Four States Small Business Blog

The eye care industry is in good shape, partly due to the fact that as people age they are more likely to need vision correction. In fact, 86% ofAmericans over age 45 rely on it. What’s more, independent optometrists are experiencing an annual growth rate of 2.8%, while ophthalmologists are enjoying a 4-5% rate of growth. Combined with opticians, eye care professionals (ECPs) represent a $40 billion market, with steady growth being predicted throughout the next decade.

Many people opt for elective procedures like LASIK vision correction, Botox injections, breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, and cosmetic services. But regardless of your specialty, marketing to potential clients can be a challenge. Not only do you have to compete with other providers in your area, but you must also overcome several hurdles that aren’t often faced for medically necessary procedures.

Every generation gets a name, and the one that is just starting to enter the workforce is Generation Z. Born between 1995 and 2010, this generation includes 61 million people under the age of 23. It is estimated that by 2020, they will make up 20% of the workforce.

Digital marketing is a powerful tool for local retail stores. With more than four billion people around the world using the internet, this promotional tactic provides brick-and-mortar stores ample opportunity to reach their target audience and drive in-store traffic.

Attracting new customers is a challenge for any business, but it can be especially hard for auto repair shops. Although 75% of auto repair is performed by independent auto shops, factors such as the lack of transparency or high competition can lead to fewer new clients and decreased business. However, using social media can offer a range of benefits for auto repair shops, while also helping them stand out from the competition.

Many businesses put in a lot of time and effort to have their brand go viral. It increases awareness, traffic, memorability, and positive engagement. And while there’s no magic formula for “going viral,” every brand hopes that their content will be seen and shared by the right people. However, once you do achieve viral status, it’s important to have a strategy in place to capitalize on the momentum you’ve built. That’s where digital brand management comes in.

There are seemingly infinite digital marketing tactics available, so it can get confusing when it's time to decide which ones are best for your business. However, reading about each and every one would take a while, and when it's time to run promotions, it's important to get moving instead of spending countless hours on research. Yet, with over4 billion internet users worldwide, you can't afford not to add digital solutions to your marketing toolkit.

The end of the year is the ideal time to build your marketing plan for the year ahead. After all, having an annual marketing plan offers a high-level view of your marketing program, keeps your marketing team accountable, ensures your budget stays on track and identifies any gaps in your existing strategy.

Seasonal businesses like home improvement may be tempted to ease up on marketing during the off-months, but this can be a mistake. It's very important to remain consistent throughout the year regardless of the activity level of the company. This helps to ensure that people have your business in mind when the time comes to make buying decisions. It also providesseveral other benefits, like building trust and driving customer loyalty.

While the popularity of jingles might have peaked in the 1950s, the radio jingle is still an invaluable marketing tool. Advertisers have not given up on this clever tool by a long shot. Brands like McDonald’s and Nationwide still work to generate the goodwill and nostalgia that jingles, at their very best, have done so well for nearly a century.