Small business owners got a chance to review different marketing tactics recently.

Julie Kiehne, the Southeast Minnesota Regional Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), was in town giving a talk on marketing. Business owners discussed a mix of marketing strategies to engage customers and drive traffic to websites. They also looked at how to test if a website is mobile-friendly.

The participants also touched on Google page ranking, analytics, and making sure businesses show up correctly on digital maps. Business owners shared experiences with social media and how to build credibility and drive sales.

“It’s important to have the right marketing strategy so you reach your target market … the people who matter most to your business,” said Kiehne in a press release.

Best practices, with email marketing as one of the strongest ways to drive traffic to websites, were shared. Questions were shared such as, Are E-newsletters an effective e-marketing tool? How often should I send out my E-newsletter? What purpose does the E-newsletter serve: new product introduction, education, keeping customers informed.

The group also viewed a video demonstrating how to use YouTube as a marketing vehicle by keeping the audience in mind and focusing upon the value of the product.

Mark Thein, SBDC Consultant, is working with Vision 2020 and the Development Corporation of Austin to provide no cost confidential services to the businesses of Austin. The Austin business forum (Sponsored by the Southeastern Minnesota Initiative Foundation and the Development Corporation of Austin) meets every third Tuesday of the Month at the Pizza Ranch. To learn more about our next event contact Mark Thein at mwjrthein@gmail.com or call him at 507-459-3060.