Starting or growing a small local business is exciting, but finding customers can be a challenge. The success of your business depends on your ability to attract and retain customers.
Here are the top 10 ways to find customers for your small local business:
1) Word of Mouth
Word of mouth is the most powerful form of advertising. Encourage your satisfied customers to spread the word about your business. Think of each connection as an inverted pyramid. Each happy customer has a network of potential customers, and all of them have yet another network. Growth can be exponential, as long as you provide a great product or service and keep customer experience a priority! Ask for reviews where you can and encourage the spread with number 2!
2) Referral Programs
Create a referral program that rewards customers who refer new business to you. This can be a discount, a free product or service, or a gift card. These items don’t have to be a big deal, its often enough for a small thank you, like a free coffee or 5-10% off of your next service. Its up to you, but it is a good way to give your existing customers a nudge.
3) Social Media
Use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to connect with your target audience. Create engaging content, interact with your followers, and share your products or services. Depending on what your product or service is, some people have great suggest on platforms such as Pinterest or Nextdoor, as well. Think about where your target customers are, and what platforms they use the most, those will likely be the most beneficial!
4) Local SEO
Optimize your website for local search. Use keywords that are relevant to your business, create local content, and ensure your contact information is consistent across all online directories. This one can often be overlooked and may require a bit of help, though with some research, you can certainly get by on your own. Search results from search engines like google and Bing are important and searches including “near me” are becoming more prominent and prioritized. Make sure your these search engines know who you are and what area you serve by optimizing the copy on and framework of your website.
5) Local Listings like Google My Business
Create a Google My Business listing to appear in local search results. Add photos, respond to customer reviews, and update your business information. There are a lot of places you should be listed on, yellowpages.com, yelp, live local, etc. Do some research and find listing services your potential customers trust and use to find business to work with or buy from.
6) Local Events
Attend local events and trade shows to connect with potential customers. Hand out business cards and promotional materials, and engage with your potential customers to learn more about their needs. Many businesses fail to start their marketing efforts by simply identifying who their potential customers are and where they are likely to be. The easiest way to gain exposure is to simply go to where your customers area!
7) Flyers and Postcards
Create eye-catching flyers and postcards and distribute them in your local area. You, of course, need to be aware of local laws about where and how you can do this, but many businesses like coffee shops and general stores have bulletin boards specifically for this purpose! This can be a great way to promote sales, promotions, or new products and services.
8) Direct Mail
A lot of people think that direct mail is dying, but it really isn’t true! Conversion rates remain high in many industries, that is why companies still do it! This can be especially useful in home service based offerings. Use direct mail to reach potential customers who live or work in your local area. Create a targeted mailing list based on demographics or geographic location. Be unique and eye catching and have a great offer. Try it out and track your inbounds, see what works for your business!
9) Sponsorship
Sponsorships can be great for exposure and help introduce you to local customers. Anytime you can make a connection between a potential customer’s likes and your own, you are one step closer to a sale. Sponsor local events or teams to increase that brand visibility and make conscious or sub-conscious connections with your target market. This is a great way to show support for your community while promoting your business.
10) Partnership
Another way to drive traffic and find customers is to partner with other local businesses to cross-promote each other’s products or services. This can be a win-win situation for both businesses and help attract new customers. Its a great way to encourage word-of-mouth spread as well!
Summary
Figuring out how to find customers for a small local business can be a challenge, but there are many effective ways to attract new business. By using a combination of these strategies, you can build a loyal customer base and grow your business.
Need Some Help?
If you are looking for help growing your small business, you are in the right place! At White Pine Business Solutions, we are committed to helping local families and business grow and thrive! You can check out our Business Coaching service here.. this program has been specifically tailored to be economical and suit the needs of small businesses looking to grow!
If you would like to discuss how we can help, you can setup a meeting below or by clicking here!
