Most local business owners realize that coupon advertising is the best way to keep loyal clients coming back. For example, Clipper Magazine constantly tries to provide solid and enticing local coupon offers to maintain its readership and to help local businesses, such as restaurants and retailers, among others, grow at the same time. One example of this win-win strategy was the launch two years ago of Couponclipper.com, an online coupon resource. More recently, Clipper launched an iPhone Coupon app in February to provide digital coupons.

As a business owner, you have to consider the trends and consider how you’re going to reach out to the new digital generation, whether that translates to building an app or creating a virtual campaign on the web. Social marketing is growing quickly, as is people’s usage of the local search. Offering special promotional incentives on the web/social media/mobile/e-mail marketing, etc. has become a necessity in order for a business to survive. It yields even greater results when you provide different offers to target specific segments of your customer base. Having special offers on your Facebook page or Twitter account can certainly help to increase your fans or followers.

The point: Embracing the digital era is a MUST–and when it comes to integrating a digital strategy with your traditional marketing efforts, the sooner the better.