Five easy ways to improve your marketing today

These simple and time-saving changes can positively affect your business

Short on time? Zero bandwidth to be the head of marketing for your business? We get it. There’s so much to tackle as a new business owner that marketing might seem like the least of your worries. But don’t fret — if you can’t find the time or resources for a multifaceted marketing plan, these five easy tips can help you make an impact quickly.

Tell us a little bit “About You”

Your business’s story is one of the most powerful marketing messages you can create. Take a moment to write out your story in a paragraph or two. Make sure you incorporate the big “why” behind starting your business and infuse the story with ethos — the spirit and energy of your company. Consumers connect to the human element and bigger picture more than they do a product or service, so make this statement emotional and true to your values. Once you’re pleased with the story, make sure it’s visible and accessible on your website. You can even turn your “about us” story into shorter form content for social media posts, taglines, and more.

Get behind the lens

Take a half hour for your own mini shoot! Having photos and videos at the ready for your product or service can come in handy when you need to post something on your social channels, update your website, or send out an email. Get your product, staff, or yourself in front of some good lighting and snap away right on your cell phone. No professional photo shoot needed. If you really want to go above and beyond, you can find cheap tripods and ring lights online. Both are simple and inexpensive ways to elevate a photo shoot. Go ahead, say cheese! Your future self will thank you.

Check your socials

Have you looked at your social media profiles lately? There is a good chance they haven’t been updated in quite some time. Social media is your digital first impression, so you need to give a clear view of what your business is within a few short seconds. Some easy ways to achieve this are to ensure you have a clear profile photo and a short, punchy elevator pitch that describes your business or service located in your bio. You will also want to include any store information customers should know. Consider using the link options for this and any other websites or online shops you’d like easily available.

Lastly, look for opportunities to thread your branding throughout each social channel. You could find ways to add visual consistency to your photos and graphics or make sure your social media copy is in a similar voice as the “about me” you wrote. And there you go — you are your very own social media manager!

Make the connection

The biggest marketing faux pas? Not listing your marketing channels on your other marketing channels. Spend a few minutes looking at your websites, social media handles, and any other digital channels to make sure they are all interlinked. Your website should always link out to your social channels and vice versa. This cross-promotion allows your audience to learn more about your business, follow you, and stay engaged with your brand for longer, hopefully converting in the end. It’s free and simple self-promotion!

Be a little strategic

A strategic marketing plan is in reach, even for the busiest businesses. Dedicating some thought to your businesses goals, target audience, and value propositions will go a long way in how you market yourself. Don’t fear — we have an easy marketing strategy framework you can download and follow here in this Retailvisory article. And just like that, you are your very own strategist!

Boom, that’s it. Knock these few steps out and feel the positive momentum in your marketing plan. You will feel more organized and prepared for future marketing advancements. After you complete these, we recommend digging into building content for your brand — our content 101 article is here for just that.