Top Digital Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses in Dallas

Make your local SEO work better

Local SEO is the best way to get people who live near you to notice you. It's like putting up a big sign on the internet that says "We're right here!" What does local SEO really mean though?

First you need to sign up for Google My Business. It's free and helps people in your area find you when they look for businesses like yours. Make sure to add pictures and fill out your profile all the way. People want to know who they're working with.

Next look for keywords that are specific to your area. If you own a bakery in Uptown Dallas make sure your website blog and social media are full of phrases like "best cupcakes in Uptown Dallas." You should add them to your content in a natural way but don't stuff them with keywords which is as appealing as a soggy biscuit.

Make the most of social media marketing

It's not enough to just post memes or pictures of your lunch on social media. It's a great way for small businesses to get to know their customers and keep them coming back. But where do you begin?

First find out who your audience is. A popular boutique in Deep Ellum might do well on Instagram but a CPA firm in Richardson might do better on LinkedIn. Listen to your audience.

Make sure your content fits. For instance behind the scenes videos show your audience what it's like to work for you. Talking to people in real time on Facebook Live or Instagram Stories is a good way to connect with them.

Make a solid plan for marketing your content

Blogging is only one part of content marketing. It's about making your business an expert in its field and giving people something useful. You can think of it as shaking hands with people who might want to buy from you online.

Start with a blog. Tell people about news tips or insights that are helpful in your field. A graphics design company might post a step by step guide on how to make a logo or the latest design trends for 202 The goal is to either fix problems or give people ideas not to make money.

Check out e books videos and infographics which are all types of content. Live sessions or webinars can also be very popular especially if you have something useful to share. For example a local personal trainer might offer a free online class or a chance to ask questions about healthy eating.

Email marketing making a direct connection

Even though we live in the digital age email isn't out of style. It is still one of the best ways to get the word out about your business. Why? Because it goes straight to the source your customer's inbox.

First things first make a list of people to email without paying for it. Let people who visit your website sign up for a newsletter that will give them special deals or useful information. Remember that no one likes spam so make sure your emails do what they say they will.

Write emails that are different for each person. Using the client's first name and making the content relevant to their interests can make them much more likely to interact. This isn't just a "Hello valued customer." "Hey Sarah do you remember those running shoes you liked? They're back in stock!"

Use marketing with influencers to get people to pay attention

It might look like influencer marketing is only for big companies with a lot of money but small businesses can use it too. It's all about getting the right people to share your message.

Start by thinking small and local. There are a lot of influencers in Dallas including foodies fashionistas and tech experts. Micro influencers have smaller but very active followings so they can give you a good return on your investment.

Connect with people in real life. Send them personal well thought out messages explaining why you think they would be a good fit for your brand. Don't push too hard instead focus on values and common goals. It's about real partnerships not business deals.

Make things work out for everyone. Give incentives that are good for everyone. This could be getting a free product to review working together on a special project or going to an event. The most important thing is to let influencers naturally include your brand in their content.

Look at their engagement not just the numbers. Engagement rates are a better way to tell if an influencer really connects with their audience than follower count. This link is what will make your marketing work.

Find out how well you're doing. You can see how an influencer affects your brand by using tracking links or unique discount codes. This information will help you improve your strategy which will make future campaigns even better.

Using these digital marketing strategies can help your small business in Dallas grow. The digital world is big and always changing but if you stick to these rules you can steadily grow your local presence. Are you ready to move on? You are more ready than you think.