A message to local business owners…
After 141 years, we are now closed for business...
A rather harsh title, for which I make no apologies…
I read my local paper this morning (don’t die in shock, I don’t read everything online!) On page 4 there’s a headline “Falling profits are on a road to nowhere”. Keeping it brief, a road was closed while the council did some repairs and traffic direction in a part of town that has been struggling for quite a while.
Local business owners complained about it and are “so concerned” they have formed a traders association and complained to the council.
So concerned are these traders, that not a single one has a website on the front page of Google when searching for their trade locally.
So concerned are these traders, that only one of the trades listed shows up on Google maps when searching locally.
OK, I am biased, this is what I do for living. I am not going to say that seeing their local business online would solve all their woes.
Let’s take it further – so concerned are these local traders that they chose to moan rather than submit a press release to the local paper that has a positive angle.
There is a message in this local business rant. My town is just like any other town and city in the UK. Pick up any local paper and you will see similar stories. Here is a self-inflicted problem.
Human nature doesn’t change. Online or offline people want to know one thing – “What is in it for me?”
Do you really think people care about local business and falling profits?
They won’t care till they realise your local business is closed. Even then they’ll find a similar business still open. It’s a minor inconvenience.
Times are tough all over. Businesses who survive will be the ones using every tool at their disposal to market their products and services. The internet is just a tool. Is your local business taking advantage?
Discover how you can use the internet in your local business, download my free “Getting Started Online” guides by completing the blue box below.
Image copyright Global X via Flickr
Local Business Owners: Stop Moaning and Start Marketing by Jan Kearney
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Love this! Your local paper could be mine. And such a nice reminder about looking for the positive angle.
Thanks Ginny. It’s the same story all over at the moment isn’t it?
I can’t help thinking the difference it could make to response to the story if the focus wasn’t on falling profits but on what these businesses have to offer.