Times are changing drastically on how people look and find businesses and services. Phonebooks will soon be a thing of the past, Newspapers are losing readers every day. However more and more people turn to the Internet to find information on local businesses and services in their local area.
Let’s take a look at this example:
Situation #1: BigSmile Dentistry, a local business runs an ad in the local paper. Sure in a big city like Los Angeles, thousands of people could potentially see this ad, but how many of them will be specifically looking for a Dentist when they pick up the paper? James, someone who has been looking for a Dentist, happens to see the ad and makes a mental note to check it out when he has time.
Situation #2: James sits down at his computer and decides to use the Internet to do a local search to find a local dentist office. He types “Los Angeles Dentist” into Google, and BigSmile Dentistry comes up at #1 position. James simply clicks on BigSmile Dentistry and is taken to their website, where he has the ability to learn more about the Dentist, staff, services, testimonials and makes an appointment for next week!
Do you see what a difference this makes? In situation one, the prospective client was reading a newspaper, and saw an ad for a Dentist. Even though this was something the consumer was actually interested in, he wasn’t able to find out more about the business immediately. It was on him to remember the business details and follow-up when he had time. Not to mention that paper ads can get very expensive in large markets, like Los Angeles.
In situation two, the consumer sat down at his computer with the mindset that he was going to find a Dentist office. These are the type of clients your business needs to be targeting. Think about the value of these potential customers. They are literally sitting down at their computers and saying: “I want to find [your business here] in Los Angeles or West LA”.
You need create an Internet marketing strategy that will find and target potential clients when they’re looking for your business and services! Just when they NEED YOU. Think about it like this:
*Phonebook ads – Like an expensive trap that nobody knows about it (or wants to) deep in the forest. Eventually you might catch something (If at all)
*Newspaper ads — This is a shotgun approach, get in front of a lot of people NOT interested in what you have to say. You will just get “something “with lots of wasted ammo ($$)
*Online Marketing Strategy—This is the highly effective SNIPER method, only targeted, presold, quality prospects with less ammo ($$) wasted.
By using local online marketing you get in front of your consumers at the right time: When they’re looking for you! They will be happy to find you, so you can take care of them and they will reward you with their wallets, loyalty, referrals and word of mouth.
If you aren’t taking advantage of this opportunity, you are really, really missing out!
Thanks for reading, I really hope that I can provide value and be of help to your small business marketing efforts.
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