Running a Small Business is not a small task. In fact, as a small business owner, one usually is wearing many hats in order to achieve successful output and make an impact on their local area. Whether your small business is made up of one or multiple locations, there is often a level of competitiveness in the advertising and marketing department with larger businesses or even corporations. How does one effectively advertise solely to a more specific, desired group of people?
There are tools for business owners that allow them to optimize their exposure and outreach, even if it is to a smaller, local region. Before going into some tips that will help create advertising options for small businesses, it is important to know that in order to be truly effective in advertising or marketing endeavors, the business owner must know their role in the local area or community and what wants or needs they are filling. Without knowing this vital distinction, it will be difficult to gain optimal success from the following tasks.
1. Start a customer loyalty program. The great thing about a loyalty program for a small business specifically is that it shows the effort in acknowledging and appreciating your customers by rewarding them with their, well loyalty. On top of this, it is a great incentive for the consumers; even if they do not come back every single day for your product or service, a paper card with punch holes or checks on it will be a great reminder of the last time they visited your store and encourage the idea of going back.
2. Create branded content as advertisements for local news stations. This is especially a great resource for local service based businesses as a way to showcase their expertise through informative and intriguing visual content. In terms of any type of business, creating content for local news channels or even written publications is a surefire way to reach your desired audience. Also, utilizing this platform for specific updates on an event your business is hosting or possibly a new product or location is a great way to promote the news in a way that portrays its significance.
3. Host an event. An event doesn’t need to be a grand opening or involving some anniversary for your business, rather, it can be anything to draw attention to foot traffic and showcase your products and/or services, workers, and your business space. A great way to create cause for an event is to host something general like an open mic night or even collaborating with a neighboring or fellow local business. Whatever the event is or how it’s created, an excuse to promote your store front or products will encourage attention and maybe even word-of-mouth advertising.
4. Create a Google My Business platform to increase SEO. Owning a small business does not mean you have to rely on local and “smaller” forms of outreach. Google My Business can be one of the best ways to ensure that customers of all kinds — local or people passing through — have a chance to find your business, learn what it is, and hopefully leave reviews afterwards for the next search.
When it comes to advertising and marketing, the idea is to think big so that your business can grow and be successful. Running a small business does not dismiss the concept of this strategy because your business, big or small in size, is important and deserves big recognition. As a small business owner, utilizing the above tips will ensure that your business gets the exposure and attention it deserves as you are providing local service and local care to your local community.
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Daniel James Consulting is a Full-Service Business Consulting Firm based in New York that designs solutions tailored specifically to the needs of your business in order to ensure you achieve continued success by designing, developing and implementing plans, metrics and platforms, be it a one-man operation, non-profit, startup or large organization. Our packaged solutions or a la carte selections include Website Design, Marketing & Advertising, Search Engine Positioning, and Graphic Design. Business Management Solutions are also available for companies of all sizes.
For more information please visit: www.danieljamesconsulting.com