This week we're talking through how local businesses can get seen without spending a dollar because visibility doesn't have to cost money.

We know what you're thinking... but you're a marketing agency, why are you giving us tips on how NOT to spend money on marketing?

Because life is hard, budgets are tight and we like to give back. It's that simple.

Here are five high-impact moves you can implement today to increase your reach and convert more leads into sales. 

1. Your Google Business Profile shouldn't just be another task checked off your to-do list
   1. The problem: most local businesses claim their Google Business Profile, fill in the basic information and call it a day. But your profile is often the first and only impression you have before someone decides to call you/visit your site. 
   2. The solution: Treat your profile like a marketing engine. Post consistently. Add photos. Answer the Q&A's. Reply to all reviews (yep, even the negative ones).
   3. Make MiMo Moves: Subtly throw keywords into your responses to help your business show up more often in searches.
2. Become a source, not just a business
   1. The problem: You're so busy trying to make a sale, you forgot to showcase your value and become an authority in your industry.
   2.  The solution: Become the expert offering valuable commentary to someone whose job it is to find you. The only difference between you and the expert getting quoted is you're not pitching yourself!
   3. Make MiMo Moves: Sign up for free services that connect reporters with sources and pitch yourself as the local expert in your field.

3. Partner with businesses that just make sense
   1. The problem: you're trying to gain the trust of an audience who doesn't know you
   2. The solution: Borrow the trust that someone else already earned. Find the non-competing businesses that serve your same ideal customer and build together via cross-promotion in your marketing efforts, co-hosting events, referral partnerships, etc.
   3. Make MiMo Moves: Don't think about who is closest in proximity, but rather who already has the trust of the market you're looking for then build a genuine relationship that serves both of your businesses. 
4. Mine your customers for content 
   1. The problem: you say 'you don't know what to post' but you're missing out on stories and user-generated content that is right in front of you!
   2. The solution: ask your best customers specific questions (like what almost stopped you from booking) and turn that into a content engine... social post, story, blog, FAQ... you don't need more content, you need creativity so you can make a single piece of content work for you in various ways.  
   3. Make MiMo Moves: when someone praises you in a text, a DM, an email, or a comment... screenshot that sucker and BAM! you have yourself a testimonial and also your next post. Remember: the most persuasive words in your marketing are the ones your customers say, not the ones you write.

5. Build in public
   1. The problem: you're posting constantly about your business but nobody knows who YOU are
   2. The solution: authenticity + vulnerability are absolutely dominating social media right now. if you want to set yourself apart, let your audience behind the curtain and give them a dose of what real life as a business owner is like.
   3. Make MiMo Moves:  turn passive watchers into invested followers by showing the process. the 5am wake ups, the chaos, the setbacks, the actual numbers, the wins, the fails. documenting real life > manufacturing stories 

So now what? 

Start with one item from this list and give it consistent effort for the next 30 days. It doesn't need to be perfect, but make it intentional and genuine and you'll be shocked at what compounding action can do in just 30 days.  

 Need help turning these into a real strategy for your business? That's what we do. Let's talk.