In the early days, most businesses do not have the benefit of a big marketing and sales team. As a result, it is imperative that a well-developed marketing strategy alongside a fully equipped marketing toolbox is vital. This is how a business communicates its brand messaging to a consumer or client and drives them to take action.
It can be overwhelming when you first start out to know what tools you need in your marketing toolbox, so here, we are going to look at some of the key things you should have.
Business cards
Business cards are a great thing to have about your person at all times. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to carry about and contain the information that people need to get in touch with you. You also never quite know when someone is going to ask for your card, and it can be more than a little awkward and unprofessional to not have one with you. If you do not want the hassle of carrying about physical business cards or want to show your innovation, look at Blinq digital business cards as an alternative.
Printed materials
Despite living in an ever-increasingly digital era, printed materials still more than have their place, especially when combined with digital marketing efforts. This could be a flyer, brochure, postcard, or catalogue, depending on your business. Consider the real-world application of what you want to print. How many different ways will your collateral need to be used? Who is your target audience, and what do you want them to do after viewing your marketing materials? Answering these questions will assist you in determining the best format and messaging for your brand.
A website
A website is most likely the most important tool in your marketing toolbox. It provides your company with an online base where customers can learn about what you do, get in touch with you, see examples of your work, and much more. An effective website serves as a foundation for future growth. It is important to get this right as it is often the first point of contact that a client will have with you. Spend some time looking at SEO strategies to make sure you are as visible as possible on search engine result pages.
Social media profiles
Depending on your industry, you will need to create at least one social media company profile. If you run a business that serves customers at a specific location or within a specific service area, Google My Business can help people find you. Consider platforms like Instagram and Pinterest if you have a lot of visuals to show off or products to sell online. To reach a broad range of people, Facebook and Twitter are a good idea. For video content, YouTube and even TikTok are worth taking a look at.
Promotional materials
Who doesn’t love a free mug or a free pen? Handing out these with your branding on them is a great way to get your name out there. Every time someone uses it, they will be subconsciously reminded of who you are and what you do.