Promoting Your Business of One

Going into business for yourself can be a scary undertaking. Whether you’re starting up a full time solo business, or just a side gig to help you earn some extra spending money, marketing is an essential part of your business plan.

Although it might seem like you have a huge disadvantage in the marketing department, the truth is that modern marketing is built for someone just like you! Personal connections and remarkable products are what make modern marketing go around. All you have to be willing to do is open your mouth.

So without further ado, here are 5 great ways to market your business of one:

1. Social media. You’ve surely seen people using social media to market themselves in an obnoxious way, but there are also classy and considerate ways to go about it. You wouldn’t be doing what you’re doing if you weren’t passionate about it. So share your passion! Don’t always be salesly, but strike a balance between personal news and professional accomplishments. Create a separate page for your business so that you can promote posts and have a professional image.
2. Participate in trade shows. This is where vendors and customers in your area of expertise come together. Remember that you don’t have to buy a booth to promote your business at a trade show. Have cards and branded swag on hand. Chances are, you can make just as many useful professional connections as a patron of the trade show as a vendor.
3. Write content online. When it comes to online marketing, content is still king. Share your passion on a blog or website and make it shareable for readers and friends. Your content doesn’t always have to be a blog post. You can make videos, and share pictures and even music. Make it readily available and focus on sharing value rather than self-promoting.
4. Collect testimonials. This might feel awkward at first, but it actually becomes an organic part of your business when you realize how it can help you improve and how much it can boost and empower you to get through the hard parts of your business. Happy customers are thrilled to share their experience and help you become more successful. Ask for written testimonials, and give your satisfied customers opportunities to share their experience on their social media platforms too (whether that’s seizing photo ops, or running promotions.)
5. Sometimes it’s easier to have an item that does the talking. Branded swag is handy at trade shows, as we mentioned before, but that’s not the only opportunity you’ll have to use it. Sharing useful and pertinent items with your clientele, possible business contacts, and potential future clients will help your business to grow and thrive. Here are a few different business categories and some ideas for remarkable branded gear:

• Photographer:
  • Personalized jump drive to share photo files with your clients.
  • Professional-looking customized hats or shirts for you and any helpers or volunteers working with you.
• Musician:
  • Guitar picks
  • Posters
  • Bluetooth speakers or earbuds
• Freelance writer:
  • Embossed journal
  • Business cards
• Cake-baking:
  • Boxes and/or stickers with your logo
  • Personalized cake decorations
  • Personalized apron
• Hair or makeup tech:
  • Customized poster for a photo booth
  • Customized bridal beauty kit