wristbands for events

It seems that this is the age for entrepreneurs and start-ups. Every day, we come across offers of a newfangled tool or gadget while we’re surfing the Net. We sometimes see people sharing news about a crowdfunded product they support on Facebook or talking about it on Twitter.

There are so many ways for businesses to promote their brand today, so getting left behind is no excuse. Whether you’re building your personal brand or promoting your company, here are 10 simple ways to do it:

1. Go on social media

This is practically a no-brainer. A lot of entrepreneurs start building up their small business on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram. You can spend money or keep all your efforts free. What’s more, some social media platforms such as FB and IG offer data analytics services. These can prove helpful when you start focusing on your marketing strategy.

To effectively use social media for your branding efforts, you need to:

  • Post regularly (weekly if you can)
  • Use high-resolution images with your posts
  • Share material that’s relevant to your target market
  • Engage with your followers – this means responding to queries and comments
  • Link to your website, blog, or other social media accounts

A word of caution, though: keep your personal account separate from your public or business profile.

2. Build your website

For this, you won’t even need to shell out money if all you need is a simple website. You can try using any of the following website builders:

  • Weebly
  • Ucraft
  • Strikingly
  • XPRS
  • Jimdo
  • Google sites
  • Wix
  • Wordpress
  • WebsiteBuilder

These website builders are free to use and come with a dedicated domain name. You can choose a template that’s free and customise it according to your needs.

Use clear, high-resolution images to make your website eye-catching. Make sure to use high-quality content. Keep your website updated, interesting, and informative. Don’t forget to include your business contact information as well as your social media links.

3. Start blogging

If you already have a website, include a blog section. This way, you can regularly share your expertise and experience through curated blog posts. Let's say you’re into online catering or have recently opened an online bakeshop. For your blog posts, you could include recipes, advice on cooking methods, and pictures of your original creations.

Through blogging, you can interact with your audience by responding to their comments and questions. You also need to keep them engaged by regularly posting material that’s interesting and relevant.

4. Post your original write-ups on LinkedIn

A great medium you can use to show your expertise or authority in certain subject matter is LinkedIn. You can write and share your posts on this professional platform. This way, you can gain followers and expand your professional network as well. Again, be responsive to your audience. Interact with them. Check their posts, too, if they share material that’s of interest to you.

5. Contribute to publications – on and offline

Newspapers and magazines are always on the lookout for contributors. If you are an expert in your field, you can write to print and online publications. Give them a taste of what they can expect in your initial correspondence. Once they take you on, you may or may not get paid. However, you’ll enjoy the free publicity and exposure. And if you’re really good at what you do and it translates well in your articles, you may end up getting invited to events and other publications.

6. Use hand bands and key chains to promote your brand

Another cost-effective way of promoting your business is by using promotional wristbands. If you’re marketing your personal brand, you may opt for personalised wristbands. These come in Tyvek, custom fabric and silicone. Distribute these to your network and among your employees. You can also share these as giveaways during corporate events or simple gatherings. You can do the same with custom-made silicone key chains.

7. Join professional organisations or business networks

Never take for granted the value of networking in self-promotion. By becoming a member of professional organisations, you get to meet like-minded people. You also acquire valuable business contacts. Moreover, you get to engage in fruitful discussions affecting your industry or specialisation. Always bring business cards with you, so you don’t miss out on opportunities. The people you meet may not give you any business now, but perhaps they will in the future.

8. Sponsor local or community events

Getting the goodwill of the locale where your business operates is always a good move. Sponsor a fun run for cancer or AIDS awareness. How about a beach clean-up in your neighbourhood? Participate in a blood donation drive, or other worthwhile causes. Millennials, especially, prefer to deal with companies that show interest in social and environmental causes.

9. Ask for customer reviews

If you offer a service or sell a product, and have an online presence, why not ask for customer reviews? Just make sure that you have been delivering impeccable service and high-quality products. Excellent customer reviews increase your trust rating. So, make sure to always deliver what you promise. This way, you’ll have plenty of happy customers willing to vouch for your business.

10. Hold contests or sponsor competitions

If you sell paint, for example, why not hold a mural-painting contest that doubles as a community beautification effort? You can also conduct contests on social media such as Facebook. Ask your followers to share a branded photo with your business hashtags. Whoever gets the most shares wins. With a little investment in the prizes, you get free shares in exchange.

These are just a few of the many ways by which you can self-promote without investing a lot of money. All you need is commitment and dedication to build your brand. With a lot of effort and some serious strategising, you can get your brand name out there. Just make sure your marketing efforts are supported with great products and superior service.