Too many people who enter the world of owning their own business lack knowledge on how best to promote and advertise their business. There are plenty of advertising agencies out there that can write a campaign for you to bring in those initial customers. But there is also a solution you can do yourself with only a small investment of your time.

Select the brokerage program to join, determine your business name, locate an office space, get a phone line, and decide on your business hours. From there, it’s time to put all of that on Google My Business. Placing your business on this service can be done from the comfort of your home and is a passive way to generate business leads. 

Almost Everyone is on The Internet

These days almost everyone goes on the Internet to search for a product or a service before actually leaving their home. In the “old days,” you flipped pages in a phone book, looked at the ads, and made some phone calls as part of your search for what you were looking for. 

Now with Google My Business, a person doing a search on Google for a brokerage company can see businesses located in their immediate area and have an idea upfront what services those companies offer. They’ll also see your location, and have access to a map with directions on how to get to it.

Getting Started

To get started, you’ll want to make sure you have your business address correct so Google can locate it. Google will verify your information in part to make sure that you’re the business owner. 

Once you’re listed, your business is searchable on Google Maps and Search, and you’ll be able to respond to reviews, add photos of your business and any special offers you have going. Google My Business arranges your information in an attractive, professional manner. If you plan on having foot traffic to your office, you can also put information there on the accessibility of your office for those with mobility issues. 

Utilizing the Statistics

After you’ve been listed for a while, the service provides statistics that you can use to optimize your customer interactions. As your business grows, there might come a time when you’ll be ready to consider hiring a digital marketing expert who can help you maximize the information the service is giving you. 

Use Accurate Information

When entering your information, make sure what you’re entering is accurate. You want the little shield stating your information is verified on your listing. Make sure your phone number, website, and office hours are correct. Don’t just make anything up to make your business look better. People are more sophisticated about detecting fake information these days and will quickly become suspicious of you. 

Answer Questions and Reviews 

Be sure to take time to answer potential customer questions and reviews. A simple thank you is all that’s required for a positive review. Use negative reviews to respond to an issue, either with clarification or a special offer. Let potential customers see that you care about them. 

Add Authentic Images 

You want to have images to compliment each of your categories. These should not be free stock photos you get off the Internet. Take some real photos of your office, of yourself, and even yourself in action, if you can. A photo or video of your office entrance is helpful. A video of you telling about what you offer is also a plus. 

Just be sure that if your photos have people in them, you have their permission to use their image. 

Stay Active

Keep your account active. Show your business being active in the community in some way, you could share a post from a relevant business. Just don’t spend too much time creating posts. You’re better off sharing posts from your Facebook or Twitter accounts. 

Marketing and advertising are not cheap and can be a time-consuming aspect of running a business. Make things easier on yourself by listing your business on Google My Business. The time spent here can pay off by leading potential customers to your door.