While navigating the turbulent sea of marketing, we often tend to lose our sight at the local market. But, that’s one of the most significant audiences for every business, though it needs several targeted strategies.
So, what exactly is Local Marketing?
Local marketing is all about marketing to the specifically targeted demographics which is at the closest vicinity of your business. It is specifically attracting businesses to market goods and services to potential customers living within a certain city, ZIP code, etc. This is a method of marketing that is most often overlooked by small businesses as many of them take their marketing prompts from larger conglomerates. However, local marketing is the best thing to start with for the budding entrepreneurs as it helps them get a firm foothold in the market .
But, remember local marketing demands targeted strategies. The concept of “one-size-fits-all” is absolutely a misfit with your local audience.
1. Get to know your audience
Who are your audience? What is your ideal group of customers? Are you aware about their needs, preferences, and interests? Why would they ever be interested in your products or services? And, finally what aspect of your products or services will appeal to them? Get to know from the social media platforms, where do your audience spend the most time?
2. Target the audience
It’s important to target your customers right. Once you know who are your customers and what are the things they take interest in, it’s easier to target them. Use apt keywords they'll be searching for. Make advertisements explaining how your products on services will cater to your audiences’ demands.
3. Get involved in your community
This is one of the amazing ways to reach your local audience. Participate in the local events in your community, volunteer for a cause, donate prizes to contests and competitions holding in your local area to attract your audience. According to the veteran business advisors, community involvement results in better and reliable marketing outcomes.
4. Get Testimonials
Accept both positive and negative reviews from your customers. This way you can connect with your customers on an emotional plane. Get some of them leave a positive review on your website. When you have positive interactions with customers, encourage those customers to write and share good reviews.
5. Run local SEO campaigns.
Embrace Google AdWords to create and run local SEO campaigns. It helps you in driving local traffic both online and in-store. Look into pay-per-click campaigns and other SEO options.
6. Use social media to engage the audience.
Social media offers a wonderful platform to connect with your audience in a professional but human way. Leverage social channels that helps you answer customer questions and have conversations with your audience.
7. Cross-promote effectively with other local business
Cross promotion makes an effective marketing strategy as far as the local audience is concerned. If you can cross promote with any other famous business in your local area, you are most likely to get more customers and boost sales overall. It offers immediate exposure and hence gains you an array of customers with practically minimal efforts.
Following Pareto Principle
Remember, 80% of your effort is the result of 20% of the efforts you invest in, quotes economist Wilfred Pareto. And, so is true with marketing. Keep track of your marketing efforts and the strategies that’s driving audience engagement.
