5 Online Marketing Secrets for Small Businesses
Whether you’re a freelance graphic designer or a tech-focused entrepreneur, marketing yourself online isn’t an option. It’s an effective outlet to gain visibility at scale and can help people learn more about your business at their convenience.
One of the biggest challenges is knowing where to focus your efforts. The online marketing landscape is growing, making it difficult to know where and how to start.
Here are a few of our favorite online marketing secrets that can get you in front of the right people and build your credibility in the process.
1. Guest Blog
Blogging on another website gives you an instant boost in visibility and credibility. It’s a testament that someone else deemed you enough of an expert in your field to publish on their website.
Many guest bloggers use this as a way to capitalize on a similar audience to their own and get in front of more people. You can also use it to build backlinks, generate website traffic, and grow your social media audiences.
2. Start a Blog on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is the professional’s network, so it’s deserving of a spot in your online marketing toolbox. And in case you didn’t know, the platform also offers its own internal blogging feature that lets you write, post, and share articles you write.
These articles are attached to your name and profile and can help to build your authority and credibility in your field. You can also use hashtags to help people find your content and share your articles in relevant groups to gain exposure.
3. Participate in Online Forums
Facebook, Reddit, Quora, and industry-specific online forums are great places to find quality leads. It allows you to become part of a conversation regarding your industry or expertise and can give you an “in” to solve someone else’s problem.
Like any type of marketing, the more consistent you are in using a forum and building your presence, the greater the potential payout. Your goal shouldn’t just be to drop in every once in a while, but rather become a true expert people using the forum can turn to for help or advice.
4. Embrace Search Engine Marketing
If you’re investing time and effort in SEO to get organic traffic, you should know that results don’t happen overnight. In fact, SEO can take months of consistent effort before you start seeing the needle move, and even then, there’s no guarantee you’ll rank well against your competitors.
One way to bypass the wait is to invest in search engine marketing (SEM) by using paid ads. These ads will place you at the top of the search page, ahead of the organic rankings, so you can capitalize on more traffic. Best of all, you only pay when someone clicks your ad.
5. Use a Virtual Office Address Instead of a Home Address
When you’re creating a website or other marketing materials, using a virtual office address instead of your home address can give you a credibility boost. Virtual offices can be in any city you choose, giving you the appearance of having an office space even if you’re working from home.
At Office Evolution, we can set you up with a virtual workspace that gives you the freedom of the home office with big city credibility. Find the Office Evolution location nearest you and build your reputation!