Running a small business in Fort Myers, FL is both exciting and challenging. On one hand, you’re part of a thriving local community that values small businesses. On the other, you’re competing with online giants, big-box stores, and even local competitors who all want the same customers.

The key to standing out is to focus on marketing strategies that are hyper-local, affordable, and designed to connect directly with the people in Fort Myers. Below are five powerful ways to bring more local customers through your doors in 2025.

1. Optimize Your Google Business Profile for Maximum Local Visibility

When residents in Fort Myers search for a restaurant, salon, plumber, or fitness studio, where do they usually start? Google. In fact, your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is often the first impression potential customers get of your business.

To take full advantage:

• Make sure your profile is 100% complete with photos, hours, services, and accurate location details.

• Post regular updates, like special offers or seasonal services, to keep your listing active.

• Actively request reviews from happy customers and reply to each review (positive or negative) to show you value feedback.

Why this matters: when someone in Fort Myers searches “best [industry] in Fort Myers, FL,” a well-optimized profile increases your chance of showing up in the local map pack. That prime visibility often leads to phone calls, website visits, and new customers.

2. Use Direct Mail to Put Your Business in Every Household

While digital ads can be ignored with a swipe, physical mail still gets noticed — especially when it’s oversized, colorful, and filled with local offers. That’s where the Fort Myers Local Spotlight postcard comes in.

Instead of paying thousands of dollars to send a solo mailer, your business can appear alongside other non-competing local businesses on a shared 9x12 postcard. The cost is split, but the exposure is massive. Every household in Fort Myers gets your message directly in their mailbox.

So far, 5,000 postcards have already been mailed to homes in Fort Myers, meaning thousands of residents are seeing local businesses they can trust. Imagine your ad showing up in every one of those homes — it’s like having a billboard that lands directly in your customer’s hands.

Direct mail also builds familiarity. Even if someone doesn’t need your services immediately, the repeated exposure creates top-of-mind awareness. When the need does arise, your business is the first they think of.

3. Partner With Other Local Businesses to Multiply Your Reach

One of the fastest ways to grow your customer base in Fort Myers is to collaborate with other businesses that share your audience but aren’t direct competitors. This strategy is about creating a win-win situation where you both expand your reach without extra cost.

For example:

• A gym could partner with a healthy café to create a “New Year, New You” package.

• A realtor could collaborate with a moving company or a home improvement store.

• A boutique could partner with a hair salon to offer cross-promotional discounts.

By tapping into each other’s customer bases, you gain instant access to a group of local residents who are already spending money in your community. This builds trust faster than cold advertising because the recommendation is essentially coming from a business they already know.

4. Leverage Community Events and Sponsorships

Nothing builds goodwill in Fort Myers like being visibly involved in the community. Sponsoring school fundraisers, local sports teams, or annual festivals gives your business exposure in front of hundreds (sometimes thousands) of potential customers — and it positions you as a business that cares about Fort Myers.

These events often come with perks like your logo on banners, mentions during announcements, or even a booth space to engage with residents directly. The cost is usually far less than digital ads, but the credibility you build can be priceless.

When people in Fort Myers see you actively supporting the community, they’re more likely to support you in return. That sense of reciprocity is a powerful driver of loyalty for small businesses.

5. Build a Simple but Effective Email Marketing System

While social media platforms can change their algorithms overnight, email marketing gives you direct access to your customers whenever you want. Collect emails at your business, through your website, or by offering special promotions. Then, send out a consistent monthly or bi-weekly email with helpful tips, special offers, or reminders.

For businesses in Fort Myers, email marketing works especially well because it keeps you connected to locals who already know you. Even if they don’t purchase right away, your brand stays top-of-mind.

Best practices include:

• Keep emails short, simple, and friendly.

• Always include a clear call to action (like booking an appointment or redeeming a coupon).

• Segment your list if possible — for example, send one type of email to past customers and another to prospects.

With the right rhythm, email marketing becomes a low-cost way to drive repeat business while also generating new leads.

Final Thoughts

Marketing in Fort Myers doesn’t require huge budgets or complicated strategies. By focusing on these five proven tactics — optimizing your online presence, using direct mail, partnering with other businesses, showing up in the community, and building an email list — you’ll set yourself apart from the competition and build stronger connections with local customers.

Ready to get your business in front of thousands of households in Fort Myers?
Contact Sonya Zaleski at info@shinelocal.biz, or call 2394165656. You can also visit https://shinelocalbiz.com to learn more about how the Fort Myers Local Spotlight postcard can help you grow this year.