Why a Social Network for your small business makes sense

[Steve Mohun Consulting]

As a small business owner looking at customer acquisition and retention I’ve noticed changes over the last few years.

 

While it used to be the Yellow Pages and maybe cable TV, local newspapers or mailers lately it seems like Google, Facebook, Yelp, Groupon, Living Social and dozens more just like them have really changed things.  It’s a stretch to imagine that small business owners can go it alone and be as effective on-line as the big names do and Ally Local wants to level the playing field.

 

Ally Local is a Social Network for Small Business.  Ally Local’s community of small business owners work together to form their own marketing programs to increase sales, retain customers, offer promotions and find solutions to other challenges they face individually and as a group.

 

It’s no surprise that some big names in the internet business have become so valuable over just the last two years.  Small business is the engine of economies in the US and the rest of the world.   Ally Local provides an online community for its talented, entrepreneurial members to pool their resources and find creative solutions to taking their messages on-line.

 

Ally Local gives its members a My Page that is ready to go after a few simple questions and can be customized to reflect the individuality of its owner.  Membership is free and provides links to other sites including Face Book, Twitter and more.  Members can access and update Ideas, participate in Forums and have discussions both within their local business group and with members everywhere.

 

Local consumers tend to buy from local businesses.  All businesses benefit from a local customer base that sees value in shopping local.  Ally Local enhances participation in planning marketing campaigns and amplifies the efforts of groups like your downtown business associations through increased participation and ease of access.  Members can participate in their Ally Local Groups anywhere there is an internet connection.

 

Ally Local Members participate in other Social Networks in much the same way LinkedIn members might also belong Face Book.  Ally Local members share a common attribute and are able to share their experience and knowledge with their fellow entrepreneurs.  It would be completely natural for Ally Local member to find someone in their local group to help with web-page design, provide local ingredients, sell complimentary products or services or work together on a large project.

 

Local Groups on Ally Local stand to win back some of the momentum in the on-line marketing at the local level from some of the hottest internet companies around and with that be able to do what small businesses have always done, innovate and succeed.