subject: Spreading Local Business Through In-person And Online Marketing [print this page] Local businesses should be very happy with the 21st century--with the exception of the economic downturn just about everything is going in favor of the independent market. Technologies allow us to spread word much farther, major chains are starting to open communication with small shops and independent owners in hopes to stock extra shelves. Target for example has just signed with several smaller local businesses across the country to bring their products into a global market. It's finally being understood that locals may know the consumer market better than generic big brands. But what does this mean for the smaller businesses that are just learning how to be heard?
Well, what it means is that they have to step up the game--you need to pull no punches when you have a competitive market; you give it all you got instead of holding back. You will need to reach far using the internet, but still emphasize your local-standing and how do you do that? You use the internet to market your in-person appearances. One way to really draw a crowd is to inform the customers far enough in advance. Give them something to look forward to. Write little blurbs about what you're showcasing and include some search engine optimization to attract attention by Google. Make sure you entice with some sort of teaser campaign.
Once you're actually at the business expo or local event be sure you bring what you promised. If that means a showcase of a new product or service you better live up to that. If you're meeting with other companies for networking purposes, come prepared to talk strategy and be ready to build business relationships. Being affiliates will help your company grow--you can place banners on your website connecting you to each other's sites. There is power in numbers, as they say, and having trustworthy pingbacks is going to increase the professionalism of your site.
Also, work on multimedia to promote your in-person appearances-- record previous seminars and networking events--show people what it's like to experience your company and why you're worth paying attention to through YouTube and other popular media sites. Videos, photographs, tweets, Facebook statuses, and related material about your booth or presentation all help drum excitement.
It's the digital age. If you want to get noticed you need to understand that there are several modes of communication now. A wide audience comes from the personal connection over a far reaching medium. Employ both to your advantage because now you have a change to develop a voice in a market where niches splinter everything.
