When we talk about small and medium enterprises it is not just the beginners who are struggling to get noticed, but also the already established ones who want to get successful.

While everyone is aware of the big corporations because of their visibility, it is certainly not the scenario with SMEs. With half of the small enterprises failing within the first year of incorporation, it is essential to take care of the critical aspects for growth from the beginning.

A business needs to incorporate digitalization today. The pandemic has also accelerated the dire need to go digital. According to a survey by Dun & Bradstreet, 82% of Small businesses have digitalized themselves during the pandemic. Not only does it benefit by reducing operational costs but also by giving an edge over your competitors. Large enterprises were once small, hence learn how they mushroomed their market share.

Here are 5 tips that will enhance your brand visibility and can help you get noticed by your prospective customers.

Tip 1. Go Online

To walk shoulder to shoulder with the world, SMEs have to start operating online. The Internet has impacted everything, from our daily routines to businesses. The world is getting used to remote working, virtual meetings, masking, and distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is now that the opportunists are winning by digitizing and leveraging all the online marketing tools available to them. Brand awareness, being the first step of a digital marketing funnel, can be improved if you are found online.

Promoting your products and services through internet marketing has several benefits. It is cheaper than traditional marketing and helps companies to reach a wider audience. Chances of people knowing you are more when you are found everywhere. Optimizing your website and improving your SEO strategy will help Google remember you. And remember, in the 21st century, Google is the Boss. If you want to make your business popular, just be omnipresent, online!

Tip 2. Branding

Telling the world what distinguishes you from your competitors has a lasting effect on people. The more people recognize you, the higher are your chances of you being successful. Besides, brand awareness is not just acquiring leads and promoting the brand, it ultimately generates higher sales. You only need to find something unique about your brand and demonstrate the X factor. Be it your logo, your tagline, anything that is catchy, unique, and likable at the same time.

People do not get to know a brand overnight. You need to be consistent in your efforts. Promoting your brand through advertising is quite common, but expensive. Options like blogging, influencer partnership, email marketing, hosting virtual events, will help shape your brand.

Image source LinkedIn Business

Tip 3. Improve your Social media presence

A company’s Social media presence is directly proportional to the company’s desirability. Social media makes it very easy for you to spread the word about your company. Be it your mission, your offerings, or your values. With a whopping number of people using social media platforms, marking your presence has never been easier. For small and medium enterprises who cannot spend enormous amounts on celebrity endorsements or paid media, social media is a blessing in disguise.

Besides engagement, social media also allows feedback about your brand by the users. If you actively listen to them and act accordingly, people will feel even more connected to you. Using visuals and adding creativity to your posts will make them shareable and thus, more people know you. Research shows that pictures generate higher engagement than any other content as depicted in the below image.

Image source HubSpot

Tip 4. Invest in CSR

Never undermine the power of welfare funding. A lot of companies came forward during the pandemic to help people in some or another form. I can still name a few I did not even hear before the pandemic. Being socially responsible for the people and the environment can reinforce your brand and image. More people know you once you are a socially responsible company.

Millennials today want to be associated only with the companies having a moral obligation towards society. Hence, investing some capital in CSR and supporting the causes you care about is only going to be worthwhile. Creating goodwill for your business has a lasting positive impact on society. Rightly said, “Reap as you sow”.

Image source Nielson

Tip 5. Encourage word of mouth

Word of mouth is a powerful tool that strengthens your brand image and encourages more and more people to connect with you. You can reward your customers for letting their friends and family know about you. The other day I ordered a product for my kitchen from Amazon. I received a card along with the product. The card read “Flat INR 100 cashback when I give the product a 5-star rating on the website.” Embrace feedback and look forward to positive ones. Positive reviews have the power to attract at least 32% of the people reading the review.

Image source BrightLocal

According to Nielson, 92% of the people trust referrals from the people they know. You can start your referral programs by using the network of current customers. This form of marketing doesn’t cost huge sums to reach audiences you might have ignored earlier.

Conclusion

With large businesses capturing the market it is very difficult for SMEs to build their reputation and get known to a large number of audiences. Increased acceptance by the customers is the key to creating your name in this competitive world. Implementing the above tips with diligent and consistent efforts will help you to build brand awareness in no time.