Increase your business’ visibility with these 6 marketing strategies in 2021

If customers are unaware of your business’ existence it is quite unlikely that they will buy from you or use your service.  At this very moment, there are many businesses both large and small jostling for the attention of the varying customer groups.  Additionally, consumers are still distracted by the many events happening around them, both locally and globally.  Small businesses in particular, will therefore have to identify cost-sensitive ways to increase their visibility and remain top of mind.

The following are 6 marketing strategies to increase your business’s visibility in 2021

1.   Solve a customer problem related to the current situation

Customer needs are changing and new challenges are emerging.  In bringing new products and services to market, it is important to solve a pressing problem for the customer.  This will not enhance the business’ reputation, capture new customers for the business, increase profits and above all provide a product or service that gives peace of mind to the customer.

2.   Use influencers

Influencer marketing has continued to grow in significance over the past few years.  Influencer marketing is a form of social media marketing that uses people who have an expert level of knowledge or influence in their field.  In selecting influencers for your brand, ensure that the individual is knowledgeable and can connect with the vast majority of your target audience.  This ensures that the brand message is communicated clearly with the target audience. 

3.   Use mobile

According to CNBC, an estimated 2 billion people currently access the internet via their smartphone only.  This equates to 51% of the global base of 3.9 billion mobile users.   There is every likelihood that your target customer has a smartphone and will access your online information using their device; ensure that your website is optimized for mobile.  It should also be optimized for speed or else you may lose the customer.  Websites on mobile must also be readable, functional and pleasing to the customers’ eyes.

4.   Start a podcast or YouTube channel

Podcasts are becoming increasingly popular because it provides a platform for brands to connect directly with their target audience.  If a podcast is not already part of your brand strategy, here is an opportunity to get first mover advantage in your local jurisdiction.  More advanced markets such as the US already has 144 million Americans listening to podcasts.  On the other hand, YouTube channels have increased in popularity particularly since the pandemic.  Consider this, over 2 billion logged-in users visit YouTube each month, and every day people watch over a billion hours of video and generate billions of views. More than 70% of YouTube watch time comes from mobile devices. YouTube has launched local versions in more than 100 countries.  When will your brand join the party?

5.   Get found online

SEO, PPC and getting listed online will be crucial to your business’ visibility in 2021.  SEO or Search Engine Optimization helps your website to rank higher for searches based on relevant keywords.  PPC or Pay-Per-Click advertising is a great way to get ahead of your competition.  Target your advertising to platforms on which your interest groups, locations and offerings are well-defined this was you can track ROI.  Getting listed in relevant places will also increase your visibility.  Even though many persons (4.66 billion) are online, there are still 2.34 billion (based on the 7 billion estimated world population) who may use the business directory; ensure your business information is listen wherever your product or services may be required.

6.   Word-of-mouth advertising

Sounds old and cliché doesn’t it? But guess what, potential customers are more likely to trust the word of your existing customer than any piece of marketing material that they see online or off.  I cannot tell you how many products and services I’ve tried based on the word of someone who has used that product or service.  So encourage your customers to tell their friends and family about your offerings, especially when they have something great to say.