The internet is a huge place. If you have a small mom-and-pop shop in a small town in Michigan however, attracting the interest of people across the globe may not help increase your sales. Local marketing focuses on the people who live close to your shop, attracting the attention of people who are more likely to visit you.
Local SEO is important for places like gyms, restaurants and boutiques, because the people searching for them need to be nearby to benefit.
If you need local marketing ideas to get the word out about your business, here are 7 unique local marketing ideas.
Take Advantage of Business Listings
Many social media platforms have a business profile you can claim. These profiles usually allow you to list important information like your business address, operating hours, and phone number. Important business listings include:
- Google Business Listings
- DuckDuckGo Maps
- Yelp
These basics will help make your local business more visible when people are searching for something locally.
Stay Active on Social Media
Actively posting on social media can also help gain the attention of your audience. A quick shot of people having fun at a sports bar, before and after pictures of a dog at a grooming salon, or a daily activity at a daycare can help get attention from a local audience.
Social media content has to stay fresh to make a difference however, so post daily for optimum results. For an added boost, use geolocal tags on social media platforms that allow them, such as Faceboo and Instagram.
Localize Your Advertisements
Paid advertising is a common part of outreach. Some advertising platforms including Google and Facebook allow advertisements to be narrowed to a specific location. This means you can advertise only to people within driving distance of your business.
If you need help with your PPC campaign, Local Marketing Experts can help get your campaigns on track. Ask us how!
Reach Out to Your Community
Maintaining a presence in your local community can also help build relationships with your customers. Participating in local events, placing ads or asking for media spotlights from newspapers or local news can all help your business gain traction.
Look for local newsletters, magazines, and other media and pitch a story idea to them. You may be able to access a new audience through a successful story.
Start a Referral Program
One of the best ways to get new people in the door, is to encourage your current customers to share your business. Offering discounts to people who refer new customers, or some other loyalty program, can help encourage your current customers to share your business with their friends.
The best local marketing campaign focuses on traffic local to your business. This may include both a marketing campaign in the local community, and one online targeted to people who live nearby. A strong online presence and an active effort in your local community can boost the number of people who can find your business.
