When it comes to running a small business these days, especially if you are trying to do things the brick and mortar way, it is sometimes very difficult to keep your head above water. People are spending far more time shopping effortlessly for nearly anything they can imagine online, so the need for mom and pop type shops is waning. However, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a way to keep your small business thriving.
Basically, you need to take a look at your market, and what is working for it. Get yourself online, if you aren’t already. Put some more effort into different types of marketing, and get a little more creative when it comes to ways to bring shoppers to you. Here are a few things that might help keep your business from going belly up, and keep you from filing for bankruptcy.
Don’t Just Sell In Store, Sell Online
It seems that online shopping convenience has made it a popular pastime, and about 70 percent of Americans are doing just that. If you want your business to make more money, and to reach more people, you really should be using the internet to reach the most people in the most areas. That also means knowing where to sell what online.
If you have collectible items, many of the same types of items, or anything that is worth a good deal of money (like antiques or vintage items), eBay is one of the best places to work on selling them. Amazon is great for businesses that deal in entertainment related items, like books and DVDs, and they even have a handmade section for selling now. If your business is vintage, crafting, art, or handmade items of any kind, not only is Amazon a great option, but so is Etsy.
Try A Fundraiser Or An Open House
If your business is fairly new, like under a year old, you may want to consider an open house party to attract people to come in and shop or use your services. Offer refreshments, door prizes, and discounts. You want things that will bring people in your doors and convince them to spend their money with you.
If you’ve been open awhile, and your business has simply fallen on tough times, try a fundraiser, or just a store sale or event of some kind. Depending on what type of business you run, the possibilities are endless. If you run a resale shop with used clothing, put on a fashion show and give discounts to your volunteer models, and have some of the same things, like refreshments and door prizes, you would for an open house event.
Use Internet And Local Marketing
Lastly, always advertise where you can. Just because you run a small local business, it doesn’t mean you should only focus on the local aspects of advertising, although they are important. Having business cards and advertising in the local paper are definitely important to bring in the locals.
However, getting online and advertising with social media, a blog and website, and using other marketing outlets, like Google, you can bring in people from outside your local area as well.
Originally posted on August 28, 2016 @ 1:40 pm
