Here are the...
5 Most Beneficial Marketing Materials for Rural Businesses
Rural Business is not Business-as-Usual
Rural roots can be powerful marketing tools
From the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to the mountains of Colorado; from the city streets of Stuttgart, Germany to my home in Menahga, Minnesota, I've always been interested in how businesses can use their rural roots to compete with bigger cities.
Rural communities...
Where families have been living for generations, looking after their communities and turning neighbors into friends...
Where people are still interested in making an honest living...
In an online world,
where more and more businesses are digital,
I believe that our local rural businesses are more important than ever before!
Unfortunately, they’re finding it increasingly hard to compete on the internet and in the rural neighborhoods where they were born and raised.
Word of mouth doesn't always work anymore!
I’d like to support you in getting the information you need to thrive, so your business will continue to stand the test of time.
Start with these 5 marketing materials to build your business.
1. Business Cards
Every business that still works with people face-to-face needs a business card.
Some large marketing firms claim that business cards are obsolete, but I’m guessing you still use them. And they work for you, because you work with people. We still like to have something to hold in our hands.
Am I right?
Even in this high-tech age of cell phones, digital cars, and the internet, a physical card is the easiest thing to hand to someone — a potential customer, a current customer, or someone who wants to refer you to their friends. “Here — take my card.” is WAY easier than saying, “just Google my name — it’s H-a-v - no ‘V’ as in ‘Victor’ - e-ri-n-e-n - no, I-N-E-N, yeah, that’s a lot of vowels…”
By this time, your potential customer has forgotten what you do and why they wanted your contact info in the first place.
My advice?
Get a really nice looking business card with your contact information printed on it. Business cards are still the most cost effective way to share your information.
2. Signage and/or
Vehicle Lettering
Vehicle Lettering
Now that you can identify yourself in person, the second thing every rural business needs is identification from a distance.
You want your potential customers to see your business when you’re on the road. The name on your vehicle should be readable and look professional.
Look around...
What does your competitor's signage look like? If a potential customer had to choose between you and them based on your image, which would they pick?
I don’t know about you, but I hate showing up at a new business and not knowing which door to enter through.
Install professionally designed vinyl lettering right on the glass, or fasten a sign nearby. Your new customers will thank you.
3. Online Presence
You NEED to be online.
This can mean using the Google My Business free online listing, or building a full-out website. Show up on social media someplace where you are comfortable keeping up a presence.
When you don't show up online...
You will have a hard time reaching the level of business that is fully sustainable. Pick an online platform and flesh it out.
You don't need to spend lots of time changing your messages, or posting every day.
Caution: Don’t pick everything. Focus.
Your online presence needs to be up-to-date. Beyond that, it's up to you.
4. Follow-up Plan
I have a little bit of homework for you.
Think about a good customer you’ve had in the past. What were they like? Male/female, age, profession, house hold dynamics etc.
What would your past customers appreciate from you?
Customers always like being thanked, so perhaps you could send a thank-you postcard. Maybe you could leave a list of safety tips relating to your service call. Perhaps they want to ask you a question on the phone after their service is complete.
When would they like to hear from you again? How long should they go between service calls?
Creating better customers involves thinking about how to include your customer in your overall marketing plan.
Based on the answers you entered above, what is one thing you can do to reach out to some of the best customers you’ve had in the past?
5. Marketing Engineer
in your corner
in your corner
Make sure you have a relationship with a marketing professional.
Find someone who speaks about marketing in a way you can understand. Learn about different marketing avenues and find the ways that work best for your business.
Find someone you like.
Marketing your business feels easy when you're working with a marketing professional who understands you.
Consistently show off your business in a way that feels good and attracts great customers.
I'd love to know you better.
FOCUS AREA:
Get Noticed
You’re running a new business and you just need someone to buy from you. Or, your current customers aren't the best fit for you.
Get new customers
Get better customers
FOCUS AREA:
Be Remembered
You’ve been successfully running your business for a while, and you want to focus on building the relationship with your current customers.
Get customers returning
Build relationships
Like what you read?
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© 2024 AH Grafix | 33509 109th Avenue | Menahga, MN 56464
