10 Ways to Promote Your Business in Nigeria

Hi there, so you’re a business owner operating within Nigeria’s very challenging business climate. We often complain (and rightfully so) about how tough it is, not just to run a business in Nigeria, but to be successful with it.

Not an easy task I tell you, considering factors such as a constantly unstable Dollar to Naira exchange rate, fuel scarcity and inconsistent power supply, just to name a few.

So what move do you make, fold your arms and watch? Or think outside the box and do those things that will  certainly guarantee your business is promoted.

Read More: 5 Easier and Cheaper Ways to Promote your Business

Before I proceed I’d like to point out that first and foremost you need to understand your business, you also need to know and understand who your customers are, this will help guide you accordingly during your advertisement campaigns.

Here are 10 Ways to Promote your Business in Nigeria:

1. Business Cards

Make sure you always carry a decent number of business cards in your wallet everywhere you go. You never know how many potential clients or customers you might run into.

Have a good graphic designer handle that for you, your prints should also be of decent quality because people love looking at attractive things.

There is a constant reminder to anyone in possession of your business card that you are available to meet their needs. Your business card should include the following:

a. Business name

b. Contact address

c. Phone number

d. Email

e. Logo

Read Also: Top 10 Ideas On How To Advertise Your Business In Nigeria

Never leave home without it.

2. Flyers

Print and distribute flyers around to the people in your neighboring streets. Also take your flyers to other places of business and distribute.

Places like banks, restaurants and bars make good contact points between your business and it’s potential customers.

Just like a business card, your flyer should also have your business information and a brief but precise write-up describing your goods or services.

Flyers may not promote your business on a national or global scale, but it will surely give your business a voice within your locality.

3. Free Giveaways

Giving out free or complimentary merchandise such as pens, mugs, caps, calendars and tee shirts is one great way to promote your business in Nigeria.

Make sure your giveaways are clearly branded with your company name and logo so as your customers wear or use your gifts, others will see it and become acquainted with your business.

You can pick a special occasion or holiday for your giveaways, maybe Christmas. Your customers will remember the experience and will tell their friends about it.

Read More: How to Start E-commerce Business in Nigeria

4. Place Signs and Posters in Front of Your Shop or Office

It really doesn’t make sense having a shop or office space when no one knows you’re there. Having a sign or poster placed right in front of your business will help draw in customers passing by.

A sign will also make it easier for an already existing customer to direct new customers to your location. For instance, I can direct a friend to “Mama Nkechi’s” shop a lot easier if the shop had a sign in front of it, that’s a great way to promote your business.

Be sure to contact the relevant signage authorities before you put up your sign, if you don’t you’ll face the risk of a fine or having your sign taken down.

5. Organize Shows or Events

This is a great way to promote your business in Nigeria, knowing fully well that Nigerians are fun loving people. A brand like Merry Bet for instance puts together an annual soccer event where they invite celebrities to participate in friendly soccer games, they also engage the fans in quizzes where they stand a chance to win cash and other gift items.

The fans appreciate this and are more inclined to patronize Merry Bet’s gaming services, they also spread the word about their experiences and nothing beats mouth to mouth advertisements.

Read More: 7 Ways to promote your music in Nigeria

6. E-mail Marketing

Constantly sending your already existing customers e-mails concerning your new products and services is a great way to promote your business. You can also get potential customers to subscribe to your newsletter and also engage them via e-mail.

It will be very hard for customers to forget your product or services if they receive regular e-mails from you.

7. Use Social Media

In the world we live in today, a lot of people get most of their information through the web via social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and so on. As an entrepreneur, you should seize this opportunity and promote your business through these mediums.

The traffic social media generates is unbelievable and you will surely lose out on potential customers if you don’t tap in.

8. Use Your Car

If you own a car (or any other vehicle) you can have your business name and contact information professionally painted on the side of the vehicle.

It is somewhat a cost effective way to promote your business because you are transporting yourself and advertising at the same time.

As you move around, people will see your advert and become familiar with your business, it’s another advantage if you have more than one vehicle.

It may not seem like much since you  can’t drive to every corner of the country, but the few extra clients you attract with your movements is well worth it.

9. Online Ads

Using online platforms that provide spaces for advertisements is also a fantastic way to promote your business. A site like Nairaland for instance provides advert spaces in each of their segments, both at the top and bottom of each page. Their payment plans are also flexible as well and they have different advert packages to suit several budgets.

Read More: 20 Business Ideas You Can Start Without Capital

10. Join Forums

By joining a forum, you will meet millions of people who share the same interests as you, buyers and sellers alike. Join as many forums as there are available and engage in discussions concerning your business.

You can also drop short tips and comments on how to solve a particular problem in your area of specialization. People will see this and view your business as being credible enough to patronize.

What better way to promote your business than talking to potential customers directly. It would also be wise to use your business name for your profile and use your contact phone number as your signature.

Finally, all businesses cannot be promoted with the same techniques, some methods may work better than others depending on what your business is about, therefore it is up to you to decide which works best then follow it up diligently.

Good luck!

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