As a business owner in Nigeria business can be very challenging. Business owners often complain (and rightfully so) about how tough it is, not just to run a business in Nigeria, but to be successful at it.
It's not an easy venture, considering factors such as instability in the Dollar to Naira exchange rate, frequent fuel scarcity and high cost and yet epileptic power supply, just to mention but a few.
So what do you do? fold your arms and watch? Or think outside the box and do those things that will certainly guarantee your business is successful.
These are not exhaustive but only a select few ways you can improve on your business:
A. Complimentary Cards
Make sure you always carry a decent number of complimentary cards in your purse everywhere you go. You never know how many potential clients or customers you might run into.
Have a professional graphic designer handle that for you, your prints should also be of decent quality because people love looking at attractive things.
There is a constant reminder to anyone in possession of your business card that you are available to meet their needs. Your complimentary card should include the following:
a. Business name
b. Contact address
c. Phone number
d. Email
e. Logo
f. Social media handles
g. Well spelt out line of services
B. Handbills
That importance of Handbills or fliers to business success can not be overemphasized. For your business to succeed, you need to print and distribute flyers around your business vicinity. Also take your flyers to other places of business and distribute.
Places like banks, eateries and bars make good contact points between your business and it’s potential customers.
Just like a business card, your Handbills should also have your business information and a brief but precise write-up describing your offerings and services. Flyers may not promote your business on a national or global scale, but it will surely give your business a voice within your locality.
C. Free Giveaways
Giving out free or complimentary merchandise such as pens, mugs, caps, calendars and tee shirts is one great way to promote your business in Nigeria.
Make sure your giveaways are clearly branded with your company name and logo so as your customers wear or use your gifts, others will see it and become acquainted with your business.
You can pick a special occasion or holiday for your giveaways, maybe Christmas. Your customers will remember the experience and will tell their friends about it.
D. Place Signs and Posters in Front of Your Shop or Office
It really doesn’t make sense having a shop or office space when no one knows you’re there. Having a sign or poster placed right in front of your business will help draw in customers passing by.
A sign will also make it easier for an already existing customer to direct new customers to your location. For instance, I can direct a friend to “Mama Ifeanyi's” shop a lot easier if the shop had a sign in front of it, that’s a great way to promote your business.
Be sure to contact the relevant signage authorities before you put up your sign, if you don’t you’ll face the risk of a fine or having your sign taken down.
E. Organize Shows or Events
This is a great way to promote your business in Nigeria, knowing fully well that Nigerians are fun loving people. A brand like Merry Bet for instance puts together an annual soccer event where they invite celebrities to participate in friendly soccer games, they also engage the fans in quizzes where they stand a chance to win cash and other gift items.
The fans appreciate this and are more inclined to patronize Merry Bet’s gaming services, they also spread the word about their experiences and nothing beats mouth to mouth advertisements.
F. E-mail Marketing
Constantly sending your already existing customers e-mails concerning your new products and services is a great way to promote your business. You can also get potential customers to subscribe to your newsletter and also engage them via e-mail.
It will be very hard for customers to forget your product or services if they receive regular e-mails from you.
G. Use Social Media
In the world we live in today, a lot of people get most of their information through the web via social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and so on. As an entrepreneur, you should seize this opportunity and promote your business through these mediums.
The traffic social media generates is unbelievable and you will surely lose out on potential customers if you don’t tap in.
H. Use Your Car
If you own a car (or any other vehicle) you can have your business name and contact information professionally painted on the side of the vehicle.
It is somewhat a cost effective way to promote your business because you are transporting yourself and advertising at the same time.
As you move around, people will see your advert and become familiar with your business, it’s another advantage if you have more than one vehicle.
It may not seem like much since you can’t drive to every corner of the country, but the few extra clients you attract with your movements is well worth it.
I. Online Ads
Using online platforms that provide spaces for advertisements is also a fantastic way to promote your business. A site like Nairaland for instance provides advert spaces in each of their segments, both at the top and bottom of each page. Their payment plans are also flexible as well and they have different advert packages to suit several budgets.
J. You need to belong to online Forums
By joining a forum, you will meet millions of people who share the same interests as you, buyers and sellers alike. Join as many forums as there are available and engage in discussions concerning your business.
You can also drop short tips and comments on how to solve a particular problem in your area of specialization. People will see this and view your business as being credible enough to patronize.
What better way to promote your business than talking to potential customers directly. It would also be wise to use your business name for your profile and use your contact phone number as your signature.
Finally, all businesses cannot be promoted with the same techniques, some methods may work better than others depending on what your business is about, therefore it is up to you to decide which works best then follow it up diligently.
Have a good Day!
Comments
Post a Comment