3 Cash-Free Ways to Market Your Local Business Online
Welcome back! Today’s SEO copywriting tip is in response to a question from the SEO Copywriting Facebook group: how do you market a (local) business online when you don’t have any money?
This can be tricky, because ideally if you’re launching a new business, you usually have a marketing budget, however small. At the same time, Heather has worked with local companies that invested all they had just to get their business up and running – only to find themselves scrambling to figure out how to get the word out.
Tune in as Heather shares three ideas for marketing online when you have no cash, and under the conditions that it’s possible to do so:
It’s possible…but under certain conditions:
It is possible to market your business online with no budget, but only for the short term, and under certain conditions.
- The owner has time to educate him/herself in online marketing.
- The owner makes marketing his/her business a priority and can dedicate a couple of hours (or more) a day to getting the word out.
- Know that this is a stop-gap measure. In most cases, businesses will benefit from having an actual site.
Marketing Idea #1 – Twitter
- Twitter can be a great way to “meet” new local people.
- It’s important to know how and what to tweet. Too much self promotion will turn prospective clients off.
- Be a good community member. Don’t forget to RT (retweet), thank people for their RT’s, etc.
Marketing Idea #2 – Facebook
- Facebook can provide your company a “home” until your site is launched.
- Spend time building a good Facebook page that encourages community and sparks conversation.
- Check on your Facebook page throughout the day and comment/add new wall posts.
Marketing Idea #3 – Local Publications
It’s easy to forget that not all marketing has to be done online (and that print often has an online component).
- Does your local newspaper have a monthly “new business” interview or column? Pitch your business and ask to be interviewed. Don’t forget local business journals, too.
- Make note of local influential bloggers in your community. How can you connect with them?
- Whenever possible, try to meet people in person.
Heather, thanks for the great tips! Though my business isn’t local, your first two tactics are just as helpful. Twitter is such an amazing way to spread the word and has helped establish me as a thought leader in the careers industry. Just remember, don’t flood your feed or no one will follow you!
Hey, Heather!
What a great name. :)
Thanks for the “don’t flood your Twitter feed” tip. That’s especially important for new folks just getting used to the Twitter Universe. About 80% of your tweets should have solid, helpful (and non-sales-y) info. The more information you provide, the more people will follow your feed – and the better ROI you’ll see from Twitter.