter.
Network
Networking is a tried-and-true promotion and marketing technique. Simply put, networking is just talking to other people about who you are as a small business and looking for ways to connect, partner, sell, and collaborate.
But there’s more to it than that: marketing done well has to feel authentic rather than transactional. Otherwise, it simply risks being off-putting.
There are a few ways to do it:
- Be active on LinkedIn by posting valuable content and connecting with people in your industry.
- Attend conferences, trade shows, seminars, or training in your industry area.
- Reach out to influencers or other brands and businesses on social media.
- Get involved in the community by collaborating with local businesses or attending events.
And if you’re feeling a little unsure or awkward about networking, check out these 6 steps to network organically.
Host Contests and Giveaways
Everyone loves free stuff! Use your social media platform to host contests or giveaways of your products or services. You can encourage people to follow and share your content which helps build your audience while getting the word out about your small business.
When thinking about what to give out, branded swag is always a great option. It helps get your name out there and makes people feel part of the community! Make sure you pick items that are actually useable, though. No one needs more junk lying around the house! Here are some ideas:
- Branded canvas tote bag, duffel bag, or backpack.
- WFH essentials like a mousepad, notebook, charging dock, or office supplies organizer.
- Tech-forward swag like headphones, speakers, or charging pads.
- High-quality clothing or accessories.
Another great giveaway option is to partner with other local businesses and create a prize pack of services or gift cards! Examples include a mani-pedi, three-course meal experience, or drop-in exercise classes.
Sponsor Events
Another way to get your name out into the community is to sponsor local events and initiatives. This is a practical way to give back to your community, but it also boosts your business’ visibility and gives you the chance to network with potential clients and customers.
Here are some sponsorship ideas:
- Youth sports teams or tournaments.
- Charitable initiatives or programs like a food bank drive.
- Park or recreation center opening festivities.
Collaborate with Other Local Small Businesses
As a small business, it’s important to be part of your local community. And that means having a collaborative mindset, not a competitive one. So, look for ways to work with other small businesses in the area. You can then cross-promote each other on social media as a way to build up awareness and engagement.
One example of a local partnership is when The Post partnered with Startup Tucson for the Remote Tucson initiative. We were so thrilled to work with this awesome program that brings more people to our amazing city.
Enter Local Awards
Many cities or counties have small business awards. If any are in your industry or category—enter them! Even if you don’t win, you’ve boosted your visibility in the community and probably had a chance to network with other like-minded small business owners.
Local to us at The Post is a number of Tucson Small Business Awards, including The Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce, The Tucson Metro Chamber, and The Arizona Chamber of Commerce. Most communities have something similar, so do some digging and then put your best foot forward and apply.
You work hard as a small business owner, and you need to make sure your promotions and marketing are working hard for you.
And by mixing up your marketing initiatives and incorporating some creativity and elbow grease into your process, you can see a real boost to your business’ bottom line.
If you’re looking for a top-tier office space that will help you grow your business, book a tour of The Post today.