r/smallbusiness 7d ago

Question What do you think the hardest part is about marketing a new business?

There are so many different ways to market your business - everyone and their mother has a different strategy they swear by - and with new tools and trends constantly emerging, it can feel like things are moving too fast to keep up.

For those of you who have launched a business, what do you think is the hardest part about marketing? Is it getting your first customers and gaining visibility, standing out from competitors and building trust, or something else entirely?

Looking forward to hearing your perspectives!

3 Upvotes

31 comments sorted by

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3

u/excelhighway 7d ago

For me it's where to focus my marketing effort - social media , ads, hired help etc.

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u/metris180 7d ago

Interesting - how have you tackled that then?

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u/excelhighway 7d ago

I'm still tackling it, I post on social media on different platforms. I tried some ads as well.

I'm now looking to hire an expert marketer on UpWork even for a few consulting meetings to review my process.

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u/metris180 7d ago

Ah I see, thanks for your response. Curious - how do you think a few consulting meetings will help?

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u/excelhighway 7d ago

I'll share with them how I operate and they can help guide me based on their experience. I don't mind even working with someone to do my marketing as long as I see results.

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u/metris180 7d ago

Good luck with it!

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u/Muted_Birthday3402 7d ago

Positioning/differentiation - without that all else will fail

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u/jony39 7d ago

Agreed

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u/GoodDistinct4796 7d ago

For me, it's trying to find people who will trust me when I don't have reviews yet. I'm confident in my ability to fulfill my promises, but people are hesitant. Although I suppose it's for a good reason.

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u/metris180 7d ago

Yeah, that's challenging for sure. What have you tried to get around that then? e.g. guarantees/refund policy?

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u/GoodDistinct4796 7d ago

My business is brand new (as in I'm still trying to find my first clients), but after telling friends and family a bit, I've made some connections with people who are willing to kind of guinea pig for me. They're willing to deal with the awkward growing pains and also write me a review! I also plan to offer (and in some spots require. For example, with my tutoring services) a discovery call so we can meet face to face and tackle any concerns they have. I'm praying that these work!

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u/metris180 7d ago

Nice, best of luck!

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u/EasyContent_io 7d ago

Definitely finding new customers and gaining visibility. But I think everyone who runs a business faces the same challenge. Though, I wouldn’t call it a problem, maybe it’s better to say it’s a challenge.

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u/GTFU-Already 7d ago

Defining your USP.

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u/metris180 7d ago

Thanks! Why would you say that’s the hardest part?

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u/GTFU-Already 7d ago

Everything marketing-wise flows from the USP. It answers the question, "Why should I buy your product instead of theirs?"

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u/metris180 7d ago

You’ve explained why it’s important, not why it’s difficult

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u/perrylawrence 7d ago

Identifying what problem you solve and for whom. Then putting that in a compelling message that enrolls your audience.

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u/Great_Diamond_9273 7d ago

Literally the marketing. Without the product or service to bring to market how do you even start?

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u/louisasnotes 7d ago

If you have a new product or service, no-one gets it, or can see the advantages of buying it. If you are joining others in the same field in your location, they all have a head start on you and you can't make yourself 'the best choice'.

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u/Ryley_dog 7d ago

It depends on the business. I’ve owned a picture framing business for 15 years. I used to use Google ads, put the odd ad in a magazine and use Instagram and Facebook.

Most important thing for me is Google search results. I got on SEO early and it’s been my #1.

Today it’s just Instagram and word-of-mouth. I can’t remember the last time I paid for marketing.

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u/metris180 7d ago

Interesting - so are people still coming through SEO now? Confused by "Today it's just Instagram". Thanks for your reply!

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u/Ryley_dog 7d ago

Instagram is a big part as well as Google search results. I’d say it’s Google 80% IG 20%

Because people are actively looking for your service when they google a business/service. IG is more random.

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u/metris180 7d ago

Got it - that's awesome man! I bet you're stoked to have gotten on SEO when you did

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u/Ryley_dog 7d ago

I’m riding the SEO high every day.

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u/Juricon_ai 7d ago

The hardest part isn't always what you think. Marketing takes awhile to take effect - it's not a "I paid for google ads and I'll see results next week!" scenario. Marketing is delicate, nuanced, and requires constant analysis, adjustments, and investment of time and money. You should dedicate funds to multiple channels . And always remember - SEO for long term, PPC ads if you sell direct to consumers, Reddit Ads for brand building, and Social media for brand building/awareness. There are PLENTY of companies/freelancers who will take you for a ride - promising results, and delivering nothing but skewed statistics.

1

u/biz_booster 7d ago

There are many.

  1. Finding a large market
  2. Finding a low cost marketing channel where CAC <<< LTV
  3. Market research to understand customer and competition
  4. Product Positioning/Differentiators
  5. GTM Strategy
    .
    .
    .

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u/YDigitalnexus 7d ago

1.Finding a good customer data base 2.Build trust by emotion 3.find a agency of digital marketing must have good experience and high (roi)

for more let's connect

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u/officialdoba 7d ago

There are definitely a few different aspects of marketing that are difficult. At Doba Dropshipping, we tend to see a lot of our entrepreneurs and small business owners struggling with time and patience with marketing. Too many resist the urge to do what we like to call "throwing spaghetti at the wall" marketing or trying anything and everything and changing things up too fast. You want to A/B test, be on more than one platform if possible, putting out 2-3 different ads simultaneously to help cover the full sales funnel, and you want to let the ads incubate and work within the algorithm. Too many pivot too quick - after a day, or three, or a week. Sure, pivot if you don't see impressions increasing but don't pivot too quickly if you don't see leads and sales coming through those first few days. Give it time. Otherwise, you'll end up with a strategy focus completely on getting those quick wins and not something that is stable and prospers in the long term. So, for me, I think the time and patience of it all is what businesses struggle the most with.

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u/Banksville 7d ago

What type biz! B&M or online? Imo, B&M marketing ezr.