Starting a business is an exciting venture, however it doesn't come without its challenges. As much as you might like to believe that customers will come automatically, it can be much more complicated in the beginning stages. Getting the word out about your business can be downright difficult depending on the surrounding competition, and whether there's a big demand for your business in your area. 

The great news is that with the right tips you can effectively get the word out and catch your target audience's eye. Here are some of the most effective ways to promote your business and attract customers.

Network

While there are plenty of marketing strategies to try out, perhaps one of the most tried and true is the power of networking.   Never underestimate the power of a consulting network and face to face meetups. 

Personal connections and referrals can be your best friend when it comes to new business opportunities. Try to stay up to date with the latest events, and be proactive in your community. Support other businesses the same as you would like to be supported, and you'll find that more often than not they'll return the favor.

Use Email Marketing

If you thought that e-mail marketing was the thing of the past, then think again. E-mail is still something that everyone uses regardless of their industry or location. It's a way to get into someone's inbox with a catching subject line that entices them to learn more about your business. 

From offering incentives, to offering valuable knowledge, e-mail can be your best friend when it comes to keeping your audience engaged. You can communicate directly with your target audience, and even personalize your emails by creating segmented e-mail lists.

In other words, you can send out different emails with different information that makes your audience feel like you're speaking directly to them.

Optimze Your Website

You want to make sure that your business is easy to find online. That way, when people do searches for keywords related to your industry you want to make sure that your business shows up at the top. This is why it's so important to optimize your website for search engines. Search engine optimization is all about adding keywords throughout your website that will lead people to land on your page when they search for them in Google. A little bit of keyword research can be helpful, as it can help you understand which keywords are the most searched in your industry.

Social Media

Social media is a fantastic way to share your brand story and engage with your audience.  To get started, add your business to as many relevant platforms as possible, and interact! Share valuable content engage with your followers, and get to know how paid ads work.  

Remember, the world of social media is all a numbers game. The more of a following you have, the more likely people are to too many of their friends and family, and the more credibility you'll have based on your audience size.