If you are a local business that is looking to grow your client base, this could be you. Your website may be up-to-date, but it is not meeting your expectations. Newspapers, radio, television, and yellow pages advertising can be prohibitively costly. However, big national corporations seem to have all the benefits. What other options are there for increasing your local client base and reaching them? Is the internet a way to connect with your local community? Is it possible to reach neighbouring communities?
Local business owners are discovering new ways to use the internet to reach their local population. Not only can they be found in the community, but also outside of it. Internet promotion and advertising methods have come full circle, and they are now helping local businesses penetrate their markets. Your business will now be able to get more phone, walk-in, and internet traffic. You can optimize tried-and-true options while incorporating new internet marketing tools.
Tips on how to use the internet for public relations in your local area
Establishing personal connections is crucial for a small- to medium-sized business looking to expand its reach in the local community. You’re probably familiar with public relations. But how do you think about it in the context of effective internet use? Public relations is the art of keeping your products and services in front as many local buyers as possible. Although there are proven methods (such as yellow pages and newspaper ads), many small businesses don’t know how to use the internet to their advantage. This article will show you how to use the internet to promote your business and advertise it.
1) Create a smart web site.
If you don’t have one, create your own website. Your web presence is key to growing your customer base. It is similar to having an online, customizable brochure. There you can tell the world about yourself, your products, and your services. Images, videos, sales, specials, and coupons can all be included. A “Smart” website is essential for implementing your marketing plan. In today’s internet world, your web site will eventually be your top marketing strategy.
What is a smart website? A smart website uses SEO techniques to inform search engines like Google about your business/site so potential customers can search online for similar businesses.
After you have created a web site that is smart for your business, or even if it already exists, the next step is to get it noticed by potential clients and your top customers.
2) Publicize Your Web Site.
They won’t come to your site unless you give them your address. Are your business cards displaying your web site address? Is your web address at the bottom of all other advertising? Is your website address printed on your brochures Is your web address at the bottom of the newspaper ad Your yellow page advertisement Your web address can be printed anywhere else. Your web site is the best tool you have to promote your products and services.
3) Make Local Social Networking Work for Your Benefit
Register with Facebook and Twitter to be part of the 21st Century. You want to reach potential clients 100 miles away and focus on them. Small to medium-sized businesses in local communities can now send messages directly to social networks. Social network subscribers will “follow” you business, as a result. This can lead to unexpected numbers of leads and potential clients.
4) Strive for the Top of Google Rankings
Find out how to get your website listed higher in Google search rankings. A Google search can help even small- to medium-sized local businesses reach higher ranks (higher up in a Google results page). This is possible by using the right keywords in the right places. This is the best online advertising and there are many new ways to get high rankings without spending money on ads.
5) Create clip-and-save coupons and sales and specials for your local market.
These can be done online or on your website and will encourage your customers to return on an ongoing basis. If your special or sale is worth the effort, customers will call your business to avail it. You can even create a catalogue and inventory lists through some web services that allows visitors to see them.
6) Keep your E-Mail lists safe and secure
Local marketing campaigns can be implemented by e-mailing local people to let them know who you and what you offer. Every opportunity to request e-mail addresses from new customers. Make sure your website has a section that encourages customers with e-mail addresses to give you. You can keep your lists current and categorize them for your records. To keep your subscribers coming back, create a newsletter that you send to your e mail list.
7) Use On-Line Forums and Blogs to Reach the Local Public
Although forums and blogs have been around for some time, small businesses in the area are just now beginning to understand the importance of creating a forum or a blog to attract more people to their sites. Start local conversations with customers you already know and invite new customers. You will build loyal customers by having regular contact with them. These connections will prove invaluable in the future.
8) Use Article Marketing to Tell Your Story
You can either write or find someone to write descriptive articles about your products and services. These articles will be integrated into your website. If they choose to publish your articles, there are many online publications that can help you spread them out more widely.
9) Consider a Referral Campaign.
You can encourage your customers to promote you by giving them a reward. These can be offered in-person or online, and can also be tracked online.
10) Who can help?
Companies specialize in the integration of these marketing techniques. Existing websites can benefit from all the features above, plus more such as embedding key keywords for high-ranking Google searches results and instant optimization. These services may also offer easy-to-setup and instantly optimized websites that can be customized to meet local needs.
You may not be satisfied with your local advertising results for yellow pages, television and radio. There are many new ways that your small- to medium-sized local business can rank high on Google and be found on the internet. There are many more options for advertising, linking, and referrals than ever. You have more options than ever to expand your customer base and increase your profit margins. You can tap your local market via internet marketing and advertising, if you’re willing to think outside the box. This will lead to unexpected results.
