So many local businesses spend time tackling their own marketing in an effort to try to save money, but you have likely learned the time and energy spent on marketing is not for the faint of heart. If you are ready to step aside and let a professional take the reins, your business may be ready to take that next step in its marketing journey and pass the torch to an agency. The next step is deciding if going with a local agency makes sense for your business. Here are some benefits of going with a local marketing agency and what we think you can gain from taking this next step.
 
Proximity and Convenience
This is one of the biggest benefits of going local. You never have to coordinate time zones to schedule a meeting, feel like you are being brushed off, or simply just can’t track down the person that is in charge of your account. Having someone local makes it easy to schedule face to face meetings, quick phone calls, or spend a full day brainstorming strategy together.
 
Local Reviews
When deciding to go local, you can lean on reviews from other local businesses that use the same marketing agency. If you are inspired by their success and they have good things to say, you will be at ease knowing you can trust them with your business as well. Word of mouth is a great way to find out if a marketing agency would be a good fit for you, which is not something you are going to find if you are looking at a long-distance agency.
 
Community Connections
Oftentimes the people working local also live local. This gives them great pride and insight into the community and what it is like to live and work there. Locals will already know of happenings in town at different businesses and can work to help elevate your message. Working with an agency in proximity can potentially help you coordinate collaboration projects with other local businesses. This will give you even more community connections, making your town a destination people want to be.
 
Grow Together
As your business grows, so will the marketing agency you have hired. As they help you grow by making your marketing stronger, you will begin to trust them and recommend them to others, which will help both of you grow. This will not only strengthen your business but the local community as well. When everyone works together good things are going to happen!
 
By Chelsea Bray- Elle A. Design

"You have thousands of people at your fingertips. And business networking within your community or your brand is a way to reach so many more you may not have reached before."

Here are a few benefits of business networking on social media:

When was the last time you checked out your own website?
 
Often, this is something even WE overlook. We understand. In this day and age, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day work. Like us, that work probably has you on dozens of other sites all day long and before you realize it, a lot of time has flown by since your last check-in on your own site. It may feel it may feel like you just launched that "new" website last month, but maybe a couple years have gone by, and in the digital world, a couple of years can be a lifetime. Best practices, new trends, search optimization, and algorithms are ever-evolving and constantly changing, but try not to get too overwhelmed with it all.
 
Here are a few simple signs it may be time for a little website work:

​It is no secret that we are avid #ShopLocal supporters.

So we thought, what better way to showcase our love for our fellow entrepreneurs than to share our absolute favorite hometown spots to shop steps away from our location #OnTheSquare and beyond!

Find unique holiday gifts or add some local flavor to your gift certificate game this Christmas season.

Here is our EXCLUSIVE "Ryan & Chris Approved" family favorites:

Have you rented a booth for the Champaign County Fair but don't now what to do when you get there? Or are you looking for a way to be represented without attending? The fair can be an awesome place to reach a large audience but when you're competing with other businesses it's important to standout! If you aren't sure where to start, we'd love to help you! Can't attend? No problem, we've got you covered! Let us advertise for you using one of our We Spend Local screens at the fair! Make sure your marketing strategy includes the fair! If the words "marketing strategy" has you stressed, let us handle the guess work & get you to where you want to be!

Do you feel like your marketing dollars are being wasted year after year and find it difficult to know if your marketing strategies are effective? Business owners are often overwhelmed by the ever expanding world of digital marketing and it can be frustrating to wonder whether or not your hard earned dollars are making an impact. Your website should be the most powerful marketing tool you possess, with the potential to take your business to the next level. Using localized SEO services, constant site reviews and campaigns designed to drive traffic to your website, you can be confident that your small business will be ready to compete with big business. Not all websites are created equal and we want to help yours succeed! If your website isn't working for you or the world of digital marketing drives you crazy, let us at Berry Digital Solutions manage your digital world while you focus on your business. We'd love to buy you a coffee and learn more about your business and how we can support you.

'Local Matters' movements are a growing trend nationwide, and for once, this is a trend worth your participation! Our communities and local economies need patrons who spend their paychecks in their own backyard. When you shop local, you are putting significantly more money back into the local economy rather than sending it to a billionaire CEO who has no intentions of returning the favor.

​What else can a local business offer over a nationwide corporation? Local business owners offer unmatched, personalized customer service. Getting to know the owners allows you the opportunity to hear their backstories, learn about their products and share in their successes. Will a large retailer remember your favorite drink, ask you about your family or be willing to order a specialty item just for you? Local businesses and organizations care about their communities and know why local matters. Research shows that local small business owners are more likely to keep their dollars local and improve the local economy. If we haven't convinced you, please ask your favorite local owners why local matters to them!

Ryan and Erika welcomed a new baby boy in March of 2018, making their hearts and home beautifully full.  Chris and Jessica, along with their two boys, purchased a home in West Liberty.  Chris ended 2018 with an emergency back surgery.  He is such a valuable partner who has continued to provide superior service to our clients, even with his limited mobility.  We are hoping Chris rests his body and heals quickly in the new year.

In 2019, Berry Digital Solutions will continue to find new, creative ways for clients to connect with their target audience.  We are planning to implement new marketing technologies, such as: video, social media, Google AdWords, and YouTube advertising.  Our biggest assets are our local small business partners.  We are proud to partner with individuals who are experts in their field, and are excited to pass their expertise along to our clients.

As you reflect and plan, think about how you want to grow your business this new year. In addition to website services, we provide:  social media advertising, Google AdWords advertising, 3-D virtual tours, photography, videography, graphic design, local screen advertising, computer repair and more!  

Ryan ended 2018 with #CoffeeWithRyan and has begun 2019 with #WaterWithRyan.  We're only kidding, but you don't have to love coffee to meet with Ryan to put together a plan for your small business this year!
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