If you have a business, then it’s likely you’ve had a difficult year. Most businesses have faced at least some uncertainty during the pandemic, however Covid-proof they made themselves. Whether it was lockdown restrictions changing multiple times a month, lack of footfall due to restrictions, or shipping being delayed, there have been different challenges facing us all.
But Covid can’t be blamed for everything. If you turned your side hustle into a fully fledged small business, and it seems to be taking forever to see any advancement, then it might be worth thinking about other reasons for lack of growth. Read on for some questions to ask yourself if there’s still room for improvement.
1. Sales
Depending on the size and nature of your organization, it’s possible that it’s just you in charge of sales (and everything else). But whether you’re flying solo, or you’ve got a team working under you, then it’s worth considering some sales training. This has the potential to earn some more revenue for every transaction put through but also, if your customers have a positive experience then they’re more likely to share that they’ve enjoyed themselves and then you’ll have more customers coming through your door. Not only that, but customers are three times more likely to pass on a negative experience they have than a positive one and, with social media, that’s bad press that a small business just can’t afford. So, if there have been complaints or any of your customers have taken to Twitter, it’s worth thinking about how you can nip this problem in the bud as soon as possible.
2. Marketing
Especially if you’re a small business, then the likelihood is you might be doing all this yourself. That can prove taxing, especially if social media isn’t your forte. There’s a reason there are experts in business marketing. However, it’s worth thinking about whether you can (and should) upskill yourself. There’s a certain amount you can learn online from doing your own research, for example, you can teach yourself how to use tools such as Facebook Audience Insights – truly invaluable when it comes to getting to know and grow your customer base. But there may have come a point when you just need to undertake a bit of additional training. Failing that, is it worth considering outsourcing your marketing? This can be a really valuable way of getting the skills and benefits of a professional, without having to put someone on the payroll.
If you decide to keep your marketing in-house, you should look into different advertising channels that do not require a massive budget. Many small businesses start with search ads, but exploring alternative traffic sources can yield surprisingly high returns. For instance, working with pop ads networks is a budget-friendly way to get your brand in front of a large audience quickly. These platforms specialize in high-visibility formats that capture user attention immediately. It is a straightforward option to test if you want to drive quick traffic to your landing pages without spending a fortune.
3. Events
It’s not all sales and marketing. It’s also about getting out there, being more active in your local community, and hosting events. Although this will boost your profile and attract attention to your business, it will also add an element of satisfaction to the work if you know you’re helping out those in need. The nature of your business will obviously have a direct impact on how best you can help, but it’s worth thinking outside the box and looking at places you think you might have a good partnership with.