Five years ago, if you had an Instagram account for your business, you were ahead of the game and likely generating leads and traffic with ease. These days, however, more and more companies are online, and it can be hard to break through the noise! So here are some unique ideas to market your local business that will help you stand out from the crowd, online and offline.

1. Create Educational Videos

Video has spiked on the marketing stage. More and more consumers choosing to consume content via video instead of reading blogs or listening to podcasts. According to Buildfire, YouTube was generating more than 1 billion unique views a day more than ten years ago! And social media platforms have caught on – Instagram Stories, Instagram Reels, and, of course, SnapChat and TikTok are rising in popularity. Yes, even for small businesses across sectors.

Video content can be anything from a lengthy, detailed, professionally shot and edited YouTube video to a 15-second Instagram Reel with a few quick, actionable tips that are shot and edited right inside the app.

However you do it, remember to provide value for your audience, and have fun!

2. Guest Post

Increase your reach and get in front of new audiences by guest posting on other sites. Search for local businesses or websites that have the same audience as yours so that you’re talking to your ideal clients. Once you find a perfect site, it’s all about putting together your pitch and offering up a unique article for them to share. Make sure you are offering something special, valuable, and that isn’t a carbon copy of something already on your website. 

Check out more tips on guest posting and other marketing ideas by John Lincoln here.

3. Host an Event

Events are a great way to attract a local audience. While COVID-19 is still lingering, most events will need to be online, but hosting an engaging, valuable event virtually or while following local regulation is entirely possibles. Whether it’s a party, promotion, product demo, anniversary sale, or anything else you can think of, the options are endless and don’t have to blow the budget.

LOCALiQ suggests pairing your event with a promotion to draw in more visitors, and to host your event (safely) outdoors if possible to attract the attention of passersby.

4. Give a Speech

It’s not just giving a speech – addressing an audience is always a great way to position yourself as a local subject matter expert. Public speaking or presenting can be nerve-wracking, and organizations like ToastMasters can help make it easier. However, they will get easier as you do more, and as a bonus, the more you do, the more exposure you will receive!

As Constant Contact points out, especially when focusing on hyper-local events, these opportunities can go a long way to position yourself as an authority in your industry. And if you’re worried about the old adage saying that the definition of an expert is “someone standing at a podium one town away,” don’t be! The more you speak, the more you extend your reach, build your credibility and gain more trust. 

Thinking outside the box and marketing your local business in less saturated areas can help set you apart from the rest of your competitors. If you’re looking for other concrete ways to market your local business that will help you stand out from the crowd, check out some of our past blogs.