Community Involvment and Your Business

By Tammy Wood

Local marketing can be extremely powerful, especially for a niche business; it can help you build a loyal customer-base and build your business through word of mouth. By developing and implementing a pre-planned local marketing strategy you will be better able to assess the success of your marketing efforts.

IE: This search was “Sacramento Area Blogs” http://www.sacramentotop10.com/Entertainment/Websites.html

IE: I live in a town called Lyman- but the locals call the area Skagit Valley, Woolley or even Punkin Center so I would do a search for those words and see what google gives me. More than likely what I am going to get is forums, community blogs, mom blogs and other local area connections, where I can join in and build a reputation in the local cyberspace.

• Become a part of your "community" in cyber space.
  
• Get external links to your site from other local professionals and associations- Just ask!
• Blog about local issues, interact with people who are writing letters to the editor, did you read an article about construction picking up in your area? Write in about the necessity of drug testing construction workers for the safety of the public and the workers themselves.




Include your website, blog, and email address in all your marketing materials no matter how insignificant it may seem.


Create local distribution lists and create email newsletters to update the community on your business. Offer your newsletters on your counter top in your store front. Be sure they are branded exceptionally well, your name, your phone number, your hours - it's all about YOU!

• Going on a mobile collection? Leave a newsletter/ brochure/ stack of business cards with whomever you come across. Drug testing is a necessity and you are the best choice for your local business'.
  

Where to Begin With Community Events:

1. Locate an upcoming fundraising event for example: visit www.cancer.org and search for upcoming events in your area.

2. Put together a team or volunteer your time at the event.

3. Purchase wearable advertising materials, a pin, a hat, a t-shirt, a lanyard that has your name on it

4. Contact the organizers of the event and see what you can do to raise funds.

5. Send a press release to local newspapers about your upcoming participation and your level of excitement in interacting with your community peers.

6. Take pictures for your site/ blog/ marketing materials

7. Another press release to local papers with images of you at the event and the total amount walked, raised, volunteered etc.

It doesn't have to be Cancer Fundraising, it can be any charitable organization that will get press in your community. While we would like to donate all our time to good causes, I realize it isn't possible- but at least one HUGE event a year will draw attention to your business, in a positive way.

Warnings:

1. Do Not SPAM the forums - It may be tempting to have every post that you make an advertisement for your business, it will not build a reputation for your success. Interact with the forum moderators, and active participants, become part of an online community in your own community.

2. Your signature line is a great place to advertise your business without being spammy.

3. Always check the guidelines with the community event organizers.

I am here to answer your questions!