Ways Your Small Business Can Benefit From the Shop Local Movement

Grassroots shop local campaigns have been at work for a few years now. Encouraging consumers to spend money in their local communities, these campaigns focus on educating consumers on the overreaching benefits of supporting local businesses. What if you don’t have a storefront? Can you still benefit from the shop local movement? The answer is a resounding “YES!” Heck, even our company has benefited from the local movement. We're seeing, more and more, local businesses sign up to use our free inventory software.

The first thing you need to do is to promote your small business as part of your community. Instead of seeking credibility by trying to seem like a larger corporation, focus on the things that your small business can do better because you are part of the local community. You know your community in ways that other businesses may not. You not only work there, you live there just like your potential customers. Let them know it!

Put yourself out there. Don’t be an invisible owner, people feel good about supporting members of their own community. Let them know who you are and what your business means to you. They can feel good about frequenting your business because they feel like they know you. Being present can also keep employees on track and committed to providing great service at all times. To provide great service, you going to need time. Our free inventory software can help make you more efficient at back office activities giving you more time to focus on customers.

Communicate with your customers. Focus on creating great customer relationships. Communities thrive on word of mouth. If you give great service and really know your customers they are going to tell others about you. Create a loyalty program that offers repeat customers special benefits. That will keep them coming back.

Include local references in your advertising. Even a single line such as “Serving our community for the past X number of years” can gain you local goodwill. Sponsor local sports teams, create promotions that tie in with local events, and be actively present in the community. If there is a festival, parade, or other event sure to draw local crowds try to have a presence. Can’t afford giveaway items or coupons for freebies? Just having your name included in event signage or people walking around the event wearing your logo on their t-shirt can be a marketing boost.

Remember, others are working to promote the shop local campaign. You just need to work on promoting the local aspect of your business. Your small business can (and should) benefit from this push. You’re not a large, corporation run by a nameless, faceless board of directors in some other state. You are a small business that is part of the community, run by someone who lives, works and shops in their neighborhood. Let them know and start enjoying the benefits!

And just in case you missed it, Stockpile is a great way to take your local business to the next level. It's a free inventory software solution for small business that allows you to manage your inventory any time from any where - including for multiple locations and users. Try it free today!

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