As a local small business owner, you understand the value of marketing but may need help knowing where to start on a limited budget. The good news is you can promote your products and services around town without expensive campaigns if you get creative. This article outlines 15 tested tips to market your startup or small business in your hometown for less.
Top 15 Ways to Promote Your Local Small Business
1. Form an LLC for Asset Protection
Before executing marketing plans, complete LLC formation to separate your personal and business assets. This protects your personal finances if the business is sued while also boosting legitimacy.
2. Leverage Social Media
Stay active by posting updates, local promotions, and engaging content on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Use relevant local hashtags. Follow community influencers and local clients to gradually expand your organic reach.
3. Produce Quality Blog Content
Establish expertise with an educational blog. Share tips, behind-the-scenes images, and solutions to pain points. Promote posts through email and social. High-value content distinguishes your brand from competitors.
4. Guest Post Content
Pitch to relevant blogs, local newspapers, and community websites to contribute articles as a guest contributor. Include a brief author bio with contact details and an engaging headshot to gain credible exposure.
5. Cross-Promote with Neighboring Businesses
Partner creatively with non-competing local companies through co-hosted events, shared content and ads, cross-linked websites, or community sponsorships. Such combined visibility taps into new audiences.
6. Offer Limited-Time Discounts
Occasional flash sales and special deals encourage purchases and email list signups. Discounts can apply to specific products/services, purchases above a certain value or new email subscribers. Time urgency prompts action.
7. Send Email Newsletters
Collect client emails to send regular promotions and updates. Personalize subject lines and highlight special sales or offerings. Free tools help segment contacts. Provide sign-up incentives to grow your list.
8. Distribute Print Materials
Business cards, flyers, brochures, and postcards can still offer value-driving neighborhood sales. Place customized print materials at local shops, cafes, events, and community boards. Update designs seasonally and monitor if they are working.
9. Optimize for Local SEO
Drive local traffic by optimizing your Google Business Profile listing and website for area-specific search terms. Update key details in Google, like your address, description, photos, and offerings, to stand out locally.
10. Run Direct Mail Campaigns
Although increasingly rare, physical mailers with special offers in a post-COVID world can still compel engagement. Send postcards highlighting new products or sales to local households and businesses. Include QR codes to measure responses.
11. Sponsor Local Gatherings
Connect with your community by sponsoring sports teams, school clubs, networking meetups, charity fundraisers, or other causes your clients care about. Visual promotion at related gatherings raises local awareness.
12. Start a Podcast
For very little investment, podcasting allows you to highlight your products and industry perspective while conversing with partners, clients, and local leaders. Distribute episodes on all major platforms.
13. Safeguard Your Online Presence
Use secure passwords, install malware protection, establish data backups, and add SSL encryption across your digital assets. Educate staff on safe browsing. Prioritizing cybersecurity protects your reputation and client data.
14. Host In-Person Events
In-store demonstrations, classes, consultations, or tasting events turn prospects into purchasers. Co-hosting with aligning local businesses allows for shared costs and larger collective audiences.
15. Film Video Content
Short video overviews of products, company values, and team members offer transparency while humanizing your brand. Post videos natively on social media and embed them into your website blog.
Conclusion
The above list of budget-friendly tactics should provide a strong starting point to amplify your small business across town without spending heavily. Feel free to contact me if you have any specific for questions about executing strategies that fit your unique needs and constraints. Now is the time to creatively market your incredible local small business!
