BY HOLLY BOWYER, CEO OF MEDIA & MARKETING MINDS
Mary, Mary quite contrary…
Do you remember that nursery rhyme? It may have been a long time since you heard it, but as I recently spent some time building a garden, that phrase just kept repeating in my head. I had to think a minute about the next line… “how does your garden grow?” As I was picking weeds, pulling out roots, throwing away waste, hoeing, leveling the dirt and sowing the seeds, I was keeping my fingers crossed that wildlife would not eat my bounty and my garden would grow once I planted the seeds.
Forget about the garden for a minute: apply that poem to your business. How many times have you kept your fingers crossed and hoped that your business would grow? If you are like 99% of business owners, that thought has entered your mind a few different times - especially in today’s world, as we all deal with the impact of the Coronavirus. But even in this time of turmoil, NOW is the time to focus on that “business garden” - weed, clean out, sow and feed your business so that you continue to build your reputation, increase your awareness and connect with potential customers. Here are a few ways you can fertilize your business.
Keep up with your social media
Recently a study was done that cited that 75% of consumers think businesses should continue to inform them of what they are doing during the shelter-in-place order. (Kantar Study, March 2020) So, don't let up! More people are on social media right now and they are looking for ideas, knowledge, inspiration and connection. Take a minute at least a few times a week to share what you are doing and don't forget to sprinkle in some humor, be honest and personable and tell your story.
Build your email list
If you have an email list - build it and use it! If you don’t have a list yet, don’t fret—there are plenty of ways to get started building one. One way to do this is to place a piece of content on your site that visitors can download in exchange for their email address. Another way is to go through that stack of business cards you have gathered over the past year and add them to your email list. And, you can get creative and run a giveaway contest via social media advertising for small spend. Sure, you may have to invest a modest amount of money to get things going,, but a strong and relevant email list is an asset you will have for a long time. Remember, if you don’t have an email list, it's not too late to start one. You will never look back and wish you hadn't done it. Trust us!
Communicate with your customers
Just do it! As a business owner, you have all sorts of experiences and stories that you could share - write them down and as we say at M3 - FSI (frickin’ share it)! You have testimonials from clients - share them! You have processes, innovations and ideas that you have implemented in your business - share them! You have a question you want to ask - ask it! Sharing is caring, it makes you human and your customers will appreciate that you reached out and may even return the favor by sharing your note with a friend!
Update your website
Your website is your calling card. It’s the way we say hello these days and how you introduce yourself to your potential client. Make sure you website is updated with all your products or services, tells your story, showcases your personality, demonstrates what differentiates you and lets people know how to contact you or… join your email list! See?It all ties together.
Use the right tools, fertilize often and sow the seeds - that is how you grow your business garden. And, if you are out in the garden, here is a new take on that nursery rhyme to recite as you pull weeds and hoe the dirt ... Media & Marketing Minds style:
Business owner, Business owner
How does your business grow?
When product sells, and profit swells
Clients let you know!
Business owner, Business owner
Times are tough, we know
Take this time, expand your mind
And plant new seeds to grow!
Business owner, Business owner
Our advice to heed:
Start reflecting and connecting
And keep on planting seeds!
Happy Gardening!