By Clint Sanchez · Published · Updated · 3 min read
Quick answer
A small business can build brand awareness with little money by posting actively on free social platforms, asking customers for reviews, publishing useful content such as blogs, videos, and infographics, showing up at local community events and partnering with teams and nonprofits, creating a referral program, and delivering customer service good enough that people talk about it. Brand awareness is one of the highest-return marketing investments available.
Key takeaways
- Brand awareness is one of the most cost-effective parts of a small business marketing strategy, often costing time rather than money.
- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube are free channels for content, contests, videos, and surveys that build an audience.
- According to BrightLocal's Local Consumer Review Survey, 86% of shoppers read reviews for local businesses before buying, and 70% will write one when asked.
- Good reviews build trust with customers and support local SEO at the same time.
- Content includes video, podcasts, and infographics, not just blog posts, and people share it with friends and family.
- Local events, sports team sponsorships, and nonprofit partnerships make a brand known in person.
- According to Esteban Kolsky's customer experience research, 72% of customers tell six or more people about a satisfying experience, and 13% tell fifteen or more about a bad one.
In Livingston Parish, brand awareness still happens in person. A booth at the Denham Springs Fall Festival, a banner at a Walker youth ballpark, or a sponsorship at the parish fair puts a business in front of thousands of neighbors who then look it up. The businesses that pair that with a steady Facebook presence and a stack of Google reviews are the ones people name first.
Make your small business a household name with our recipe for success!
Brand awareness is one of the most important parts of your business marketing strategy. Fortunately, it’s one of the most cost-effective things that you, as a small business owner, can do.
As a startup owner, you may not have the money and resources to launch large-scale campaigns or advertising.
That’s ok! There are other ways to get your name on top of organic searches and attract potential customers and turn them into brand ambassadors, with only a small budget (if any.)
Brand awareness gives you the best ROI (return on investment.)
With just minimal cash out of your pocket, building your brand is easy! As a matter of fact, you probably can do it by just investing a little time.
Want this handled for you? We build and market websites for Louisiana businesses, and we will tell you honestly if you do not need us.
Here’s 6 easy ways for building brand awareness for your small business:
Participate in Social Media
Most social media platforms are free. Unfortunately, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, and Youtube are often overlooked.
These are awesome resources to build awareness of your brand, promote your promotional content, and build your audience for free.
Use every platform where your customers actually spend time.
Create a page, actively post content, create campaigns, videos, blogs, contests, and surveys. As a matter of fact, the more to engage your target audience, the better.
Encourage your Customers to Write Reviews
In Google’s eyes, reviews are critical! Customer experience matters to Google, and it should be for you as well.
Recent surveys show that over 86% of shoppers read reviews for local businesses prior to purchasing a product or service. The same survey shows that 70% of customers write a review when asked.
With the advent of the internet, word of mouth is no longer sufficient to build customer trust.
Reviews gain trust! Here’s an added benefit. Good reviews boost your business’ SEO!
Create Good Content
The second way to boost awareness of your brand is to invest in good content.
Content is King!
Content marketing is a cornerstone of both building brand awareness, as well as climbing to the top of search results.
Content is not just text or words on a screen!
Sure, blogs are an awesome way to introduce your brand to people.
But don’t forget about videos, podcasts, and infographics! Just be careful, the podcast market is oversaturated. Learn how to make your show get noticed!
Create relevant and engaging content for your target audience. People will share this content on social media platforms with friends and family. This increases traffic to your website, increases sales, and expands your reach.
Need help with content? We can help you with that.
Participate in Community Events
Sorry, this item requires you to leave your keyboard or office, and get boots to the ground.
Participate in local events, consider partnering with local sports teams, nonprofits, and charities, and just get out there! Your brand (and you) will become known, loved, and remembered by people who will sing your praises.
Create Referral Programs
Nothing shows a satisfied customer like a referral. You wouldn’t direct a friend to a subpar agency, would you? Neither would your customers.
Caution: this will cause you to have to step up your game!
Deliver excellent customer service!!
Customer service can make or break your brand!
Consider this:
13% of customers tell 15 people or more if they have a negative experience
72% of customers will tell 6 people or more if they have a satisfying experience
Think about it!
The statistics speak for themselves!
Follow these 6 simple, checkbook-friendly tips, and you’ll be well on your way to create brand awareness, trust, success, and sales.
Have any questions or need help getting started? Get in touch with us for your free consultation now.
Working on your brand identity, logo, or visual direction? Let’s talk through your direction in a 15-minute Discovery Call, no commitment.
About the author
Founder & Lead Developer · Denham Springs, LA
Clint has built and marketed websites for 26 years, since founding BlakSheep Creative in 2000. He is also a 29-year firefighter and a 23-year member of IAFF Local 557, which is where the bias toward plain answers over sales copy comes from.
- Veteran-owned
- Firefighter-owned
- IAFF Local 557
Common questions about digital marketing
What is the cheapest way to build brand awareness?
Why do reviews matter for brand awareness?
Does content marketing work for a small business?
How do community events help a brand?
How does customer service affect brand awareness?
How does a referral program build a brand?
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