Small businesses still rely on traditional local advertising methods such as word of mouth, print ads, and radio/TV broadcasts. New technologies like social media and cell phone marketing are also being used. Business owners can attend events, print marketing materials, and purchase ad space to reach potential customers.
Small business owners still rely on local advertising to reach new customers and grow their revenue. Technology has brought about new types of local marketing, but the traditional methods still apply. Word of mouth is the oldest form of local marketing and print ads are one of the more traditional methods used. Companies often market to a local audience through local radio or television broadcasts. New technologies involving local marketing include social media and cell phone marketing.
Word of mouth works like a local advertising strategy by simply telling people about a company. Owners can ask their employees, friends or family members to tell others about the business and to recommend it. Small business owners often develop a script, sometimes called an elevator pitch, to tell strangers about the business in a very short period of time and use it at every opportunity. Businesses can also send representatives to local trade shows, fairs, and other events to distribute materials and educate potential customers about the business.
Print marketing is a very common form of local advertising. A small business owner can print their own marketing materials, including business cards, to hand out to others, as well as flyers that can be posted on bulletin boards in grocery stores and other public places. Businesses often purchase print advertisements in local newspapers, trade magazines, and other publications. Another form of print advertising often involves writing press releases about events related to a company and faxing or emailing the information to local media outlets.
Radio and television stations are often used for local advertising. Business owners can purchase airtime at the stations, and typically 30- or 60-second commercials are produced to promote their products or services. When a business owner knows the types of customers that ads are most likely to reach, he can usually buy advertising space during programs those customers are able to listen to or watch, such as local news.
Local advertising through new technologies can take many forms. Business owners often take advantage of free online business directories and create social media pages to market to loyal customers. Strategies may include offering discounts or sales to people who sign up for a company’s online newsletter. Small businesses can also market themselves by purchasing banner ads on local blog pages, chambers of commerce, and other types of websites. Cell phone marketing is a relatively new strategy, and businesses are starting to use audio and video ads via smartphones to market themselves to customers.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
