When you find things slipping through the cracks such as marketing tasks while you run your small business, it might be time to source a freelance marketing consultant. As your business grows, you need to focus on keeping your business operationally afloat. Outsource the things that you cannot handle yourself and watch the process help grow your business.

Many small business owners take on too much for too long and when the business begins to grow, they cannot scale. Be sure to delegate and let go of the things that you can trust other professionals with. Your business vision and operation needs you to steer the ship. 

I can help you communicate with your current customers and prospect and find new ones. You have a story to tell with your business - let me share the word through public relations. And social media is a powerful tool to talk with the media, customers, peers and more. You just need time and resources to make this happen.

There are many things you can do to market your small business on a budget.

First, make sure your website is responsive for mobile devices. A responsive site resizes to the device that is viewing the website so it is easy to read on any screen. Also make sure your website is up to date with the latest news, products/services and events.

Do you have an email list of your customers? Start sending a monthly email newsletter using a free email service provider like Mailchimp. Add the monthly article to a blog on your website.

Ask your customers for testimonials and case studies. Write up a case study and put it on your website. Send a pitch to relevant media or trade publications about the case study and how you solved a business' problem.

Set up profiles on social media sites where your customers visit and engage with the community. Search for keywords in your industry and listen for people searching for your type of product/solution. Be helpful, not salesy.

If you don't have time to do these things, hire a marketing contractor. A contractor can help you define a strategy and then set out to make it happen. Contact me today to help you get started.
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The holidays will be here in a few short weeks. Shoppers have begun some form of holiday shopping since Halloween. Is your small business ready?

Here are a few things to check for your holiday marketing plan.

1. Website - is your website optimized? Do you know what keywords visitors are searching for when they find your site? Is your website formatted for mobile devices? The number of shoppers using mobile devices for shopping is on the rise.
2. Email marketing - reward your customers with special VIP customer promotions for the holidays. Make them feel special. Be sure to contact customers with a monthly email - short, sweet and to the point.
3. Customer service - what do you offer your customers that sets you apart from the rest? Free shipping? Free gift wrap? Personal shopping? Make sure your customers know they come first to you always.
4. Partnerships - are there other local businesses that have complementary products or services? Can you partner for a promotion?
5. Community - are you giving back this holiday season? Be sure to promote your cause locally and encourage customers to get in the holiday spirit donate or volunteer to any charity of their choice.

​There are many things you can be doing for the holiday rush. Be sure to plan out your strategy!

Marketing is a key driver of sales and is important for your business. If you are too busy with the business you already have, you need assistance. 

Marketing, public relations and social media support can be outsourced to freelance marketers or agencies, depending on your needs. Virtual marketing professionals can free you to focus on running your business on a budget. 

Marketers can help you develop content for your blog and website, create email newsletters, develop media pitches, manage leads and more.

Don't know where to start? Jason Falls created The Marketing Pricing Guide to give you an idea of whether you need an agency or whether to go the freelance or virtual route. 

This marketing pricing guide gives you solid information from large agencies to marketing consultants. It not only includes an idea of pricing but also what to expect in the services that you will receive. It is an excellent guide to determine what works best for your business.

If you need a marketing consultant, public relations consultant or social media consultant, contact me today. I can help jump in with projects as needed or create a more comprehensive marketing strategy and execution.