You don’t need to invest a lot of money to update your business with the intention of reaching customers/clients. Instead show your business some love by enhancing existing features and dusting off some under-used ones.
Whether store or office, make minor changes to its physical appearance. Don’t forget to first set a budget. A litter-free parking area plus clean doors/windows are a good start. Inside, rearrange your floor plan, then add new area mats, shelving and (or) lighting. Smarten an old beverage area with new coffee/tea pots and matching mugs. Customers also appreciate access to fresh water.
Newsletters still reign strong as their ability to reach customers proves more successful than overcrowded social media platforms.
Be sure your opening is short but engaging, then move on to what you want to share in the form of tips and specials. Balance the copy with imagery.
Popular newsletter services include MailChimp, free for up to 500 subscribers, and their features are easy to use. Constant Contact is a favourite, but they have no free plan, templates are dated, and busy business owners lack easy to use options. I have not tried it, but Mailer Lite prides itself on its simplicity and is free for up to 1000 subscribers.
Nothing gets stale faster than a website; fresh copy and photographs will remedy this. Rewriting the home and about pages is particularly productive. Your customers value authenticity above everything in 2024. They want to know you and your business story.
Remove old services/products and blog posts. Make sure links and social icons go to the correct pages. Is the ‘Contact Us’ page accurate? Don’t forget to add new customer testimonials.
Photographs speak to people. Real-time pictures of your company are crucial, but stock photographs can better depict the seasons, special occasions, community giving/support, landscapes, and emotions.
Shutterstock and iStock are my two standards. They have good filter systems, allowing you to refine your search quickly. While a bit pricier, Stocksy has stunning photographs and videos for those extra-special marketing campaigns.
Free sites can be a slippery slope, but I do sometimes use Unsplash.com. It has a unique selection, plus they don’t sell your email address or drown you with unwanted emails.
While the future of your business lies in more than just social media, changes should be funnelled into your social accounts for fresh content. Links to the improved website pages, photographs of your reorganized store or office, sign-up information for the newsletter, and innovative visuals for upcoming sales, news, and special dates will give your socials a ‘free’ boost.
Jill Crossland is a business and marketing consultant who can take your business and social media to the next level.