12 tips to promote your business

(photo from wix)

1. Take advantage of local listings

Register your business with Google — it's the new yellow pages. It allows potential customers to find your company's location and hours of operation easily. Customers can also post reviews of your business.

2. Use social media - These platforms allow you to actively inform, attract and engage with your followers.

3. Create engaging content -Content is the key to spreading brand awareness and connecting with your target audience.

4. Optimize your website's SEO -Search engine optimization (SEO) helps your website show up higher in Google search rankings. Using relevant keywords throughout your business's web pages and blog posts increases the chance of users finding your site when they search online for businesses like yours.

5. Create press releases -Any time your business does something notable or newsworthy, draft a press release to send to your local news outlets. These publications actively look for interesting stories and often use press releases to create articles.

6. Get involved in an online community - One of the best ways to promote your business is to join an industry-specific online community.

7. Use high-quality visuals -Visuals are key. Investing in high-quality visual content for your site and social media is a must. Many users rely on images to decide whom to follow and which posts to engage with. Consider including photos or videos of your products, services, facilities or staff.

8. Pay for advertising -If you're looking to expand your reach more quickly, buying ad space can help. Some of the most popular paid advertising methods are:

Television and radio ads: This traditional form of advertising costs more money but has a wider reach than other methods.

Promoted social media posts: You can pay to turn one of your business's social media posts into an ad. This method allows you to choose a target audience, region and length of time you'd like to run the ad.

Pay-per-click ads: Using this model, you pay a fee anytime someone clicks on your ad. Search engines like Google offer this service in which your ad appears at the top of a results page for keywords you've selected.

9. Participate in local and community events -If you operate as a local business, attending events — virtually and in person — where your target audience will likely be is a great way to network. Meet fellow business owners and prospective customers while promoting your business up close and personal.

10. Set up at trade shows -Trade shows bring together buyers and sellers from niche industries, giving you access to real leads. Though setting up at a trade show can be costly, many businesses experience a significant return on investment.

11. Host a workshop or webinar Teaching can help you gain exposure and position yourself as an authority in your field.

12. Offer a discounted or free product/service - Introductory discounts and free trials draw new customers by offering incentives for their interest. You can also encourage referrals by offering customers deals that they can share.