As an independent grocer, you want to have more shoppers, increase sales, and grow your company, but marketing can be difficult or expensive. Here is a list of ten inexpensive ways to market your store.
1. Google Business Profile: If you haven't already done so, make sure to list your business with Google. Doing so will place your store on Google maps, increase your SEO, and help provide your shoppers with more additional information about your store.
2. Go Live: Going live on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok allows you to engage with your shoppers more easily, in real-time. The algorithms are also set to notify a larger audience, increasing your exposure.
3. Giveaways, Contests, and Raffles: Not only are these a great way to build branding, create awareness, and further develop a relationship with shoppers, but it is also an excellent way to introduce a call to action. For example, "Download our app, show us proof, and we will enter you into a raffle to receive two free boxes full of fresh foods to make a delicious dinner. (Raffles, giveaways, or contests that include prizes with "you and a friend" usually receives higher participation).
4. Utilizing Facebook: If you don't already have a Facebook business page, a Facebook page can be a great way to reach and interact with your shoppers and potential shoppers. When posting on Facebook, there is an option to boost a post. Boosting is one of the easiest and most effective ways to advertise. With a Facebook boost, just ten dollars can allow you to reach 1000 plus people in your community; you can also filter your audience by location, age, gender, and even interest. A boosted post can be seen on Facebook or even Instagram. If you think about it, if you can attract at the very least one extra shopper to visit and purchase, the post has already paid for itself. For more information, reach out to your account manager to contact our marketing team.
5. Mass Emails: Sending mass emails is an easy and quick way to stay in front of your shoppers and notify them of upcoming sales, holiday specials, or brand messages (such as your involvement in the community). These things will encourage them to interact with your store or site more frequently. Websites like MailChimp allow you to reach up to 2,000 contacts and 12,000 email sends per month--FREE version.
6. Add a Blog to Your Site: Adding a blog to your website helps increase your site's SEO. Your store's site will rank higher by constantly having additional new pages and keywords. This means that when someone is searching for a keyword like "local grocery store near me," your website could be more likely to show up at the top of search results.
7. In-Store Posters, Flyers, Signs: Having a variety of visual displays with QR codes that lead to your grocery app can lead to more downloads. Studies show that when a shopper downloads an app, they are more likely to make purchases, which can also increase in-store foot traffic. Try adding a small sign at every cash register.
8. TikTok Videos: It may sound silly, but TikTok's internal algorithm actually sorts by region and can even show your videos to locals. And you never know, make a clever, funny, or creative enough video, and your store might go viral. Reaching millions is not bad for business, and now that we have entered a digital age, and with the ability of Choice Doorstep, your site can be visited and food delivered from all over the country.
9. Post on Multiple Social Media Platforms: You hit more targets with more arrows. But remember, consistency is key, so don't give up posting on various platforms after one month. Find which ones yield the best results and focus your efforts.
10. Partner With a Local Business/Charity: An important part of marketing is branding. By associating yourself with a well-perceived company or organization, your store will also reap the benefits and build trust. Not only this, but this relationship doubles your exposure. You don't have to pay an organization tons of money either; you can simply provide a service.
