subject: Small Business Marketing Choices Where Do You Fit In [print this page] There once was a time when all a small business owner had to do for advertising was hang a small flyer in the window or place a small ad in the local newspaper, but oh, how times have changed!
These days, the landscape of small business marketing has expanded beyond the borders of what anyone could have possibly perceived way back then. Gone are the days of simplistic ads and in their place an array of choices have emerged. For the small business owner, these new options may seem overwhelming, and at times, confusing.
Todays small business owner has many choices when it comes to marketing his business. Forgoing the traditional choices of print advertising, TV, and radio, the internet has become a vast ocean of potential customers and those with little knowledge in the area of online marketing may find themselves lost amidst the various marketing avenues.
So, what is a business owner to do when faced with marketing their goods and services online?
Lets explore some of the options.
GOING IT ALONE
If you have a limited budget, you may choose to conduct your small business marketing in house. You may be a one horse shop and cannot afford to hire in a full time marketing professional. In this case, it is strongly recommended that you do some research before deciding on a marketing strategy. Online marketing can be very involved and there is a great deal of information out there to absorb. The options are endless.
Start with a basic search in Google or Yahoo for the term Small Business Marketing. This will provide a good amount of information to get you started. You can also look into Social Marketing and explore sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Squidoo. There are many marketing choices available, and before you dive right in, you should understand the differences and the amount of work which may be ahead of you.
BRINGING IN A PROFESSIONAL
If the whole idea of internet marketing, or marketing in general, makes you want to pull out the ol 8-track and crawl into a 1970s worm hole, then you may want to hire a professional marketing firm or a freelance marketing consultant to help with the work.
The overall cost of these services are usually a lot less than one might assume and given the increase many can bring to your bottom line, they are well worth the amount you will pay for their services. The major benefit to using a small business marketing firm is that they cater to the small business owner. They understand the challenges that a small business owner faces when competing for market share versus the big guys.
Marketing consultants can be a great ally for the small business owner. Not only can they offer you their years of experience and a series of realistic marketing options, they can also provide you with their honest assessment of your particular needs; saving you money in the end.
If you are not at all familiar or comfortable with the intricate world of small business marketing, it is highly recommended you contact a consultant to discuss your needs. Going it alone may seem like the more cost effective choice, but not understanding your options and needs can end up costing you a lot more in the end.
by: Rolando Valdes
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