You put in the effort, and it’s finally time to watch your business grow or flop. Have you ever worked so hard for something only to fail at the most critical point? You are not alone. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs and corporate leaders have experienced the lows of business expectations falling short. However, some issues are easy to remedy through marketing efforts without the expense of bringing another full-fledged employee on board.
Let’s take a step back here. Maybe you are missing the forest for the trees. Developing tunnel vision as a business leader is easy, primarily when management focuses solely on numbers and their idea of success. But, the fact is that business failures serve as one step to a whole new level of success, even in the corporate world. You can’t grow without experiencing a loss once in a while.
Creating a Teachable Moment
If your recent decline in business has begun hitting the company financially, it may come time to make some difficult decisions. But, before you head straight into a team meeting to deal with the consequences, begin by looking at yourself. Keep in mind that your employees are human, just like you. People of all shapes and sizes are prone to making simple mistakes, which require a certain level of accountability from the top. So, instead, use this failure as a teachable moment to expand marketing efforts across the board. You may soon find that the decline in business has more to do with your leadership than initially thought.
Get a Jump on Marketing
Now that we have gotten the heavy out of the way, it’s time to look at the marketing areas that can improve your business ventures. Regardless of industry, if you aren’t dipping your toes into marketing, you have already failed. As a leader, it is your job to ensure business efforts incorporate proven marketing strategies to reach a target audience and excel.
Marketing comes in various forms, all of which work well for individuals, small businesses, corporations, and beyond. Many entrepreneurs dabble in organic SEO and PPC advertising to grow their client base, but these are a small piece of the pie. Even if you are starting with little to no marketing budget, you have no excuse to put more effort into the free marketing techniques, including:
- Search Engine Optimization
- Keyword Research
- Blogging (Content Marketing)
- Social Media Accounts
Take on Another Role
Adding marketing techniques to your daily routine as a manager is easy, especially if you plan and batch create. The more straightforward options, such as keyword research or running a social media account, can be done first thing in the morning, right after lunch, or before you head home for the day. Whichever you prefer, it’s best to avoid delegating these tasks to a team member, especially if they weren’t part of their original job description.
The Business of Contractors
Hiring a full-time marketing employee can be more hassle than it’s worth. Aside from the cost associated with finding candidates, you have to cover salary, payroll taxes, employee benefits, and more. Plus, if they don’t mesh well with your other employees, you could soon find yourself more short-handed than before. This exact situation is where contract and freelance employees are enabled to shine.
If you want to team up with a marketing expert on a freelance or contract basis, rest assured there are plenty available. But, of course, the best part about working with a contractor is that you pay them for the desired work without further commitment. Once you find a candidate, you can begin building a professional relationship that could last for years. Additionally, by working with freelancers through a platform such as Fiverr, you can enjoy securities that protect your money and ensure high-quality deliverables.
Testing the Waters
The best part about working with contractors and freelancers is the ability to test many writers, SEO experts, programmers, and more before making a final commitment. Once you have located the white whale, you can initiate incremental commitments to further test the waters before inking the final contract.
This process enables you to build a relationship with several candidates to discover a flow that works for both of you. You can then understand their abilities, writing styles, ethics, and more, while they begin to get an idea of your expectations and needs. The more you work together, the further solidified your relationship will become until it’s effortless. You will be free to manage less and focus on the primary responsibilities of your role.
Want More Business Tips?
If you are looking for a contract marketing expert to iron out the final details of your marketing strategy, look no further. Ericka Sheppard can improve and optimize your content for better rankings. We can work to build a website, identify applicable keywords, expand your reach, and tap into the audience you have been craving. Ready to get started? Fill out the contact form today!