The Heart & Hustle Podcast - Episode 409: “I’m Moving! How Do I Successfully Transition My Business to a New Location?”

Release Date: November 26, 2024

Hosts: Evie McLeod & Lindsey Roman
Podcast Description: A business and lifestyle podcast tailored for creative entrepreneurs, dreamers, and doers aiming to maximize their life's potential. Evie and Lindsey serve as your supportive BFFs, offering practical tools and empowering truths to ignite your journey toward achieving your God-given dreams.

Overview

In Episode 409 of The Heart & Hustle Podcast, hosts Evie McLeod and Lindsey Roman dive deep into the complexities of relocating a service-based business. Whether you’re moving across states, countries, or simply shifting locations within your current city, this episode offers a comprehensive guide to ensuring a smooth transition for your business. The discussion is especially relevant for entrepreneurs whose operations are deeply rooted in their local communities, such as photographers, hairstylists, florists, and other service-oriented professionals.

Key Sections

1. Announcing Your Move to the World
2. Utilizing Location-Based Hashtags
3. Optimizing Your SEO
4. Joining Facebook Groups in Your New City
5. Connecting with Local Businesses Before the Move
6. Consistently Communicating About Your Move
7. Treating the Move as a Product Launch
8. Attending Local Events Post-Move
9. Sending Gifts to Local Business Owners
10. Special Tip for Photographers: Second Shooting

1. Announcing Your Move to the World

Timestamp: 00:00 - 04:49

Evie and Lindsey emphasize the importance of promptly announcing your impending move. For service-based businesses, visibility in your current location is crucial for maintaining clientele. Lindsey advises:

“The minute you're ready for other people to know and you're ready to shift for your business's sake, to be able to forward market, I would update your social media like location or bio.”
(04:02)

Key Actions:

• Update your social media profiles with the new location.
• Consider making a dedicated post announcing the move.
• Ensure that your location is clearly stated in your bio to remain searchable.

2. Utilizing Location-Based Hashtags

Timestamp: 04:50 - 15:47

Contrary to the belief that hashtags are obsolete, Lindsey asserts their continued importance, especially when using location-specific hashtags to attract a new local audience.

“Hashtags are not dead. ... When I moved, I started implementing location-based hashtags like ‘#OrlandoWeddingPhotographer’ to target the new market.”
(10:35)

Key Actions:

• Create multiple groups of 5-30 strategic, location-specific hashtags.
• Combine your service type with the new location (e.g., #OrlandoWeddingPhotography).
• Include hashtags for nearby suburbs to broaden your reach.

3. Optimizing Your SEO

Timestamp: 15:48 - 19:39

Ensuring your website is optimized for search engines in your new location is crucial. Lindsay discusses:

“Update all keywords on your website’s copy and embedded in photos to reflect your new location.”
(17:08)

Key Actions:

• Revamp your website’s SEO by incorporating location-specific keywords into your content.
• Rename image files and add alt-text that includes your new location.
• Update all instances of your old location in text, such as footers and contact pages.

4. Joining Facebook Groups in Your New City

Timestamp: 25:06 - 31:20

Engaging with community and business-focused Facebook groups helps you integrate faster. Evie suggests:

“Join local lifestyle or business owner groups to network and understand the local market.”
(27:03)

Key Actions:

• Identify and join relevant Facebook groups in your new city.
• Participate actively without solely promoting your business.
• Use these groups to gain insights and build relationships within the community.

5. Connecting with Local Businesses Before the Move

Timestamp: 31:21 - 38:53

Building pre-move connections with local businesses fosters collaboration and support. Lindsey advises:

“Follow and engage with local businesses on social media and reach out with personalized messages.”
(35:57)

Key Actions:

• Follow local businesses on platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
• Engage with their content genuinely by liking, commenting, and sharing.
• Send personalized direct messages or emails expressing admiration and a desire to connect post-move.

6. Consistently Communicating About Your Move

Timestamp: 38:53 - 43:42

Making your move a central theme of your brand narrative keeps your audience informed and engaged. Evie emphasizes:

“Talk about your move frequently across all platforms to stay top-of-mind.”
(28:15)

Key Actions:

• Share regular updates and behind-the-scenes content related to your move.
• Create blog posts or video series detailing your moving process and experiences in the new location.
• Use stories and posts to keep your audience engaged with your transition journey.

7. Treating the Move as a Product Launch

Timestamp: 43:42 - 35:45

Elevating the move to a significant event can generate excitement and attract attention. Lindsey recommends:

“Create promotions like discounts or giveaways to celebrate your new beginning.”
(31:09)

Key Actions:

• Offer special discounts or run giveaways to welcome new clients in your new location.
• Promote these offers extensively on social media and through your email list.
• Encourage participants to tag local contacts to expand your reach organically.

8. Attending Local Events Post-Move

Timestamp: 36:00 - 39:09

Active participation in local events helps establish your presence and network within the community. Evie suggests:

“Attend fairs, business expos, and local meetups to connect with peers and potential clients.”
(35:57)

Key Actions:

• Identify and attend relevant local events where your target audience and collaborators gather.
• Consider setting up a booth or participating in panels to showcase your expertise.
• Network actively and follow up with connections made during these events.

9. Sending Gifts to Local Business Owners

Timestamp: 39:09 - 40:49

Genuine gestures of goodwill can pave the way for strong business relationships. Lindsey advises:

“Send thoughtful, no-strings-attached gifts to local business owners to introduce yourself.”
(37:45)

Key Actions:

• Select appropriate gifts that reflect your appreciation, such as gift cards or customized packages.
• Accompany the gifts with personalized messages expressing your admiration and interest in collaboration.
• Ensure the gestures are genuine to foster authentic connections.

10. Special Tip for Photographers: Second Shooting

Timestamp: 40:49 - 42:25

For photographers, collaborating as a second shooter can help build local portfolios and networks. Evie highlights:

“Reach out to local photographers to offer second shooting opportunities, even if it means working for free initially.”
(40:33)

Key Actions:

• Contact established local photographers to offer your assistance as a second shooter.
• Use these opportunities to learn the local market, venues, and client preferences.
• Build relationships that can lead to future collaborations and referrals.

Notable Quotes

• Evie McLeod:
  “You're going to treat the move almost like it's a launch of a product.”
  (35:45)

• Lindsey Roman:
  “Hashtags are not dead. ... When I moved, I started implementing location-based hashtags like ‘#OrlandoWeddingPhotographer’ to target the new market.”
  (10:35)

• Evie McLeod:
  “Send thoughtful, no-strings-attached gifts to local business owners to introduce yourself.”
  (37:45)

Conclusion

Evie and Lindsey wrap up the episode with heartfelt encouragement, assuring listeners that while moving their business might seem daunting, implementing these strategic steps can lead to a seamless transition and even open up new avenues for growth and connection. They emphasize the importance of networking, consistent communication, and genuine relationship-building in establishing a successful presence in a new location.

“You have got this. The move will go smoothly, your business will transition, and you'll start booking and getting interest even before you step foot in your new city.”
(42:25)

Final Encouragement from Hosts:

“We are cheering you on. If you need any additional help or have any other questions, come join the Heart and Hustle Facebook group or just send Lindsay and I a DM. We are here for you and we cannot wait to see you on the next episode.”
(43:51)

Note: This summary focuses solely on the content-rich segments of the podcast, omitting advertisements and non-essential introductions or outros to provide a clear and comprehensive overview for those who haven’t listened to the episode.