How to Grow Your Business in Oklahoma
Growing and maintaining a business in any geographical location is difficult, but if you live in a state with a smaller population density—like Oklahoma—it can feel especially challenging to increase your market to people outside of locals in your area. While much of Oklahoma is spread out, Oklahoma City is a major urban hub with a population of around 660,000 people. That doesn’t even include the number of Oklahomans who commute into the city for work.
Oklahoma City has a population density of 22.38 people per square kilometer, and while that differs significantly from New York’s 27,000 people per square mile, for instance, that doesn’t mean that advertising in Oklahoma City isn’t worthwhile. Advertising techniques are always adapted to suit each company’s location, but people from most states visit their nearby cities for work and entertainment. You can almost guarantee that Oklahoma City billboards and other forms of advertising in Oklahoma City will leave more impressions than anywhere else in the state.
Because Oklahoma City is less populous than cities like New York, LA, and Chicago, you may even find that you have less competition in your industry once you reach your intended audience. The aviation and aerospace industries contribute to a large portion of Oklahoma City’s economy. Bioscience, energy, and logistics industries are also prominent. If your company does not fall within one of these industries, you might not know where to start.
Fortunately, Oklahoma City currently ranks sixth as one of the top cities for starting a business in 2022. If you’re a business owner in Oklahoma, you have statistics on your side, and growth is sure to follow if you utilize these marketing and advertising tips.
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Oklahoma City Billboards
According to US car ownership statistics, 94 Oklahomans have a car for every 100 people. If you choose to invest in Oklahoma City billboards, there is a large percentage of drivers who will see your ads when traveling to and from Oklahoma City for work or on the weekends. In choosing a location for your company’s Oklahoma City billboards, consider areas with a lot of tourist traffic like Oklahoma City Zoo and Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. Highways and airports leading to these attractions are great options, too. Universities, colleges, sports stadiums, and other areas could also be a preferred alternative if your target audience is Oklahoma residents.
Oklahoma City billboards cost about $600 on average and generate around 717 million impressions. Even digital billboards, which can cost up to a few million dollars in major cities like New York, cost an average of $2.8k in Oklahoma City. The lowest available price for a digital billboard is around $540.
Seek Out Networking Events
There are plenty of networking and business events around Oklahoma City. You may even be able to meet local business owners and potential investors at these events. If you can’t find any networking events in your area, you can always organize a group on a networking app. Inviting fellow business owners out for lunch or drinks is another great way to network and brainstorm business growth ideas.
Let Your Customers Advertise For You
Providing quality customer service is a great way to earn customer loyalty and stand out against competition. It’s also one of the best ways to advertise without paid marketing. When you listen to your customers’ concerns and treat them like friends and family, their recommendations and referrals will serve as organic marketing.
If you find that your relationships with your long-time customers are lacking, you may want to invest in a CRM system. A CRM functions as an address book, smart calendar, and networking platform that reminds you to reach out to clients on important dates—like their birthday or anniversary as your client. A CRM can also remind you to regularly schedule meetings with clients and investors and track meaningful details about their lives.
Use Social Media
Social media is an invaluable way to stay connected with customers despite their geographical location. If your target audience is Gen Z or Millennial, you’re going to want to familiarize yourself with social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok. If you have a creative team, they can create content using viral music and images that appeal to Gen Z and Millennials.
Social media is also an essential communication tool. Many Millennials and members of Gen Z may feel more comfortable asking questions via private social media message as opposed to email or phone call. They might also comment as a way to show their support for your business, and you can interact with them through comments.
Conclusion
If you own a business in Oklahoma, you have plenty of advertising and marketing resources at your disposal if you’re looking to accelerate your company’s growth. Oklahoma City ranks on the list of top ten locations to start a business, so as long as you believe in your product or service and make use of these marketing techniques, you will have a recipe for success.