With all the hype about social media and how your business can reach millions of potential customers in seconds – it’s easy to get carried away with online marketing strategies to promote your business. But, have you considered the people that walk past your business – or close to it – and how you could attract them? While social media is undoubtedly a powerful marketing tool, unless your business is set up to sell internationally or even nationally, you might just be overlooking the very people you should be targeting – those that live and work in your neighbourhood.

Here we take a look at 4 ways you can easily, and inexpensively, draw more local custom into your business with tried and tested methods which generate positive results for your business.

1. Coupons or vouchers – if your business provides a service or product to the public, such as a café, hairdressing salon or similar establishment, there’s a good chance that loads of people either walk or drive past it every day but have never been incentivized to enter and see exactly what you’re offering.

Distributing vouchers, either promoting a special discount or special product/service in the local neighbourhood can help raise awareness and generate some serious interest in what you offer.

2. Local Yellow Pages Online – rather than simply targeting social media, make sure details of your business and your website and/or blog are included in the local version of the online Yellow Pages. Potential customers searching online often use this just as they used to the old paper version in the past – it’s a first step to seeing what’s available for them in the local area before filtering their search further.

Get in front of them on their mobile, include a map or GPS directions and you’ll draw in a steady supply of new customers.

3. Banner advertising – one of the all time greats, a roller banner still has tremendous pulling power. A roller banner is amazingly versatile as you can position it either roadside or directly outside your place of business to attract attention. It can either be topical and temporary, or a permanent feature. Get the placement and design right and your banner should create some serious interest in what you have to offer customers.

4. Flyers – possibly one of the cheapest and easiest options to implement. You could probably design an appealing flyer within your own business once you decide on its purpose and general content. Distribution can be done by either a professional distribution company or simply hire someone local to target specific areas where your potential customers might visit, such as shopping precincts, malls, or other public places.

Sometimes simple is best, and the above ideas have been proven to generate solid results for businesses all over the country. You’ve everything to gain – and little to lose – by trying them for your business.