How to Market Your Business Without Social Media

A lot of small biz owners, and I’m totally guilty of this one, rely a lot on social media to market our businesses. It’s where we share what we do and what we offer. But then we’re also guilty of moaning that we’re not getting enough sales from social media! 

So rather than moaning it’s maybe time to look at other marketing channels away from social media. Here’s 5 ways for you to consider: 

1. Email Marketing

I am a big fan of this one and actually when I’m selling events it’s definitely where I get more sales than direct from social media. 

Email Marketing is a lot more personable than social media – you can speak direct to your audience and you can also target specific groups with specific content or offers.

Many people are put off by email marketing as they think it feels like another thing to add to the to do list but there’s a lot you can repurpose from your socials and it really is valuable in building connection and engagement with your audience. 

2. List on Online Directories or Marketplaces

Depending on what you sell there may be a range of directories or marketplaces you can advertise on. 

If you’re selling a product then there are many marketplaces out there – big ones like Etsy and smaller more niche ones too – do some research to find some that suit your product and target audience. 

There are often local directories for all types of business (we have one as part of Chiltern Biz membership) and also industry specific ones. 

There is often a cost involved with listing on directories or selling through marketplaces so you may need to do a bit of trial & error to find out which ones work best for you, but remember these things do take time and quick results are rare. 

3. Build Your Network 

Networking is a great way to market your business. For me it’s not about turning up at an event and finding customers there & then; it’s about building connections, letting people get to know you & your business, and then building from there.

The people at the networking event may not be your ideal customer but they may know someone who is so don’t dismiss any connections. As well as finding customers through your network, you may find other businesses to collaborate and work with too.

There are many different types of networking – online and in person – and for different types of people. My advice is to always give them a go, finding the right group for you can sometimes to take some time but it’s worth it. If you’d like to attend a Chiltern Biz event then find out what we’ve got on here.

4. Print Marketing

In such a digital age, we can sometimes overlook simple marketing like leaflets and posters but there’s definitely still a place for these.

If you have a specific event or offer you’re promoting then posters in prominent places or a leaflet drop can really help raise awareness.

For general marketing you may be able to display a leaflet or business card on a local noticeboard or in a local shop.

Next time you’re out and about take notice of what’s around, who is advertising where and where you may be able to leave leaflets or cards. Don’t be afraid to ask someone if you can leave some flyers (particularly if other businesses already do) the worst they can do is say no!

5. Local Community Engagement

Supporting your local community can be a really good marketing tool, as well as giving you the feel good factor!

You could sponsor a local event or donate a raffle prize – many of these type of events are run by volunteers who are grateful for any support and will often talk about you in many different rooms. Getting the word out to your local community about what you do is really important as we all do love to support local business but don’t always know what is right there on our doorstep.

Bonus: Don’t Forget Your Customer!

So I promised 5 ways to market your business but couldn’t resist including this sixth one. When we talk about marketing we’re usually focused on reaching new audiences but our warmest leads (aka people most likely to buy) are our current & past customers. You may be missing out on some easy sales by not talking to these people often enough.

If you delight your current customers then they’re more likely to tell their friends so keep going with your excellent customer service. When you have new services or products, or any promotions, make sure you let your current customers know about them first. You could also consider a ‘returning customer’ discount or a ‘tell a friend’ promotion. And don’t forget a simple upsell at the checkout – if they’re buying one thing, they may buy more!

Market Your Business Without Social Media

Hopefully I’ve given you a few ideas for marketing your business away from social media. Remember there’s no ‘silver bullets’ or quick fixes when it comes to marketing and there’s a lot of trial & error so keep going and track what’s working & what’s not.