The “Powering Freedom Report” from Independent Growth Finance see: https://www.igfgroup.com/news-and-views/news/independent-growth-finance-powering-freedom-report/ finds businesses ‘bullish’ about future despite 90 percent highlighting Brexit challenge. “Over a quarter (27%) of business leaders are expecting revenues to grow by more than 10 percent in 2019, according to a new report by Independent Growth Finance (IGF), the leading independent asset based lender.”
These are challenging times – just how can SME companies develop and grow in this difficult period?
A focus on the core marketing activities for small business to promote themselves is key. There’s no magic to it – just keep your objectives clearly in mind and keep it simple.
The free and low-cost tools available today to SMEs to promote themselves using the internet and social media are widely available and easily used.
1.) Understand your market and what it needs
2.) Develop your key message around those customers’ needs – what they want and how you can support them
3.) Research who and where your customers are and contact them, getting their permission for further contact under GDPR regulations (Xero explains this well, see: https://www.xero.com/uk/resources/small-business-guides/business-management/gdpr-explained-for-small-business-and-advisors/).
4.) Store this critical data in a low-cost CRM database of which there are many available to SMEs today. “Mopinion” describes and compares some at: https://mopinion.com/best-crm-software-for-small-businesses-smb/
5.) Write about your marketplace on social media and your own website’s blog page. Show off your knowledge and know-how specific to your market but don’t try to sell your products and services directly. Your followers will understand and value your expertise – over time – and will build in numbers and enthusiasm. They will begin to recommend you to others and to seek you out and develop business with you. And you will grow…….. by Alan Finn, RG member and business development consultant
