Knowing where a business should be mentioned is only half the job. Someone still has to ask. The week 8 assignment asks you to find three local directories or blogs where your business could be listed and to draft outreach emails. This lesson teaches both parts, and the outreach skill transfers to influencer work, partnerships and sales.
Where to look for listings
- Directories that real people use. Local business directories, tourism lists, hotel and restaurant guides, and industry lists such as an agro dealers' association or a tailors' association.
- Membership bodies. Chambers of commerce, trade associations, professional bodies and business networks often list their members online.
- Community and faith organisations. Church, mosque, school and alumni websites sometimes list supporters or members' businesses.
- Local blogs and news. Sites that write about food, events, travel or business in your region.
- Partners. Suppliers, NGOs and customers that are organisations.
Before you add a site to your list, check three things. Is it real and active, with recent updates? Is it relevant to the business or the area? Does it look trustworthy, without pages full of unrelated links or adverts for dubious products? Skip any site that asks for payment just to add a link with no real audience.