Social media takes time to grow but not without help from your local community. If you are a business that has a store front and not online only you have to get out and network. A few ways to network and build relationships in your community: Join local business groups. Even if you don’t think there is much of a market for your products or services in your area, still try to connect with business people who are local. Networking in this way helps put you in touch with others who can benefit your business in the way of partnerships or referrals. This is also a simple way to keep up on local legislation and news items that may impact your industry and business too. Show up at community events. Better yet – find a way to sponsor one. There may be people who live on your street, or go to your church, or whose kids go to the same schools as yours that have no idea what you do for a living. Aligning your business name with an event that brings people together, or lends a hand to a good cause, is a positive way to show the ethics of your business and get the word out about it at the same time. Leave your business card anywhere you can. People cannot find you without a little guidance. Find local spots to leave your business card and always have them on hand for unexpected introductions. You should never have to dig through your purse or pockets for an old receipt to jot down your business information – or expect the receiver to follow up based on your unprofessional approach. Buy business cards in bulk, pin them to community corkboards, leave stacks in doctors’ offices and stash them away in bags, car consoles and pocket business card holders. Include your geographic location online. Let people know where you’re located somewhere on your website, blog and social media accounts. It may not matter that you live 2,000 miles away – or just the next block over – but letting potential customers know where you are from humanizes your business. You may get preferential treatment from a potential client who lives in the same state or city who feels a stronger connection to you over competitors. Ask for referrals. Referrals are most businesses number one untapped source of new business. If you have a successful encounter with a local customer, ask him or her who else might need your products or services. This takes away the “cold” element of reaching out to locals because you can associate yourself with someone they already know. Before you launch a campaign in the dark, think about the people who you already know that may be able to make local connections for you. ~Vistaprint~
Posted on: Fri, 09 Aug 2013 11:52:41 +0000
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