Local businesses often find it difficult to get their name out there. It can be tough to compete with the big chains, which have more money to spend on marketing. However, there are still a few things you can do to attract customers.
Use Social Media
Social media is a great way to connect with potential customers. Make sure you have a presence on all the major platforms, and that your content is engaging. Wherever possible, post pictures and videos and run promotions. You can also use social media to connect with other local businesses, which can help you attract customers.
When using social media, respond to questions and comments promptly. This will show potential customers that you’re responsive and care about customer service. By answering a simple question, you could encourage the person to choose your brand over every other in the niche.
Participate in Local Events
Another way to attract customers is to participate in local events. This could include setting up a booth at a community festival or sponsoring a local sports team. When you participate in local events, you’re getting your brand name out there in front of potential customers. You’re also showing that you’re invested in the community, which can encourage people to do business with you rather than a global brand with little interest in the community.
Show Off Qualifications
When advertising to local customers, you need to give them a reason to choose your brand. Whether you’ve taken real estate or professional beauty courses online, tell the world about it. Put your diplomas and licenses on display in your shop window or list them prominently on your website. If you’re a new business, consider partnering with a local institution or organization to give your brand more credibility.
Offer Discounts and Deals
Who doesn’t love to save a bit of money? Appeal to local customers by offering discounts and deals that are exclusive to your brand. You can advertise these offers in-store, online, or through social media. Just make sure that the discounts are significant enough to entice customers to try your business.
For example, you could offer a percentage off the customer’s total purchase, a gift with purchase, or a buy-one-get-one deal. You could also offer discounts for customers who refer their friends to your business.
Claim Your Google My Business Profile
If you want customers to be able to find your business online, you need to make sure that your Google My Business profile is up to date and accurate. Your GMB profile includes your business name, address, hours, phone number, website, and reviews.
Why is this important? When potential customers search for local businesses online, they’ll often see your GMB profile in the search results. If your profile is incomplete or inaccurate, you could be losing out on customers. To claim your GMB profile, go to google.com/business and follow the instructions.
Under-Promise and Over-Deliver
Lastly, one of the best ways to get customers for your local service business is to under-promise and over-deliver. This means that you should always aim to provide your customers with a better experience than they were expecting. When you do this, they’ll be sure to remember your business and recommend you to others.
These are just a few of the many ways that you can get customers for your local service business. If you put in the effort, you’re sure to see results. With a proactive approach and a little creativity, you can attract new customers and grow your business this year!