Starting a new business and have a limited budget? Here’s how to affordably start marketing.

As an internet marketing specialist who has been in the business for over 20 years, I have been asked by many people how they should start marketing their new business while taking their start-up level budget into consideration.

In response, I ask the new business owner to share with me:

• the name of their business and how the history of that name
• a description of its services and products
• a description of its ideal client or customer
• its intended geographic reach
• a statement of what will make the business unique in its market niche

If the business owner can’t answer these questions succinctly, then I respond by encouraging them to meet with a local Small Business Development Center (SBDC.) The SBDC will help them learn how to categorize and market their business. 

If the business owner can answer these questions, then I ask whether they have developed a logo, company colors, or any other brand identity pieces. If they don’t have these, then I recommend that we start with these with the goal of developing a logo and business cards that will help the business owner make traditional, in-person connections.

Next I recommend the following marketing strategies:

• Keyword research to identify the phrases that people might use to find the business online
• Content development to include keyword-rich text
• A mobile friendly, quick-to-load website 
• Optimized pages in local maps and review sites such as Google My Business (Maps), Yelp, etc.
• Online reputation monitoring and coordination
• Email marketing
• Pay per click marketing
• Social media marketing (selection of specific strategies such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, etc. depending on ideal customer demographics)

I offer a one hour complimentary consultation to help businesses develop a prioritized outline of possible marketing strategies. To schedule your complimentary consultation, please call me at 206.244.9092 or email info@4cesi.com.