If anyone has had a crazy year to navigate, small business owners might just take the icing on the cake.
As a small business owner, every little detail, cent and decision matters. So when the pandemic hit us all like a freight train last year, small business owners had a turbulent ride in store for them. But one common trait amongst small business owners is that they don’t give up.
So here we are, a year and a half later. And while the pandemic still very much exists, Houston has made it much more manageable for small businesses to thrive.
With a city that is for the most part open and with hundreds of thousands of people coming in and out of the city every day, there are many advantages for small business owners here. In fact, Houston is the most populous city in the great state of Texas, meaning there is a surplus of potential customers to reach here.
To help you engage with the city of Houston and have a successful business there, we’ve rounded up the top five tips that can help you achieve all your dreams!
1. Don’t Shy Away from PR
While the term PR can make many small business owners fret, it is indeed one of the most important parts of a robust marketing strategy. PR sits at the top of the marketing funnel. Without it, converting customers to engage with marketing campaigns will be challenging. You don’t need to hire a fancy PR agency to get the job done. Engage with local influencers, do a big giveaway or support a local charity. The key is to find a way in getting your company’s name naturally known amongst the Houston community.
2. Get a Billboard
There are plenty of houston billboards to utilize and they aren’t just reserved for the big businesses. Many small businesses can benefit from the large brand exposure, especially with the vast location options in Houston. From huge tourist attractions like the Space Center to the Minute Maid Park Baseball Stadium and one of the biggest international airports in the world, Houston is a melting pot of foot traffic just waiting for you to engage with through a billboard!
3. Know Your Audience
Knowing your audience in Houston is so important. With over two million people that call this city home, you want to take a strategic approach towards engaging with your audience so every marketing dollar you spend counts. This is why you want to define who your intended audience is upfront and then create a plan that enables you to engage with them in multiple touchpoints. To create a strong customer base in Houston, you need to get them to trust you and deliver them an experience or product that blows them away.
4. Represent Something
Houston is a proud city. And to relate to them, you need to be proud to. As a small business, you should work towards defining what you represent, the values you hold and the service you strive to provide. If you are proud of what you do, the city of Houston will be proud of you too. Loyalty goes a long way here and being authentic in this city will pay large dividends for you in the long run.
5. Get on Social Media
Houston loves social media. From Tik Tok to YouTube, there are numerous channels that small business owners should set up channels. It is a powerful marketing tool that empowers your local audience to engage with you, promote you and support you. With such a big influencer scene in Houston, you should also come up with a plan to collaborate with social media influencers who align with your brand and vision—as they will be a great medium to introduce you to new audiences. So don’t neglect to do this important step—whether you are a small café or car dealership. Social media works—that is why all the big and successful businesses in Houston use it too.
Bonus Tip: Be Persistent in Communication
This is a bonus tip, but too important to leave out! Take the city of Houston on a journey with you. Plan out a strategic approach to getting them familiar and excited about your brand with a long-term approach. Surprise them with an engaging PR activation. Talk to them with big billboard campaigns. Treat them with social media competitions and giveaways. Then deliver to them when they come into your business.
These six tips are sure to help all small businesses succeed in the biggest city in Texas!