Anyone with brick & mortar businesses want to swap strategies?

Right now I do -

Local SEO / Geotargeted website.
Local search directories, as many as possible with as many reviews as possible.
Youtube / Geotargeted Videos.
State based websites or forums that get a lot of traffic.
Classifieds.

Then I'll also post on local / high traffic facebook groups.

I also pay attention to news. Anytime something goes viral, say like a local story that is remotely related to my niche (even nonrelated stories will work tbo), and someone uploads a youtube video, I'll rank my own comment on the top of their video, without making it look spammy. I do it just to drive traffic to my channel. There are lots of opportunities like this online if you look for them. But generally I like my traffic as targeted as possible.

I do basically everything aside from PPC.

They key I find is just maximizing your presence on each of these places. No real secret techniques just consistency and hard work.

-Red

Heya Gabe,


We could most likely offer more ideas if we knew some specifics about your industry, niches, target markets, business and products/services.
Feel free to send a PM, in case you don't want to post these specifics here...

We work with a retail shop that offers massage therapy in Tahoe and have been helping them transition online with a dropship store. Tahoe is so seasonal... Peaks with ski season and summer time, but absolutely dead in the shoulder seasons. Also offers us a channel to liquidate old inventory cheap to our list of email subscribers and fans on fb.

If you are buying and selling, remember that you make your money when you buy! If you buy your widgets right, you can make money online and offline.

If you are offering services, local seo and search engine domination are a great way to keep the phone ringing and people walking in!

Make sure that you have the content on your website mention the areas you service. This is called geo-targetting. Also claim and build out your Google Plus page. Link everything with authorship. Also find out what local directories there are in your area and get listed on all of them. Encourage your clients to write reviews (testimonials) and place them on these directories

Jeeezzzz....didnt any of you read my post? I didn't say I was struggling with traffic or sagging in rankings...simply seeing if other small businesses want to discuss some strategies on effective foot traffic generation into the store. There is alot more to internet marketing than just local SEO and Facebook fans...

Fellow Texan here. Had exhibit at SXSW last month. Love Austin. Occasionally I'll post freebie on Craigslist to get folks in the door. I limit a virtual coupon to x first replies via email (using Craigslist dummy address, of course, not mine) and then pull add when it reaches my limit. Send them "coupon" for freebie via return email. Gives me a good feeling.... Gives them an awesome deal... Picks up new repeats.

Not to mention the fact that you havent given any of your ideas yet:confused:


Does being a sexy surfer looking dude with long hair auto make you act like a douche to people who want to help you?

Just so you dont feel left out

You didn't mention your industry so I'll just list several ideas that I've used in the past to drive foot traffic for my advertising clients. They are not all internet focused, but most if not all of your activity should involve the internet to some degree, even if it is just promoting all your events with social media.

Create your own local industry association

In a medium-sized city I organized all the chiropractors into an ad-hoc advertising association. They pooled funds to promote "advertorial" spots on local TV. See if you can find like-minded competitors and look for areas you can combine forces for exponential results.

Create your own local party or event

This is a similar idea but involves organizing neighboring businesses for local promotions. What local event can you start to generate excitement? How about a weekly happy hour downtown with local bands? Or a mini music festival.

You can start small. Try co-promotions with one or two neighbors and build from there. Ewen gave some examples earlier in the thread. I've staged hockey clinics, golf demo days, free massages days, battle of the bands, stand-up comedy marathons, etc.

Bring old customers back

It's a mystery of the ages. Many businesses let old customers drift away with no attempt to get them back. Create an irresistible offer (it must be really good - don't cheap out on it) and get those drifters back. They already know who you are so it is all gravy.

Use all your co-op

Check what co-op funds you have accrued with your top vendors. Have you used it all up? If so, ask your vendors about special funds set up to fund one-off promotions. This is different from your earned co-op.

Often called "Key City Funds" or similar phrases, you have to feature that vendor in the promotion, but it is a great way to find extra money. Show the brand or manufacturer how you will increase sales for the city or region.