You had a great idea and started a business. You went through all of the work that comes with setting up and preparing a business for launch. You know there are people who want and need your business. So why is no one calling? Possibly, to the dismay of Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams, building a business does not mean customers will come. Even the best business in the world will fail if no one hears about it. So how do you build buzz?
Build an online presence using social media
The Internet is where most people turn today when researching new products, services, and solutions. Creating an online presence is an important part of building a business today. You first have to make sure that your website is professional and communicates what your company and brand offers. Then you need to get that website found in Sacramento using social media and that involves hiring a Sacramento social media agency to make sure you’re content is getting attention, being shared and linked to by authority resources online.
You’ll also want to pay attention to business listing sites, such as Manta and the Yellow Pages. These sites can serve as a source of website traffic, so make sure the information they have is accurate.
Paying attention to online reviews is another important part of building your online presence. If someone is complaining about your business on Yelp, for example, make sure you go in and respond to them. While you may not be able to make every customer happy, you do show potential customers how professional you are, even in the face of negativity. That can help build a positive perception of your brand, even if there are negative reviews about you online.
Social media platforms are another element to a strong online presence. By developing and creating profiles on a few of the major networks, such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Google+, you have the opportunity to control what people find when they search for your business. For more information about how to create an effective social media presence, read our post, “7 Things to Avoid for Social Media.”
Understand What You Do – And Tell People
In order to explain what you do to other people, you first have to understand your own business. You need to be able to answer the following questions in 1-2 sentences:
- What does your business do?
- Who benefits from your business?
- Why do you stand out from the competition?
- How are you preparing for the future of your industry?
Once you know the answers to these questions, you can describe what you do consistently and concisely. This is commonly known as “the elevator pitch” and it should take about 30 seconds to describe. When someone asks you what you do, make sure you are hitting the key points described above. You never know when you may run into a potential customer or brand evangelist.
Be Active
Staying active and present in your industry and your community can be extremely useful in helping to build buzz and spread the word about your company. Joining a board, volunteering, or being generous with your time can all pay off down the road. Not only do you have the opportunity to build connections and increase exposure for your brand, but you can also present your brand as responsible and positive. That will make people more likely to engage with you, refer others your way, and maybe even become customers.
If you need additional help and insight into how to build buzz for your business, you are not alone. OnPoint Internet Marketing has helped hundreds of businesses improve their online presence, increase leads, and grow their business. Contact us to learn more!