How To Build Your Online Presence – Offline

Why Your Business NEEDS to be Active In Your Community

Aside from its inherent humanitarian impact, offline community involvement will generate positive “news” on your business, aid in the SEO of your website and boost online awareness, if promoted properly. More specifically, it can increase website visits, backlinks, social network engagement, search engine rankings and ultimately – leads. However, building local awareness and positive brand perception within your community does require a considerable investment in time and effort. It not only requires commitment to assist, host, speak or attend the events, but you also must allocate time and resources to sharing the content on social networks and your website. If these elements are all made a priority, getting involved in your community OFFLINE will result in authority, trust and expertise, ONLINE.

SPONSOR/VOLUNTEER at Local Nonprofits:

• Builds brand visibility/awareness and positive brand perception
• Citation/link generation through event/organization advertising
• Provides content/imagery opportunity for Website/Social Networks
• Promotes social network reach/involvement & increases followers (Likes and Shares)
• I.E. Youth Sports, New Parks, School Fundraisers, Homeless Shelters, Animal Rescues, Habitat for Humanity

CONTRIBUTE to Raffles/Contests:

• Low-cost local advertising through event hosts. i.e. Facebook Event/Page
• Builds positive brand awareness within the community as a contributor
• Provides content/imagery opportunity for Website/Social Networks
• Promotes social network reach/involvement & increases followers
• I.E. Free services for charity raffles, concert ticket giveaways

APPLY for Local Business Awards:

• Link building through the Business Award Pages/Website
• Provides content/imagery opportunity for Website/Social Networks
• Promotes social network reach/involvement & increases followers

HOST/PARTICIPATE in Local Events:

• Boosts local brand awareness
• Citations/link generation through town websites, online newspapers/journals
• Provides content/imagery opportunity for Website/Social Networks
• Promotes social network reach/involvement & increases followers (Likes and Shares)
• I.E. Blood Drives, Toy Drives, Charity Races. Food Truck Events/Bounce Houses, Parades

OFFER Scholarships:

• Low-cost local advertising through schools and after-school programs
• Builds positive brand awareness within the community as a contributor
• Link building through local newspapers/online journals/school website
• Scholarships could be given for “community involvement” or “excellence within the trade”
• Provides content/imagery opportunity for Website/Social Networks
• I.E. Partner with local high schools/trade schools to offer an annual scholarship & hire apprentices

GO Green:

• Link building/accolades on local/national green websites
• Builds positive brand perception/awareness as green company & community leader
• Provides content/imagery opportunity for Website/Social Networks

FOSTER a Positive Company Culture:

• Boosts internal moral, teamwork and motivation
• Encourages positive brand awareness and career interest
• Promotes social network reach/involvement from employee’s friends and family & increases followers (Likes and Shares)
• Provides content/imagery opportunity for Website/Social Networks
• I.E. Fun Company Events, Flexible Work Schedules, Lunch ‘N Learns, Internal Awards & Prizes, Holiday Parties, a Ping-Pong Table!

SPEAK at Meet-Up Groups/Educational Seminars/Industry Conventions:

• Low-cost advertising and brand visibility through the event
• Denotes expertise in the field which leads to online authority and new clientele.
• Provides content/imagery opportunity for Website/Social Networks
• Promotes social network reach/involvement & increases followers (Likes and Shares)

UTILIZE Car Wraps or Decals:

• Increases brand awareness and familiarity
• Contests can be run to get online community engaged with your business
• Company Vehicles: If a customer (potential or existing) sees one of your trucks and call in, they get a special.
• Customer Bumper Stickers: If the company spots a customer with a company logo on their car, they get a special.

Think outside the box! Blog & Facebook posts about your community efforts will allow you chronicle your contributions & spread the word about the positive impact your company is making which will ultimately build your brand awareness from vague familiarity, to loyalty & trust. And the more endearing, unique or exciting the community involvement, the more online engagement you will be able to glean from it online! Have fun, let your employees have fun, and remember to TAKE PICTURES!

If you are interested to learning more about ways to expand your customer base through local online and offline marketing strategies, contact LeadsNearby’s Marketing Communications Manager, Jackie Jennings, today at (919)758-8420! We would love an opportunity to offer suggestions to enhance your visibility and reputation.