Welcome to another Monday! I hope last week’s blog was helpful to you and that you learned a little bit more about the Chamber and some of the services we offer to our members. I’d like to keep the same thread going but, this week, let’s talk more specifically about marketing your business and the 5 easy tips that will help you do it!

1. Ensure Your Business is Listed on Google

When a little over 90% of people use Google to search for everything from how to sign a check to who the best local bakery is it’s important and necessary that your business be listed on Google. Having a Google My Business profile for your business allows you an easy platform to share details of your business, like operation hours, the company website, and contact information but, it also creates a central hub for customer reviews, photos, and sharing the latest updates on your business. To create a profile your business or to learn more about Google My Business check out the link here:

https://www.google.com/business/

2. Make Your Website Mobile Friendly Responsive

Ready for more stats? Here they are: according to Statista, an online statistics and studies database, nearly 50% of all online traffic is now via mobile devices and that number is likely to keep growing. Your first thought might be: “Ok, I need a mobile friendly website” but, it’s important to be clear – there is a difference between mobile friendly and responsive. A mobile friendly site is essentially your current website shrunken so it fits on the screen of a smartphone which often results in a lot of zooming in and scrolling around (you’ve probably stumbled on a site like this before) while a responsive website is coded to restructure a website, so it displays on smartphone screen in a way that is both aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate. This is the kind of website you want your smartphone, tablet, and other mobile device using customers to have access to and with your Chamber membership you can get it.

3. Update Your Chamber Profile

Keeping your Chamber profile up-to-date is a simple way to market your business. Make sure that your profile has your business name, address, website, and a brief description – simple. Your Chamber profile helps to market you not just to prospective customers but to volunteers, fellow Chamber and business community members and anyone else using the site. You never know where your next business connection or surprise revenue source may come from so stay up-to-date on your profile!

4. Choose Your Platforms Wisely

Every social media platform isn’t right for every business so make sure to use platforms that are relevant to you and yours. For example, if you are a restaurant owner or a photographer Instagram – in addition to Facebook, which is a safe bet for almost all businesses – is a great place to showcase a beautifully shot sunrise or that perfectly crafted burger. If you create videos or other visual/audio works, try creating a YouTube or a SoundCloud channel where you can upload your work and drive users to your website for more information or additional content. If you need assistance selecting the right platforms or managing the ones you already have again, the Chamber can help. We’ve recently connected with social media consultants who can help you create, manage, and build your social media presence. Contact us for more information about this new service.

5. Get Your Free Business Marketing Consultation

You may not have known this but, your Chamber membership guarantees you a free business marketing consultation. As someone with 20 number of years of marketing experience I’ve gained a lot of tips and tricks to better market a business and am happy to share them with you. Contact us at staff@rcoc.com to schedule a time for your free business marketing consultation. 

That’s it for now Richmond. As always, I want to thank you for being apart of this growing community.

Hope to see you again next week,

I believe that success is communal: ensuring the health, well being, and comfort of our families, friends, neighbors. I believe that success is best shared: bridging ties between corporations, local leaders, and constituents to create a city that will serve a snapshot into the best aspects of the American spirit: diversity, equity, and a drive to innovate.