Imagup General Magazine 2024
Whether you’re a new addition to the community or have been established for several years, you most likely want to find ways to outsmart the local competition.
This is much easier said than done; hundreds of thousands of businesses are established every single month. All of these companies are competing for the top spot in their respective sectors. This makes it extremely difficult for small businesses to stand out, especially if they’re located in major cities.
Thankfully, you don’t have to be another drop in the business bucket — 2024 is your time to shine! With the right mindset, tools, and strategies, you can climb your way to the top of the ladder.
The useful tips mentioned below will help you get a competitive edge in 2024:
Utilize Social Media
Throughout the past few years, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, have become the backbone of small business marketing.
These platforms allow you to reach countless prospective customers by posting photos, videos, and status updates.
However, crafting quality content isn’t a walk in the park — it takes a lot of time and effort to get familiar with conventional social media techniques and practices. If you don’t have the time to learn the ins and outs of social media, you may want to hire a content specialist.
Content specialists can help you create relatable content that can convert clicks into sales. This is because they know what types of content you need to share in order to reach the largest possible user base.
Alternatively, you can hire a brand ambassador. Brand ambassadors are individuals that are respected in a specific field. You can use a brand ambassador to garner authority and improve brand awareness.
As an example, if your business is in the athletic industry, then you may want to reach out to professional athletes with large social media followings (preferably over one million followers). You can then pay/sponsor the athlete to wear or use your products on social media. This can have a considerable impact on your brand as a whole.
Step Up Your Branded Apparel Selection
Having branded apparel can help you spread the word about your business and improve brand memorability.
When people wear your branded clothing in public, it creates an opportunity for people to learn about your business. Additionally, if your clothing is comfortable, your customers will most likely tell their friends and family members!
Not to mention, if there’s a demand for your branded products, they can become a reliable source of additional income. You can spend this extra income on things like:
- New products
- Hiring additional staff
- Updated or new equipment
If you’ve never purchased custom apparel for your business before, then you may not know where to go — the most efficient and cost-effective option is to go to a reputable printing company, like Prints Canada.
Most major cities have a variety of printing companies that specialize in screen printing. For those that don’t know, screen printing is a printing method that involves pulling ink across a silk screen printing machine and applying it onto a garment.
Many people are familiar with screen printed t shirts; however, modern printing companies are capable of printing on several different types of garments, such as:
- Sweatshirts
- Outerwear (jackets, beanies, etc.)
- Sweatpants
Most printing companies can also print on fun accessories like:
- Tote bags
- Cinch bags
- Wine bottle totes
- Aprons
These products make exceptional giveaway items and look great behind the counter of your business.
If you want to save money on the custom t shirt printing process, then you should place a bulk order. When you buy in bulk (generally over 100 pieces), you end up spending less per garment — this allows you to increase your profit margins and earn more in the long run!
Furthermore, when you buy in bulk, you end up saving time as well. This is because you don’t have to spend as much time placing orders or waiting for deliveries. And, as you most likely know, “time is money,” so you don’t want to waste it!
Spend Less Time “Selling” and More Time “Building”
Many small business owners have a difficult time differentiating “selling” and “building” their business. This is understandable, as they sound like they could be used interchangeably. However, these terms are quite different and need to be used appropriately.
“Selling” is directly related to promoting a good, service, or product. This generally focuses on details or specifications about the latter.
On the other hand, “building” is related to promoting how your brand (or its products) can add value to a person’s life. This is usually done through scene-setting and storytelling.
Here’s an example — imagine that a camping company was looking for a new advertisement for a tent. What sounds more effective: a picture of the tent or a picture of a couple sitting in front of a tent while camping on a mountain top?
Most of you will pick the latter. This is because the second picture tells a story and makes consumers feel something (as opposed to feeling they like they are being sold something).
However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have basic “selling” advertisements. These types of ads are ideal for things like:
- Product descriptions/basic web store copy
- Print ads (newspapers, catalogs, etc.)
- Flyers and email blasts
Start a Web Series
Do you (or one of your team members) love to be in front of the camera? Then you may want to consider starting a web series.
This is a simple (and fun) way for prospective customers to learn about your products. Not to mention, if people enjoy the web series, it can add value to their lives (which, as mentioned earlier, is extremely important).
There are several tried-and-true web series formats that you can try out. Some common formats include:
- Q & As
- Product tests/sampling
- Podcast-style commentary
However, if you have your own innovative formatting ideas, feel free to try them out!
If you play your cards right, you can make 2024 your biggest year yet, especially if you make use of the tips mentioned above.
