There isn’t an entrepreneur on the planet who wants to start small and stay that way. Every business owner’s dream is to expand into a global conglomerate with a billion-dollar turnover and a stellar reputation. Obviously, only a select few leaders get to hit their goals because it takes a combination of product quality, hard work and a slice of good fortune.

Without the drive to succeed, you wouldn’t be able to be successful in your own right because your mentality is the key. Even if you don’t think you’re going to rub shoulders with Silicon Valley’s finest, it’s still vital that you dream big. Of course, dreaming isn’t going to increase leads, conversions or sales, so you need to take action too. And, it doesn’t have to be concrete as the perception of your brand is enough to give you a global reach.

With that in mind, here are the five strategies you can use to make your small business appeal across a broad base. If used correctly, they should help with your expansion goals and fulfill the prophecy.

Forget Your Dues

Speak to anyone from the previous generation and they’ll say that you need to pay your dues. Starting at the bottom of the corporate ladder is a rite of passage that you need to experience to grow into a leader. The truth this, it isn’t, not in the 2st-century. The reason for this is the expansion of technology as the rate has been off the charts.

Today, you can easily reach a global audience by setting up a website. Once online, the business will have a digital presence that anyone can see regardless of their location. As long as you use SEO and modern marketing trends correctly, you should be able to raise awareness of the brand. The best thing is that a website is free to set up or very cheap if you prefer to opt for a web design team and a host. The same goes for digital marketing strategies too.

More and more startups are missing out the first step of their journey and diving headfirst into the deep end. You might sink without the help of the local community, but you can as easily swim when you appeal to a global audience.

Be Social

Not in public but over the internet. Social media platforms have taken over as the leader of marketing since the turn of the century, and you need to use them accordingly. The first step is to sign up to as many as possible. Whether it’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn, they all have their advantages if you can make the content go viral.

The key is to adopt a social tone of voice. Social media is different in the sense that it’s casual and informal, and that provides brands with the opportunity to try new things. You can, for example, be funny and witty to attract subscribers. Uni Lad is now a company with offices in London that started as a cheeky website thanks to its TOV. Also, never underestimate the power of video content. Video is the king and written content is the prince because the former is attractive, engaging and not boring. Plus, it’s more shareable thanks to the God of all social media platforms – YouTube.

LinkedIn is often forgotten, yet it can be an excellent tool. Connecting with big brands and respected industry leaders is a fantastic way to prove that you’re more than a startup. With a well-mapped out LinkedIn page, you’re a brand worth knowing.

Invest in the Artificial

Artificial intelligence is enough to send a shiver down your spine. If you’ve ever watched “Terminator,” you’ll know that the robots are out to kill humanity and take over the planet. Well, the film is fiction (sort of – Elon Musk isn’t convinced!) and the reality is that AI is a useful business asset.

With the help of chatbots, for example, there is no need to ignore customers. The software greets users when they land and funnels them to their page of choice, all without the aid of a human. A high level of customer service is crucial as it boosts the company’s professional standards. Investment apps are excellent too. By setting the parameters of your business’s investments, you can let the software manage the day to day and make a hefty profit. Without an injection of cash, there is no way to expand into the global market.

A virtual service is probably the most effective tool at your disposal. With call answering teams in the US, Europe, Asia and Australia, you can handle queries from around the world. Not only does it impact lead generation, but it also affects your brand. When you have “offices” on every continent, consumers will assume you’re a big deal.

Smooth out Your Shipping Policy

Global businesses ship their products far and wide, so you must do the same. Of course, you shouldn’t adopt their policy without tailoring it to your company first. Using a one-size-fits-all strategy is bound to do more harm than good if you overreach.

Start by outsourcing to a shipping company that you can trust. Always do your research and remember to link your objectives to their services. Next, think about the feasibility of your deliveries. Shipping nationally and internationally is one thing, but it doesn’t mean you should offer next-day or nominated delivery if you can’t keep your promises.

Customers prefer to get their products and services on time, even if other companies can deliver quicker. There is nothing worse than poor punctuality regarding your shipping service as it reflects poorly on the brand. Finally, ensure your returns policy is on point. At the least, it needs to adhere to consumer rules and regulations.

Choose a Demographic

Advertising to every person on the planet isn’t a realistic plan. You have to pick your demographics wisely and get them to convert as you’ll waste time and money otherwise. Choosing a group is pretty straightforward – use your analytics software to figure who buys your products and services in each region. Then, tweak your advertising to reflect their loyalty.

A word warning – don’t try to walk before you can crawl. Take it slow and build your reach for the best results.