Welcome to the rural business blog with me, Catherine Jarvis Clothier the Online Presence Specialist. This month, I’m looking at 4 easy ways to attract more customers and attention online.
4. What do you really want?
The first thing I ask any rural business I am working with is “what do you want?” More often than not, the answer is “attract more customers”.
When you identify exactly what it is (more sales, customers, expansion, volunteers or donations etc). Then, and only then, can you begin to align social media posts with your aims.
It seems obvious, but so many rural businesses, clubs and societies struggle with “what to post”. Furthermore, they fail to promote exactly what they want.
Want volunteers and donations for a charity? Say what you need and when.
Need more revenue? Shout from the rooftops why your shop is better than all the rest. Desperate for more eyes on your event? Make sure it’s visible online. Top tip – pinned posts on Facebook are good for exposure.
Be specific with finer details…
When it comes down to attracting customers online, be specific. Tell your audience where you are and what you do! Highlight what’s unique about your business or club. Clear opening hours are a must.
Want bums on seats at your next event? A Facebook event combined with a clear, concise, flyer will help push local awareness.
This is not to say “if you build it, they will come” but the fact of the matter is, noone will show up at all if you don’t post something.
- Try listing 3 things you want and tailor posts around those topics.
- Write about how and why your product, event or service is good for the customer.
- Be clear and concise. Avoid non-essential information.
- Record and upload a video of yourself talking about what you do and why people should get involved.
3. Show your beautiful face!
It will come as no surprise at all when I say that Brits as a nation are quite shy.
We don’t like to put ourselves “out there” when it comes to our clubs and businesses. Instead, we hide. That means no public photos of people and it’s a huge mistake to make on any social platform.
One of the easiest ways to convert browsers to buyers is through the personal touch of putting your face at the forefront of your website or social media.
New customers shouldn’t have to scroll more than 2 seconds before they see the face behind your enterprise.
Customers love to get to know small businesses. It’s enjoyable to get a feel for personality and see local businesses for who they really are. It allows for liking and trusting a business. When our customers trust us, they will buy from us. If they don’t know the”face” of the business – that simply can’t happen at the same rate.
Be brave, it’s easy!
PS. If you were wondering, this is me.
2. Attract customers with varied post types
Social media post types range from text, images, videos, reels, stories and so on.
Different types of post perform at different rates on social media. This is down to many factors in the algorithm – however people enjoy being entertained. This is often the deciding factor on post performance.
Pictures do quite well but video is your golden egg. Live broadcasts, reels and stories all outperform other post types. They are inviting, human, relatable and generally dopamine-boosting nuggets in a customer’s news feed. If you want to attract more customers. videos can help you get noticed.
Regular video posts at peak times are a must here, so keep an eye on your stats for information on your viewer’s preferences.
1. Reviews are gold dust when it comes to attracting customers online
The more you have of them, the better. Reviews, testimonials, “social proof” – whatever you want to call them. Positive feedback from happy customers is the pot of gold at the end of of a very long rainbow.
Reviews are hard to come by – even the most satisfied of customers may not find the time in their day to write a few words. Fast-paced living can mean reviews are slow. Having said that, it’s vital that rural businesses make the effort to ask for feedback regularly.
Schedule an email reminder 3 days after the end of a service or give out flyers in store to encourage those stars to roll in. Google reviews support website SEO performance so aim to share a link specifically to your GMB profile.
Once you have some reviews together, make sure they are shard on all social media platforms. In the words of Mrs Doyle – gowan, gowan, gowan – share the living daylights out of the nice things customers have to say about you.
Blow your own trumpet! Not only does it push credibility, but you’ll put your favourite customers on a pedestal (and people like to be fussed, very much).
About the Author
Catherine Jarvis Clothier is a digital marketer and online presence consultant living and working in Kent, UK. She has worked in unusual UK businesses for over 10 years across the South of England, particularly in automotive and therapy-based enterprises. Catherine specialises in social media, SEO and web design. She can be contacted here for online business consultations.
