What's different about small business marketing strategies?

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Scott Ewart | 18 Jan, 2011
Small business marketing strategies are a breed of their own, and not something that can be easily or effectively spun off of the marketing plans of huge, multi-national corporations. The plans for smaller businesses, and especially home based ventures, are relatively unique to this business type. A correct small business marketing plan sets the tone for future success by tailoring the efforts to the specific nuances of small business.

Small business has specific needs
Even some of the most talented marketing geniuses with large companies could be extremely ill equipped to create a successful marketing plan for a smaller, home-based business. The two are dramatically different, and in most cases a smaller business is dealing with personnel, budgetary, and other constraints that are not usually even a consideration with larger organizations.

However, this does not mean that small business marketing is relegated to unsuccessful measures! Marketing a home based venture simply requires a different mind set, but it can be remarkably successful, creative and fulfilling. Growing a small business with these strategies builds an understanding of the business model, in and of itself.

Make the most of technology with small business marketing
The task of marketing a small enterprise on the cheap is simplified dramatically with the advances in computer and Internet technologies. Any savvy entrepreneur will want to implement technology with their marketing. This is in part due to the fact that the Internet allows for unprecedented access to clients, as well as the ability to target a message to specific markets like never before.

Even better, it allows for these things to happen on a smaller budget than most would imagine! This demonstrates that, in addition to the managerial and logistical benefits, computers can serve remarkably in a variety of marketing capacities. Aside from the high tech considerations, old-school marketing ploys such as mailers and other similar items can be created for incredibly low prices with the computer, as well.

Making sound marketing decisions for the small business
Small business owners need to view things differently than many others, but the creativity with which they approach their marketing efforts can make them even more successful in many regards. For example, small businesses can create an impressive Internet presence that rivals a competitor one hundred times their size! All this takes is some savvy internet assistance (or experience) and the mindset.

Creating a website that meets the goals and needs of a small business, as well as the clientele, makes all the difference in that regard. In addition, new business owners will want to learn about marketing strategies designed to drive traffic to their company's website. It is truly the wave of the future in marketing.

Other online presences such as company (or related) blogs, promotions, and electronic newsletters for clients can be very effective and inexpensive to implement, as well. Away from the Internet domain, small businesses also have the flexibility to target a niche market, and then combine efforts with a related (but non-competing) business for maximum effect.

(Source: Articlesbase)
* Scott Ewart is a freelance writer.
* The views expressed by the author in this feature are entirely his/her own and do not necessarily reflect the views of SME Times.