Effectively Promoting a Small Business in a Small Community

No matter what kinds of products and services your small business offers, your efforts are meaningless if no one knows your enterprise exists. As any seasoned entrepreneur can attest, effectively promoting a fledgling small business can be an uphill battle, even in a small community. Even if your business fills an important need, you can’t rely on the community magically becoming aware of it. Luckily, while spreading the word about a brand-new enterprise may be challenging, it’s far from an uphill battle. With a little of marketing knowhow and a willingness to work hard, you can increase community awareness and build a steady customer base.

Buying Ad Space in Local Publications

For over a decade, print media has been on the downswing. With the digital age bringing so many new options for news and entertainment, long-running print publications have been folding left and right. However, despite all the turmoil in the world of print, subscription numbers for small town newspapers have remained relatively steady. For many communities, the local paper is the only effective way to stay abreast of local happenings. If the community in which your business is based fits this description, consider purchasing ad space in the paper or any other local publications. If your target customer base skews older, this can be a great way to generate interest in your enterprise. Additionally, if there are any local television or radio outlets that are a good fit for your target audience, purchasing ad spots on them may be worth your while.

Custom Mailers

In addition to buying ad space, creating custom mailers are sure to help you out on the print front. Any mailers you send out should be eye-catching, aesthetically pleasing and feature a clear-cut, concise description of what your business is all about. Since including too much information is liable to turn people off, make an effort to condense your statement of purpose as much as possible. If this is your first time designing a customer mailer, it pays to reach out to a company that’s well-versed in business printing. Small business owners wondering “Where can I find print and mail near me?” are urged to hit up their favorite search engine.

Be Present Online

Even in a small community, a strong online presence can be an effective promotional tool. For starters, create accounts for your business on all the popular social media mainstays and update each account on a consistent basis. Furthermore, make a point of interacting with followers and joining locally-focused social media groups. You should also take steps to promote your business’s local search engine ranking. Among the simplest ways to do this is using locally-focused language in your site’s content. For example, hyperlocal phrases like “Best computer repair in Baraboo, WI” can help connect prospective customers with your business.

There’s no denying that building awareness for a small business can be difficult, regardless of how small a community you’re trying to reach. However, if you’re willing to utilize multiple avenues of promotion and learn through trial-and-error, getting the word out should be well within your abilities.