As we wrap up National Small Business Week, we thought we would reflect on the positive impact that entrepreneurs and small business have had on our country. After all, as the numbers prove, small businesses are making a dent in the United States economy. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA):
- 2009 to 2013, a net 11,375 new small businesses were created in the U.S.
- Between 2009 and Q2 2015, more than 4 million net new jobs were created by small businesses, which accounted for 67.5% of all job growth.
- Minority entrepreneurs added a net of 2 million small firms.
So how can you as a small business owner grow and make your business thrive? Investing in the marketing of your business is one of the largest ways to make a significant different in its growth. Depending on what stage your business is in would determine the extent of marketing efforts. If you’re a startup, you may not have the resources to invest heavily in a social media marketing campaign or direct mail effort — you may need to focus those dollars on branding and developing a great website design.
That’s not to say you don’t want to invest in those other aspects, it just may be important to spend more time developing the voice of your brand before you spend that other money getting the word out.
However, if you’ve been in business several years and you’re looking to take your business to the next level, seeking out a bigger marketing campaign is worth the investment. How else can your potential customers learn about you? Content marketing is starting to take a bigger slice of the marketing pie in today’s digital age. While people still want and need to learn about your products or services, they also want to be educated and informed. There’s no better way to do that than through an effective content marketing campaign. From whitepapers and blogs to videos and long-form articles, there are numerous ways to help your customers with their business and solve a pain point they might have.
Learn more about National Small Business Week and remember to #DreamSmallBiz! Also be sure to visit our list of marketing services and learn how we help small businesses grow everyday.