7 Ways to Market Yourself Locally

Do you love working in person with clients in your local area? If you do, here are 7 ways to get noticed and build your local profile.

#1 Branding

Your branding isn’t just your logo, it’s the perception and expectations people have about you and your services. Whilst you can’t change someone’s perception, you can influence it by having a consistent look and feel about everything you do including how you present yourself, your logo, colours and chosen fonts.

These should then be reflected in your leaflets, social media posts, profile photos and the way you decorate and accessorise your rooms.

Review your current branding, is there a consistent look and feel to it? Do you have a strong identity that someone would recognise as you? Does your branding reflect your values and the quality of the service you provide?

This blog and podcast will help if your brand needs a little tidying up - how to create a style guide for your holistic business.

As a practitioner, you are your brand, so you need to own it and embody it. Are you known for a certain sense of dress or style such as dying your hair pink or wearing a particular colour? Do you present yourself in a way that reflects your brand values?

#2 Your Physical Environment

Are you making the most of the physical space in and around your business?

People are busy and even if they’re local, they may not realise you’re back or knew you existed in the first place. There are things you can do to help grab attention as people go about their lives.

If you have a clinic, do you have good-quality signage outside? Old and battered signs will affect the perception of the quality of your services and reflect badly on you. Visible signage is a good marketing tool to reinforce your brand as well as help people locate your business.

Don’t limit yourself to a clinic facia, there are many other options available such as nameplates, window graphics, floor graphics, A-frames and notice boards.

We’re all creatures of habit and go about our day on autopilot. Changing something about your signage or adding a new element will help people notice you. This can be themed throughout the year to reflect events or seasons and will help you stand out.

Signs don’t have to be limited to a clinic; you can have your car branded - it will then be a mobile advertisement for your business and go wherever you drive. Depending on your budget and requirements, you can have removable magnetic graphics to fully branded vinyl wraps and everything in between.

#3 Build Your Local Profile

Get involved in your local community and build your profile as the expert in your discipline, niche and approach to health and wellbeing. This can be going to local networking groups, but it can also be getting involved in aligned community projects. The more people who know what you do locally, and that you're open for business, the better.

Research local fairs and events as they’re a great way to showcase what you do and meet new people in your local area.  If you haven’t had a stand before, this blog will help you.

#4 Sharable Message

Make it easy for people to share what you do and let others know. The core of this is having a great marketing message that is simple and repeatable. If you can’t describe what you do simply in 10-12 words, you’re making it hard work for people to refer you.

This blog will help write yours: creating a marketing message.

You can add to your business cards, postcards and leaflets and make sure you always carry a few on you. You can also look for places where you’re allowed to share them like noticeboards in health food shops or local hairdressers.

Leaflets are something many practitioners get wrong so here’s a link to help you write a leaflet that works.

#5 Ideas People Want to Share

What can you create related to your business that grabs attention and people will want to share on social media? Here are a few examples to get you thinking:

A Smart car owned by Easygrass covered in AstroTurf drives around here and it certainly stands out. It made me smile and if I hadn’t been driving when I spotted it, I would have taken a photo and posted it on social media.

Something similar is Guiseley Osteopath who has “Stan the Skeleton” in their clinic window. He’s become a bit of a local celebrity where he changes position or is accessorized depending on the season, or what’s happening locally.

The London tube stations write notes and inspirational poems to their customers. These handwritten notes on whiteboards are often shared on social media – another simple but effective way to stand out.

#6 Online Marketing

These days, most people looking for help with a problem start online. Even though you’re building a local business, online marketing can support you to be visible in your community.

One of the best ways to be found locally is through Google and you will be found if you have an up-to-date Google Business Profile. If you don’t have one, it’s a powerful and free way to market your business so make that a priority – you can find out more information about getting one here.

Social media is also a powerful way of building your visibility locally. Make sure all of your profiles are up to date, and that you’re posting regularly – even if it’s only once or twice a week. Join local Facebook groups where you can advertise your services and other local interest groups where your favourite clients hang out and be helpful.

#7 Remind Everyone You Exist

Don’t let your business be the best-kept secret – look for opportunities to shout about it from the rooftops, and get your friends and family involved too.

Marketing is about building connections and relationships so follow up with people and remind them you’re there to support them including past clients, enquiries, friends, and family, etc. When you’re personally reaching out to people, although it’s time-consuming, it’s the fastest way to bring clients to your door.

Building a business locally requires you to be known for what you do. The more your community understands who you help and how you help them, the easier it is for them to recommend you when it’s appropriate. Do whatever you can to remind people of the great work you do.

If you’re struggling to build your local business, joining my mastermind could be just what you need:

Holistic Hub Mastermind - Doors Open

I'm opening the doors to the Holistic Hub Mastermind for new members to join my small and exclusive mastermind group starting January 2024.

Join a small group of amazing practitioners, all supporting each other to build a successful business - on their terms. You will have access to 1:1 coaching with me as well as support from the group in weekly catch-ups, masterminding sessions and a WhatsApp group. You also get access to my library of masterclasses and other resources I have from being in business for over a decade.

We'll be your cheerleaders and help to keep you moving forward to create the business of your dreams. Find the full information here.