For a newer store, what is the best marketing strategy to grow? I want to be mindful of my expenses but, I am willing to invest more to grow. What apps, service, or strategy is optimal for marketing and sales?
This really depends on your business. If your product is brand new and exciting, social media ads can drive traffic pretty quickly. If your product is more familiar and people are likely to already be looking for something along those lines, Google ads may be a better bet. In either case, since you’re being mindful of expenses, you’ll also have to leverage your time extensively and effectively. Consider your skills and your bandwidth. Is building a social media presence an attainable and attractive goal for you? Would you be better suited for in-person networking? If so, trade shows, fairs, festivals, etc. can be effective ways to build a local audience. The most important thing is consistency and sustainability. Treat your marketing as a fixed expense in terms of both time and money, and then work hard to balance your budget in both categories. It can be tempting to spend a ton of time and money on marketing opportunities that feel exciting but usually, unless you have a massive budget, the best way to start out is slow, and simple.