How to Increase Your Market Visibility Without Spending a Cent

Sometimes 'spending money to make money' is not an option. There will be times where there is simply not the funds available to enhance your brand. This does not mean that you should do nothing, in fact that is the worst thing you can do. With the advent of social media, and the timeless value of word of mouth, it is possible to increase your market visibility, without spending a cent. 

How? 

I am so glad you asked!   

Have staff support your initiatives

If your marketing team is sharing news, information or events via your social media pages, make sure your staff support these stories. It does look a little poor to see a business post information about a new and exciting product, only to have a handful of people 'like' it. On sites such as Facebook and Linked in, a member's contacts can see when they 'like' something, thus sharing your business content with a wider audience. 

Why is this a great idea?

Social media success is generally measured in terms of 'likes' (although we know it is really much more than this...) and so posts can create buzz if being liked and shared among large groups of people. It also shows that your staff support your business and want to share its successes. 

How to implement this into your workplace:

As your social media manager posts a new status or important announcement online, send a group email to all with a direct link to the update, inviting them to view and like, comment or share. Make it as simple for your staff to like or share to ensure maximum efficiency.

Don't have a marketing team? No problem! As the owner, or Manager, make 'appointments' in your weekly calendar to post something great that is happening, or going to happen, within your business. Identify the platforms you want to be utilising - social networks, general or specific Internet forums, wikis, blogs, and so on. No need to write a lot, but check your spelling and grammar before you post.

Blog from multiple perspectives

This will depend on the type of business you are in, but there is no reason why staff from various departments cannot blog about their field of expertise. For example, a member of your finance team has an interest in the Federal Government's proposed changes to the fringe benefits tax and would like to share their thoughts and opinions on the matter. Or a member of your sales team attended a motivational seminar and they would like to share their experience. 

Why is this a great idea?

You differentiate your business from just doing the job, to demonstrating that your staff are experts in a wider field, and as such remain current with their knowledge, skills and contacts. It also shows that your staff are passionate about what they do, so much so that they are willing to go over and above their designated job description to promote your business. 

How to implement this into your workplace:

You may want to call for volunteers and have a roster of who is the designated blogger for the week, even incentivise strong blogs by offering rewards for total page views/ comments/ leads generated as a result of the specific post. Give staff some allocated time during business hours to complete the blog. Talk to your staff about their areas of interest, and connect it back to how this makes your business better than the rest. For example, if you have a group of staff who all enter the City to Surf and raise money for charities, blog about it! If you have a staff member who has just been crowned champion at a dog show, blog about it! It will add a human element to your business, and you may be able to connect with a niche market.

Don't just be consumers, be creators

It is easy to use the Internet as a consumer, to find information necessary for you to do your job and nothing more. If you want to set your business apart from your competitors, create! Create a Prezi, an Infographic, or Slide Share presentation on a product or service you provide.

Why is this a great idea?

If you are a technology company telling people that you are cutting edge, prove it! PowerPoint presentations are a tad 1990s, as are glossy brochures that only provide superficial fluff. Infographics engage readers of all ability levels and pair visuals with short, sharp cuts of relevant information. Research suggests they are so effective in communicating your message, as visual information is processed 60,000 times faster than text. As the 'fast food' of transferring information, and in this age of YOLO (Google it if you are not sure what this is all about...) your prospective clients will be 'lovin' it'.

How to implement this into your workplace:

Identify time or days where business is quiet, and use these times to create. Play with apps and websites that facilitate the creation of innovative and unique presentations to support staff through the creation process. 

A simple Google search of "Infographic creator" will uncover a number of web based tools to get you started on your Infographic journey. 

                                

Give it a go, implement one of these suggestions within your business. Network, connect with people who are in organisations who are doing this well, and ask them for their advice.  The worst thing you can do, is to do nothing. 

"All right, I'll give it a try."  - Luke 

"No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try" - Yoda