If I told you that you can do some things today, completely offline, to improve your Local SEO would you believe me? Well, get ready because that is exactly what I am here to discuss with you.
Hey there, and welcome to the Marketing 101 for Small Business Owners podcast, I am your host Philippa Channer and I am a Content Marketing Strategist helping entrepreneurs and small business owners create, implement, and measure their marketing plans & content strategies. I started this channel to help business owners like yourself take control of your marketing and get more effective results. This month I am launching a small series on the value and importance of Local SEO and how small businesses can improve their chances of getting found on Google. Today we are going to talk about some of the different things we can do offline to improve our local search results and have our organization rank higher. Let’s jump right into it.
Offline Tactic #1: Company volunteering
Company volunteering is when a company partners with local nonprofits to occasionally provide a team of volunteers to help fulfill a need that is out of reach for the nonprofit due to personnel or financial limitations. Nonprofit organizations are always in need of volunteers. Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while also getting some experience.There are plenty of opportunities for volunteering. You can volunteer at a local animal shelter, help out with fundraising, or even help out with events like the pancake breakfast on Saturday mornings. Or sending a team to their office to rake up leaves on their property in the fall. No matter how big or small, these partnerships work to not only benefit the nonprofit you are serving, it helps gain exposure in the community. Here are some of the benefits received when a company volunteers?- Increased employee morale and engagement- Improved company culture- Better recruiting opportunities- Enhanced public perception
Offline Tactic #2: Joining Local Chamber of Commerce
The local chamber of commerce is a resource for businesses and entrepreneurs looking to prosper in their community. As a local business, you are your own best advocate for growth and success. The chamber of commerce provides a forum for local businesses to network, grow and learn from one another. If your ideal customer is other businesses, this is a great way to gain the exposure you need and connect with other business owners that can become leads and future clients. If your business focuses on the community as your customers, most Chambers provide a directory of their members on their website that is free for the general public to access. Having your company listed there demonstrates that not only do you exist but as a member of the chamber your credibility and value also increase.
Offline Tactic #3: Give Back to the Community by Offering Services
Similar to volunteering in the community, another one of the best ways to give back to the community is by offering services. Kiva, for example, is an organization that provides loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries. The organization offers microloans that are repaid with very local interest rates. This is something that could be done locally, with the same results. Some nonprofits offer internships, which can be really beneficial for those who want to make a career change and want to get some hands-on experience in their field of interest.Another example could be offering to help a nonprofit manage their bookkeeping every quarter for free. These are all ways to make wonderful connections, offer value to someone else, and demonstrate your expertise in your industry. All of which will help to boost your reputation in your community.
How Giving Back Improves Your Brand Reputation?
In today’s world, the success of a company is no longer measured by how much money it generates. Now, companies are looking for ways to give back to society and improve their brand reputation.A study published in Harvard Business Review found that “companies who invest in social responsibility are more valuable than those who don’t.” Giving back can help your company generate goodwill and build a positive image among consumers. It can also help build a good working environment for your employees and reduce turnover rates. Giving back is not only good for your company but it’s also good for society as well.
So there you have it. Three different tactics you can apply today, offline to improve your brand reputation and increase the local impact of your business. First, have your company volunteer with local nonprofit organizations. Second, joining a local chamber of commerce. And lastly, offer your services to the community for free or low investment. I would love to know what other ways you have been able to improve your local impact as a company within your community.
Be sure to subscribe to our podcast, whether you’re watching on Youtube or listening to our podcast. And please do us a favor and share this content with someone you know that could benefit from the marketing tips we share. As always, our offer for a free 1 hour marketing consultation is available so if you want some help improving your Local SEO game, let’s jump on a call and tackle this together. Until then, have a great week and we will chat with you again next week Wednesday when we interview local marketing strategist Amber Chaney where we discuss the importance of developing a local marketing strategy and a checklist every small business owner should have on hand to make their strategies work.
