Advertising a Small Town Business
Special Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses
Small town businesses have unique advertising opportunities for marketing products, stores, & services. See how small businesses can grow using local community resources.
Those in smaller communities enjoy the peace and serenity of the small town atmosphere, but may have difficulty growing a business with seemingly limited customers.
Brainstorming and sincere but wise involvement in town's activities may be the answer to long-term growth and prosperity.
Become Personally Known in the Small Town to Promote a Business
- Being the owner of a storefront or service-oriented business in a small town brings social responsibility and community expectation. Owners should be the first to volunteer to cook at the pancake breakfast and greet fellow townspeople (wearing a casual company shirt). Business people need to join clubs and be active in fundraisers. It helps to become a humble but noticeable local celebrity.
- One small town grocery store owner in the Northwest drives the miniature train in the Harvest Parade each year, throws candy to local kids, and waves hello. Everyone in town knows him by name.
- If community events are already in place, business folk can join in. The store mentioned above always goes out of their way to decorate a tree in the annual Christmas Tree Festival and donate food to the Lion’s Club food banks.
- If town spirit has dropped, consider starting a new tradition and give it the company name, such as “The Smallville Store Community Ice Cream Social.”
- Sponsoring a children’s charity, such as a Little League team, makes a great impression on a small town. Be subtle but get that company name on jerseys and banners. Show up to support the team and hand out goodies to children watching the games. Kids grow up fast and become the next wave of customers for a business. Children also have major influence on where Mom and Dad eat out, shop, and buy gasoline.
Market a Small Business Using Local Resources
- Certainly run ads and get public relations stories in the local newspaper. Coupons are a huge draw, especially if they appear week after week and customers look for them.
- Real estate agents make a good impression by keeping involved, as above, and by giving out small gifts during the year. One agent would deliver a small pumpkin (with a business card attached, of course) to every home in October each year.
- A local artist might ask a store to feature items or even let them hold a demonstration or workshop. This brings in customers for both businesses.
One thing to keep in mind when promoting a business in a small town is to be truly sincere in all joining and giving. Simple-living townspeople are turned off by phony attempts at charity or obvious marketing ploys semi-disguised as friendship. Entrepreneurs need to find charities and clubs of interest where they can be whole-heartedly and genuinely involved and active.
Also of interest may be Small Business Advertising Ideas: How to Advertise a Smaller Company with a Tight Budget , Easy Free Website Space on Squidoo and Start a Cool Coffee House Business.
