*This is a collaborative post.
When you are a mum, setting up your own business is a great way to ensure that you can manage your time more effectively, so you don’t have to work so hard at juggling work commitments around childcare commitments, while also building wealth for the future of your family. But, it is fair to say that it is not easy.
One thing that many mumpreneurs found particularly hard is marketing their fledgling businesses in the first place Finding that first customer is often the most difficult part of the process, once it has been overcome, will make everything else seem that little bit simpler.
That being the case, below, we are going to take a look at the mum business marketing essentials you need to know about to hit the ground running.
Embrace the Chaos: Your Unique Selling Point
First things first: your life may be chaotic, but darling, that chaos is your secret weapon. It’s what makes you relatable to your audience. Use your authentic mum experiences as part of your brand’s story. Instagram posts about balancing laptops and toddlers? Yes, please. Tweets about using baby wipes to clean… everything? Absolutely. Your audience will love you for your honesty and humour.
Flyer Printing: Old School but Gold
Now, let’s talk about flyer printing. I know, I know, it sounds as old school as teaching your nan to use Facebook, but hear me out. In a digital age, the tactile feel of a flyer can actually make your business stand out. Picture this: a beautifully designed flyer, complete with a witty tagline and your kids’ artwork as the background, tucked into local cafes, play centres, and noticeboards. It’s personal, it’s local and local businesses are something so many people want to support right now, and it’s practically begging for attention amidst a sea of digital noise. Plus, it’s an excellent craft project for the kids. Who knew flyer printing could be a family bonding activity?
The Power of Playgroup Networking
Forget LinkedIn. Your local playgroup is where the real networking is at when you’re a mum with a mission to build a strong and successful business for yourself. It’s a goldmine of potential clients and collaborators. Picture this: amidst the symphony of squeals and the occasional nappy disaster, you’re making connections, swapping business cards (or napkins with your number scribbled on them – we’re flexible), and setting up playdates that double as business meetings. Who said you can’t discuss business strategies while supervising soft play?
Social Media: The Naptime Hustle
Social media is your best friend when it comes to all things marketing, especially when you are on a mumpreneur budget. It’s where you can show off your products, share your mum mishaps for empathy points, and connect with customers while hiding in the bathroom for a quick five-minute scroll. Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to share behind-the-scenes looks at your business, mum life hacks, and of course, the obligatory cute kid and pet photos. Remember, every like and share increases your reach, and you can do it all during naptime. Efficiency is our middle name (right after “please stop drawing on the walls”).
Collaborations: The Mum Mafia
A really good way to start making traction with your new business venture is to simply collaborate with other mum businesses in the area. There’s a kind of unspoken mum code where we all want to see each other succeed, so it is actually not that difficult to find someone who would be willing to work with you. Partner up for giveaways, co-host events, or simply support each other’s social media posts to get things started. It’s kind of like forming your own mum mafia, but instead of crime, you’re spreading love, support, and business growth. And let’s be honest, there’s nothing more terrifying to the competition than a group of determined mums on a mission as any school governors will know.
Guerrilla Marketing: Playground Edition
Who says you need a big budget for effective marketing? Next time you’re at the playground, become a guerrilla marketing master and you will soon start to see the sales come flowing in. How do you do that Start simple by casually dropping your business name into conversations. “Oh, this old thing? Just something from my little shop.” Hand out samples like they’re snacks (because let’s face it, we’ve always got snacks on us). Turn your buggy into a mobile advert; a little sign hanging off the back might catch the eye of another mum who’s been looking for exactly what you offer.
Email Marketing: More Than Just a Newsletter
If you can, take the time to create an email newsletter that’s more than just a sales pitch. Share stories from your life, offer exclusive discounts, and maybe a recipe or two (because we all need a quick dinner idea now and then). Make your subscribers feel like they’re part of a special club – the kind that understands the importance of hiding chocolate from the children.
DIY PR: Be Your Own Hype Squad
Lastly, don’t be afraid to toot your own horn. Send press releases to local newspapers, get involved with community events, and pitch your story to mum blogs and podcasts. The more you share your journey, the more people will root for you – because if there’s one thing we mums are good at, it’s supporting each other.
As you can see, marketing your mum business is not all that difficult once you know what you are doing, and all of the above are good places to start, but don’t let the sheer number of marketing musts put you off you can start simple with one or two ideas and keep adding things in as and when you have the time and ability to do so. Marketing a new business is often a marathon, rather than a sprint, and when you have kids to look after too, it is never a good idea to heap too much on your plate all at once.
