Kick off the new year with marketing strategies that yield visible results for your location-based business.
Organic marketing strategies (marketing that does not cost money) can make powerful advertising tools, so it is often wise to maximize your reach with the free resources available to you. The three basic ones that stand out to me, for many location based brands, are Google My Business, social media, and review platforms. There are many others, and when you nail down the easy ones, each platform can work for you in the background while you pursue additional marketing avenues.
Below are the general guidelines I share with location-based brands who are looking to get their advertising off the ground. These tried and true strategies are powerful marketing tools to help propel your business towards your sales goals in 2022.
01. Start a “Google My Business” Page
Launch your Google My Business page for the new year. This page will pop up when online users search for your brand name on the Google search engine. Your service type (by location), and other search engine factors play into your brand popping up when people Google similar key words. Starting GMB is 100% free, though there are options to pay for advertising.
When you set up your page, Google will require an address to verify your account. Important information that I advise businesses to add includes, phone number, email address, physical address, hours, services, and photos. Do not overlook the importance of at least a few great photos. This helps your business stand above the rest.
Added bonus: reviews are really powerful on this platform. If you have the means to ask for reviews, this can help add social proof about your business for future customers.
02. Post on Social Media – with Purpose
Considering different social media strategies can feel overwhelming to new brands, but it doesn’t need to be! If you are ready to dip your toes in a simple, straightforward social media marketing approach in 2022, consider the following:
Decide how often you will post. This might be once a week, once a day, or otherwise. Consistency is key and more powerful than going on random posting sprees. Commit to posting at a rate you can maintain for the long run.
Align your social profiles. If your brand is on Instagram and Facebook, ensure your contact information, tag lines, and company information are consistent. A good rule of thumb is to ensure that people who visit your sites can easily tell that they are looking at the same business across platforms, without needing to guess.
Post content that matters to your audience. If you are a clothing store, this might mean showcasing new arrivals and styling tips. If you are an auto mechanic shop, this might mean sharing information on how to tell when a customer should change oil. Combine content your customers will be interested in, along with a consistent posting strategy, and be sure to engage with people who comment and message you.
03. Update Review Platforms
Review platforms such as Yelp, TripAdvisor, and others are free and widely used by customers. These high-traffic sites give you direct access to people who are looking for products or services like yours!
You can leverage Yelp and TripAdvisor without needing to pay, and there are tiers of paid options as well. Look for local directories to join, and pay attention to where customers might be searching for businesses and services like yours!
I hope this is helpful! Follow me on Instagram for more small business marketing content. IG: @_janaksoli_