There are so many new marketing techniques and gimmick advertising strategies popping up all the time that it’s really easy to get distracted and caught up in the hoopla. That’s why business owners always need to take a step back, look at their advertising foundation, and make sure their promotions aren’t causing them to slip into obscurity.
As far as local business marketing is concerned, companies often put forth a huge effort when they first start a new marketing campaign, but after a year or so they tend to let it fall by the wayside.
Instead of jumping from marketing method to marketing method to improve the reach of your local business, we recommend using these four advertising techniques that are crucial to small business success.
Organic search marketing
Local search engine optimization is an absolute must if you intend to achieve real time marketing success. You must optimize your website to reach your local market in the search engines, because otherwise you’re missing out on the hottest available traffic online today.
Google has made it a point to prioritize local listings by putting them at the top of the SERPs, otherwise known as the search engine results pages. It’s important that your business achieve high rankings in these local listings in order to compete with other similar competitors in your community.
Developing a Presence on Facebook and Other Social Networks
As far as local marketing strategies go, many small businesses often overlook the value of tapping into social networks to reach a wider audience.
This is a huge mistake that you need to rectify sooner rather than later. Because social media is where all of your customers and potential customers hang out every day.
So, when you develop a presence on these social websites, it will be much easier to reach your target audience, share information about discounts, special products, unique services, and develop a rabid fan base at the same time.
If you aren’t using social media for your local business, you are really missing out on a huge potential traffic source. So tap into this marketing method sooner rather than later.
Ask Customers to Post Reviews on Review Websites
Many local businesses look at review websites as a blessing and a curse. Since anyone is allowed to post a review on these sites, customers aren’t afraid to talk about negative experiences that they’ve had with a particular company.
If it seems like to many negative posts are popping up on review sites, you need to get proactive and ask your favorite customers to post positive reviews on your behalf.
By doing this, you’ll combat potential negative reviews. And before long, people will get used to reading the positive reviews and decide to post their own as they get in on the action.
Branded Company Merchandise and Apparel
The easiest way to bring your team closer together and become a tightknit company is to have branded apparel and merchandise designed for your business, team, group, etc.
This is a wise choice for two reasons.
First off, your employees and anyone else with your branded merchandise becomes a walking advertisement for your local business. Obviously, this is a good way to spread your message far and wide.
Second, by creating branded apparel for your team, everyone will feel closer together and it will create a measure of unity amongst your employees.
According to Brand RPM, businesses can create greater teamwork when they develop “… the desired look that they deserve for their brands.”
Conclusion
If you intend to take your small business to the next level, please focus on these four effective local marketing techniques to achieve greater promotional success.
