Yes it seems okay....but how do people find you?

Yes it seems okay....but how do people find you?

It’s ironic really that how many small local businesses always use the line of “Yes it seems okay....but how do people find you” when they should really be asking the very same question of themselves.

Truth is that they are so wrapped up with the daily routine, the daily grind of running their business that the “how do people find you” question only pops up when they are being approached.

But have they or do they ever ask the same question of themselves.....! And if they have when was the last time.

So how does an average local business connect during normal daily operations?

Well, that very much depends on the set-up of the small business – for many though it’s very much a fire fighting exercise.

If there was one thing for a business to do to try and connect to another local business:-

  • Would it involve them saying what the business customer wants to hear?

Or

  • Do they just hype up their products and services of being the best?
  • Do they bad mouth other local suppliers?
  • Do they just do nothing and sit back and wait?
  • Do they get on the phones and do telesales sometimes known as a cold call?
  • Do they rely on referrals and recommendations?
  • Do they go to networking meetings and events to introduce themselves and then do nothing?
  • Do they...
  • Do they...
  • Do they...
  • The list is endless.....

The sad reality is that there is no one thing, as every small business is different and every single one has a different trigger button to enable interaction and most of all the ability to connect.

The fact is, that all businesses local and otherwise, need to sit back and take stock of the question “but how do people find you?” and give a truthful and honest answer.

A large majority of them will say “I don’t know”....! If answering honestly, rather than guessing.

The line and style of business being undertaken is paramount as to how businesses should be found, such as a sole trader business may mean it's only them take undertakes all work, and as such, they may not be particularly looking for volume of business but mostly repeat business.

A small business partnership or otherwise may employ staff or use sub-contractors, this would mean they possible need volume customers as well as repeat customers.

A retail business will be the same but requires higher volumes of new and repeat customers.

Although the type of business dictates alias, not all businesses have a marketing budget.

The ability, the need, and the importance of a business being able to connect and stay connected to existing and new businesses and consumers are of vital importance.

The latest reports by credit action suggest that by 2012 - for every £50 worth of sales done £10 of it will be spent online.

Businesses need to realise this and move with the times you need to market.........Find and identify and way to enable you to connect with new and current businesses and consumers both on and offline.

It’s now only seven months until 2012, so time is running out fast to create an online awareness to enable you to try and get your share of all the £10’s spent online next year.