How to spread the word about local businesses
Thriving small businesses are vital to strong local economies.
According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses contribute roughly 65 percent of all new jobs, while a report from the Congressional Research Service indicated that firms with between 20 and 499 employees had the best job creation record of any size company.
That’s a significant feather in the cap of small businesses, as the jobs such firms create help to build thriving local economies that benefit from the tax revenue generated through employment and its ripple effects, such as the greater buying power that being employed creates.
With so much to gain from a thriving small business sector, local residents can help to spread the word about small businesses in their communities.
A handful of simple and effective strategies can help to promote local businesses, and each can potentially benefit consumers and communities.
TAKE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Though it certainly has its detractors, social media remains wildly popular. An April 2023 report from Global WebIndex indicated 60 percent of the world’s population uses social media, and the daily average usage is two hours and 24 minutes.
Data from Meta indicates that 83 percent of Instagram users discover new brands while using the platform. Such reports illustrate how effective positive reviews and references to small local businesses can be. Consumers won’t need much time to share a story about a great local business on their social media accounts, but that small investment of time can pay big dividends for those companies.
SHARE EXPERIENCES VIA
WORD-OF-MOUTH
Word-of-mouth marketing still works, and consumers can play an important role in ensuring that it benefits local businesses. According to the marketing solution experts at Hibü, word-of-mouth marketing remains the most popular way to recommend a business.
Consumers trust what others say about a business, so positive experiences with a local firm can be shared with family, friends and neighbors looking for similar services.
REVIEW ONLINE
Review Trackers reports that more than 81 percent of consumers are likely to visit Google Reviews prior to visiting a business. That’s a testament to the value of online review aggregators.
After a positive experience with a local business, consumers can visit Google Reviews or another online review aggregator like Yelp and share the details of their encounter. Chances are strong the review will be read and compel others to patronize the business.
A successful small business sector can have a profound impact on local communities. Consumers have an important role to play in the creation of a thriving small business community.