Marketing Mondays: Community Involvement
Welcome back to another Marketing Monday! Previously, we’ve covered Building a Website, Google AdWords, Social Platforms, Facebook Ads, Instagram + Twitter, Google My Business, and Yelp. This week, we’re going to talk about the importance of engaging with your community to increase the awareness and public perception of your brand. The more people in your community that have heard the name of your business, the more likely you are to get new customers. Brand recognition and top-of-mind awareness are vital when running a business.
According to a study by Nielsen, 55% of customers report that they are willing to pay extra for products or services from companies that are committed to social impact. When it comes to taking part in your community, there are plenty of ways to get started. A great way is by connecting with schools. If you get in touch with them, most schools or colleges will allow tables or booths during sporting events, orientations, and more. If you can get a booth, it’s best to bring some flyers, business cards, or any other promotional materials you may have, or to offer on-the-spot battery or screen replacements.
Another way to get involved with your community is to engage with local charities or fundraisers. Instead of donating money or gift cards, offer free or discounted repairs to those in need, or donate a number of proceeds for a certain period of time to a good cause. Even those price-conscious customers will feel good about paying for your services if they know it will go towards someone else in need.
Sponsoring a local sports team is another way to get involved. Do some research in your area and see if there are any sports clubs or teams that allow businesses to advertise during their games or on their uniforms. Getting your name on a uniform or billboard will get your brand out in your community and increase your local awareness.
If you aren’t already a member, getting involved with your local chamber of commerce or small business association is a great business strategy. These organizations might offer networking, marketing, or workshops that are designed to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Networking with small businesses in your area can give you a more localized approach on how to attract new customers.
Depending on your store’s demographics, you can host events such as basic training for elderly audiences on how to use devices. Check with your local recreation centers or senior communities to learn more about setting up an event. Another idea is setting up an after-school event or program where you can teach children how to do basic device repairs. That way, you can teach children a specific trade, while exposing your name to their parents or teachers. At Mobile Defenders, we love giving back to the West Michigan community. We enjoyed our time volunteering at a local community center teaching kids how to pilot drones and repair devices.
It’s important to understand that all of these strategies take time to produce revenue in the long-run. The main purpose of spreading local awareness is getting out and being involved in the community. We hope these tips are helpful for you and your repair store. If there’s any topic you’d like us to cover, feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments. Stay tuned for more tips that will help you increase revenue in your store! Also, if you have any specific topics you would like us to cover in our Marketing Monday’s series, please email [email protected].
