The Local Internet Marketing Blog

Expert marketing & business advice for local small business owners … the definitive resource for local internet marketing information.

6 Success Stories: Social Media Marketing for Local Business

by Michael Cage on November 11, 2009

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I love when people tell me social media isn’t for local small businesses…

Sometimes I debate with them.

Other times I smile and nod, knowing it’s a futile argument.

Most often I point them to examples like the ones I’m sharing with you today: 6 real-life small businesses profiting from social media.

Here’s an excerpt I especially like. From Justin Levy, co-owner of Caminito Argentinean Steakhouse:

As far as our ROI on social media efforts, of course it’s always hard to determine that. But, what I do know is that since we turned our focus to social media, attracting inbound links, more internet marketing/less print advertising, etc., we have seen an approximate 30 percent boost in sales (year to date) in a time where a lot of restaurants are down 10-20 percent.

Read about social media success from a steakhouse, compost and gardening company, and web design company here … and a custom home builder, non-profit organization, and Asian dessert shop here.

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Website brings local knife sharpener 40% more business

by Michael Cage on November 2, 2009

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Master Grinding Service, a knife-sharpening business in Rockaway, NJ, recently added a new website, Knifespa.com, to their online marketing mix. Since then, they’ve seen a 40% increase in business in just two short years.

Co-owner, Emilio Ambrosi, admits he resisted the idea at first. But when asked about being a business owner in an economic downturn, Ambrosi told the New Jersey Business News:

“You need to be more creative and think of alternatives to create cash flow, not just get mired in what you’ve done your whole life.”

According to the New Jersey Business News,

The success of the website has given the family the confidence to venture into other social networking tools like Facebook and Twitter. For Emilio Ambrosi, the experience has led him to abandon his old belief that “we’re craftsmen, we don’t know how to market a product.”

Read the full article to learn how Master Grinding’s new website:

  • Increased business 40%
  • Helped them break into a new, untapped market for their service (which now accounts for 25+ news orders per week)
  • Brought their own line of knives, Knifepro, national publicity when they were used by celebrity chefs at Food Networks NYC Food & Wine Festival

And think about how you can use the Internet marketing principles Master Grinding Service employed to achieve the same staggering results for yourself.

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Twitter for non-profits: “Social media for social good”

by Michael Cage on October 21, 2009

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I found a cool video I want to share with you today about a local non-profit organization, The Blood Center of Central Texas, using Twitter to promote their cause.

The Blood Center’s Austin location, which serves 10 counties and 34 hospitals, is responsible for supplying blood to over 1 million people.

Using a “Tweet Up” (which you’ll learn about in the video), The Blood Center organized a community blood drive and brought in over 100 pints of blood from over 100 donors, double the number of donations they collect in an average day.

Watch the video now to discover why blood donor, Jennifer (last name anonymous), calls Twitter “social media for social good.”

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The Tortoise, The Hare And Your Local Business

October 15, 2009

You’ve undoubtedly heard Aesop’s famous fable, The Tortoise And The Hare …
If not, or if it’s been a while … here’s a 10-second recap:
The tortoise, ridiculed by the hare for his slow plodding, challenges the hare to a race. At the onset, the hare bursts into the lead and, confident he’s got the race [...]

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Social Media For Local Lead Generation

October 5, 2009
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I read a great article today that I want to share with you about using social media to generate leads for you local small business.
There are lots of “how to’s” out there on social media, and this is one of the better I’ve come across: it’s simple and to the point.
Of the 20 tips in [...]

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How A Little Chocolate Can Bring More Customers Into Your Local Business

September 28, 2009

If you’ve never been to Hershey Park, there’s a ride there called the Great American Chocolate Tour. On this tour, colorful coaster cars wind you through a recreated Hershey factor as you’re educated on the art of chocolate making.
You watch as the cacao beans are blended, pressed and refined. You see creamy milk chocolate turn [...]

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Social Media for Upscale Retail Businesses & Marketing To The Affluent

September 19, 2009
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In a time when putting food on the table and gas in the car can be a weekly struggle, spending money on high-end clothing, jewelery and handbags seems low on a long priority list for most.
So to what does local upscale boutique, Ginger, in Winter Park, FL credit its thriving sales?
Social media.
Watch this video to [...]

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5 Ways To Get Better Results From Referral Marketing

September 14, 2009

Picture the following two scenarios …
Scenario A
Would-be-customer Bob is driving to work when he hears your advertisement come on the radio. The pleasant voice-over you hired tells Bob about you and your business, your extensive product knowledge, your fabulous selection and your first-rate customer service. Bob needs what you sell. But Bob does nothing.
Scenario [...]

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Stand Out: What Yellow Pages Marketing Can Teach You About How To Market Your Local Business

September 1, 2009

Today, I’m want to walk you through a 3-step exercise I do with my private consulting clients to find out if you’re making the 2 biggest mistakes most local businesses make that kills their ability to attract high quality, high-paying customers and clients.
These marketing mistakes are the reason why, no matter what you do, you [...]

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Sweet Tweets: Restaurant Marketing With Twitter

August 25, 2009
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Restaurateurs may well be one of the fastest groups of business men and women adopting Twitter for marketing their local businesses.
And with good reason.
If you own a local restaurant and you’re looking for a cheap, easy way to get paying guests in your door every single day, look no further than Twitter.
But Twitter isn’t just [...]

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