Running a small business can be incredibly hard and lonely at times. This is one of the reasons for establishing Business Bestie. Allowing business owners to connect all over the world, but bring it locally when they need a friend who understands and more. Last year, I wrote and shared video content on how if your small business obtains 1% of your local towns support what it could do for your company. I am working on a cool project that solely focuses on obtaining 1% of my local market to grow my business. One percent of my local market is 1,360 people. Take the average sales order and multiple it by your cities one percent. Let me give you a quick example if your city population is 500,000; one percent is 5000 and your shirt company average sales order is $50 that equates $250,000 solely focusing on your local presence. Now, let’s break down how you can establish a local presence for your online business.
Socialize At Coffee Shop
Three website designs ago, I found my website designer sitting next to me at my local Starbucks. Stop looking down at your phone and start socializing when you’re at coffee shops. This is a perfect way to connect with others who are in there. A couple of close friends came from meeting at the coffee shop. Spark up a conversation especially with the people you see on the regular. There is a man named Gordon that I stop and have extended conversations with now because he stopped to say hello while I was working. He is always telling me how I need to take vacations or asking me how I am scaling my company. In addition to that, I have landed clients because people have overheard me on the phone with a customer.
Attend Events
This stop sitting on your couch wondering why you are not growing an empire. You’re at home in your PJs versus being out and about connecting with people. One excuse people often tell me is events are very cliquish or they are not real networking events. My thing is if you’re going in there with a negative mindset that is what you will receive. If you’re anti-social when it comes to connecting with others, try one event a month and build it up from there. One of the best things, I did for my business was get my behind out the house and attend events I had no knowledge of. After a while of attending these events, my name started proceeding me and others were sharing my story with strangers.
Sponsor Events
When I first launched my online boutique, I would sponsor local Twitter Tuesday event at this lounge. Every Tuesday people would come out for a couple of hours to connect with others. The investment was around $100 which got my company shout outs and more. Investing the money in sponsoring events helped grow my company awareness with my target audience demographic that I wanted to reach. Several of those customers have turned into long term supporters of my business.
Speak At Events
This year, I wrote out several things I want to see come to pass in my life. They are not goals per se, but they keep me align of making sure my present and future become one. Speaking at twelve or more events this year is on my list. When I first launched my consulting business, I talked at Texas Style Council, and it helped propel my business by placing my company in front of my target audience. I have already booked one event in my local community where I will be able to tell my story and allow others to connect with me.
Pass Out First Purchase Cards
Every Saturday and Sunday you need to be at your local Target, Walmart, mall or whatever passing out first purchase flyers to your local community. Small business owners assume no one wants to support them or they need to find people online. Here is the thing people in your local community want you to win too. I have had customers tell me that once they did a pop-up shop how customers just kept supporting them and sharing their business with others. Your ideal customer is walking around your city right now but doesn’t know you exist. The investment in creating first purchase cards is subtle, but have a severe impact on changing your company trajectory.
This is the year of the small business growing drastically, and it all depends on your work ethic. Write the one percent number down and stick it to your mirror. Think about how you can connect with that figure and what it would do for your small business. I am not saying abandon other streams of income, but placing some eggs in your local basket is a smart move.
