Should you hire a local advertising agency?
Finding the right person or team to help your business is a delicate process. You are probably looking for someone who is knowledgeable, will work with you and your team, and most importantly someone who is budget-friendly. While it may be tough to find that perfect balance, one of the best places to start is in your own community.
There is no shortage of marketing agencies in most cities. Even one-man bands have the tools to take your business to the next level. Most importantly, they are local.
Local agencies have a few distinct advantages that they bring to your business.
- They know how to connect with the community
- They can help position your business as a local authority in your market
- They can be more responsive than an out of town agency
But before we get into these points, let’s discuss what local marketing is.
Local Marketing
Local marketing is the practice of creating ads for potential customers in your community. You want to optimize your ads so search engines will direct your target audience back to your desired location. By establishing standing in your area, search engines will start to prioritize your business over the outside competition. This can be as simple as setting up your “google my business” account, getting involved in local events, and even participating in local fundraisers.
Why shop local?
Local agencies know the issues the community faces because they face them as well. They know how to connect to your potential customers. Most importantly, they know what kind of ads will have an adverse effect on your brand.
Connecting with the community
One great way to take root in your community is to mix in local imagery in your marketing content. Whether you are executing your traditional marketing, digital marketing, and most importantly your social media marketing, you want to show that you are involved with the area. Showing well-known landmarks and iconic buildings is a great way to make a connection with your audience. It shows you are not just based in the area, but you are part of the community.
Positioning your business in your area
Being a local authority in your market is important. Search engines will prioritize your business to potential customers in the area. Using their knowledge local agencies can optimize your digital marketing to be delivered to your ads to the target audience. This will allow you to see more results without spending more money.
Social media can also be tricky to navigate for someone who is not accustomed to the area. Having an overly formal or using hard-sell tactics cans isolate your brand from your consumers. According to Hootsuite, 28% of Americans would rather engage with a brand/organization on social media vs. in person.
Being more responsive
The last major benefit from a local agency is how swiftly they can respond to your need for content. A local agency does not have to plan a detailed trip to get everything in one visit. This can allow your business to see minimal interruptions to your daily activities, so you can focus on what matters, the customers. Most importantly the agency can help you maintain your reputation in the community.
A study from the pew research center suggests that 82% of U.S. adults say they at least sometimes read online customer ratings or reviews before purchasing items. A local agency can step in and help your business maintain positive reviews/ratings as well as know methods to encourage customers to submit more reviews to keep your reputation positive.
Local advertising agencies are here for you!
To put it briefly, local agencies are here to support your business. They are invested in their community and want to see businesses grow. So before you contact that large firm out of town, look a little closer to home.
Emulous Creative proudly serves the areas of Mobile County, Baldwin County and Escambia County in both Alabama and Florida. We offer Advertising, Branding, Graphic Design, Photography and Videography, Social Media Services, and Web Services for small to large companies.