By Barton Horowitz, President of Relevant Public Relations LLC

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Some aspects of running a business in the 21^st Century haven’t changed since time began. Goods or services offered in Biblical times, like those provided today, require a seller and a buyer. Supply and demand. It’s that simple – or is it?

Your business might be among the best in its field, but that’s worth little if potential customers don’t know it exists. If your business, professional practice, or nonprofit organization is begging to be seen by a greater number of people, it needs to be marketed – but how?

An abridged history of small business marketing might include such activities as: Pitching to others in your own neighborhood; expanding your outreach to adjacent communities; traveling far distances to find new prospects; networking with fellow entrepreneurs; encouraging customers’ (a.k.a. word-of-mouth) referrals; advertising in print, later followed by ads on radio, television and, mostly recently, the Internet. Depending upon the intended audience, each of these options may have a place in a modern-day marketing plan.

A few decades back, it was common for many neighborhood shopkeepers to rely mostly on foot traffic, repeat customers and referrals to earn a living. But today’s business environment – seasoned with fierce competition and high-tech communications – demands more aggressive marketing strategies and a creative combination of tactics if an enterprise is to prosper.   

If you want to develop a business-building strategy with an effective online presence, as you likely should, you may be thinking about hiring a marketing professional. As you move closer to that goal, consider these five vital tips for creating a digital marketing strategy:

• DETERMINE YOUR OBJECTIVES

Do you want to build greater brand recognition? Do you want to attract new clients?

• UNDERSTAND THAT PATIENCE IS NEEDED

Depending on your objectives, your marketplace, your target demographics, and other factors, appreciable results take time. A marketing expert can help you establish realistic goals.

• SET A BUDGET

Make sure you have a clear idea of how much money you can devote to marketing your business, professional practice, or nonprofit group. Create a budget – and stick to it!

• ASSESS YOUR OWN MARKETING SKILLS

You may be able to save money by handling some marketing tasks on your own, such as creating social media posts or writing content for your business blog. A professional publicist/marketeer can suggest ways to take best advantage of your skills.

• ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

Before hiring a public relations/marketing agency, check out its online references. You will want to know how long the firm has been operating, as well as information about the agency’s background, such as: Experience; clients; testimonials, and accomplishments on behalf of clients. Also, ask how the firm will measure your results.

Grow Your Business with Relevant Public Relations LLC

Relevant Public Relations LLC™ (Relevant PR) exists to help businesses, professional practices and nonprofit organizations flourish. Economically headquartered in Staten Island, New York, Relevant PR is a multimedia public relations and digital-marketing company with local and national reach.

Relevant Public Relations works on behalf of banking and financial experts; law firms; medical practices; insurance companies; real estate agencies; professional and trade organizations; nonprofits; technology firms, and other businesses within a wide range of industries.

As “America’s Journalist-Empowered PR & Digital Marketing Firm, Relevant Public Relations is among the leading real estate PR firms in New York City, and the predominate media liaison of the real estate industry in Staten Island, N.Y., where it serves as the exclusive public relations representative of the Staten Island Board of Realtors® (SIBOR) and the Staten Island Multiple Listing Service. 

Relevant Public Relations is available online at www.RelevantPR.com and may be reached at 718-682-1509, or via email: [email protected]. “Like” Relevant Public Relations, LLC on Facebook.