Congratulations! You’ve taken the plunge and started your own forensic business. Now, it’s time to let the world know you exist! Learning how to advertise a forensic business can feel overwhelming when you’re just starting, but don’t worry—we’re going to break it down step by step so you can build visibility and attract the right audience. Whether you’re launching a forensic service, a product, or something completely unique, these advertising strategies will help you gain momentum.
And if you’re still in the early stages of setting up your forensic business, check out our guide on How to Start a Forensic Business for $250 or Less to get started on the right foot!
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1. Know Your Customer
Before you start advertising, take a moment to imagine your ideal customer. Advertising your forensic business effectively starts with knowing who you are trying to reach. This is more than just guessing their age or location. Really think about them and ask yourself:
- What problem are you solving for them?
- What’s their life like? Are they a working forensic scientist balancing 12-hour shifts, a college student prepping for finals, or maybe an investigator who needs streamlined tools for their workflow?
- Where do they spend their time—both online and in person?
Once you’ve got a clear picture, you can focus your advertising where that customer is most likely to see it. (Spoiler alert: Advertising to “everyone” is advertising to no one.)
2. Build Your Website
First things first: your forensic business needs a website. Period. Full stop. We’re just going to say it—we won’t buy from a company without one.
One of the most important steps in how to advertise a forensic business is having a professional website. It serves as your digital headquarters where customers can learn about your products or services 24/7.
How to Get Started:
- DIY Website Building: Platforms like WordPress, Squarespace, and Wix make website creation accessible, even if you have no prior experience.
- Website Hosting & Design: We use Bluehost for hosting our websites and Elementor for designing our webpages. If you’re excited and eager to start building your site, get 75% off your first year of Bluehost!
- Templates: If design isn’t your strong suit, consider purchasing a pre-made template on Etsy or Canva. Prices vary, but they’re often worth the investment. Simply swap in your information and images, and boom—you’re good to go!
Did we know anything about website building at first? Not a thing. But we learned, and so can you! (Fun fact: you should have seen what our site looked like when we started—yikes!)
3. Harness Social Media for Advertising
Social media is free (yay!) and one of the best ways to spread the word about your forensic business. But first, consider where your ideal customer is most likely to scroll:
- Facebook: Great for community engagement and event promotion.
- Instagram: Ideal for sharing behind-the-scenes content and product photos.
- LinkedIn: Best for forensic professionals offering B2B (that’s code for “business-to-business”) services or professional content.
- Pinterest: Great for sharing educational content or inspiring ideas.
Set up social media accounts for your forensic business and commit to posting a few times a week. Need help keeping up? Try an app like Planoly, which starts at $16/month and lets you schedule posts across platforms in one go. Efficiency is the name of the game!
4. Explore Forensic Advertising Opportunities
Think outside the social media box to set your forensic business apart. Where else might your ideal customer find you? Consider some of these ideas:
- Forensic Association Websites: We’ve found success advertising on state and national forensic organizations websites, especially for training webinars or forensic-related services. Many will promote your class for free if it’s virtual or in their area.
- Industry Groups: Join forensic-specific social media groups or local professional organizations that allow promotional posts.
- Guest Blogging & Podcasts: Write guest posts for forensic science blogs or appear on industry podcasts to establish authority and expand your reach.
5. Make Your Advertisements Look Good
We need to talk about how your ads actually look. Nothing makes a customer scroll past faster than a boring or poorly designed advertisement. Think about your customer:
- What catches their eye?
- What makes them curious?
- What excites them?
Use those answers to create engaging ads. Tools like Canva are lifesavers. The free version is fantastic, and the Pro version unlocks even more design tools as your forensic business grows. Use it to create everything from social media graphics to flyers to website banners.
Bonus Tips for Advertising Success:
- Engage, Don’t Just Sell: People want to connect—not just listen to sales pitches. Share your story, behind-the-scenes moments, and tips they can use.
- Track What Works: Keep an eye on which platforms and ad styles perform best. Double down on what’s working and pivot away from what’s not.
- Stay Consistent: Branding matters! Keep your colors, fonts, and overall vibe consistent across all platforms. Customers remember a cohesive experience.
Starting a forensic business is an exciting journey, and learning how to advertise a forensic business is a crucial step in making it successful. Remember, you don’t have to get everything perfect on day one—just get it started and refine as you go. Now go out there and let the world know what you’ve got to offer. You’ve got this!
Want more support? Join our private community of over 1,500 forensic professionals where you can network, ask questions, and even advertise your forensic business under the “Jobs, Trainings & Products” space! Click here to join.