Want to start your own business offering local marketing services? It’s a smart move. As small businesses will no doubt continue to experience more competition and will look to get online a bit more demand for local marketing knowledge has never been greater.
If you are a skilled marketer, an entrepreneur with great tech skills, or a savvy homemaker with the nose to help local businesses make it big in the real world, this step-by-step guide will help you, my friend, find the way to start your own local marketing venture. You’ll discover how to start, find your niche, gain clients, and position yourself for ongoing success.
What Is a Local Marketing Business?
It involves a local marketing business to attract more customers for small, community-based businesses through specific marketing. This includes social media management, local SEO, paid ads, content and even offline marketing.
And unlike general marketing agencies that do service to a wide area, a local marketing business only caters to those in the local area. This hyper-focused approach leads to huge opportunities for you and your clients to emotionally connect.
Why Start a Local Marketing Business?
Here are a few reasons why starting a local marketing business is a great idea:
- High Demand: 46% of Google searches are people looking for local information. Many businesses need help improving their local visibility.
- Low Start-Up Costs: With a laptop, internet connection, and basic marketing tools, you can run a successful business from home.
- Flexibility: You control your schedule and choose the clients you work with.
- Scalability: Start small and grow by adding more clients, hiring team members, or offering additional services.
Now, onto the practical steps.
Step 1: Define Your Niche
The first step to launching your local marketing business is deciding who you want to help. To stand out in a crowded market, focus on a specific audience or industry.
How to Choose the Right Niche
- Think About Your Expertise: Are you experienced in marketing for restaurants, retail, fitness, or real estate? Leverage your skills in specific industries.
- Assess Local Needs: Research the businesses in your area. Are there underserved industries, like healthcare clinics or independent retailers, that could benefit from local marketing?
- Consider Your Passion: Enjoy working with eco-friendly businesses or artisan retailers? A personal passion can make your work more enjoyable and relatable.
When you narrow your focus, it becomes easier to position yourself as the go-to expert for that industry.
Step 2: Develop a Business Plan
A solid business plan is the foundation for a thriving business. It doesn’t have to be overly complex—instead, focus on key areas such as:
- Objectives: What do you want to achieve in your first year?
- Target Audience: Define who your business aims to serve.
- Services: List the specific services you’ll offer (e.g., social media campaigns, website design, local SEO, etc.).
- Pricing Strategy: Determine how much to charge for your services.
- Budget: Estimate start-up costs, like software subscriptions or website hosting.
Your business plan will give you direction, clarity, and a roadmap for success.
Step 3: Establish an Online Presence
Before helping other businesses with their marketing, you need a professional and compelling online presence. Here’s how to get started:
Build Your Website
Create a website highlighting your expertise, services, and case studies. Include essential elements like:
- Homepage with clear calls to action (CTAs).
- Services Page outlining what you offer.
- About Page to tell your story and demonstrate your credibility.
- Portfolio or testimonials from happy clients.
Utilize Social Media
Set up business accounts on platforms where your clients are active, such as LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook. Regularly post engaging content that showcases your expertise and builds your brand.
Claim Your Google My Business Profile
Optimize your profile with accurate business information, client reviews, and engaging photos. A strong Google My Business page can help your business appear in local search results.
Step 4: Create Your Service Offerings
Decide on the exact services you’ll provide and package them in ways that appeal to your target audience. Examples include:
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for local rankings.
- Social Media Marketing (content creation, scheduling, advertising).
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Campaigns to drive leads.
- Content Marketing (blogs, infographics, email newsletters).
- Reputation Management (responding to reviews and improving visibility).
Offering service bundles, such as “starter” or “premium” packages, makes it easier for clients to choose what’s best for their needs.
Step 5: Find Your First Clients
Getting your first clients may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Here’s how to kickstart your client base:
- Leverage Your Network: Reach out to friends, family, or former colleagues who could benefit from your services or refer you to local businesses.
- Offer Free or Discounted Services: Consider offering initial discounted rates in exchange for testimonials and portfolio projects.
- Attend Local Events: Be present at community events, business meetups, or networking groups. Introduce yourself and share what you can offer.
- Partner with Local Businesses: Establish partnerships with other service providers, such as graphic designers, photographers, or printers, for mutual referrals.
Remember, your early clients will help you build credibility, so aim to deliver exceptional value.
Step 6: Use the Right Tools to Stay Efficient
To streamline your workflow and maximize productivity, make use of these essential marketing tools:
- Email Marketing (Mailchimp or Constant Contact).
- Social Media Management (Hootsuite or Buffer).
- SEO Tools (SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Google Analytics).
- Graphic Design (Canva or Adobe Express).
- Client Portal Software to manage communications and invoices.
Having the right tools empowers you to deliver professional results without overwhelming yourself.
Step 7: Scale Your Business
Once you’ve successfully onboarded a few clients and systems are running smoothly, it’s time to scale up. Here are a few ideas:
- Hire a Small Team to take on additional work.
- Invest in Advanced Training for yourself or your team.
- Expand Your Niche to cover a broader range of clients or industries.
- Launch Paid Ads to reach more local businesses.
Scaling a business doesn’t happen overnight, but consistent effort and focus can lead to exponential growth.
Next Steps to Start Your Local Marketing Business
With just a few dedicated hours each week, heads down building your local marketing business in a niche, you can create significant income for yourself, so why wait? It’s more than just building better marketing strategies; it’s about becoming a trusted partner for every client you come into contact with.
Your first move? Dive right in and start planning now. Smart, gradual steps provide great, fulfilling returns. If you are looking to make an immediate impact, there is no time like the present to dive right in now!
