NSCC Entrepreneurship
When starting off market research, gathering information from customers is one of the best marketing tips to get your foot in the door. Find out through surveys and studies how people react to, let’s say, advertisements, slogans, and even product colors. How much do they pay, where do they get it, and what are their reactions to different brands? Taking key information through surveys from your customers will help you so much in the long run to develop a superior brand and product.
After you’re done interviewing customers, research the competition yourself. For example, if you’re opening up a hair salon, go into the local salon and see what services, prices, and products they off. What is their customer service like? Is there something that you find lacking as a customer that you can then take to your business? There is always something to be found and doing research on the competition can make your business that much better.
Every small business needs a website nowadays to be successful. It does not have to be fancy, but a simple, well-designed and well-organized website can not only help you market your business, but also help customers in placing orders, researching your company, and even networking.
Canadians always like to support local businesses, but in recent years it is more important than ever. A .CA domain is the quickest, easiest way to say “hey, this is a Canadian business” which automatically lets your customers know that prices will be in Canadian dollars, shipping will be fast and easy, and there will be no border hassles. Make shipping details crystal clear. Many companies put Free shipping over $x in their website headers to encourage sales and have a dedicated page about shipping to help set customer expectations and reduce questions.
A great customer service helps you increase customer loyalty and a way to incentivize returning customers to conduct their business with you. Following these marketing tips means nothing without good customer service. If you’re just starting off, perhaps you and an associate are enough to answer customer concerns, but as you grow, remember to grow your customer service team as well.
Whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, having a great social media platform is one of the best marketing tips to follow. Not only will it help you connect with new and existing customers, but also network and promote with other businesses, as well as keep you trendy!
Fashion trends, food trends, and technology trends are ever-changing and evolving. It’s not enough to do research on your customers once when opening up. Continue the research in trends every season in order to keep up with your customers, their likes and dislikes, and most importantly their business.
Audiences, like trends, change over time. For example, does the community you live in want sustainable clothes and food now? Is the nightlife growing bigger and now there’s an opportunity for you to expand? Who has bought your product in the past, and who will buy it now? Keep with your audience, and don’t just do research to sell to them, but to be the brand for them.
Be clear on where you source materials from and how they are made, particularly if they are locally sourced or environmentally friendly.
Many Canadian want to support local businesses, particularly in recent time year. Let them know who you are and where you’re from to develop a personal connection with your customers.
