How to Create Awareness for Your Company

Small businesses should never forget about the need to promote their company and raise awareness in their target markets. It is a difficult challenge for almost all small businesses because their marketing budget doesn't reach the heights of many of their more deep-pocketed competitors. Never the less, they need to work on creating strong awareness for their brands and the products or services offered to ensure their sales and brand recognition grow over time.

Here are a few tips for how to improve the awareness levels of your company.

1. Isn't It Time for a Live Event?

Creating a successful live event doesn't have to be a hugely expensive affair. If the company has a space that they use for other purposes, perhaps this could be cleaned out ready for a live event which removes the cost of renting a space for the night. Live events can be developed to coincide with the launch of important new products that the company wishes to make customers aware of ahead of the official product launch date. Whet the appetite of customers for the new product and take pre-orders at the live event too.

2. Exhibit at a Trade Show

Exhibiting at a trade show is one of the most cost-effective moves a new business or existing business on-the-rise can do. Attendees are often curious about new companies and brands that they haven't heard of before. They will enjoy interacting with staff at the stand and learning about what the company offers. It is also a great way get the company in front of industry relevant press who are always on the lookout for an interesting angle for a press article.

The Finesse Group creates excellent exhibition stands that combine smart design with an ability to impress attendees. Getting attention with a stand design that peaks the attendee's curiosity is the first step in raising awareness at an exhibition open to either trade or the public.

3. Consider Sponsorship

Sponsoring an event like a local sporting competition is an inexpensive way to increase brand awareness locally or nationally (depending on whether the event is going to be televised or featured on a YouTube channel). The cost of sponsorship varies depending on how expensive the event is to host. The event could have several co-sponsors rather than a single sponsor carrying the full load which would be more affordable but provide less visibility.

It is important to consider the relevancy of the sponsorship. The brand needs to make sense next to the event rather than seeming to be in conflict with it. Therefore, it is a good idea to consider carefully which events will be a good fit for the company and which will not.

4. Engage With Social Media

It is possible to use social media platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram to engage an audience. Though make sure to interact on a human level rather than using "corporate speak". Think about what customers would like see, hear or learn about the business, its products or services. How can this be best presented on social platforms?

Building brand awareness is perfectly possible for companies working with a reduced marketing budget. It just takes a bit of know-how and careful marshalling of available resources to increase awareness which can lead to increased sales down the road.