Fans for Local Business Without a Physical Address (7 posts)

  • Hi FB lovers! Does anyone have any ideas on how to build fans for a local business that does not have a physical address?  The business travels locally and wants to build it’s fan base with local customers.

    I have already thought of targeting groups that are in the business niche and running FB ads but wanted to see if you have any more ideas.  I have also have ideas such as writing an editorial for local newspaper, joining local Chamber of Commerce, and cross promoting with other local businesses.

    Thanks in advance!

  • For a business that does traveling, there are several options you have open to you. Let’s say, for instance, that your traveling business is a food truck (because hey, who doesn’t like food trucks?) Granted, this is simply to make explanations simpler, but I think the model could work for other types of business.

    - You could run small “flash” ads timed only for a short period that meet your clients’ needs. Will you be serving lunch at a certain place? Target people in your city with Facebook ads that only run over say, 10 am to 2 pm for people talking about lunch. This sounds kind of dumb (I mean, who talks about lunch?) but more people do this thank you think.

    - You can team up with other roving businesses and have a pop-up shop in a centralized location a couple of times a month, cross-promoting each other.

    - Having some sort of incentive to reward your customers for referrals is always great, especially if it’s a niche business. Perhaps have a Yelp/Foursquare/Facebook check-in bonus?

  • @courtney_rri, Thanks for the feedback.  Since the business does not have a physical address, I’m not sure if the Foursquare option would be feasible.   The Facebook check-in would be for whatever location the business was at that day, not for the business itself unless they were tagged in the post which is an extra step for the consumer and it would be hard to tie the check-in reward or offer into someone else’s business.

    The business I’m asking about is for a photographer who is freelance and goes to different locations to do photo shoots.  I am targeting local niche groups that the photographer specializes in and am offering discounts for a “Like”. 

  • @seleanaw One of my clients has wellness clinics for pets at various locations. they have an office in a home but never see clients there. We are working with the various locations the clinics are held to have a Foursquare “location” for the clinic as in “COMPANY CLINIC at Petco Indianapolis” so someone could check-in at the clinic at the business.

    Many of the “likes” and “followers” for the social profiles of the business came from existing customers spreading the word. Additionally, I hope to have a blog set up with pet care tips to drive traffic to the website through SEO and hence also spreading awareness of the social accounts

  • @alexandrabriggs, Thanks.  Yes, my client is also in the process of getting a blog set up.  I’m just waiting for them to say go ahead and do it. 
    I will have to check with them and see if the locations they shoot at will let them do something like a Foursquare check-in at that business for them.  Great idea! 

  • not sure how  big of a problem it  would be…if the the  customers    can find the  facebook page and the email  address or the website   thats  the main thing…..imho   they really need a website too…people  are more  used to  websites  than  blogs…….. just  for the main info, the phone and   some  great pictures…i call that kind of a website a billboard…. nothing   big and  serious….but   still attractive and  good current  info…and a website adds  credibility  maybe…

    a nice business   card  with FIND US HERE……. should  do  well,  something   to hand out to customers  as the business grows…

    @seleanaw

  • I would also look at commenting on Local Facebook Pages as the Page @seleanaw to increase the visibility of the Page.  


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