LOCAL MARKETS

Most small business owners are, what I call, local marketers. That means that the majority of their business comes from a local market. The magazine, Small Business Trends, had the following suggestions as to how to best get noticed in Local Markets:

• Be everywhere on line. Update your website on a regular basis and maintain active posts on your business social sites. Search out local online opportunities such as Alignable, Neighborhood, and other locally originated online sites. As always, consistency and quality content is the key.
• Put a face on the Company: in a small locally focused marketing effort people will trust the company when they know who is behind it.
• Be an active volunteer. This is one of the best ways to become known. This is working for the betterment of your community and not a sales effort. Consistent and dedicated work on behalf of a community will be noticed.
• Distribute flyers. This is one of the most effective and least expensive ways to get known. Always carry brochures with you and make an effort to hand out at least five a day. Door knocking is still a powerful marketing tool.
• Be visible at local events. Yes, wear a name tag or display your logo on your clothing.
• Direct mail is still an effective way of getting noticed. The US post office has several inexpensive distribution methods that allow you to target a specific area.

Selecting a small area in which to begin your marketing efforts is very effective. You can easily become the “Biggest Fish” in that small targeted market. It is easy to focus and also provides a sense of accomplishment when you become the go-to person in your industry.

Once you have dominated our selected local market the same method can be duplicated again and again as you grow your business.

It’s amazing! The harder you work and the more discipline you have, the more successful you will become.
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Tips & Advice by Nick Petra, CFP – Founder of Strategic Duck and BizQuack