Small businesses are unique in that they often have a product or service that fills a niche, along with a very defined target customer. Many small businesses excel in customer service, yet struggle in brand development and recognition as they may be unsure which avenue to take and how much to spend.

How much have you pushed your brand?

There are simple steps you can take as a small business owner to gain community engagement, trust and recognition.

5 Marketing Tips for the Small Business

1. Give Your Stuff Away

Frozen Pints grew its craft beer ice cream business by leaps and bounds by attending craft beer shows and farmers markets to do one thing - give their product away. Customers loved the unexpected combination and began requesting stores carry it.

2. Network

Attend and offer your product or service at community events. People will notice the overall contribution and will look at you as the industry expert. Another option would be to host an event that provides opportunity to show off your product or service.

3. Send a Weekly E-mail

Stay in a relationship with your customers by sending them a weekly email that provides some sort of value to them. This can be quick tips, advice or something creative around your product or service.

4. Volunteer or Support a Cause

Find a cause that is a good fit with your business. Mary Hester of LAN Systems throws an annual cookout every Earth Day, asking party-goers to bring their "e-waste.” At a recent event, they collected more than 2 tons of IT equipment, keeping it out of the landfills and creating goodwill with their customers - current and potential.

Many local organizations also look for sponsors throughout the year, and in turn, include your logo on event information. If your product or service is a good fit with their audience, you could get exposure every time the organization sends out information.

5. Give Something Cool Away

Give away a promotional product they can use or will think is pretty cool. An industry study found that 73% of consumers use promo products on a weekly basis. Whether on a shirt, a mug or bag, let your consumers spread your name.

Are you looking for high quality, branded products and top-notch customer care? Contact Studio Eleven Promotional Products at 877-634-3499. If you’re just getting started, read our Beginner’s Guide to Purchasing Promo Products for some tips!