In a previous blog post, I talked about using the Internet to attract clients for your local business.

But, if you are a local business owner, have you ever considered globalizing your local business?  The Internet is the perfect medium for doing this.

It may seem strange that your local plumber or local greengrocers would want to go global but not only is this a great way to build credibility and get people talking about your local business, it’s a great way to recession-proof your business.

Unless you’re a large plumbing company or, you have a chain of greengrocers and a fair few staff, most of the day to day running of the business relies on you being present and fit to be able to manage the business.  If for some reason you’re unable to work for even short periods, you don’t get paid.

On the other hand, by creating a downloadable tips booklet on say “Basic Plumbing Essentials” which you sell for $15 online, suddenly, people on the other side of the world looking for information on basic plumbing are able to learn from you and buy some of your experience.

So, now you may be asking ”why on earth would someone want to spend $15 on a digital product online when they can go find a good plumbing book at borders or better still, find some information for free online?”  These are fair questions but the convenience of buying online is one of the reasons Amazon are so popular and, whether we want to admit to it or not, we live in a “microwave society.”  Not that I want to encourage that, but people want instant gratification and if they have a plumbing issue, they want it dealt with NOW!

I’ve had conversations with local plumbers in the past and suggested they create a basic ebook with basic plumbing tips for women.  And the reason I suggest for women is that this is a particular niche market (namely women) tend to be cautious about touching the plumbing works and, if they felt that a man was writing for their specific needs and understanding, they are more likely to buy.

The local greengrocer doesn’t have to sell his produce abroad (in fact he can’t) but nothing stops them writing a tips ebook or creating a series of videos on choosing the right fruit and veg for you, how to buy fruit, the health benefits of certain fruit and veg and questions to ask your greengrocer about their produce.

Taking these steps, not only ensure you stand out from your competition, it could be the start of your local business becoming a household name worldwide.  You’ll never know until you take action though.

Best of Success,

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