Brand awareness is a must for any business.
The simple fact of the matter is that It doesn’t matter how awesome your products or services are if no one knows you’re there.
Despite the many corporations, online stores and big-box stores out there, local businesses are having a heyday at the moment, and it’s, in large part, thanks to the many ‘shop local’ campaigns out there highlighting the benefits of supporting local businesses.
Although everyone loves the convenience and great prices they find when they shop online or turn to a big-box store, people understand why it’s important to support local businesses, and many of them are passionate about doing so. However, in order to reap the benefits, local businesses need to be able to build awareness in their brand.
5 Tips for Increasing Brand Awareness for Local Businesses
#1. Claim/optimize your Google My Business listing.
Whether someone is looking to support a local business or not, the first place they’ll likely look for the good or service they need is online. That search often starts on Google, which is why it’s so essential that your business can be easily found.
Did you know that 46 percent of all Google searches are people looking for local information and that 97 percent of search engine users have looked online for local businesses? The best way to ensure that not only people can find you but that they find accurate information when they do is to claim/optimize your Google My Business listing.
Although your Google My Business listing is probably the most important one to claim and optimize, Google isn’t the online place people go to find businesses online. It’s essential that, no matter how your customers find you — be it Facebook, Yelp, or Top Rated Local® — they find accurate information, which means that claiming and optimizing all of your listings is key to brand awareness for any local business.
#2. Give back.
For local businesses, community is everything. Your community is what supports you through thick and thin, and when you make it a point to give back to your community, it can do great things for your brand.
Local businesses benefit from getting their name out there as much as possible, and there are plenty of awesome ways to spread the word about who they are, what they do, and what they have to offer while also giving back to the community that supports them. Here are a few ideas to run with:
- Volunteer – Give your team a day off of work at a soup kitchen or build a house with Habitat for Humanity. Or, better yet, volunteer your services to people in your community who need them.
- Donate a percent of your profits – Nonprofits and charitable organizations always need financial support, and one awesome way to provide that support is to donate a percentage of your profits for a specific service or product. Not only will you be giving back, but you’ll be incentivizing people in your community to take advantage of your products or services.
- Sponsor an event – Whether it’s the 40 under 40 awards or a marathon, there are plenty of local events that your business could sponsor.
#3. Brand your vehicles.
Service-based businesses, like plumbers, roofers, and home contractors, travel around town from one job to the next on a regular basis. Getting your name out in the community is easily done when you’re out and about with branded vehicles.
If your work vehicles aren’t branded, you’re missing out on a plethora of great opportunities to get your name out there. The more people see your brand, the more familiar they will be with it and the more they will start to trust it.
Of course, you may get a call or two because of your branded vehicles, but this strategy is more about building familiarity and trust in your brand than it is about attracting customers in the moment. Not every person who sees your branded vehicle will want or need your services, but the repeated exposure to your brand will help to keep it at the top of their minds when they do need your help.
#4. Give out swag.
One of the best ways to get your name out there is to give out branded swag, like pens, t-shirts, notepads and even reusable grocery bags, to both your employees and customers. This is a fantastic option because it gives you a chance to give something to the people who support your business most while reminding them that you’re there and spreading the word about your business.
When determining what kind of swag to invest in, it’s best to consider what your clients will get the most use out of, as well as what swag will offer the most visibility for your brand. This is one of the reasons why reusable grocery bags are a great idea.
People use those bags for everything, and every time they do, they’ll see your brand and be reminded of who you are. They also offer a lot of visibility for your brand because a lot of other people will see them, from the person who bags the groceries to the people walking by in the parking lot.
Pens are another great choice because they are so mobile and functional. People always need a pen, and they often misplace them or lend them out, which means even more visibility for your brand.
#5. Get help from local influencers.
When most people hear the term “influencer,” they think of social media influencers with thousands of Instagram followers. However, this same idea can be translated to local communities with similar — and sometimes even better — results. Local influencers in your community are simply people who affect the choices of others, and you can use their help to gain more awareness for your brand.
Here’s an example:
Let’s say that you own a local store that offers fitness gear or vitamins and supplements. With the help of Molly, a local yoga instructor who teaches several classes around town and has a large following on social media, you could spread the word about your brand far and wide.
In order to gain the help of local influencers, you’ll need to give them a reason to use your brand — and a reason to get excited about your brand. One of the best ways to do this is by offering discounts or free samples.
Start creating more awareness in your brand by becoming a Top Rated Local Business.
Take the first step toward the kind of awareness you want for your local brand with Top Rated Local. Signing up/claiming your listing is free, easy and will only take a few minutes, and it will give you the opportunity to respond to reviews, provide you with real-time notifications of reviews, and so much more.
