3 ideas for your small business marketing strategy in 2023.

Now that the calendar has turned to reflect the possibilities of a new year, it’s time to make some goals for your business. After all, unless you actively work to drive your company forward, it will be overtaken by its hungrier competitors. Take some time to implement effective marketing strategies this year, and you will be rewarded with increased exposure and a boost in sales.

1. Maximize your social media exposure.

By now, you should already know that sites like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram represent powerful, low-cost ways to get the word out about your brand and products. Implement the following recommendations to make the most of these forums.

• Set yourself up on two or three social media sites. To decide which ones are right for you, ask some of your best customers where they would like to see your content and start there.
• Frequently update your content with videos, text, images, blog entries, and customer input. This will enable you to get the word out about what you do, as well as to engage with current and potential customers in a way that is fun and inspiring and keeps people coming back for more.
• Use each site’s analytics tools or those provided by a third party to see how well your posts are doing with customers, making tweaks when warranted.
• Work to build and maintain an active community of involved customers. These will be your best ambassadors.

Remember that while social media is one of the most exciting and innovative marketing vehicles available today, some of the old stand-bys such as print and electronic media, and in-person networking continue to be highly effective as well.

2. Update your business hardware and software.

Whether it’s the locks on your doors or the computers that store your vital data, it’s crucial that you keep all your moving parts well-maintained and updated. In the case of your point of sale (POS) system or smart terminal, that will mean talking periodically with your payment services provider to be sure that your hardware and software are up to the current performance and security standards.

When your POS system is at its peak, it can provide your business with numerous benefits.

• Secure transactions and flexible payment options.
• Database capabilities that let you gather and store customer details. Use these to launch effective, targeted marketing campaigns and loyalty programs that inspire return visits and motivate shoppers to spread the word about your store.
• Inventory management mechanisms that streamline product ordering to allow you to maintain control over your stock for maximum productivity and customer satisfaction.
• Employee management software to optimize time tracking and monitor productivity.
• Financial capabilities that integrate with third-party accounting programs and other software for streamlined operations.
• Reporting tools that make tracking performance and forecasting future sales accurate, fast, and easy.

Using your POS solution to its full capacity will free up you and your staff to focus on aspects of your business that require the human touch.

3. Think outside the box.

As you look forward to the next few months, it will be important to continue to give customers the excellent service and iconic products that have become hallmarks of your brand. However, that doesn’t mean you should stagnate. In addition, you should always be looking for ways to move your brand forward. Consider embracing some new focuses by engaging the following.

• Expanding your current content or growing your social media footprint onto a new site altogether.
• Changing up the layout of your physical store to enhance its mood or to promote the sale of lower-performing products.
• Upgrading your systems to allow for extended payment options, including contactless readers, international currencies, recurring billing, and crypto. 

There is no end to the things you can do, both small and large, to transform your business.

Before you know it, the new year will seem like a distant memory. Don’t let it go by without seizing the opportunities for growth and change that it represents. If you do, you just might be amazed at the amazing progress you make in 2023.