There are many useful small business marketing resources available. Marketing is the process of promoting and selling your products or services to consumers. In most businesses, marketing is a key factor on which the business’s success depends. This article reviews some useful marketing resources designed for small businesses.
Small Business Development Center Marketing Resources
If you own or work for a small business, there are many resources available to get help with your marketing activities. Your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is one resource that provides free assistance from experts who can guide you through specific aspects of setting up and running your business. For example, they may help develop a plan for getting customers, designing brochures or websites, estimating costs associated with starting a new product line, etc. They also provide general advice over the phone if you don’t want to set up an appointment. The SBDC network includes more than 900 centers at colleges and universities throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, other U.S. territories, and internationally in Canada, Europe, and the Pacific Rim area. To find your local center, use the SBDC locator.
Small Business Administration Marketing Resources
The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a wide range of services to help small businesses succeed. One of these services is assistance with marketing strategies–including planning an overall strategy for developing demand for your products or services.
Other SBA resources available include workshops on specific topics like developing a business plan, writing effective marketing materials, and using the Internet in online marketing.
Direct Marketing Tools for Small Business
If you have a business with only one or two employees, direct marketing may be the best way to reach customers. Direct marketing is the process of getting your message directly to prospective customers through methods such as brochures, signs, catalogs, and websites. Direct marketing can be a highly effective way to get immediate results.
Small Businesses and Digital Marketing
Digital marketing is the building and maintaining of a company’s online profile through search engines like Google, social networks like Facebook, or video search sites like YouTube. Digital marketing has become an essential part of the overall marketing strategy for many companies. For example, digital marketers can be involved in planning content that will appear on your website or will use data collected from it to improve your product offerings.
It often pays to do a little research and see what resources are available in your area. Also, if you need help with some aspect of growing or managing your small business, the Small Business Administration website is a great place to start.