Promoting Local Businesses
The main reason we launched RelyLocal in the Longview and surrounding areas is to help the "little guys" (and gals) compete! We owned a small mortgage and real estate investment office where we saw firsthand what a challenge it is to stay competitive especially with national chains and web-based replacements spending millions in advertising every day! It is no wonder that many of our local companies are having trouble connecting with new customers through all of the marketing clutter. Especially in this tougher economy, we have seen more and more established businesses slowly disappear. We hear from many new local businesses that are unsure as to how they can get their name in front of new customers. We enjoy being a resource for businesses as they are discovering ways to get noticed in fact we often make recommendations that have no direct benefit to us as in the end it is your success we are interested in. We are happy to help you with your questions about advertising or marketing in the newspapers, radio, tv, billboards, phone directories, web, or many other ways to get your name out there. Unlike many in our industry we feel you should advertise in as many places as your budget will allow because the more places the consumer sees you the more likely it is they will remember your business when they need your product or service. We look at it this way, all of the big box stores count on multiple media streams to generate their success so why wouldn’t it work that way in a local market as well. In the end your success equals our success!
We know budgets are tight and many businesses think that the first cut should always be in advertising. This many times is the beginning of the end for a business. But, don't just take our word for it...
"Stopping advertising to save money is like stopping a clock to save time." - Henry Ford
Advertising Incubator and Grass Roots Community Campaign
RelyLocal isn't meant to be a replacement for your marketing efforts, or memberships with business organizations like the Chamber of Commerce. (Have you seen our minimal fees?) We see ourselves as an advertising incubator, the one thing that every local business needs to be a part of to help drive their other advertising efforts - online and off. Use RelyLocal as a starter, and work your way into other advertising options. Here are a few of the details on what we offer our members...
RelyLocal.com
Our web site is an important part of our entire local marketing solution. We simply work together to choose a category (or multiple) to feature your business listing and we'll take care of building your page including; company description, logo, location, hours of operation, web address, email - even, photos, banner ads and links to your Blog, Facebook, or Twitter pages! Our first goal is to drive consumers to your business - online or off. As a result, some customers find what they need about your business directly on our website, while other customers continue on to your site to get even more information.
Search Engine Results (Organic)
While goal #1 isn't necessarily to get your business on "page one" at Google or other search engines (please consider our minimal costs) - it does happen often enough to make an impact for sure! In addition to the new customers you’ll gain directly from RelyLocal.com, you’ll also start to see increased traffic and exposure on many other search engines and directories. With many things becoming less relevant like meta keywords and even the content on your page (because it can be manipulated), your site being featured on trusted sites like RelyLocal.com will help to increase your search engine rankings.
Social Media Ambassadors
Let us be your Social Media Ambassador - connecting you with our always growing network of "Loyal Locals" on Facebook! Imagine - next time you’re holding a special event or special promotion, you can reach hundreds potentially thousands of qualified local customers with your message that we post on your behalf... With cell phone interaction the message gets out instantly! (Try that with traditional marketing methods!) Plus, our next message is highly anticipated because “We Make Shopping Local Fun” with contests, and weekly giveaways designed to keep our fans engaged and increase our fan base, while generating new exposure for your business in new markets!
Co-Op Local Advertising
If you have been in business long, you realize that advertising is a necessity for success. You also know that most advertising is extremely expensive and difficult to budget for especially in tougher economic times. One reason the big box stores and chains can buy so much advertising is because they partner with vendors and their network (have you ever noticed Coke in a McDonalds or Walmart ad) this is called co-op advertising. Through strategic partnerships we can compliment your current advertising plans and reach new audiences you may have thought you could not afford. We take a portion of the funds from active members and advertise with other media sources like newspapers, billboards, television, and radio - even sponsoring and attending local events. For example, for a typical 60-second TV or radio spot, we will spend 30 seconds explaining what the RelyLocal campaign is about, and how customers can support our local business. The second half of the ad features a specific RelyLocal member who partnered in the promotion.
Local Coupon Marketing
As a member you may feature up to three coupons complete with any expiration dates and restrictions so customers can print and use them at your business. We promote online and off the over 100 coupons that can be found on RelyLocal.com in everything we do and as our advertising efforts grow so will the number of coupons that are redeemed. This is a great incentive to entice new customers and it is green because customers don’t have to throw away a book of coupons to use the 3 or 4 they want so they can help the local economy and environment at the same time. Best of all, it's all included as part of your regular membership!
Longview Community Campaign
While we provide businesses with window decals, are a part of many community events, featured in local websites, and featured on tables in restaurants - it is about much more than just a "warm-and-fuzzy" feeling. These tools are a very deliberate part of building an effective grass roots marketing campaign to support local business. It’s our way of making RelyLocal the new "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval" for local businesses in the Longview and surrounding area.Your Role - Our Partner!
RelyLocal isn't just about what we can do for you, it's about what you can do for your community. As a member you can choose to become more than just someone paying for an ad, you can become a part of the campaign. Those that really get involved in the campaign seem to be the ones who benefit the most, so get involved in the end we all win when we work together. Remember T.E.A.M. = Together Everyone Achieves More! We don't view our business members as clients or customers, we view them as partners! Get involved, make a minimal investment in our community, and you'll receive a lot more in return than just more clicks to your web site. We are here to help!The Most Affordable Effective Marketing in town for just $30 a month…
Option 1: 12 Months $360
Option 2: 6 Months $195
Option 3: Monthly auto pay $60 gets you started (first month and final month), then just $30 per month as an autodraft - contact us for more details
Your Problems, RelyLocal's Solutions
Problem #1: It is tough for most small local businesses to invest the thousands of dollars needed on a monthly basis to reach new customers in newspapers, coupon packs, billboards, tv, radio, social media, or on the internet. How can a local business compete with national chains or established competitors?
Solution: RelyLocal is a whole lot more than just another online business directory and community campaign! Look at us as your co-op advertising agency, internet marketing team, and part time sales staff - representing you in the community all day, every day.
Problem #2: Many businesses have a good web site, but nobody visits their site. While spending precious time and money for ongoing design and expensive advertising frustration grows as it appears to produce no tangible results. Numerous businesses don't have a web presence at all, but know that they should have one and are losing customers as a result.
Solution: In many cases if a new customer can’t find you on the web, they aren't likely to find your place of business either. Not only do we bring you new, highly qualified traffic directly from your listing on RelyLocal.com, but we also feed the search engines and other directories, increasing your overall online exposure and organic (free) rankings.
If you are a local business owner who would like to partner with RelyLocal, just get in touch with us! We'd love to meet with you and figure out even more ways that we can help your business!
