5 Creative Ways to Promote Your Business in Your Community
Competition for local customers is fierce. Whether you’re just opening your first store or you’re a seasoned business owner looking for a boost, local marketing initiatives can help you establish a strong presence in your community, build relationships with your ideal customers, and differentiate your business from competitors.
Research shows that a majority of business still takes place within a short distance of a person’s job or home. This is important as you no longer need to compete with big brands on the national level. Rather, you want to focus on engaging with people at the local scale.
Because there are a finite number of customers in your area, all of which your competitors are vying for at the same time as you, creating a strong network within your community is essential for long-term success. People who have lived in one place for a long time become familiar with the businesses in that area and know where to go to get their needs met. When you focus on your local audience, you engage with customers at a more personal level allowing them to add your business to their understanding of their community which will, in turn, increase the chances that they seek you out.
A strong local presence differentiates your business from competitors who may not be as visible or active in the local community, creating a competitive advantage that is often difficult for others to replicate. Check out a few of our tips for promoting your business within your area.
Host a fundraiser at your store or warehouse.
- Hosting a fundraiser is a great way to throw out a friendly invitation to local community members. For example, if you’re hosting a food drive for a local charity, you could use your store location as a drop-off site for items that are needed. Not only does this drive foot traffic straight to your door, but it also goes a long way toward building a local reputation for your business. Regardless of whatever type of fundraising event you choose to hold, make sure you publicize it!
Sponsor a giveaway or loyalty program.
- People love feeling valued for their business. Hosting a local giveaway or having your own loyalty program is a great way to get customers to engage with your business and also helps build customer loyalty. Customers will often return to the same store if they know they’ll receive some type of perk. By offering rewards or deals that are valuable to your local audience, you retain more customers and drive greater sales.
Get involved with local events in your community.
- Getting involved in the community is an organic and effective way to promote your business locally. Engaging with your local community through the support of causes, sports, and even other businesses within your area, shows that you care and can go a long way with prospective customers. Look for opportunities like fundraisers, volunteering, or local charities that your business can participate in to give back to your community. Not only does this subtly spread brand awareness, but it also cultivates goodwill toward your business that members of your community will appreciate, respect, and patronize.
Leverage social media as much as you can.
- Social media can make or break a business. Consumers often use social media platforms to research local businesses and interact with them. You should be active on your channels and ready to respond to any comments or questions they may have. By keeping your posts relevant to your local market, social media allows the opportunity to tap into what makes your community unique and use relatable messaging to your local audience.
Provide excellent customer service.
- The power of word-of-mouth marketing can not be overstated enough. To be considered a reputable business throughout your community, you’ve got to establish trust first and people trust other people. Providing great customer service can turn your customers into advocates for your business so it’s critical your store practices customer appreciation, handles customer complaints with care, and continually goes above and beyond to meet the needs of those you service. When your customers speak highly of you, they promote your business in your community on their own.
