If you have started a local business in order to help your family earn some extra money, then making sure that you get the local market to take notice of it should be one of your first priorities. Here, we’re going to look at what you can do to give it a launch that’s visible, engaging, and sets you up for success with other local companies nearby.
Your Local Business Launch
If you are starting a new local business you will need to get your launch off to a great start. Not only do you want people to know you are in business but you want them to start making purchases of your products and or services.
If you don’t let local people know you are in business, it will be harder for you to launch a successful small business locally.
Start Building the Hype Online for Your Local Business
The first thing you want is to make sure that people know that your business is launching before it happens. Start building your website and social media presence ahead of time. Get some press releases out, as well as readying more for when your business goes live.
Investing in a little online marketing can get a lot more eyes on your business and build anticipation for the launch. Some businesses, such as consumer, B2B, and lifestyle brands do tend to be a little more exciting and liable to build hype, so don’t expect everyone to be hyped over every type of business.
Get in Touch with Other Local Businesses
It’s not just your market that you should be trying to reach before the launch: you should take advantage of the local business landscape that already exists around you. Google “local businesses near me” to find out who is nearby.
Joining your local networking groups or business associations can put you in contact with business owners that already support one another and might be able to support you too, in terms of cross-promotion and even offering advice.
Of course, this relationship is usually expected to be reciprocal so don’t come in expecting the world from it all.
Make a Show of it
If you’re able to start building some level of hype or anticipation around your small local business, then you should be ready to strike when the iron is hot with a local event.
You can run this from your store or office front if you have one. Or even set up a pop-up booth in the local community space (if permitted.)
Here, you can have information on hand, promotional products to give away, and even samples or discounts. This is your opportunity to make a splash as well as to start finding some of your very first customers or clients.
Fight Hard for Your First Local Customers
Now, this isn’t to say that you shouldn’t work hard to provide satisfaction for all of your customers. However, those first customers are really worth going the extra mile for when you can, even if it comes at a cost.
Their satisfaction or lack thereof can be the big difference in the kind of reputation you grow. Word-of-mouth is one of the most valuable marketing tools you can have on your side and it’s not one that you can easily just buy, you have to earn it through customer satisfaction.
Advertise Offline and Online
The best way to get the word out is to advertise both offline and online for your local business launch. You can use inexpensive digital marketing with online directories for local businesses. Furthermore don’t forget to take advantage of Google My Business pages. These are fabulous for small local businesses. Your hours and products can be featured when people are searching online for your products or services.
Learn How To Set Up and Use Google My Business to Grow Your Local Biz! —> How to Use Google My Business
Offline you can advertise in a hyper-local newspaper or on restaurant menus. Some other local businesses nearby may have a wall of “free ad” postings available. Another option is to have a magnetic sign on your vehicle or a vehicle wrap. Therefore, you can get as creative as you want to make a splash in the local community.
Conclusion of Your Local Business Launch
Visibility and recognition are two of the cornerstones of success in any industry. With the tips above, hopefully, you can get your business launched with a bang. It will make it a lot easier to help it run consistently and smoothly, afterward.
What methods have you used to launch your new business? I’d love to hear from you about it here!
