7 Tips to Promote Your Local Small Business
Small Business Marketing News
As a small business owner, you must do everything you can to draw people to your business. The hardest thing to do is figure out a direction and create a plan, then the challenge is how to implement the plan as the marketing landscape is constantly changing. Sometimes, this can seem like an uphill battle where you are frequently needing to change tactics. Then, when you find something that seems to be working, it can be difficult to maintain it- or worse, you realize that the manpower invested is just not cost-effective. If this sounds familiar, don’t despair- you are not alone.
The reality is, many small business owners find themselves in the same position. They too, ask questions like, “Is there a better way to reach people effectively and not break the budget?”, “What can I do differently?” or “Why isn’t my/our marketing approach working better?”.
The good news is, there are many different ways you can promote your local small business. Yes, it might mean doing something new or different, but when it increases your revenue it will be worth it. If at this juncture you have not researched anything about SEO or SEO Agencies then this article will set you in the right direction for researching the high yield marketing practices used by SEO Agencies such as Local SEO, Social Media Marketing, and traditional methods such as contests and the like.
Social Media
Social media is a must to boost your local small business. Take time to set up accounts on the primary social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. But keep in mind not every business will need each of these platforms. Instead, pick 2 or 3 of them that will reach your target demographic. Consider these stats in deciding which platform(s) will best reach your target audience.
- Facebook – The most popular social media platform. And, while the majority of its users are in the 18-34-year-old range, keep in mind that 21.4% of its users are 45 and older, with the senior crowd being the fastest-growing age demographic on Facebook.
- Twitter – Recent statistics show 57.1% of Twitter users worldwide are between the ages of 25-49. In addition, Twitter is typically used more by men than women with 70% of Twitter’s advertising audience being used by males.
- Instagram – Does your local small business want to reach the younger crowd? Then Instagram might be a great platform for you. It is the most popular platform for teens and 1/3 of its users are in the 25 to 34 age group.
- LinkedIn- This unique platform is a prime way for employers to connect with potential employees and vice versa. And, in America, 40% of its users are between the ages of 36-55 while worldwide the average age is between 18-24.
- YouTube – This is the second most popular social media platform in the world; 77% of its users fall in the 15-25-year-old range.
There are many other social media factors and demographics to consider if you want your marketing efforts to reach a specific group, but these numbers can at least help you begin to narrow down which direction(s) to go. If you find yourself becoming overwhelmed don’t fret, get a hold of your local SEO Agency and ask about their Social Media Management services.
Google Listings and Beyond
According to a survey by BrightLocal, 90% of people search online for local businesses. So, if you want to be found, then you must be listed, and the ideal place to be listed is Google Listing. As you setup your FREE Google Listing be sure to incorporate some local SEO, your basic information- address, contact info, hours of operation- as well as your website URL, directions to your location, and photos of your location, product, or services.
Of course, it’s not just Google that will help you! Don’t overlook the value of platforms such as Yelp, Bing Places, Home Advisor, Angie’s List, and other platforms where people will leave reviews. Taking the time to set up these pages can go a long way towards getting your name out there! However, do keep in mind that setting up these pages is not a one-and-done thing. You will need to check these platforms for comments, requests, messages, etc. so you can interact with customers or potential clientele.
Local Marketing
Local marketing for small businesses is a must – no matter the size of your business, but the key is to do it effectively! Before you begin you need to understand who you are trying to reach/sell to and then be sure to get the information out to them in a relatable and inviting manner. Ideally, you need to think about the people within driving distance of your company and cultivate that audience. Whether you choose social media as your primary marketing strategy, community involvement, or the airwaves, getting your message out to the people in your community is a must. Some simple steps you can take to boost your local marketing include-
- Have a quality website by using keywords and search engine optimization (SEO) that targets your community or regional audience. Not sure where to start? Use tools like Google Analytics, Google Trends, or talk to one of the Ascend SEO Marketing pros.
- Update the title tags and meta descriptions on your website. These are the words that help direct the search bots to your website when someone types in the keywords as part of a web search.
- Set up local landing pages for all your business locations. These pages need to include information about your business, contact info, and anything specific to a particular location.
- Optimize social media marketing efforts by having current contact, store hours and location are correct. Then be sure to be active on your various platforms and make mention of any local events your company will be participating in.
- Ask for reviews. Ideally, get people to leave reviews as soon as possible after making a purchase. And, yes, it is okay to offer incentives for leaving a review.
Host a Local Event or be Part of a Team
Does your town have a local baseball team? Perhaps there’s a little league team in need of a sponsor? While these options might not be free, they are a great way to get your name in front of people. Whether it be on the team jersey, signage at the sports field, or even your logo on the drink cups there are many ways you can get your name in front of your local target audience. Better yet, if your local small business is big enough, consider being involved with the sports scene by having an employee’s basketball, baseball, soccer, etc. team.
Not sure your company is big enough to do it alone? Consider teaming up with another local business- not your competition- and work together. In this scenario, you can get even more exposure as you will have the opportunity to influence a local group you might not normally interact with.
Have an Online Contest
Come up with a simple giveaway that won’t break the bank- a free shopping experience, online recognition, perhaps a significant percentage off a service, etc. that will generate some local excitement. Then be sure to promote your contest at your location(s), on social media, and on any other platform you are using. Even better, be sure to take pictures and encourage reviews and feedback on the contest so you can use it for social media posts.
Develop a Customer Referral Program
Word of mouth is still a great way to build a business. Consider giving away a service or offering a discount to the people who refer someone else your way. For example, if you are a hairstylist, offer a complimentary shampoo and blowout for the person who refers a new client to you- you may even want to extend the gift to the person referred, too! Nearly every business has something they can offer as a reward for referring others to them. Do some brainstorming – there’s sure to be something!
Post Videos
As already referenced, YouTube is a key social media platform and one your small business needs to use. Fortunately, you don’t have to a professional videographer to create a video. There are many tools available, as well as those accessible with social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and others. To create your video(s), think about topics or questions people may have about your company and then address those in your video.
So, how are you going to promote your local small business? Social media? Local marketing and SEO? Contest and reviews? Videos? Any of these tools are great options and can have fantastic results. Not sure where to start? Contact the Ascend SEO Marketing team today and let us be your marketing partner!
