The number one thing small businesses tell us they want help with is marketing. A small business can use a number of techniques to reach their customers. Here’s a guide to just a few, including some City resources to help you connect with the community.

Social Media

If you are having a grand opening, celebrating a milestone anniversary, or you have another piece of big news that would interest the general community, you may be able to get featured on the City’s social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for free.

Contact us to learn more about how the City might be able to feature your event in the City’s social media activities.

Burien Magazine

The Burien Magazine is sent four times per year to every household and business in Burien. With a devoted readership and articles translated in Spanish and Vietnamese, advertising in the City’s Burien Magazine gives your business exposure to a wide-reaching and diverse audience. To have your business featured in the Burien Magazine, contact the City's advertising representative Greg Borland at greg.borland@philipspublishing.com. 

Business Networks

Many businesses understand that even in today’s digital world, word of mouth recommendations and relationships are what drive customers to their door. Making connections within the local business community can be an effective means to marketing your business. Burien has a couple of business groups that may help you connect.

• Discover Burien is a local nonprofit dedicated to economic development and community engagement. Discover Burien showcases businesses by running many of the city’s events that draw thousands of people and inviting businesses to participate via sponsorship or vendor booths. Discover Burien puts on some of the community’s favorite special events such as the weekly Farmers Market, the Father’s Day Car Show, and Boo in Burien (just to name a few) that really draw the crowds.

• The Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce is a regional not for profit business organization that serves the communities of Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac, and Tukwila. In addition to a variety of membership benefits, the Chamber of Commerce offers legislative advocacy and numerous networking, marketing, and sponsorship opportunities to its business members.

Training and Classes

The rules of search engine optimization and social media advertising seem to change every minute making it hard for the average business owner to stay up to date. The good news is there are resources to make sure that you and your business aren’t left behind.

• The Small Business Development Center at Highline College offers classes and one-on-one assistance and is often available free-of-charge to Burien businesses.
• The Greater Seattle SCORE office provides experienced business mentors who can work with you one-on-one, along with workshops and webinars to meet your various business needs.
• The Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC) has a number of resources for marketing and research.
• If you don’t have time to attend a training or class and are interested in learning more about how you can effectively market your business, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has guides and instructional videos on marketing and other topics.