Picture: Kaleidico / Unsplash
While you might have grand plans of eventually taking your business to the international stage, starting at a local and regional level can often be a much better option. You can build your business from the ground up, secure a local following, and make it easier to stand out in a saturated global market.
If you’re in the beginning stages of building a strong regional brand, start with the following actions:
Get Legal Help
There can be great value in contacting a lawyer in your area to help establish your business and set it up for success. If you live in a regional city like Albury, Australia, you might seek out the best solicitor Albury residents have available. The same goes for if you live in a small city in France, New York, or elsewhere.
Commercial and business lawyers in your area can assist with a broad range of business-related tasks, such as intellectual property, employment law, corporate law, and commercial law. They can also provide the peace of mind you need to know all your legal bases are covered for regional, national, and international expansion.
Understand Your Region
If you’re going to build a strong regional brand that resonates with locals, you first need to understand your region. Think about what makes your area unique, including its values, history, and traditions.
Try to incorporate what you discover into your brand story. You may even see the value in using local language, symbols, and landmarks to create a sense of pride in your customer base. Connecting with potential customers may be easier if they can resonate and relate to the products and services you’re selling.
Get Involved In Your Community
Small communities regularly come together for their local business owners to help them feel supported and ensure they can be successful in the business district they call home. However, it’s a two-way street. You, too, must show support for your community. Don’t underestimate the importance of sponsoring local events and collaborating with local influencers.
Attend regional events that align with your business’s values and donate to good causes, charities, and groups. Alongside helping your community, you can also increase brand visibility and foster goodwill.
Highlight Regional Offerings
Many small and medium businesses operating in regions take great pride in using locally sourced products, services, ingredients, and materials. If you go the extra mile to include your local area in your offerings, make that part of your branding story.
For example, restaurant owners might highlight their locally sourced seafood, while furniture store owners might talk about their locally milled lumber.
Build Connections with Local Media
Word of mouth is still a strong form of marketing for businesses. However, it’s not your only form of marketing. You can also build connections with local media to help you create a strong regional brand.
Meet with local journalists and media outlets to talk about your business and highlight its values and goals. You can also pitch stories that involve your brand’s involvement with local community groups.
The more connections you build with local media, the more often you may be called upon to provide content for stories that further push your business into the public eye.
Building a strong regional brand can be a stepping stone toward bigger and brighter business ventures. It can also be how you make a successful life for yourself in your community. You may experience success no matter your goals by understanding your region, highlighting regional offerings, seeking legal help, and building local connections.
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