Rianna M. Hill | Rianna@PancakeDigitalSolutions.com
Owning and managing a local business, a physical brick and mortar store, comes with a significant number of logistics. From keeping an inventory to managing staff and sales, there are a lot of moving parts. Even if you don’t sell products online, there are many ways digital marketing can help your business.
Here are three strategies for how to use Facebook ads for your local business.
Letting People Know you are There
This is the most simple yet possibly most powerful element of Facebook Ads for local business. Previously, in order to let people know your business was in town, you would have to buy a billboard, spend hundreds on radio ads, or manage mailers or TV ads.
With Facebook Ads, particularly the “Reach” and “Brand Awareness Ads” you can reach thousands of people in your area for pennies on the dollar. Even just $1 a day for these types of ads will reach people around your shop and let them know you are there.
For example, a restaurant can make a slideshow of pictures of their storefront, dining room, staff, and food, then post this with hours and specials and run it to a 12-25 mile radius.
Building an Online Community
Another great strategy to use Facebook ads for your local business is to build an online community around your shop. This will help keep your brand top of mind and allow you to share new products that are out.
For example, a coffee shop could do well with some engagement ads. This is placing a bit of ads budget behind some of the posts on the Facebook page. While someone might not come into the coffee shop every day, you can show the fresh-baked goodies every day, or share a video of the coffee grinding. When the local audience needs to next set up a coffee shop meeting or wants a caffeine fix, you will likely be top of mind of those people who had just had a conversation with their friend on the post of the new raspberry muffins!
Conversions
At the end of the day, business is about exchanging goods or services for money. Cash is the lifeline of any business, so sales are important. With conversion ads, you can encourage people to send a message to make a reservation, book an appointment, or even come into the shop to make a purchase.
If you are a hair salon, for example, taking appointments with Facebook ads is a great way to fill your calendar without the worry of missing calls or being unavailable for walk-ins.
On The Table…
Running a local business involves a lot of logistics, even before thinking about your marketing. While you might not be selling products online, there are still many digital marketing strategies that can help! These Facebook ads strategies will help your local business by letting people know where you are, creating an online community, and encouraging conversions.
Learn more about how to create these ads and more by subscribing to our YouTube channel!