How to grow your business: 7 strategies to help your business succeed.

In today’s competitive economy, businesses need to focus on growth to succeed. Yet many small or new business owners don't have a clear plan to grow their companies. In this article, we’ll share seven strategies for how to grow your business and what steps you can take to implement them.  

1. Build your contact list.

As a business owner, you’re probably doing everything you can to increase sales and generate leads. But if you aren’t collecting and using your customers’ contact information, then you could be missing out.

Emailing or texting your contact list regularly lets customers know they are important to you and keeps them connected to the latest news from your company. When done right, it can also help build repeat business, increase loyalty among existing customers, and generate referrals. Turnkey platforms like Mailchimp and AWeber make it easy to get started.

2. Get involved with your local chamber of commerce.

Chambers of commerce can be a valuable resource for your business, especially if you're trying to reach out and make connections in your local community. As a member of one of these organizations, you'll have access to networking opportunities, educational workshops, and seminars on business topics, and even scholarships for employees who want to get additional training (if you're running an employee-owned company).

Find yours by searching “(Town/City) Chamber of Commerce” on Google or an AI app.

3. Work with a small-business coach or mentor.

You can also hire a coach to help you with marketing, building your business plan, or other aspects of running a small business. A good coach will not only share their experience but also help keep you motivated and focused on achieving your goals.

You can find coaches through organizations like SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) or by searching online for "small-business coaching".

4. Build a professional website and social media presence.

In our digital world, every business needs a professional website and social media profiles. It’s where potential customers will go to find out about your company, and it’s what people will see when they search for your company online.  

To make a good website even better, here are some best practices:

• Make sure it’s mobile-friendly and easy to navigate on both phones and laptops.
• Highlight a clear call-to-action (CTA) that leads customers toward doing something—whether that is entering an email address or phone number, scheduling a meeting, or purchasing a product or service directly from your website.
• Include contact information on every page of your site so visitors can reach out directly if they need more information.

To enhance your social media presence, there are several things to keep in mind:

• Choose platforms that showcase what you sell. If, for example, your business sells products that can be attractively displayed or services that can be demonstrated, then Instagram may be a good choice because it showcases photos and videos.
• Consider who your target audience is. If you are trying to attract Gen X or Baby Boomer customers, Facebook is a great place to be.
• Post regularly to keep your followers up-to-date on what’s going on in your business and your company top-of-mind.

5. Take advantage of technology.

There are many low-cost or free tools available that can help you grow your business. For example, you can use AI applications to draft promotional emails, web analytics tools to determine which web pages perform well, and email marketing automation platforms to create newsletters or nurture campaigns.

Explore additional tech tools for small businesses in this blog.

6. Add public relations to your marketing plan.  

Public relations (PR) is a great way to build your brand, and best of all, it’s free if you have a good story to tell. PR is not the same as advertising. It’s about building relationships with the media to get coverage in newspapers or magazines, participating in industry events and conferences, hosting contests or giveaways, and connecting with influencers who will help spread the word about your business or product.

You can find local media outlets on your city or state’s website, or by utilizing AI or Google to search for them. Then you’ll need to create a pitch about something newsworthy to share.

7. Hire an intern.  

As a busy business owner, it can be challenging to find the time to implement new strategies. That’s where student interns can help. A largely untapped source of talent, interns are motivated and have the skills you need to get the job done. They bring:

• Expertise: Students are mentored by professors in their fields of study.
• New ideas: Gen Z students bring fresh and creative perspectives to your business.
• Professionalism: Many schools train their students to conduct themselves in the workplace, and work-based learning partners, such as Riipen, require students to sign codes of conduct before facilitating matches with employers.
• Cost: Interns work on projects in return for academic credit or for a small stipend, which may be covered through workforce development programs like Riipen Labs, Level UP, or FuturePath.
• Speed: By leveraging partners like Riipen, you can quickly access an existing network of qualified students to hire the right talent.
• Pipeline: Internships allow employers to work with students on short-term projects and determine if they might be a good longer-term fit for their organization.

Hiring interns was a winning growth strategy for Shawn Sales, the founder and owner of Consider It Energy. He explained, “Riipen has been integral to my company’s growth over the last year. I’ve worked with students on a variety of projects... All of these projects have increased my website presence at least fivefold.”

Ready to grow your business and work with student talent? Connect with Riipen now!

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About the author:

Carol Chin is a communications consultant specializing in content creation, storytelling, and thought leadership in the education and workforce development sectors. A passionate advocate for lifelong learning, she held senior leadership roles at global education and talent development companies including Pearson, Ellucian, and Stride before starting her own company to partner with mission-driven organizations. Her work informs, inspires, and empowers learners and professionals about key issues and trends in education, career readiness, and jobs of the future.