We often hear that having a strong online presence is crucial if you want to grow your small business. The first steps marketers usually take are to build a website, curate social media channels and pay for social ads. While these tactics are fundamental, what else can you do? Here are six of the best ways to market your small business in 2022 that you may not have considered.

1. Join your local BIA

A Business Improvement Association (BIA) is tasked with funding improvements for a local business area. A BIA will often promote their member businesses through social media channels or events. Becoming a member and making your business known to your local BIA is one way to create local awareness and develop a network of support. After all, small businesses are critical to the growth of Canada’s economy.

2. Enlist brand ambassadors

Your potential customers may not be swayed by traditional ads anymore. As we turn more often to our peers for product recommendations, brand ambassadors are one of the best ways to market your small business. A brand ambassador is someone who represents your product or service and builds awareness by promoting them on their own social channels. Ideally, find people with a substantial following, but even a small network can have a real impact.

3. Build an email list

An email list is one of your best assets as a business owner. It’s highly personal and allows you to connect directly with people who have shown sincere interest by subscribing. For those who are just starting out and can’t invest much money, email is one of the most cost-effective forms of marketing. If you’re unsure of how to start, here are seven creative ways to grow your email list.

4. Join your neighbourhood Facebook group

Word of mouth is a powerful and underestimated form of promotion. There are many hyper-localized community groups on Facebook where neighbours can discuss issues affecting their community and provide recommendations. This is a great place to start building trust with potential customers. Make sure to check the group’s guidelines and genuinely engage before promoting your products and services. You may be surprised as to how quickly you build brand familiarity. This is also a great way to get honest feedback from customers and make improvements to your business.

5. Offer a free webinar

Depending on your offering, a webinar may be one of the best ways to market your small business in 2022. Webinars help position you as an expert and a leader in your niche. They drive engagement and offer numerous interactive features like Q&A, live polls, and audience feedback in real-time. If you feel you have something to teach, webinars are a great way to build up a reputation, while collecting feedback to improve your services.

6. Try co-marketing

Is there a local business with an offering complementary to your own, and not a direct competitor? Perhaps you bake wedding cakes and there’s a great florist in your area. SMBs can grow more quickly by adopting co-marketing strategies. If you share a similar customer base, why not collaborate on a cross-promotion? Each business benefits from the success of the other, and working together provides a boost of confidence to get your campaign off the ground.Yellow Pages can help build smart digital marketing programs to help your business thrive in 2022. Call 1-877-553-6883 today for a free consultation with one of our digital experts.