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No matter where you are in your small business journey, you can be the business everyone recommends, and it might not be as hard as you think. People like supporting small businesses, especially that are local to their area. But if they do not know you or know much about you, you may find it much harder to become the go-to service. That’s why it is so important to spend time networking.
Continue Your Learning
There are events where you can keep learning about your industry and increase your connections. Attend trade shows and industry events. If there are not many in your town, consider hosting your own.
If you offer accounting services, you might host an event with other financial professionals in the area. You can also further your education by taking classes at local schools or even online. This will give you a chance to connect with other students and your professors who likely come from all walks of life. If you are thinking of going back to school, you can get a student loan to pay for your education. There is a payment tool to help you save, along with the simple and clear application process.
Give Local Customers a Special Deal
One of the challenges of small business ownership is cultivating a loyal customer base. Even if you have operations across the world, you can still support members of your community. Give a special deal to members of your community who support you. If you offer food products, you could give free products to people in the neighborhood on their birthdays.
You could offer specials to kids, which will bring their parents in as well, and they might purchase something for themselves or their other kids.
Connect With Other Businesses
Prioritizing getting your company involved in your local community is a great opportunity for your business, but it also allows you to give back to others. While you depend on referrals and customers from the area, other businesses around you do as well.
Set an example by connecting with other businesses to get to know their services. You can promote them to other customers, and you might find they do the same for you. If you have a florist shop, you might make recommendations to engaged couples on who to book for photography or baking.
You can also join local groups, such as your local Rotary Club or Chamber of Commerce. Connecting with entrepreneurs and other business owners is important because it connects you with other individuals who can get you more referrals. Sharing insights and resources can help everyone involved grow.
Put on Community Events
If you have a physical space, such as a store or office, you could host events in the space. It does not have to be huge or very fancy. You could create an after-school group that meets when your business is not in operation, or you could open it to other business owners, have a holiday party, or run a workshop.
When you open the area up to other people, you can get to know more individuals, bring members of the community to you, and have some fun while you are at it.
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