The Internet has become the most popular way to market your business, but you need more than just a great website to really get your brand moving.
5 Local Marketing Tips – There are thousands of ways to get the word out about your business to possible customers and the five tips below can help get you started.
1. Remember, the Internet Is More than Google!
5 Local Marketing Tips – Many businesses immediately jump to Google to get moving with their Internet marketing plan; and while Google Local is a great tool, don’t forget that Bing and Yahoo! have their own local search platforms. So, once you’re done verifying your listing at Google Local, do the same at Bing Local and Yahoo! Local. Claim your listing, ensure all the information is accurate and keep it updated if you change anything.
2. Encourage Reviews!
5 Local Marketing Tips – Review websites like Yelp allow your customers and clients to give direct feedback about your business to the public. That can be great thing. However, it’s important to know that bringing up or getting rid of a bad review once it’s out there is next to impossible. Encourage your customers to write reviews on their positive experiences online so that one bad review is a little fish in a sea of satisfied clients.
3. Join Your Local Chamber of Commerce!
5 Local Marketing Tips – Your local Chamber of Commerce gives you credibility, provides a direct connection to other local businesses for potential partnerships and offers you the chance to network with membersof your community. While this type of marketing will come with a price tag, it’s far less expensive than traditional advertising. Contact your local Chamber and request membership information so you can do your own cost-benefit analysis and make a smart decision.
4. Use Social Media!
5 Local Marketing Tips – Even if you have no experience and are not sure where to start, it’s important to get your page online as soon as possible so that you can reserve it and ensure it does not get snapped up by someone else, like a competitor. Then you can come back later if need be to build the page out more fully and maintain it on a regular basis. Social media is an excellent and affordable way to tap into a large potential network, many of whom may already be your customers!
5. Visit Your Audience!
5 Local Marketing Tips – Word of mouth is still one of the best ways to grow your business. Find out where your audience is and go to them, whether that’s visiting local organizations or groups or simply handing out your business card to every person that you meet. There’s a good possibility that even if they don’t need your services, the individuals you are talking to will know someone who does. Don’t be stingy—give those business cards out like they’re candy!
What other local small business marketing online business opportunity tips would you add to this list? We’d like to hear from you about 5 Local Marketing Tips or any other topic you’d like to have us write about. Submit your suggestions to us [email protected] today!
