What are the best ways to market at the local level?

[Abigail_S]

Some of the best ways to market your small business varies depending on what your selling, who you're selling to, what kind of business you manage, what industry you're in, and so much more! I want this to be an interactive post, so share some of your best and favorite ways that you market locally! Maybe it's through the holy grail of email marketing, maybe it's hosting local events, or maybe it's something so out-of-the-box we haven't heard of it yet! 

Share below and let's keep the conversation going!

[MelanieDiehl]

Ah, local businesses--one of my favorites! For the past 15 years I've had a very strong focus working with local-based businesses. Many of my clients have seen success with the following:

1. Join your local chamber of commerce! There's no bigger champion of the Shop Local initiative than the chamber. From referrals to member directory listings (great for SEO!) to networking to sponsorship opportunities...it's just such a good investment for most local business owners!

2. Leverage your Google Business Profile. Formerly known as Google My Business, this free listing is meant for local search on the world's largest search engine: Google! It's a simple as creating a listing, getting verified, and updating it regularly. The good news is it's not a social media platform so promotional posts and updates work great!

I have more, but I'll stop there for now 😉

[Chris-S]

On the weekend, I visited a street fair on Main Street near me. At the festival, I noticed some small businesses collaborating with each other. One was a coffee shop and bakery that joined forces to offer a Coffee/Pastry tasting station. The bakery offered baked goods, while the coffee shop provided various types of coffee to try together. I'm not a coffee person, but you can bet I dug into those pastries.

Both businesses benefitted from exposure to each other's customer base.

[Caitlin_M]

A local brewery/restaurant partners with local nonprofits to donate a portion of their profits to them during a set month. Some examples of organizations they've worked with are social programs, shelters, and providing fresh fruits and vegetables to school-age children.

[DavidFischerSolutionsForGrowth]

At Solutions for Growth, we believe email marketing is one of the best tools for local marketing because it enables personalized and direct communication with a targeted audience, fostering community engagement and driving local sales effectively.

Below is a short list of some additional key reasons why email marketing is essential for local businesses:

• Local email marketing allows you to tailor your messages to specific community interests and demographics. By segmenting your audience based on location, preferences, and past interactions, you can create highly relevant content that resonates with recipients.
• Local Events and Promotions: Highlighting local events, offers, or news helps build a sense of community and keeps your audience engaged.
• Lower Costs: Compared to traditional advertising methods, email marketing is significantly more affordable. This is particularly beneficial for local businesses with limited budgets, allowing them to reach a targeted audience without breaking the bank.
• Trust and Loyalty: Regular communication through email fosters trust and strengthens relationships with your customers. Sharing stories, local initiatives, and customer spotlights can enhance your brand's reputation within the community.
• Feedback and Engagement: Encouraging local subscribers to provide feedback or share their experiences can foster a sense of belonging and improve customer loyalty.
• Promotions and Special Offers: Sending out localized offers, discounts, or events can drive immediate traffic to your store or website, especially if you promote time-sensitive deals.
• Calls to Action: Including clear calls to action in your emails, such as “Visit Us This Weekend” or “Shop Local Today,” can significantly boost in-store visits or online sales.

At Solutions for Growth, we’ve spent years crafting hundreds of customized and highly effective emails for local businesses - ensuring that our client’s messaging is achieved with exceptional quality. 

See an example of one of our local, small business email promotions. 

How else can we help you?