Strategies for Recession-Proofing Your Local Marketing Clients

Last Updated on: 24th March 2023, 09:15 am

As local businesses feel the pinch of an economic downturn, many will be forced to make tough choices about their marketing budgets. Some will cancel or reduce their spending on local marketing, while others will double down in an effort to weather the storm. For local marketing agencies, this can present both challenges and opportunities. 

On the one hand, clients may be more resistant to trying new strategies or taking risks when money is tight. However, this can also be seen as an opportunity to provide real value and prove the ROI of local marketing initiatives. In fact, businesses that are able to maintain or even increase their marketing spending during a recession often come out ahead of their competitors when the economy rebounds. 

So, while a recession may lead to some tough conversations with clients, it also presents an opportunity for local marketers to prove their worth and show how local marketing can help businesses not just survive but thrive. 

Make Sure Your Local Marketing Budget Is Allocated Correctly 

1. Google Business Profile 

As the 2021 Local Ranking Factors survey shows, 36% of your local marketing budget should be going towards your Google Business Profile (GBP). This is an essential part of any local marketing strategy, and it’s important to make sure you’re doing more than just the basics. 

Your GBP should include high-quality images, updated product information, and special offers, as well as completing the questions and answers section. It’s also important to keep your GBP relevant with frequent posts that show up in the knowledge panel. And don’t forget to add new attributes as they become available, such as the new LGBTQ+ attribute. 

By ensuring that your GBP is up to date and complete, you’ll be well on your way to a successful local marketing campaign. 

2. Location Pages for Local Businesses 

Local businesses need to make sure they have location pages that are optimized for search engine visibility. That means including key information such as the business name, address, and phone number (NAP), a map, a list of products and services, and some location-specific content. Reviews are also important, as they help to boost the business’ prominence in the search results. All of this together will help the business to appear in the local pack and organic search results, giving them greater visibility and helping them to attract more customers. 

3. Local Business Listings 

As any business owner knows, data is essential for success. Without accurate and up-to-date information, it can be difficult to make informed decisions or track progress. This is especially true when it comes to online listings. Because bad data can undo all your hard work, it’s important to make sure you have consistent NAP (name, address, and phone number) data across all listings.  

The easiest way to do this is to use a business listing management solution that reaches a lot of directories. At Simply Be Found, we distribute business information to important directories that matter to your business such as Google, Bing, Foursquare, and Facebook. As a result, you can rest assured that your data is accurate and up to date, giving you the information you need to succeed. 

4. Optimize Your Business for Voice Search 

In the past, businesses could rely on customers coming to them. whether it was because they were located in a high foot traffic area or they had strong marketing, people knew where to find them. However, in today’s digital age, that is no longer enough. People are increasingly using voice search to find local businesses, and if your business is not optimized for voice search, you could be missing out on a lot of potential customers.  

That is where Simply Be Found comes in. We can help your business be voice search optimized, so you’ll be more likely to show up when people are searching for what you offer. As a result, you’ll get found by more local customers and grow your business.  

 
5. Tracking Results Is Important 

 
When working with clients, it is important to be able to track and show the results of your efforts. This can be done in a number of ways, but one of the most important is through Google Analytics. By setting up goals and reporting in the Progress Report, you can show exactly how your efforts are benefiting the client. If you only provide one component of their marketing, it is especially important to use UTMs (Urchin Tracking Module) so that you can isolate the results of your work from other marketing companies. Without this level of tracking, it will be difficult to show the value of your work to the client. 
 


How to save your business from an economic downturn 
 

The economy is cyclical, and every few years we experience a downturn. During these periods, businesses may tighten their budgets and agencies may see a decrease in work. But recessions don’t last forever – eventually, the economy will rebound, and things will go back to normal. In the meantime, there are steps you can take to weather the economic slowdown and come out ahead. 

A recession is not the time to panic – instead, use it as an opportunity to reassess your business and find ways to become more efficient. Second, don’t be afraid to adjust your prices accordingly. In a down economy, clients may be looking for ways to save money, so it’s important to be flexible with your pricing. Finally, make sure you’re delivering quality work on time and within budget. Even in tough times, clients expect results – so if you can exceed their expectations, you’ll be in a good position when the economy picks back up. 

Increase Productivity with Our Powerful Platform 


It’s no secret that businesses need to be more productive than ever to survive in today’s economy. Simply Be Found is dedicated to helping businesses streamline their marketing operations and increase their productivity. Our business listings management solution lets businesses manage their listing information across multiple platforms with ease. Review management and generation help businesses collect and track customer reviews, saving them valuable time and effort. And our other powerful tools help businesses automate key marketing tasks, freeing up time and resources to focus on other areas of their business. So, if you’re looking for a way to increase your productivity and compete in today’s economy, visit SimplyBeFound.com now to learn more about our solutions. 

About the author:

Picture of Dean Koehler

Dean Koehler

Dean Koehler stands as a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit, co-founding Simply Be Found and with over 30 years of entrepreneurial business experience. His journey is marked by both successes and failures, each contributing to his profound understanding of the business world. What truly sets Dean apart is his light-hearted and compassionate approach towards everyone he interacts with. His Roots: Dean’s lineage is rich with educators, embedding in him a deep appreciation for the power of storytelling and analogy in teaching. This background has honed his ability to simplify complex concepts, making them relatable and easy to grasp. Love for Reading and Audio Books: An avid reader and now an audio book junkie, Dean immerses himself in a variety of genres. This extensive reading not only fuels his expansive vocabulary but also enriches his perspectives, allowing him to connect with a diverse audience. Unique Communication Style: Dean’s conversations are often peppered with witty one-liners from classics like ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and ‘Monty Python.’ These references are not just humorous but also serve as effective tools in making his points more memorable. Creating passion for storytelling; his love for books and movies is an integral part of how he communicates. He skillfully weaves narratives into his teachings, making complex ideas more accessible and engaging, which he skillfully drove his now adult children to exasperation with his comments. Engineering Mindset: With a background in engineering, growing up with a science teacher, and his wife still teaching science, Dean naturally gravitates towards a methodical and analytical approach. He often draws parallels between science experiments and business strategies, demonstrating his knack for innovative problem-solving. If fact he and his wife spend several hours talking about real life situations for science experiments to parallel which creates story for her students. Passion for Storytelling: Dean’s love for books and movies is an integral part of how he communicates. He skillfully weaves narratives into his teachings, making complex ideas more accessible and engaging, which he skillfully drove his now adult children to exasperation with his comments. Dean’s unique blend of experiences and skills makes him an invaluable leader at Simply Be Found. His approachable demeanor and insightful perspectives have been key in guiding the company through the ever-changing landscape of online marketing and business growth. Although he does talk much about it, his academic and professional journey is a complex blend of hands-on experience and formal education, embodying the spirit of dedication and perseverance. His path reflects his commitment to continuous learning and adaptability in the face of evolving industry landscapes. Dean’s career began with a machinist apprenticeship program, a rare and valuable starting point in today’s world. This experience laid the groundwork for his practical understanding of the industry. He furthered his education with an associate degree as an electronics technician, a testament to his technical acumen. Dean didn’t stop there; he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from Colorado State University, sharpening his skills in corporate leadership, process, and plant engineering roles. Next, earning a Master of Science Degree in Industrial Management from Northern Illinois University marked a significant milestone in his career. Notably, Dean accomplished this while juggling a full-time job and starting a family, showcasing his exceptional time management and dedication. Lastly and what he considers the most important is the School of Hard Knocks: Dean takes immense pride in his experiences outside the classroom. The ‘school of hard knocks’ has been instrumental in teaching him invaluable life skills. These experiences have given him a unique understanding of the challenges faced by small business entrepreneurs, aligning perfectly with his role at Simply Be Found. Dean’s journey, marked by a combination of formal education and real-world experiences, has equipped him with a diverse skill set and an empathetic understanding of the entrepreneurial journey. This makes him not just a leader but a relatable figure for those navigating the complex terrain of small business ownership and online marketing.

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