Have heard the term “local marketing” and it’s piqued your interest as a way to promote your small business? Good news! You are on the right track! If you’re looking to get customers to your small business, local marketing can put your business in front of a direct audience and patronize your business. Here are 5 proven local marketing strategies you can try.
- Build and Optimize a Website for Locals
- Target Local Users on Social Media
- Encourage Customers to Leave Reviews
- Engage in Local Email Marketing Campaigns
- Share Your Story
- plus many more ideas for your business
What is Local Marketing?
Local marketing is just what it sounds like. That is, targeting an audience in the same region where your business is located. It consists of strategies that are designed to target regional-based audiences in close proximity to a business. It is a quick and easy technique for increasing the success of a business. It is an especially beneficial strategy for businesses that depend on their physical location for success – such as local professionals and restaurants.
Local Marketing Strategies That Work
If you are interested in local business marketing, you will be pleased to know that there are several local marketing strategies that will prove to be highly productive in your endeavors. The following list outlines some of the most beneficial of these strategies and includes a brief explanation of each:
1. Build and Optimize a Website for Locals
In order to succeed at any level of success with your small business, you must build a website. You cannot just stop there, though. That website should be optimized for both search engines and local traffic. First, ensure that your website is responsive. That is, it is mobile-friendly. Then, you must use keywords and keyword phrases that are relevant to your niche and localities. What would a local searcher look for in order to find your business? Mention your area and nearby communities.
In addition to the above mentioned, you should manage your website listings in search engines. Most internet users will search on their mobile devices first for local businesses. You should make certain that your business is listed in the Google business listings. All relevant information – such as address, hours, phone number, and so on – should be specified in a Google My Business account. In addition to Google, there are other listings you may claim as yours for your business. One such listing is now offered by Bing.
2. Target Users on Social Media That Are Local
The next area of focus when engaging in local business marketing should be social media. If you know how to use the social media platforms currently online, you may use that platform to your advantage when it comes to local targeting. Let’s take Facebook, for example. You may promote your business to users that are within your area with a small budget. You may encourage users to follow your business. Simply share fun and engaging content through updates. In turn, this will be seen – and likely shared – by those that are in the locality of your business.
Think of your social media pages in much the same way as your website. These pages should be localized and optimized. Be certain to include the location and contact information on your pages. You will also want to include your hours of operation, a direct communication link (such as Facebook Messenger), and ensure that you are active on your pages. Your social media pages will help you build your reputation, and your brand, and broadcast your products and/or services as well as any deals, promotions, or specials.
3. Encourage Individuals to Leave Reviews
If you are reading this, it is quite likely that you already have a few satisfied customers. You should talk to them about their experience and encourage them to leave online reviews about your business. These may be on Facebook, on Google Reviews, Yelp, or any other location. One of the best ways to encourage reviews is to offer promotions, giveaways, or discounts to those that elect to do this for your business. Once reviews are left – be it positive or negative – respond to each of them in a positive and professional manner. Always be authentic, honest, and practice humility. Remember, potential customers, are watching and reading.
4. Engage in Local Email Marketing Campaigns
It is a known fact that email marketing campaigns are not only inexpensive, but they are simple and truly effective. If you are interested in attracting individuals that are within the area of your business, you should consider engaging in local email marketing campaigns. In short, the main expense that you will encounter in setting up this type of campaign is obtaining the email addresses of those in your region.
There are several ways to obtain email addresses of those in your area. You may start with an online form on your website. You may also promote this form on your social media pages. This will let you gather emails and location information easily. If you engage in local events, you may also encourage those that visit those events to place their information on a sign-up sheet. Once you have the email addresses, you may then initiate a marketing campaign that communicates both updates and the promotions associated with your small business.
5. Share Your Story
If you want to attract a local audience, you should place a focus on distracting those individuals away from the noise of the larger businesses and corporations surrounding your business. One way to do this is to share the story of how your business got started. This is especially true if your company was founded within the community where you are attempting to appeal to a local audience. By sharing a personal story with those in the area, you will find that you are capable of connecting with them on a genuine and personal level.
In today’s world, large businesses and corporations are considered entities – at least for the most part. Small businesses are often overlooked because larger entities are capable of offering more. If you give your business a persona and a connection to a specific area, you will find that more people are willing to work with your business because they feel connected to it and feel a sense of loyalty because of the local connection. Do this – as they say – and “…they will come.”
Other Local Business Marketing Strategies
In addition to the ideas outlined above, there are many other local marketing strategies that you may engage in. These include – but are not limited to – the following:
- Be certain that you are easy to reach
- Do all that you are able to in order to attract foot traffic
- Take steps that will entice customers to return
- Post product and/or service information and pictures online
- Update your website and blog regularly with interesting, high-quality content
- Infuse a wide array of local-based elements into your displays – both online and offline – and in your merchandising
- Hold promotional events
- Sponsor a local event
- Develop partnerships with other businesses in the area
- Host live video streams and/or podcasts
- Try SMS marketing
- Participate with professional groups on the internet
- Always follow up with customers
- Register with local business directories
- Initiate a referral program
- Update title tags and the meta descriptions on your website
- Set up local landing pages for your location/locations
- Try direct mail marketing campaigns
- Try localized paid advertisements
- Create a customer loyalty program
- Think globally, but engage in local advertising
Contact Us
If you are interested in local business marketing, contact us here at Brick Road Media today. We offer many services and products that will allow you to reach the customers in your locality, and beyond! Contact us now by calling: 765-439-4029