Home-based businesses have different concerns and ideologies than conventional businesses. This is because they often start off at a very small scale, with a limited area of service. So, if you run a home-based business, you probably only send out products within a certain area. This means that conventional marketing methods will not work for you.
There are numerous marketing guides out there for businesses, but you need to make sure you focus on tips which work for your scale. In the case of home-based businesses, localized marketing makes the most sense. It lets you use your resources efficiently and keep up with your customers. This will also prevent you from trying to grow too fast and then compromising on your products or services. Here are a few localized marketing tips to get started.
Put up posters around town
This is one of the classic localized marketing methods. Posters have been around since ancient times, and for good reason. They give your audience the information they need about your business in one glance. At least, that’s what your posters should be like. Use the poster templates on PosterMyWall to make sure of this.
Once you have your posters designed and printed, put them up in some prominent places around your area. Also ask a few shops if you can place posters and flyers on their premises. This will help you get the word out to your local audience.
Work on local SEO
Local SEO can go a long way when it comes to home-based businesses. Conventional SEO strategies will not help you much. You’d be casting too wide a net, wasting time and resources. So, focus on localized SEO instead.
Therefore, work on location-based keywords, so that your business pops up on Google when people are looking for the types of products you sell. In addition, optimize your website with these keywords, as well as your social media pages. Also ensure your location and address are correct across all your online platforms.
Get listed on local directories
Look up any local business directories for your area. Then, try your best to get listed on these. The process can be as simple as sending your name in, or filling a short form. These directories will also have review sections in many cases, so do redirect your customers to rate you well there.
If your town puts out lists of local businesses, do get in touch with the appropriate authorities to get your name shortlisted as well. This will also help you be part of your local community.
Participate in community activities
If you want to get your name out in your area, you need to be part of the local community. So, keep an eye out for community events and set up a small booth at these. You can also partner with other home-based businesses to save on costs. Also ask the organizers if they have free or discounted spaces to encourage home-based businesses.
Apart from these events, make it a point to participate in discussions about your locality and business practices there. If there are any local business councils, do try to join them or at least attend some public sessions.
Partner with local influencers
You should partner with local influencers to reach out to a wider audience. Do your research and find local influencers suited to the products you offer. Send them a PR package or reach out to them for a partnership.
This will help you reach a wide yet relevant audience. Make sure you agree to the terms of this partnership beforehand and ensure the influencer highlights your business in the best way possible.
Optimize your Google Business profile
Your Google Business profile should be completely up to date. This is one of the key aspects of local marketing. When you update your profile, make sure you have a few attractive images up, and also give links to your shop, social media pages, and website. This will help you rank high when people search for your business type in the area.
In addition, make sure the review section is open. Encourage your customers to give their feedback in this section and rate your business well.
Run contests and giveaways
Often, contests and giveaways are the best way to pull in local business. So, have an online competition and offer prizes to the winners. This contest can be as simple as getting the most likes on a comment or finding your posters around town and taking pictures of them.
This will also be a great chance to collect user-generated content. So, run a few contests and giveaways to become popular in your area.
In conclusion, there are many localized marketing tactics you can use. These methods will help you connect with customers in your area and make your home-based business successful.
