Every business needs to continue to grow, though the definition of growth may vary slightly from business to business. Large companies may insist on improving their revenue and profits quarter after quarter to appease the board and investors. Small companies may be happy with consistent sales, but will still need to adapt, innovate, and grow to keep up with the increasingly fast-paced world out there.
Growing your business, especially if you are a new or small business, does not have to feel out of your reach. Technically all you need to do is look at your business and workflow and then at how you can better connect with people who would love your company. It’s just two simple approaches, one from the back end of your business and one from the front, yet many small or new businesses struggle with this two-pronged approach.
Regardless of whether you sell items or offer services, this guide will help you grow your small business in 2022 and beyond:
First understand your current situation
Living with your current situation and understanding the why behind your current situation are two very different things. If you want to make real, impactful steps forward, you first need to understand what is holding you back. This can be very difficult for small businesses who typically tend to lack the resources and means that larger companies do.
The good news is that there is outsourcing. You can hire an SEO company or a full-service digital marketing company, a business consultant, and so on. Outsourcing is a great way to get the best possible service at the best rate, especially if it’s just to have an audit done on your business and then have a strategy created on your behalf.
Some companies will take over the strategy implementation, and others will be happy to provide you with their report and be done. The right option for you will depend on the tasks that need to be done and also the budget that you are working with. In general, keep the professionals on to handle tasks that are either too much for you to take on top of business management or too out of your depth.
How to grow your business model?
To grow, you need direction. This doesn’t mean that you cannot work with new opportunities as they come, but you do absolutely need a general idea of the new ways your business will grow. This roadmap is not going to be full of goals like reaching so many followers but instead actions that will help you develop your business further.
If you operate a store, you may want to look into subscription services. If you operate a café, you may want to look into including a small bookstore or other lifestyle section to increase sales.
There are many ways that you can expand your business offerings to make sense and work to bring customers back in again and again. Book stores can also be wine bars. Clothing stores can also be the go-to place for repairs. The goal is to encourage more customers to come back regularly, and with so many other small businesses you can partner with, you can keep it fresh and interesting for years to come.
However, there is a risk, and that risk is in attempting too much at once. Start with just one project and idea at a time, work out the kinks, and then analyze the results. Once this new idea has successfully been incorporated into your small business, you can get started with the next program.
How to grow your business online?
Growing your business online is, for example, one of the best ways to expand a small brick-and-mortar business if you don’t already have an established digital presence. Social media, digital marketing, and PR marketing can all bring more customers to your store (online and in-store), and it is one of the key ways that you will grow your business in terms of sales and customer base.
Always, always start with your website. If you don’t have one, make one. If you have an outdated or difficult to use site, revamp it. If the project ahead of you is huge, it’s a great idea to skip the DIY and instead do it all right the first time by finding an excellent all-in-one agency like the digital marketing company Twelve Three Media. This agency, and those like it, cover everything from web design and development to social media, digital, PPC, and proximity marketing. With a dedicated team tackling all of your digital and marketing needs at once, you can smash through the digital barrier and really launch your new business into the world of online.
The best way to grow any business is online. Having people come in near you is great in terms of foot traffic, but there will be people in your customer base who just don’t know you exist or haven’t yet popped in. By creating an online presence and using smart social media marketing, digital marketing, and PR marketing, you can connect to more customers and open many exciting doors for your future.
Through social media
A thriving social media presence is a great place to start. For the best results, invest in a good camera setup. You don’t need the most expensive, top-of-the-line camera, but something a bit more powerful than your phone should do the trick. Take photos of your store, learn how to create text posts, and so on. There are so many free online tools available that will allow you to create very exciting posts on social media, but that’s just the start.
You will also want to engage with your community. Try to find influencers and others who post near your store (especially if it’s another business) and be friendly. You want to be active online because it brings more people to your social media accounts.
Though being original is a great way to stand out, don’t feel bad about following trends – particularly on TikTok. These can help you grow at the beginning and help you learn more about what approach you want to take with your own business and what content gets the most traction.
A thought-out social media campaign can help customers find you, but more importantly, it can help them appreciate your business more.
Through digital marketing
Digital marketing refers to all digital marketing methods, including social media. Pay-per-click marketing, marketplace marketing, SEO improvements and marketing, and so on all play a huge role in helping your business expand its reach and connect with users on a variety of different platforms.
Through Public Relations (PR)
PR is an excellent way for a small business to grow and gain traction. From hosting special events or charity campaigns and getting local news agencies to report about you to partnering with other local businesses, there are many excellent ways to grow your company with the power of public relations.
A good place to start is to get to know the other brands on your street. You can partner with other businesses in your area in many innovative, creative ways that help you both grow. As for getting your business featured in the news or local travel accounts, consider what events or what decorations can make your business stand out enough to become something of a tourist hotspot on its own.
There are so many ways that you can grow your business in 2022, but relying on professionals, and being innovative when it comes to partnering with others, are two of the best ways to grow your business and your customer base.
