How Small Local Businesses Can Survive This Recession

Small local businesses are dying at a rate that continues to drive fear across many industries.  Sure, the economic turmoil is a major player.  I mean, take a look at how much “rumor” can impact an entire financial sector on Wall St, and multiply that figure when that rumor is about fear of economic depression.

So how does a small business owner stay alive in this recession, and even more, can they?

The good news here is that by opening up the marketing net, and leveraging the power and scope of the Internet, most small and local businesses can not only survive during a recession, they can thrive.  That’s a rather strong statement, but let me explain, less it sound too flippant.

The Internet is one amazing tool.  Like never before in history, we have the ability to attract new customers through precision marketing strategies.  Let’s take you for example.  If you’re looking for a dentist in your area, the chances you pick up a phone book are dwindling by the second.  Most likely, you’re going to jump online, go to Google and type in a search similar to “dentist city, st”.

How do I know that?

Well as one who makes it my profession to help small businesses attract more customers from the internet, I’ve done plenty of keyword research.  That search term I just shared with you was true in my town and state 480 times last month alone, just in Google.  Shockingly enough, in the larger cities and metro areas that number can be doubled and more often times.

So how can that help you survive?

In case you didn’t see it, because it’s very easy to miss, when we search for something and find it, we don’t give it much consideration.  However when others search for our businesses in need, we can often overlook the power of being found in the search engines.

What’s really cool is that we can literally “flip” Google around to the backside, and see what people are typing into it, and how many times per month for any keyword we’re interested in.  That my friend is one of the most powerful advertising information pieces available in human history.

You see, we now have the power to meet the customer that is seeking the service or product, when they’re ready to buy.  Historically, marketing is very intrusive.  We watch TV, not for the commercials, but for the program.  The commercials are considered interruptions, and we often don’t appreciate when there are so many of them.  The same for billboards, and newspapers.

But with Keywords and search terms, we can be present using the exact terminology our customer uses, when they are looking to “scratch that itch”.

• Do you use keyword research as part of your marketing strategy?
• Is your website set up to be an autopilot, qualifying lead generator?
• Do your customers find your business or services on the first page or two of Google when looking for your product?

If not, schedule a free consultation with me so we can talk through how to construct a custom strategy for your small business so you too can leverage the scale of the Internet!