Being “the best of” or “number one” in your category in your city will generate more sales for retail tenants than almost any other type of advertising, and it is 100% free
Increase your sales by being #1
Local retail tenants do not have the advertising budget of the chains, so we must become creative and mine out freebies and low-cost promotion. Localcenters.com is a believer in social marketing because it’s very low cost to no cost, and it can be more effective than conventional media.
Most cities with a daily newspaper and local television have at least one “best of” list every year, and the voting is often done on the internet. With a little effort, you can use your social media contacts in Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter and your email list that you’ve been building to reach that coveted top position.
Call for action through email and social media
Unless your business has been established and is an acknowledged leader, you need to “ask for the order.” That means emailing friends and business associates and asking them to vote for you. In your note or post, explain that you know it’s a huge favor, and their support is entirely appreciated and special. Then, give complete instructions and links on how to vote for you.
The more active you have been with social media, the more likely the votes will be forthcoming. Here are some things you should be doing now:
- Creating and working a Facebook “like” or “fan” page
- Using Twitter for valuable tips about your business
- Attending networking meetings
- Engaging your customers with “thank you” specials and new ones with irresistible offers.
Here’s a good example. In our city, there is a TV station that sponsors the “KCRA-”A” List” which includes practically every conceivable category. This evening I received an email from a woman I have met once or twice, asking me for my vote. I’d probably never use her service (facials), but her message and call to action was so compelling I’d have felt guilty not voting for her.
There are probably 500 facial operators in our area. Carol Dyer of Skin Care by Carol is not the biggest, nor is she the best known, but no one promotes more than she in social media! When I went to vote, I was shocked to see the current rankings; Skin Care by Carol is the current #1 A-List choice for facials in the Sacramento region! How does Carol do it? By Facebooking, Tweeting, networking formally and informally, and taking advantage of every free or low cost opportunity to promote her business. By doing these things, Carol is building a brand at practically no expense.
Go find a contest, put out the word to your contacts, and you too can be #1.
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update: I WON!!! and a HUGE thanks for your vote:)