Connecting with your local audience is important, whether you’re a small business or a regional wire, trying to gain attention and expand your regional footprint. As tempting as expansion may be, local marketing is the linchpin to sustainable expansion. Your prospects local to you are more likely to become your loyal customers, recommend you, and refer your business.
Learning how to promote your business locally is the first step toward building long-term customer relationships and brand trust in your neighborhood.
This blog will guide you through some of the most effective strategies to promote your local business, whether you’re a new startup or looking to grow within your community. By the time you finish reading, you’ll have ‘how-to’ strategies and actionable tips that you can start using to become an advocate in your community and grow your business.
Why Promoting Locally Matters
Local advertising brings the marketing of your company to the people who live and make local purchases in your area. It gives you the ability to build trust, create relationships, and build a solid reputation. Here’s why you should prioritize local outreach:
- Develop trust: Customers are more likely to trust businesses with which they feel an affinity or are seen to be active within their community.
- Stronger, more devoted loyalty: Local clients can continue to return time and time again and suggest your business to their friends or family.
- Less competition: A robust local influence enables you to look big in your locality even when you feel the global market is overcrowded.
- Quicker word of mouth: Customers in local circles tend to share their experiences with other people, which means organically spreading the word.
And paying attention to community needs and wants can help transform your business from niche to necessity in your neighborhood.
Understanding how to promote your business locally helps you meet the unique needs of the people you want to serve.
Ensure a Solid Internet Presence
Claim and Optimize Your Google My Business Profile
The initial step to getting your business noticed locally is to be where your potential customers are searching. You would need a Google Business Profile (GBP) for this. When people are looking for your services in their area, your GBP shows them where you are, your hours, reviews, and so much more.
Suggestions to keep in mind when you’re building your profile:
- Double-check all of your business information, such as address information, contact details, and business hours.
- Include some photos of your offerings or your workspace.
- Ask your satisfied customers to write Google reviews. Good reviews can benefit local search and instill trust.
- Add regular posts, such as promotions or special events.
If you’re wondering how to promote your business locally online, optimizing your GBP is one of the most essential steps.
Leverage Social Media as a Touchpoint for Community Engagement
Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok are social media platforms that can be used to engage with your local community. Prioritize sites where your ideal demographic hangs out.
What to post for local exposure:
- Share community activities or your participation in local projects.
- Feature your best customers or testimonials.
- Post behind-the-scenes of your team or workplace.
- Champion location-based hashtags such as #SupportLocal or #[YourCity].
- Interact with your fans by answering comments, Ins and Outs Giveaways, or making a poll by your followers’ choice.
Using platforms your audience already loves is another great tip on how to promote your business locally.
Leverage Local SEO
SEO isn’t just for taking over the world. Local SEO is the effort to increase visibility locally, particularly in a geographic area.
Focus on Targeted Keywords
Use keywords with your service and location, like “[city name] bakery,” “plumber in [neighborhood]” or “best coffee shop [town name].”
Naturally incorporate these keywords into your website copy, your blog posts, titles, meta descriptions, and image alt text.
Local Listings and Citations
Make sure your business is listed in local directories like Yelp, Bing Places, and Yellow Pages. Consistency is key here. NAP – Make sure your Name, Address, and Phone number are consistent across the internet.
Create Location Pages on Your Website
If you’re a business that serves several locations, have a page specifically for each location. Include information such as store hours, special services, and directions. You can also enhance credibility by including customer testimonials about each area.
These practices form a solid foundation for any strategy on how to promote your business locally.
Attend Community Gatherings
Does your neighborhood host those block parties, firework shows or wine tastings during the summer months?
Establishing relationships in your community is absolutely valuable. Attend and/or sponsor activities to promote a lasting community relationship.
Host or Sponsor Activities in the Community
Organize at your business location workshops, meetups, or charity drives. or, be a sponsor of local events or collaborate with local organizations. For instance, a local bakery can sponsor a 5K run, providing food and drinks.
Looking for how to promote your business locally in person? Getting involved in events is a proven tactic.
Work with Other Local Businesses
Cross-promoting with another small business can be a win-win. For example, a gym could partner with a smoothie shop to get a discount for its members.
Employ Traditional Marketing Techniques
While the digital space is king, old-school offline marketing continues to be relevant, particularly at the local level.
Flyers or Brochures Distribution
Design appealing brochures or flyers that you can distribute in high-traffic areas, such as coffee shops, libraries or community boards. Concentrate on your own unique value and incorporate a strong call to action.
Invest in Local Advertising
Advertising options include local newspapers, radio shows or community magazines. You could also try sponsoring a sports team in your area or a school program for extra visibility.
For those wondering how to promote your business locally with offline methods, traditional ads still work.
Provide Locals with Special Discounts
Develop offers that are specific for your community. For instance, give discounts to new customers in your zip code, with rewards for referrals by close neighbors.
Build a Sense of Community
People enjoy feeling a connection with the businesses that they frequent. Developing that community fosters loyalty and customer participation.
Interact With Your Customers on a Personal Level
Take the time to talk to your customers, whether in your storefront or out in the social sphere. Follow up with a personal email or thank-you note.
Create a Loyalty Program
Drive repeat visits with a loyalty program that rewards local customers. Loyalty, points earned from purchases, discounts, and special offers can help to bring them back. For instance, an independent coffee shop may give you a free drink after every 10 purchases.
Support Local Causes
Work in the community by volunteering for local things. Donate a percentage of the profits or your time towards local worthy causes.
Attract Local Media Attention
These local hits will expand your brand’s reach throughout the market while boosting your credibility.
Share Your Stories
Local journalists and bloggers are often happy to share local businesses in their community. Perhaps you could pitch unique angles like the story of how your business came to be, what your business adds to the community, or news of an upcoming event.
Press Releases
Create press releases for key points in your company, like product releases, anniversaries, or charitable work within the community, and send them to local newspapers. Emphasize what makes your brand story inspiring and local.
It All Comes Down to Final Thoughts
Local business marketing is all about making real connections with real people who are close by. Through creating a strong online and offline presence, participating in events and interacting with customers, and tapping into resources like local SEO, you can make a name for yourself in your region.
If you’re still asking how to promote your business locally, the answer lies in consistency and community-driven effort.
Work on these strategies one at a time – and make them your own, and relevant to what you aim to do, and to your particular audience. Whether you are starting up or growing, local marketing can be the springboard to help ensure your business succeeds for the long term.
Need help growing your business even more? Sign up for our newsletter for more exclusive insights, or contact us to discuss tailored solutions for your local strategy.
You can read more: Account-Based Marketing Guide: Strategies for Success
