Why Your Independent Store Needs LinkedIn Today - Growth Strategy with LinkedIn Expert Scott Aaron | EP 18

02/19/25 • 30 min

Are you an independent retail store owner who's missing out on connecting with local professionals - your ideal customers - simply because you are not leveraging LinkedIn? You probably didn’t think it was for you. You thought wrong. It’s a big opportunity.

This episode is a bit different from the usual episodes we have here on Main Street Matters. We invited an expert who shares his expertise on WHY WE SHOULD and HOW WE CAN increase our REACH, BUILD BRAND AWARENESS, and garner TRUST. Terresa Zimmerman welcomes LinkedIn expert Scott Aaron to show retailers how they can tap into this often-overlooked platform for business growth. Scott is an award-winning online marketer, a 4x best-selling author, a top podcaster with over 1 million downloads on iTunes, and a speaker known for turning LinkedIn connections into traffic, millions of dollars in business revenue, and strong personal brands.

FULL DISCLOSURE: this is NOT a paid spot for Scott. We just think the information is that important for you and wanted to point out many of the free resources Scott pulls together for you.

In this Episode, Scott shares practical strategies for using LinkedIn's free features to build meaningful local connections and create an authentic online presence that converts into foot traffic - all without getting lost in the social media time quagmire. GET YOUR FREE LINKEDIN ASSESSMENT HERE

In this episode:

Why LinkedIn is relevant for independent retail store owners
How to build a targeted local network of up to 30,000 connections
The power of using your personal profile to boost your business’ online presence
Tips for creating attraction marketing content that solves customer problems
Strategies for showcasing community involvement and building trust
The importance of sharing behind-the-scenes content and personal stories
How to leverage LinkedIn's free features without paying for premium services
Step-by-step guide to optimizing your LinkedIn profile for local business
Ways to integrate community events and promotions into your LinkedIn strategy

GET YOUR FREE LINKEDIN ASSESSMENT HERE:

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:17 - LinkedIn for Independent Retail Store Owners

00:02:29 - Scott's Background in Storefront Business Ownership

00:05:09 - The Importance of LinkedIn for Retail Businesses

00:06:07 - Local Business Success Story on LinkedIn

00:09:00 - Building a Local Network on LinkedIn

00:10:16 - Leveraging LinkedIn for Community Building

00:11:48 - Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile

00:12:27 - Content Strategy for Retail Business Owners

00:14:19 - Attraction Marketing on LinkedIn

00:17:05 - Using Video Content Effectively

00:19:40 - Importance of Community Involvement

00:21:26 - Utilizing LinkedIn Groups for Local Connections

00:22:56 - Personal vs. Business Profiles on LinkedIn

00:25:08 - Consistency and Effort in LinkedIn Marketing

00:25:28 - Scott's Free Programs and Resources

00:27:34 - Why Main Street Matters

Connect with Scott Aaron

Scott’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottaaroncoach/

His podcast - Networking and Marketing Made Simple

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/networking-and-marketing-made-simple/id1719117825

Scott's Websites

Personal

The Time To Grow

Scott’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottaaronlinkedin

Connect with Us:

Main Street Matters Podcast:

Website: www.mainstreetmatters.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mainstreetmatters1

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/main-street-matters

YouTube:

FULL DISCLOSURE: this is NOT a paid spot for Scott. We just think the information is that important for you and wanted to point out many of the free resources Scott pulls together for you.

In this episode:

Why LinkedIn is relevant for independent retail store owners
How to build a targeted local network of up to 30,000 connections
The power of using your personal profile to boost your business’ online presence
Tips for creating attraction marketing content that solves customer problems
Strategies for showcasing community involvement and building trust
The importance of sharing behind-the-scenes content and personal stories
How to leverage LinkedIn's free features without paying for premium services
Step-by-step guide to optimizing your LinkedIn profile for local business
Ways to integrate community events and promotions into your LinkedIn strategy

GET YOUR FREE LINKEDIN ASSESSMENT HERE:

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:17 - LinkedIn for Independent Retail Store Owners

00:02:29 - Scott's Background in Storefront Business Ownership

00:05:09 - The Importance of LinkedIn for Retail Businesses

00:06:07 - Local Business Success Story on LinkedIn

00:09:00 - Building a Local Network on LinkedIn

00:10:16 - Leveraging LinkedIn for Community Building

00:11:48 - Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile

00:12:27 - Content Strategy for Retail Business Owners

00:14:19 - Attraction Marketing on LinkedIn

00:17:05 - Using Video Content Effectively

00:19:40 - Importance of Community Involvement

00:21:26 - Utilizing LinkedIn Groups for Local Connections

00:22:56 - Personal vs. Business Profiles on LinkedIn

00:25:08 - Consistency and Effort in LinkedIn Marketing

00:25:28 - Scott's Free Programs and Resources

00:27:34 - Why Main Street Matters

Connect with Scott Aaron

Scott’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottaaroncoach/

His podcast - Networking and Marketing Made Simple

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/networking-and-marketing-made-simple/id1719117825

Scott's Websites

Personal

The Time To Grow

Scott’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottaaronlinkedin

Connect with Us:

Main Street Matters Podcast:

Website: www.mainstreetmatters.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mainstreetmatters1

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/main-street-matters

YouTube:

Previous Episode

BUY Local or BYE Local: Why Shopping Local is Your Community's Lifeline | EP 17

When you buy from a chain store or online, the money leaves your community instantly. When you buy local, that same dollar circulates 3.5 times in your community. That's not just business - that's your town's future.

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Terresa Zimmerman and Peter Rose, co-owner of Chelsea Group in Wyandotte, Michigan, shares his family's 80-year retail journey and delivers an important, maybe even urgent, message about the importance of shopping local. From his grandfather's humble beginnings as a Boy Scout supplier in 1943 to today's retail challenges, Peter reveals how local businesses are the heartbeat of thriving communities and why every purchase decision matters.

What You'll Get in This Episode:- How did a single store in 1943 grow into 23 stores across Detroit, and why did they return to two stores today?- What's the story behind the women's store transformation from "The Empire Room" to "Willow Tree"? - What made Wyandotte's three menswear stores on one block work together instead of compete? - Why does Peter choose in-person service over online sales? - How has Chelsea Group managed to maintain relevance across multiple generations of shoppers and staff? - What's the "beach ball" analogy and how does it relate to local business health? - Why does buying local bring 3.5 times more impact than shopping at national chains? - What challenges do local retailers face with tariffs and staffing today? - How did Peter promote local shopping through writing and the "Love Wyandotte" initiative? - Despite modern retail challenges, what's driving the business's recent growth?Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:50 - The history of Chelsea Group03:04 - The transition from Boy Scout supplier to menswear06:08 - The rise and fall of the business10:19 - The impact of malls and national chains15:16 - Peter's first buying trip22:32 - The role of technology in retail28:55 - The importance of local community and Main Street35:48 - The American Independent Business Alliance44:36 - The future of local retail and challenges ahead

Featured Store:

Chelsea Group –

Chelsea Menswear and Willow Tree women’s boutique

Peter Rose – Owner

2944 Biddle, Wyandotte, MI 48192

+1.734.282.7755

https://www.chelseamenswear.com/

https://www.instagram.com/chelseamenswear

https://www.instagram.com/willowtreewyandotte/

https://www.willowtreefashions.com/

Mentions in this episode:

American Independent Business Alliance

https://amiba.net/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-independent-business-alliance/

Institute for Local Self-Reliance

https://ilsr.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/institute-for-local-self-reliance/posts/?feedView=all

Connect with Us:

Main Street Matters Podcast:

Website: www.mainstreetmatters.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mainstreetmatters1

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/main-street-matters

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@MainStreetMatters_MSM

Host - Terresa Zimmerman:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/terresachristensonzimmerman

Next Episode

Family Business Success How Adrian Jules Built a 60-Year Custom Tailoring Legacy | EP 19

"When you buy from Main Street, you're buying from the community, you're helping the community."

In this episode of Main Street Matters, host Terresa Zimmerman interviews Matthew Roides, Director of Operations at Adrian Jules. Matthew shares the inspiring 60-year journey of his family's custom tailoring business. Founded by his Italian immigrant grandfather who arrived in America with just $33, Adrian Jules has grown into a respected name in luxury menswear with both wholesale and retail operations. Matthew discusses how the business maintains its commitment to American-made craftsmanship with over 70 employees in Rochester, NY, while adapting to changing fashion trends and customer preferences. He reveals how a personal tragedy inspired him to join the family business, the challenges of finding skilled craftspeople, and how creating genuine relationships with customers has been central to their decades of success.

In this episode:-The founding story of Adrian Jules and its growth over the decades.

-The unique challenges and rewards of running a multi-generational family business.

-How Adrian Jules balances wholesale and retail operations.

-The importance of maintaining high standards and craftsmanship in the garment industry.

-Matthew's personal journey from aspiring physician assistant to leading the family business.

-The significance of "Made in America" in their brand identity.

-Insights into the future of the garment industry and the importance of community and Main Street businesses.

Are you an independent retailer looking to build your own multi-generational legacy? Subscribe to Main Street Matters for more inspiring stories and practical business advice from successful store owners. Share your thoughts on today's episode in the comments or on social media using #MainStreetMatters.

Connect With Matthew Roides:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-roides/

http://adrianjules.com/

Adrian Jules

Retail

https://adrianjulescustomclothier.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ajcustomsuits/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-TkHdj-BqVWqvl89HmYz4g

https://www.linkedin.com/company/adrian-jules-custom-clothier/

Wholesale

https://www.adrianjulesltd.com/

https://www.instagram.com/adrianjules__ltd/