You served your country with honor and now you’re transitioning back into society as a business owner. Here are three quick marketing tips for veteran-owned small businesses that will assist you in gaining the advantage over your competitors.

As a vetrepreneur, success in your small businesses is crucial. We’re helping you succeed in your marketing with this quick guide specifically designed for veteran-owned small businesses!

Define Your Target Audience

It’s vital to first define who your target audience is, so take a close look at them and their spending habits. You will then need to research your competition and  analyze what type of clients they are attracting and compare them to your own. The key to this strategy is to identify the market they are neglecting and use it to your own advantage.

Next, you must break down the demographics. You can start by categorizing from age, location, gender, income level, education level, marital status, occupation, and ethnic background. At South Street & Co., we create target personas to better understand our audience and their interests. It’s important that you keep up with your demographics, as they are subject to change as your business grows!

Most importantly, understand your audience’s psychographics. Sometimes it’s hard for veteran-owned small businesses to determine how their products or services will fit into the lifestyles of their consumers. Take into account their personalities, values, hobbies and behaviors. The more you understand them and how they think, the more you’ll be able to accurately appeal to them.

Grow Your Social Media Presence

Once you have fully identified your main target audience, it’s time to effectively connect with them on social media. Understand how social media works and which platforms work for your business. Knowing which platforms your audience uses will help you prioritize which platform to invest more time in. If your products or services cater to older generations, you can find most of them on Facebook. You’ll find the most engagement with younger generations through Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter.

Create A Profile

Once you’ve found where your audience spends their time, create an attractive profile. Use a photo, or logo, of your brand that will stand out and capture the attention you need. Follow relevant accounts, real people, and influencers in the military community. This will allow your business to become legitimate and authentic.

Research relevant #Hashtags in your current market to maximize your presence on Instagram and Twitter. Instagram allows you to use up to 29 hashtags. Your hashtags should be a combination of items pertaining to veteran-owned small businesses, your location, and products/services. Some examples are:

• #VeteranOwnedSmallBusiness
• #VeteranBuilt
• #VeteranBusiness

These are a few among the most popular hashtags to include in your posts. Remember, you only get 29, so make them count.

Establish Your Business Brand

Branding is telling your audience who you are, what you represent, and what you provide. You want people to see your logo and immediately recognize what you stand for.

When people see Black Rifle Coffee Company, some see just another coffee product, but their target audience sees a veteran-owned coffee business. You will want to achieve a similar effect with your own audience. Remember that remaining consistent in your brand will allow people to feel comfortable with your business and will be more likely to mention your business in their social network. I have tried Black Rifle Coffee while working overseas. I, personally, find it very close in taste and even better than most name branded coffee. Many of my brothers and sisters from all branches of service can agree as well. 

Last but not least, thank you for your service! If you’re among the many veteran-owned small businesses that wants to grow, then allow us to serve you. We are a full-fledged digital marketing firm dedicated to helping our clients grow their brand using SEO, social media, and all the works. Contact us today!