Image: emma.kate / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

For gyms, January is usually one of the busiest months of the year. For many small and midsize businesses, however, the opposite is true. The first month of the year can feel slow, quiet, and a little frustrating. But a slower month doesn’t have to be wasted time. In fact, January is the perfect opportunity to step back and focus on your marketing. Instead of waiting for customers to show up, use the downtime to set your business up for the months ahead. Here are three simple marketing ideas worth trying.

3 frische Marketingideen für KMUs

IDEA #1: Quote Graphics for Social Media

You already have a Facebook page, maybe a Twitter account, and possibly a Google+ profile. The problem most business owners run into is time. Posting consistently with engaging content isn’t easy when you’re busy running a company. A practical solution is to create a library of quote graphics for the entire year.

Work with a designer to create branded images that feature:

• memorable quotes
• short insights related to your industry
• motivational or clever sayings that fit your brand

Once they’re designed, you’ll always have something ready to post. One graphic per month is often enough to keep your social channels active without adding stress to your schedule.
There’s also a clear performance benefit. Social media users naturally respond to visuals. According to data published by Buffer, posts that include images receive significantly more engagement, including more likes and substantially more comments than text-only posts. In other words, a simple graphic can do a lot of marketing work for you.

IDEA #2: Turn Your Customers Into Advocates

There is no marketing more powerful than a recommendation from a happy customer. Word-of-mouth has always been the most trusted form of advertising. So why not encourage it intentionally? A simple referral program can work wonders. Give your existing customers a reason to spread the word about your business. One easy approach is to hand out referral cards. These cards briefly explain your referral offer and reward both people involved:

• the customer who recommends you
• the new customer who comes in because of that recommendation

For example, both could receive a discount, a free add-on, or a small bonus service.

Have the cards professionally designed and printed online. The cost is minimal, but the potential impact is huge. When you personally hand the card to a satisfied customer, the recommendation suddenly becomes much more likely. Happy customers are already talking about you. A small incentive simply nudges them to do it more often.

IDEA #3: Free Postcards That Promote Your Business

If you run a restaurant, work in tourism, or operate in a city with lots of visitors, this idea can be surprisingly effective. Create a fun or visually appealing postcard and make it available for free in your business. People love picking up postcards. They take them home, share them with friends, or send them to someone else. That simple behavior can quietly spread your brand far beyond your storefront.

The key is subtle branding. Include:

• your website
• a memorable tagline
• your logo in a tasteful way

The card should feel like something people want to keep, not like a traditional ad. Production is affordable. A designer can create the artwork, and online print shops make small print runs inexpensive. Compared to many marketing tactics, the cost is low while the exposure can be surprisingly wide.

Need Help Putting These Ideas Into Action?

Marketing ideas are easy. Executing them well is what makes the difference. If you’re planning a campaign and want a reliable partner to help bring it to life, we’re happy to help. Reach out and let’s talk about your ideas.