How long has it been since you changed your strategies or embraced a new trend? If you do “business as usual” for too long, the competitors who do not remain stagnant can potentially outperform you and maybe even steal your customers.
Evolution is a natural part of the small business lifecycle since culture, needs and desires change regularly. But, it takes observation and constant evolution to stay aware of these changes and adapt accordingly. Industries will change and grow whether or not you move with them.
Don't be afraid to change. Be more afraid that your small business will be irrelevant if you do not evolve and adjust. It's not difficult to evolve—it just requires close observation and some flexibility. Below are some ways you can help your small business embrace change over time.
Review customer and industry trends
Get immersed in your industry enough so that you feel prepared for the newest trends hitting the marketplace. Here are a few ways to do this:
Follow industry leaders and professional publications
Carve out a couple of hours every week and read the top publications in your industry. Follow top influencers also and read their blogs and content.
Keep networking
Attend conferences and thought leadership networking events to stay updated with current trends and where your industry is headed. Network with like-minded people and remain accountable to each other, so you do not fall out of the loop.
Listen to your customers
Your customers are always speaking. Listen to them and ask them what their current problems are and where they see room for improvement in the future. If you run a services business and acquire business leads, sit down with a few clients and ask them what their business will look like years from now. Get a feel for what the future of your industry looks like by getting into the minds of the people you serve.
Embrace new marketing trends
If you're focused on acquiring business leads, the marketing strategies of today may not work tomorrow. Marketing changes rapidly, and for small businesses, it is vital to adopt new strategies to stay relevant. This is especially true of digital marketing. In the last 5-7 years, we have seen massive evolution, from Google algorithm changes and new social media features to emerging digital strategies such as influencer marketing, live videos, and relevant, transparent content.
Keep your skills current
Technology in marketing changes rapidly. To keep up and continue to attract new business leads, stay current with updated training and follow key marketing leaders in your industry and the content they produce.
Adjust to social media platform features
Social media platforms continually add new features to help marketers get more business leads and communicate their messages to a wider audience. For example, in the last couple of years, Instagram added a Story feature that enables brands to engage with customers via 24-hour message blurbs while encouraging website clicks. Facebook has also added Live videos which have helped brands reach more customers.
Work with emerging, forward-thinking brands
To stay updated on the newest trends and avoid being left behind, work with industry partners that can help you stay on track. Here at CallFire, we offer cutting-edge business marketing tools to help you not only get more business leads but also engage with your customers—and do so efficiently and at a low cost. Whether you want to send a survey to customers to stay updated on customer trends, use text message marketing to reach a wider audience with your promotions or get more business leads, CallFire’s solutions can be the answer you are looking for.
To find out how CallFire can help you save time and money while you implement the latest marketing strategies, check out our plans here. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.