TLMM #005: Top 2 Marketing Strategies to Drive New Customers Through The Doors of Local Small Businesses and Keeps Them Coming Back

Read time: 4 mins

In this week’s issue, I want to talk about the top two marketing strategies that drive new customers into most local small businesses.

But before I get into all of the specifics as to why these two marketing strategies are the most effective…

Let’s take a look at what factors determine if a potential customer will try a new local small business.

 

Ways for Local Small Businesses to Attract New Customers

There’s a lot of ways to attract new customers to a local small business…

Some of which are more effective than others.

According to the SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration)…

Here’s a solid list of ways to attract new customers…

• Ask for referrals
• Network (word of mouth)
• Offer discounts and incentives for new customers
• Re-contact old customers
• Improve your website
• Partner with complimentary businesses
• Promote your business
• Use online reviews to help expose your business
• Participate in community events
• Bring a friend

All of the above work.

There’s no doubt about that.

However, one in particular works better than all the rest…

 

Offer Discounts and Incentives for New Customers

I don’t know about you…

But when I get a coupon to take advantage of a special deal from a local small business…

You best believe I don’t pass it up!

Especially now with inflation at an all time high.

I, like most people, are looking for ways to cut back on my expenses.

In other words, it’s simply too expensive to not take advantage of coupons and special offers.

Does that mean if I get a coupon that doesn’t have a pretty significant deal attached to it, that I’m going to make a concerted effort to use it?

Probably not…

So obviously it’s got to be of value to me (and of course their intended potential customers as well).

 

What Makes a Discount or Incentive Work?

That’s a great question!

Let me ask you this, what excites you when you see a discounted deal?

Well that’s what kind of discounts local small businesses need to have in place…

If it’s got your attention…

Then it will likely grab the attention of a local small business’s potential customers as well.

Meaning, it should be the local small business’s BEST DEAL possible!

 

Two of the Best Ways to Offer a Discount or Deal to Local Small Businesses Ideal Customers

There are many different reasons to offer a discount or deal to a local small business’s intended customers…

Two that stick out to me are…

1. Birthdays
2. New Residents

 

Birthdays

Birthdays are always a great reason for someone to be incentivized to take advantage of a discount or deal.

When it’s your birthday, you’re happy to receive “presents”…

So when you get a coupon via email or text message, it feels like you’re receiving a gift of sorts.

And it just makes sense that you should take advantage of it as a way to celebrate your birthday.

 

New Residents

When someone moves into the “neighborhood”…

They’re likely not all that familiar with all of their new found surroundings.

So it makes sense for local small businesses to market to new residents…

By welcoming them to the neighborhood and offering them a discount or deal in the form of a coupon.

 

Industries/Niches Who Can Really Benefit From Birthdays and New Residents Marketing Strategy

Here’s a list of industries/niches that should be taking advantage of offering discounts and deals to its ideal customers…

Eating/Dining:

• Restaurants
• Coffee Shops
• Doughnut Shops
• Ice Cream Parlors
• Sandwich Shops
• Pizza Parlors
• Food Trucks

Self-Care:

• Spas
• Med Spas
• Cosmetic Surgeons
• Hair Salons/Barber Shops
• Nail Salons
• Eyelash Salons
• Gyms
• Personal Trainers
• Yoga Studios

Car-Care:

• Auto Detailers
• Tire & Lube
• Carwashes

Household:

• House Cleaners
• Carpet Cleaners

Entertainment:

• Golf Courses
• Movie Theaters
• Bowling Alleys
• Trampoline Parks
• Roller Skating Rinks
• Waterparks
• Amusement parks
• Shooting Ranges

I’m sure there are more that I’m not even thinking about at the moment…

So if you think of some others, feel free to share them! 😉

And do you know what’s even better than acquiring new customers for a local small business?

Having REPEAT customers!

 

Customer Loyalty Programs

Once a local small business acquires a new customer from offering their BEST discount or deal possible…

It’s in the local small business’s best interest to keep said customer coming back for more.

And that’s where a really good customer loyalty program comes into play.

See, if you can incentivize them enough…

Then the new customer will likely keep coming back as a repeat customer…

So it’s important that a local small business implement a customer loyalty program that isn’t just OK…

But rather, it’s GREAT!

I’ve been a part of many different customer loyalty programs…

And from my experience, the ones that always give me some sort of discount EVERYTIME I spend money with them…

Are the ones that keep me coming back.

So ask yourself…

What are some of your favorite customer loyalty programs?

What about the customer loyalty program makes you want to keep doing business with them?

With that being said…

If you want to help local small businesses get new customers and make more sales…

Then this should be the first marketing strategy you implement for them.