Are you looking for new ways to generate more revenue for your small business? You can boost your revenue with your current customer base by offering incentives or ensuring they know all the products and services you offer. Additionally, you should also look for different areas where you can generate new customers.

You probably have a marketing plan and are following those initiatives. But, if you are not getting the revenue you expected or are ready to expand, here are some tips to boost your small business revenue:

1. Partner with other businesses

Do you offer a service that may go well with other small businesses? You want to work with potential partners who have the same type of customer base, but don’t offer the same services. There are many ways to partner with another business.

If you don’t know the owner personally, consider becoming a customer so you can see how well they do. Think about your industry. Who offers products or services similar to yours? For example, if you are a landscape business, think about products you use. Could you partner with a gardening center? Your landscape business could promote the use of their products.  They could refer you as their designated landscaper to customers and promote your products as well.

Propose a cross-promotion between the two businesses and ensure they will value from this partnership. Discuss methods which both parties could advertise your partnership.

2. Boost your social media presence

If you are trying to market and grow your business, social media is a great tool to use to increase your small business revenue. According to research, over 69% of adults now use some type of social media with Facebook being the most popular. These sites provide an opportunity for you to market your business at a low-cost option.

You could run advertisements, promotions, and drawings for giveaways. Have you seen where businesses ask someone to like their post and share it for a chance to win a product or service? This is an easy and low-cost marking tool. Ensure you post good content, so others may follow your page.

Create a Facebook group or join one. This allows your customers to have conversations with you and other group members regarding some of your products and services. You shouldn’t spam your customers with constant links to your site but give them information regarding important topics and open it up for them to post information as well. You want to create a safe spot where customers can ask questions or give helpful advice to others.

3. Become an industry expert

Write blogs or start a newsletter. Post links to your blogs on your social media and on the groups in which you belong. For example, if you own a janitorial service you could write blogs on green and environmentally safe products.  Put them on your website. Join environmentally friendly groups and share your knowledge with other members.

Also, think about contacting your local magazines about writing articles and being an industry expert for them. For example, if you own a landscape business you could write a different article every month on tips for lawn care or how to manage your gardens for that area.  You would be surprised at how many local magazines or newspapers are looking for industry experts.

Furthermore, consider networking events such as local meetups in your area. Find meetups where people go to discuss different ideas like the products and services you offer. For example, if you own a landscape company, you could look for gardening meetups. You may even learn about a needed product or service by going to these. Don’t join to sell your products but go to be an industry expert and learn from others as well.

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4. Enhance your website

Could you sell products or your services on your website? If you don’t sell products or services online, research and think about doing so. Many people shop online, and this could be a huge market.

Research other websites in your niche. What are they doing good or better which you think would offer value to your site? Post your blogs on your website. Ensure you link back to your other blogs and your site a couple of times in your posts.

If you are not a good writer or don’t have time to write, consider hiring a freelancer to write for you. It is important to have good content on your website to generate traffic, gain more leads, and increase your Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

Run advertisements, regular promotions, giveaways, coupons, etc. Post links to your content on your social media at least a couple of times a month.

Investigate methods to enhance traffic to your website. Have others give valuable input to help you enhance your site and always look for ways to drive traffic to your site.

5. Offer an affiliate program on your website

Affiliate marketing is where you let other people market your products and send you website traffic. In return, you pay them a percentage of any sales made which originate from their efforts. This is usually done by giving them special hyperlinks which they post on their website or blog.  These hyperlinks usually contain an ID code which helps you to track their efforts.

At the beginning, it may be easier for you to sign up for an affiliate network. Many of them provide a marketplace where your affiliate program will be advertised to other affiliate marketers. They also provide the tracking software for your affiliates, so you don’t have to build your own tracking system. But, affiliate networks will also take a cut of your sales or charge fees to use their network. You should weigh this additional cost to see if you can afford it.

A successful affiliate marketing program takes time to build but with a bit of effort, it can increase your sales. You should ensure you choose good, credible affiliates to work with and be selective to ensure they don’t ruin your reputation.

Get the word out

Many people may not know your business exists, so it is important to get involved with your local community. By going to meetups and networking events, you are becoming the face of your business. You can also find other businesses to partner with at networking events.

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Run advertisements, promotions, and giveaways. Howard Luck Gossage, a famous advertiser said, “Nobody reads ads. People read what interests them, and sometimes it’s an ad.” Ensure your advertisements and your content is compelling, truthful, and it draws attention.

Take time to perform each step well.  Ensure your website and your social media accounts reflect exactly what you like to say, and that they link to each other. Become an industry expert in your field and hire affiliates which will promote your product or services.

Marketing your business products and services can be time-consuming so don’t be afraid to hire freelancers if you need help. It is a low-cost option to check off items on your to-do list.

Each tip may take time to get started, but once your process and system is down, it becomes easier with time. Investigate every possible way to get your business name out there and get to know others to help you make it happen.

Author: Kimberley Kay Travis

Kim Travis has over 20 years of experience in business, human resource management, and leadership roles. She has specialized knowledge in employment law, employee relations, recruiting, management consulting, small business growth, leadership development, workplace safety and health programs, and writing business content.

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