The Mayor of Your Zip Code?

by Walt Goshert on Monday, February 22nd, 2010 | 3 Comments

Right now. Today. 2010.

Each and Every local business has a rare and unique opportunity.

Some will grab this opportunity and run with it. A few already have.

Unfortunately, many will miss or dismiss this opportunity.

Fear and confusion will hold them back.

With Local Search, getting your business found on Google, Yahoo, Bing… along with the social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube… local businesses of all sizes and shapes have a free/low-cost “Neon Flashing Sign” for marketing in today’s digital world.

However, it requires many local business owners to change their mindset and how they view their business.

Traditional Marketing and Advertising techniques such as Yellow Pages, Newspapers, Radio, and TV… and even “Old School” Word-of-Mouth and Networking are losing their luster and impact when everyone is wired and looking for information and connections through their online networks.

“Every Company is a Media Company”

“While it’s true that anyone with social media skills can become a successful new media owner or producer, it’s existing small businesses that need a mind shift. Rather than starting a blog to promote your business, you should be creating new media assets that transform your business into something bigger.” – Brian Clark, publisher of a leading online site, copyblogger

So, here’s the first check of your marketing thinking…

Do you believe that creating new media assets about your local business… blogging, social marketing on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube… will transform your business into something bigger?

Now, let’s take things a step further…

John Jantsch, of Duct Tape Marketing, in a Hub Spot interview, claims there are real opportunities to “Rule Local Search” for all types of local businesses in nearly any location.

But, big challenges exist in pulling it off:

Q: What kinds of unique opportunities do inbound marketing techniques like social media and blogging offer small businesses that aren’t available with traditional types of marketing like print advertising and direct mail? Why is it so important for small businesses to take advantage of these modern channels?

John Jantsch Answer: “Over time the single greatest opportunity is to rule the local search landscape. 20-30-year-olds go straight to their mobile browser or Google Maps to find everything – shoes, food, insurance, a dentist, you name it. If they don’t find you by doing that, then you don’t exist.”

Q: To play devil’s advocate, what do you think are the biggest challenges associated with implementing these inbound marketing methods, and how would you suggest marketers overcome them?

John Jantsch Answer: “Time, fear, big scary blank white monitor screens. You can’t really practice inbound marketing tactics without committing to producing content, lots of it, over long periods of time. This is not something you can hire a consultant for, get an intern to do one week, go to a workshop, or buy a great book – you’ve got to make it part of the fabric of your daily life. Sorry, no magic dust.”

Here’s the thing…

These 20-30 years olds (and a whole bunch of 30-55+ year-olds too) who are hanging out online, attached to their iPhones, are the present and future of your business. They use local search and online social networks to find everything.

Will they find your local business?

Are you going to step up and Rule Local Search… Become The Mayor of Your Zip Code... for your business?