You already know that local search for local business is increasing. In fact, some 40% of on-line searches have been recorded with local intent. Local business marketing is set to grow too, with increased access via mobile devices, such as iPhones, iPads etc.
As you focus on your project to generate local business income from your internet business service skills, you might wonder where to look for your first customers. I'm often asked this. With a first class website, thoroughly researched keywords and a targeted locality, you will get customers via your website.
Do not rely 100% on the internet. Talk to every business person you meet. Go to places where business people go, such as charity events, social clubs and business networking meetings. Networking is one of your best tools in your marketing toolbox. Talk as you go about your normal activities. One (now highly successful) marketer I know, made his first sale of SEO services to his local garage when he went to get his car serviced.
Naturally, you need a plan, preferably one with structure. Decide on a niche (location and business sector). It doesn't matter if you are no expert in that sector - yet. Find out how many local businesses there are in the sector you are targeting who are likely to have a marketing budget and little time. See who does not yet have an internet presence (ideal customers because you can provide a decent website for less than their existing marketing costs). Typical business sectors that are likely to fit your criteria include therapists, restaurants, accountants, dentists, garages. See how many there are.
Places you can reference in order to build your plan include the local Chamber of Commerce, the library, local business directories, Yellow Pages (although dying to a very slim size these days), local press etc. From these you get all the contact details and can see who is spending on advertising. Looking on the internet will tell you if they have a website you can find easily.
Say your plan is to focus on restaurants, for a start. As an internet marketer you have writing skills, so email everyone on your list. Introduce yourself as someone writing an article on restaurants and ask if they would like to tell you more about their business. Tell them to contact you if interested. Offer to meet those who contact you to listen to their experience and include information about their restaurant, free of charge.
Be clear. Know what interent skills and services you can offer, before you keep the meeting. Forget selling. Just be interested in their specific business. Ask lots of questions and get them talking. Listen and take notes. Make mental note of opportunities. Develop a rapport. Once you have your draft article about his restaurant, see what he thinks. Ask if he would like it to be published at no cost to himself. You know the answer. Use software to publish the article. When you can demonstrate that just one article has helped his business, then you can talk about other services; it might include a website, a video or social media campaign or an on-line database (take care not to use the words opt-in page). Alternatively you could have already built the website with the opt-in and sell leads (to more than one restaurant). You could also rent out space on a restaurant site. You have a customer. Build trust. Over time you can offer several services, referring back to the first meeting and how much he used to invest in marketing through advertising. Make money for your customer and he will be happy to give you referrals. Offer something for nothing or next to nothing for every referral who becomes your customer.
Learn from your first use of this "customer winning" formula. Note what went well, what went wrong, tweak a little bit, rinse and repeat. Use your winning formula to get even more local business customers. Decide on the next business sector. Do the detailed research. Return to your next business networking meet, charity event or visit to the golf club with renewed enthusiasm for your business and talk about it. Repeat what you have already proved to yourself works.
There are more ways to streamline your own business, working smarter, not harder, than I can include in one article. I would recommend taking a good course (be it live, on DVD or on-line on your iPhone) from someone who has done it before and has local business marketing experience. Take advantage of mistakes made by people before you . Save yourself money. Save time and effort.
As you focus on your project to generate local business income from your internet business service skills, you might wonder where to look for your first customers. I'm often asked this. With a first class website, thoroughly researched keywords and a targeted locality, you will get customers via your website.
Do not rely 100% on the internet. Talk to every business person you meet. Go to places where business people go, such as charity events, social clubs and business networking meetings. Networking is one of your best tools in your marketing toolbox. Talk as you go about your normal activities. One (now highly successful) marketer I know, made his first sale of SEO services to his local garage when he went to get his car serviced.
Naturally, you need a plan, preferably one with structure. Decide on a niche (location and business sector). It doesn't matter if you are no expert in that sector - yet. Find out how many local businesses there are in the sector you are targeting who are likely to have a marketing budget and little time. See who does not yet have an internet presence (ideal customers because you can provide a decent website for less than their existing marketing costs). Typical business sectors that are likely to fit your criteria include therapists, restaurants, accountants, dentists, garages. See how many there are.
Places you can reference in order to build your plan include the local Chamber of Commerce, the library, local business directories, Yellow Pages (although dying to a very slim size these days), local press etc. From these you get all the contact details and can see who is spending on advertising. Looking on the internet will tell you if they have a website you can find easily.
Say your plan is to focus on restaurants, for a start. As an internet marketer you have writing skills, so email everyone on your list. Introduce yourself as someone writing an article on restaurants and ask if they would like to tell you more about their business. Tell them to contact you if interested. Offer to meet those who contact you to listen to their experience and include information about their restaurant, free of charge.
Be clear. Know what interent skills and services you can offer, before you keep the meeting. Forget selling. Just be interested in their specific business. Ask lots of questions and get them talking. Listen and take notes. Make mental note of opportunities. Develop a rapport. Once you have your draft article about his restaurant, see what he thinks. Ask if he would like it to be published at no cost to himself. You know the answer. Use software to publish the article. When you can demonstrate that just one article has helped his business, then you can talk about other services; it might include a website, a video or social media campaign or an on-line database (take care not to use the words opt-in page). Alternatively you could have already built the website with the opt-in and sell leads (to more than one restaurant). You could also rent out space on a restaurant site. You have a customer. Build trust. Over time you can offer several services, referring back to the first meeting and how much he used to invest in marketing through advertising. Make money for your customer and he will be happy to give you referrals. Offer something for nothing or next to nothing for every referral who becomes your customer.
Learn from your first use of this "customer winning" formula. Note what went well, what went wrong, tweak a little bit, rinse and repeat. Use your winning formula to get even more local business customers. Decide on the next business sector. Do the detailed research. Return to your next business networking meet, charity event or visit to the golf club with renewed enthusiasm for your business and talk about it. Repeat what you have already proved to yourself works.
There are more ways to streamline your own business, working smarter, not harder, than I can include in one article. I would recommend taking a good course (be it live, on DVD or on-line on your iPhone) from someone who has done it before and has local business marketing experience. Take advantage of mistakes made by people before you . Save yourself money. Save time and effort.
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