Low-Cost Marketing Strategy for Local Businesses

Unlock the potential of your local business with cost-effective marketing strategies. Join us for a comprehensive 2-hour course that will guide you through setting up and optimizing Google My Business, Nextdoor, social media marketing, and email marketing with Constant Contact. Perfect for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and marketing professionals looking to maximize their reach without breaking the bank.

Participant Benefits:

After attending this course, participants will:

• Improve Online Visibility: Learn how to set up and optimize Google My Business to enhance your business’s presence in local search results, making it easier for potential customers to find you.
• Engage with Local Communities: Understand how to effectively use Nextdoor to connect with and engage your local community, fostering strong relationships and driving local traffic.
• Boost Social Media Presence: Gain insights into selecting the right social media platforms, creating engaging content, and utilizing tools and strategies to grow and nurture your audience.
• Enhance Email Marketing Skills: Develop the ability to create and manage effective email marketing campaigns using Constant Contact, including setting up automation and analyzing performance.
• Integrate Marketing Strategies: Learn how to combine various marketing channels into a cohesive plan to maximize your business’s reach and impact.
• Access Practical Resources: Receive templates, tools, and resources to help implement the strategies discussed during the course.

Course Outline:

Part 1: Introduction (15 minutes)

Welcome and Course Objectives:

• Brief introduction to the course
• Overview of what participants will learn

Importance of Local Marketing

• Why local marketing is crucial for small businesses
• Cost-effective strategies for local visibility

Part 2: Google My Business Setup (30 minutes)

• What is Google My Business (GMB)? :
• Explanation and benefits of GMB for local businesses

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

• Creating a GMB account
• Verifying your business
• Optimizing your GMB profile:
• Business name, address, and phone number (NAP)
• Business hours, website, and attributes
• Adding photos and videos

GMB Features and Tools:

• Google Posts
• Reviews and ratings
• Insights and analytics

Q&A Session

Part 3: Nextdoor Setup (20 minutes)

• What is Nextdoor?
• Overview and benefits of using Nextdoor for local businesses

Setting Up Your Business on Nextdoor

• Creating a business page
• Claiming your business
• Completing your business profile

Engaging with the Community

• Posting updates and offers
• Responding to reviews and messages
• Utilizing Nextdoor Ads (brief overview)

Q&A Session

Part 4: Social Media Marketing (30 minutes) :

Choosing the Right Platforms

• Overview of popular social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn)
• Identifying where your audience is

Creating Effective Social Media Content

• Content types (posts, stories, videos, live sessions)
• Content calendar and scheduling
• Tools for creating and managing content (Canva, Hootsuite, Buffer)

Engagement and Growth Strategies

• Building and nurturing your audience
• Running promotions and contests
• Utilizing hashtags and geotags

Analyzing Performance

• Social media insights and analytics
• Adjusting your strategy based on data

Q&A Session

Part 5: Email Marketing with Constant Contact (25 minutes)

Introduction to Email Marketing

• Importance of email marketing for local businesses
• Benefits of using Constant Contact

Setting Up Your Constant Contact Account

• Account creation and setup
• Importing and managing contacts

Creating Effective Email Campaigns

• Designing emails using templates
• Writing compelling subject lines and content
• Personalization and segmentation

Automation and Analytics

• Setting up automated email sequences
• Tracking email performance and insights

Q&A Session

Part 6: Putting It All Together (20 minutes)

Integrating Your Marketing Strategies

• How to combine GMB, Nextdoor, social media, and email marketing for maximum impact
• Creating a cohesive marketing plan

Case Studies and Examples

• Real-life examples of successful local marketing campaigns

Final Tips and Best Practices

• Consistency and follow-up
• Staying updated with marketing trends and tools

Q&A and Wrap-Up

• Open floor for final questions
• Summary of key takeaways
• Resources for further learning