Navigating Small Business Marketing: Expert Tips and Resources
Several months ago, we delved into a report by Constant Contact titled Small Business Now: The Current State of SMB Marketing, which revealed a concerning trend among small business owners. According to the report, 73% of these entrepreneurs were not confident that their current marketing strategies were effectively driving business growth. While that article shed light on the marketing challenges facing small businesses, it didn’t offer much in the way of solutions. To bridge that gap, I reached out to Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, for his expert insights.
How to Market Your Small Business
Rieva Lesonsky: If small business owners need help setting and meeting their marketing goals, where can they find it?
Dave Charest: Small business owners are often surprised by the wealth of resources available to them. The first place to look is within your own community. Local chapters of SCORE, a national nonprofit dedicated to small business education, offer free resources including mentorship, workshops, and templates tailored to your needs. These can be invaluable in helping you craft and execute a marketing strategy.
Another excellent resource is your local chamber of commerce. Joining your chamber can provide networking opportunities, access to community events, assistance with business challenges, and referral services that can help expand your customer base.
In addition to these community-based options, the internet is a goldmine of information and tools for small business marketing. From free webinars to comprehensive guides and forums, there’s an abundance of online resources that can help you sharpen your marketing skills and achieve your business goals.
Leveraging Community and Online Resources
SCORE and local chambers of commerce are often underutilized resources that can provide small business owners with both the guidance and the networking opportunities needed to enhance their marketing efforts. The mentors available through SCORE, for instance, bring a wealth of experience in various industries and can offer personalized advice tailored to your business’s specific challenges.
Online, platforms like Constant Contact offer a range of tools designed to simplify and streamline marketing efforts for small businesses. Whether you need help with email marketing, social media strategies, or customer engagement, there are resources available to help you refine your approach and achieve better results.
Taking the Next Step
While the initial report highlighted the struggles that many small business owners face in their marketing efforts, it’s important to remember that solutions are within reach. By tapping into local and online resources, small business owners can gain the knowledge, tools, and support they need to set and meet their marketing goals effectively.
If you’ve been feeling stuck or unsure about your current marketing strategy, now is the time to explore the resources available to you. With the right guidance and tools, you can transform your marketing efforts and drive growth for your business.