Calling All Small Businesses!

I would like to know how small business are getting the word out about their products and/or services to people in their business' area. Is there a science to this? Having a personal touch to my marketing is helping but I could use some fresh ideas. What is local business advertising to other small business out there?

I did a search on "local business advertising" and as always links to how to optimize search engines, blah blah blah. I really want to connect with my consumer that may not have gotten their internet service up yet because they just moved into their new condo.

What it comes down to is I need some pointers or some fresh ideas on what is out there. So I decided to do something different. I found Jack Black (no not the actor) a 75 year old small business owner. Mr. Black has owned a local cleaners for 40 years. He has regulars, people that would feel they were cheating on him if they went to another cleaners. But more importantly he has new people coming in his door. I want to know what this guy is doing to get local business in the door. So I asked him for an interview. Mr. Black is out of town for a couple of weeks visiting his grandchildren but he told me he would love to give me an interview. So stay tuned. I will be posting my interview questions and his responses in a few weeks.

Making That [Customer] Connection

After doing a search on direct mail for my small business, I primarily was given options for "internet" marketing. I'm finding that the marketing basics I learned in college aren't encouraged as much any more. For my business internet marketing isn't a viable option so I've had to go back to the basics and be creative.

Back to basic, of course, involved a little more leg work but I feel it has paid off and I fortunately have the data to prove it. My small business is located near a growing area with new subdivisions. I needed to find a way to really connect with potential consumers that recently moved in the the area.

My first task was welcoming them and introducing my business and how I can play a role in their getting settled to the new area. By providing helpful information such a listing of local services in the area and a nifty local area map, I was able to provide something free, tangible and hopefully helpful. I even have partnered with non competing businesses and we refer each other to new potential consumers, primarily those that have just move into the area. My direct mail efforts started off with providing useful information before bombarding potential customers with ads about my service. I figured it's a way to start to gain trust.

Although my business is still small my direct mail efforts are slowing paying off. I notice when I run a full court press on marketing my business the rewards show and are tangible.

Adverting Your Hair Salon

Just doing a search on marketing for my small business the links were primarily for internet marketing. I'm finding that the internet marketing basics are encouraged more than direct mail marketing. I work primarily with the over 55 population. So what if most of my potential clientele don't use the internet? For my business internet marketing isn't a viable option so I've had to go back to the basics and be creative.

I recently found an article about a young women starting a hair salon. One of her challenges was how to advertise a hair salon on a small budget. What stood out was her lack of commitment to do the foot work that was required to advertise her hair salon. Using direct mail is a great start but often pulling from other advertising techniques is needed especially when you are starting a new business.

So I started to think how would I advertise a new hair salon. Well I think using direct mail advertising techniques such as offering discounts on a shampoo or haircut to get people in the door is a good start. Offering hair service for children or in my case grandchildren would also be good as most parents would probably prefer not to cut their kid's hair. Finding a place that is child friendly can be difficult so finding a way to make your salon accessible to everyone. women, men and children would be a good for your small hair salon business.