In an age where global industries are saturated with competition, most businesses are working hard to improve their market positions and scale upwards. However, as your organization might have discovered, this is very difficult to do, especially when you take into account the damage of the recent pandemic.
From the Wall Street Crash of 1929 to the Great Depression that ran from 1929 to 1939, there have been some terrible economic moments in history. However, businesses always bounce back – which is why the coming decade is something to be excited about rather than fearful of!
So, whether you’re a fresh start-up or medium-size corporation looking to reach new heights, make sure to read the following ten tips carefully. When applied correctly, they will help to take your business to the next level.
1. Switch to Online Learning and Training
No matter which industry you’re in, you’ve likely spent a ton of money on training your employees and new hires over recent years, right? After all, seminars and one-to-one training sessions don’t pay for themselves.
If your current learning and training plan is burning a hole in your company account, it’s highly recommended that you switch to online learning and training. Not only will this benefit you, but it will also benefit your current and future employees, as they will have all the resources they could possibly need.
When it comes to online learning platforms for business, thinqi.com is a great choice. Head to their website to read more about the different options open to you and whether an LMS or an LXP is the better choice for your company.
2. Pay for Ad Space
No matter what your marketing budget is, it’s a good idea to pay for ad space on different websites.
The websites you pay for ad space on should be relevant to your brand and products. This way, there’s a greater chance of you appealing to the website’s visitors.
For example, if you’re a clothing brand, it’s a good idea to pay for ad space on fashion blogs and other similar websites.
Paying for ad space is a proven internet marketing method. Although it will cost you in the short-term, the long-term pay-off is more than worth it.
3. Have a Memorable Tagline
Throughout human history, there have been hundreds of memorable taglines.
- Nike – ‘Just Do It.’
- L’Oréal – ‘Because You’re Worth It.’
- Burger King – ‘Have it Your Way.’
No matter which industry you operate in, you need to have a memorable tagline, too. Once you have one, you’ll be able to market your brand to a much higher level. Plus, consumers will be more likely to remember who you are!
Even though taglines are usually short and snappy, they can covey a really powerful message if you get them right.
4. Humanize Your Brand
In the modern age of marketing, brands have gone ‘human’. What this means is that brands have become more personable rather than being faceless corporations. If you visit any major brand’s social media pages – such as ASOS – you will immediately see this trend in action. From posting memes to communicating with customers as if they were friends, there are lots of different ways in which brands are humanizing themselves.
Not to mention, another popular method is using social media influencers. Influencers help to attach a friendly and popular face to a brand, which is great for brand recognition and sales.
5. Run Competitions and Giveaways
If you want some guaranteed brand exposure without spending too much money, then competitions and giveaways are your best friend. The key is to get the word out on social media when you’re running one. From there, you should get lots of signups where people provide you with their emails and phone numbers (which you can then use for marketing purposes in the future),
Here are some common giveaway examples:
- In-store or online coupons
- Year-long discounts
- Free subscriptions to particular services you offer
Generally, customers won’t engage with giveaways unless there’s an incentive to do so – which is why you need to make your prizes noticeable and worthwhile.
6. Diversify Your Team
Next is another incredibly important tip: diversify your team. By hiring people from different backgrounds – in terms of both ethnicity and experience levels – you’ll be able to build a brand that consumers can directly relate to. Plus, it will also make your business more appealing to future employees who will see that you’re a business focused on inclusion.
It’s also important to showcase your diverse company culture across your website, social media platforms, and other marketing materials, as this will help to grow your brand appeal.
7. Form a Strategic Partnership
If you don’t have one already, it’s a good idea to form a strategic partnership with another organization.
What is a Strategic Partnership?
A strategic partnership is when two organizations form a professional relationship together. Usually, this will involve sharing resources and collaborating on products.
When done right, strategic partnerships can benefit both parties. However, for this to happen, there must be a clear and shared vision – otherwise, it will lead to disputes further down the line.
8. Outsource Your Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing is key to success in the modern business world. Without it, an organization will struggle to grow and reach new customers, especially in industries such as entertainment and technology.
When it comes to social media marketing, it’s recommended that you outsource it to a specialist company. This will free up time for you to focus on other important business functions without having to worry about running your Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages.
9. Offer Employees the Chance to Work from Home
To make your business more appealing to new employees, it’s recommended that you offer some form of hybrid work. This way, employees can achieve a healthy work-life balance. Plus, you will be able to access talent from other cities and countries more easily due to no geographical restrictions.
10. Upgrade Your Website
Lastly, make sure to upgrade your website. A modern website must be simplistic, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate. There should also be a focus on visual content – such as videos and photos – opposed to blocks of text.
Remember, your website is key to building your brand reputation online (and is often the first point of contact between you and customers), which is why it’s so important to make it perfect.