Social media is an amazing tool for reaching out to people from all over the world. However, many businesses don’t realize the power of socials in connecting with their local community. Continue reading to find out more about encouraging your community to shop local!
Sponsor Events
This is one of the best ways that you can be a real part of the community and increase brand awareness. You can support school sports teams, book fairs, charity events, and so much more. By sponsoring events, you’ll become a valuable part of the local community and show that you care. On top of this, if you have the funds, you can even sponsor larger scale events! It all depends on how much you want to spend and who you want to engage.
Geo-tagging
Make sure that all of your social pages are up and running. These days, geo-tagging is essential for promoting your business to your local community. When people eat out at a great restaurant or buy something they love, they’ll want to tag it, check themselves in, and post a photo. This genuine content is gold for a local business!
Genuine online engagement
If a customer posts anything about your business on social media make sure you engage with them. You can “like” their post, comment, ask questions, or even share it. This will make them feel like a valued part of your business and help you to connect with their social circle.
Be available
Having a Facebook page is great. However, there’s no point if it’s not updated and active. Make sure that all of the information is correct and you are regularly engaging with customers on your page. On top of this, many people now send Facebook messages rather than phoning customer service. This is why it’s essential to respond to questions and comments within the hour. In your neighborhood, there are probably different options for your customers to go to. This is why you need to make yourself stand out from the crowd with your killer social media skills!
Why shop local?
Today, people can get everything on online platforms such as Amazon. Most likely, products and services are cheaper online. On top of this, there is also a more diverse range of things available and it’s more convenient for the customer. So why do people still shop local? You need to focus on these differences and emphasize them! Make sure your customer service is personal and memorable. Value your clients and always thank them for their support. Become an invaluable part of the community and focus on the positives of local businesses. This should be present in your marketing campaign but also in day-to-day business.
These are just a few ways to encourage people to shop local and support businesses in the community. Remember, that connecting with people around the world is amazing. However, it’s essential to focus on what makes you different and what makes your business stand out in the community.