Thanks to technology and the Internet, it’s possible for you to grow your business with clients all over the world. You can ship products thousands of miles away, or engage in any number of business ventures with people who aren’t in your geographic location.
With all of this focus on how you can reach people all over the world, you might be missing out on customers around the corner. As you put together your next campaign, don’t forget about local online marketing.
Are You Searchable Online?
When was the last time you picked up a telephone book to try to find a business? I know I haven’t used a phone book in years. If you sell a product or service locally, as well as online, you need to make sure your potential customers can find you. It’s not just about making sure someone on the other side of the country or world can order from you; you also need to ensure that local clients know where to reach you.
Take advantage of tools that allow you to target local consumers. When someone searches for what you offer from a computer or mobile device, you want to come up. This means that you need to consider keywords that make sense for a local online marketing campaign. I have a friend who lives in my town, and he is careful to use “Idaho Falls” in his keywords and online content so that it’s easier to find his business website.
You should also make sure that your address, phone number, and hours are available online and easily searchable.
You can also set up social media accounts using information that makes it clear that you are local, and that you offer products or services that nearby people can benefit from.
Network in Your Community
Local online marketing might not be enough to take your business to the next level. Consider networking in your community. Get to know other business owners and attend events.
You can network online as well by following other local entities on social networks. Follow the local media personalities on Twitter and like local media outlets on Facebook. If your business is located near other businesses, see if you can run joint promotions. You might be surprised at what you can accomplish.
As part of your local online marketing efforts, consider interviewing experts. You can publish their interviews on your blog, or come up with other ways to feature them. If another business or expert offers a product that goes well with something you offer, you can write a review and share it. This is a good way to get more local flavor on your site at the same time you build good relationships with other business owners.
Don’t Be Afraid to Pay for Social Media
Finally, don’t be afraid to pay for social media. Dollars used on a Facebook ad campaign can be more effective than running an ad in your local newspaper or putting it on TV. Increasingly, people learn about things from the Facebook feeds or from online sites. Pay for sponsored posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram if those are places your local audience hangs out online.
Don’t get so caught up in global possibilities that you ignore what’s in front of you.
