Thursday, March 24, 2005

Online Business Networking in Chicago

I'm a web designer or developer working in Chicago. Even in such a big city, it's pretty easy to forget that there's a whole world of opportunity beyond just the paths that we travel each day. Not that long ago I spoke on a radio show in DeKalb on the topic of Internet Development for Small Businesses. After the interview, I drove all the way into Chicago from the west, listening to the same radio station from my car. The reach of that station was amazing! It was still coming in clear over 50 miles away. The thought of how many people were in the range of the broadcast was staggering.

Every business should consider this idea: your business can reach as far as you can imagine - so don't limit your thoughts about where your "ideal audience" is. Communication of mediums like radio and the world wide web can transcend any narrowing ideas you may have about who your customers are.

Say you're a small coffee vending store in a train station. You may think that only people who live or commute through your station are your potential customers. Not true - think around some corners! Take a look at niche or specialty coffee suppliers. These businesses make their way by differentiation amidst a sea of commodity. Say you carry their coffee, and your regulars love it. It's a local success. But don't stop there - take it online. People can exhibit fierce brand loyalty. You can leverage this by peppering the internet with content on your business, and it's experience with this brand of coffee. Here's just a few options for maximizing the online marketing opportunity presented by this scenario:
  • Build a web site - basic business facts and personality for your business. Gives you basic online visibility and a base for communications.
  • Send thank you's and testimonials to the your specialty supplier. Recommend that they publish the messages online and link to your site in a "Where can I find your brands?" context.
  • Share your business success story with other mediums: Chamber of Commerce newsletters, newspapers, online networking groups-
  • Enjoy the fruits of your new networking prowess!
What fruits, you ask? Well think of these scenarios: People looking for a good cup of joe, and people who know that specialty brand will go out of their way to find that brand: often to neighboring communities or further. I'd even go as far as to say that someone may take a job in your little community based on the fact that they could get that good cup of coffee at your store.
If you make your business really and truly visible on the internet - you have the potential to communicate with a broad and deep audience. Doing online networking, simple business building, will really help grow your business both online and offline.

posted by Brian @ 6:54 AM

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home