When you are in a highly saturated market, maintaining your market share requires upkeep and nurturing. There is a fixed number of customers who can use your products or services. When you are competing for those clients, it is not just about capturing them. It is also about being able to service each one appropriately and efficiently. Local business is the lifeblood of your enterprise, and there are several low-cost strategies entrepreneurs can use to attract it. Here are a few you should consider.
Create an Email List
Many consumers have an email address. It could be a personal email address or a company email, but they have an account and use it. If they find you online or walk into your office, capturing that address would be a good idea. When there is resistance, assure them that you are not going to spam them. With that email address and others like it, you can begin to create an email list. The best email lists have a high open rate. If there is a call to action, there will be a high fulfillment rate too. In order to achieve both feats, use the email list to deliver relevant content, special announcements, and updates on products and services. A call to action should be included under the signature or in the content.
Directory Submissions
There are several business directories online to which an entrepreneur can submit their business information and update it. Yext is the most popular solution for cross-platform NAP correction, but you need to keep paying month after month to retain the benefits. NAP stands for name, address, and phone number. When you move into a new location or change your phone number, the online listings do not always catch up quickly. A service like Yext handles this for you. If you prefer to complete these tasks yourself to save on the fee, simply make a list of the directories and follow the account instructions for each. Creating an account, verifying your authority to execute changes and publishing are three separate steps that are usually required. Google Business and Bing’s Places for Business are two great starting points.
Submit Content to an Industry Magazine
Thanks to the internet and software, there is a plethora of information and data. There are also numerous entities vying around the clock for the attention of the same consumers. To cut through the crowd, consider submitting content to an industry magazine or trade journal. This accomplishes several things. It can establish you as an authority on a particular subject and give you credibility in your craft or area of expertise. A published article is something you can share with your clients. In the same vein, consider attending and joining your local chamber of commerce. You will receive the opportunity to network with professionals in other industries in your area. From that networking, you create the chance to form beneficial relationships and attract more local business.
Google’s 3 Pack
When it comes to the search engines, Google is in a league of its own. Where Google goes, the rest of the market follows. If this search engine makes changes to its algorithm, it has a ripple effect throughout the industry and impacts all users. One change that occurred was going from the 7 Pack to the 3 Pack. This refers to the number of results displayed with relevant information on the map when someone is seeking a local business. Since the amount of mobile device use is increasing and fewer results display better on a small screen, the decision was made to reduce their number. Instead of displaying seven, Google now displays three. They probably theorized that only the top three were receiving traffic anyway. To get into the 3 pack, ensure your business information is consistent and accurate among all directories. Correct NAP information becomes more vital. Also, have professionals optimize your website for mobile users.
Maximize the Power of Social Media
In many ways, the power of social media is still coming into its own. As some websites and applications fade away, others sprout and offer new opportunities. Using social media is a cost-effective way to connect with your target audience in an easy way. If you remain active and deliver relevant content and information, your followers are more likely to remain engaged. Try the strategies discussed above in order to boost local business!
Attracting local business does not require a vast marketing budget. You can generate local traffic and sales by simply engaging with the community and other business professionals in your area. Talk with Moxie Bookkeeping & Coaching about Profit First Consulting to build up your business!