Marketing Your Alaska Business

Why it matters and how to do it right!

Let’s be honest. You didn’t start your business to become a marketing expert. You started it because you’re great at what you do, whether that’s guiding fishing expeditions, crafting beautiful furniture, or serving the best coffee in your community. But here’s the reality. If people don’t know about your business, they can’t support it. That’s where marketing comes in, and it doesn’t have to be complicated or flashy to work.

Why marketing actually matters

Word of mouth is powerful in Alaska’s tight-knit communities, but even the best word of mouth needs a starting point. Marketing is simply telling your story in a way that reaches the right people at the right time.

Today, most customers begin their journey online. Research shows that 81 percent of consumers look up a business before making a purchase, and businesses with consistent marketing strategies are more than three times as likely to report success. Email marketing alone returns an average of $36 for every dollar spent. Those aren’t abstract statistics. They represent real opportunities for Alaska businesses to be found, chosen, and remembered.

The Alaska angle

Marketing in Alaska isn’t one-size-fits-all. What works in Anchorage may look different in Bethel, Kodiak, or Nome. Alaska businesses succeed when their marketing reflects local identity, seasonal rhythms, and genuine community connection.

Seasonality matters here. Tourism cycles, fishing seasons, weather shifts, and local events shape customer behavior across the state. A strong marketing plan accounts for those changes and aligns promotions with cash flow and capacity. Alaska SBDC advisors can help you build a seasonal marketing calendar that makes sense for your business and your reality.

Community trust matters just as much. Alaskans value authenticity and relationships. Sharing your roots, introducing your team, highlighting partnerships, and showing up for your community all build credibility. Customers often choose local businesses not just for what they sell, but for who they are and how they contribute.

Marketing strategies that work in Alaska

Start with a strong digital foundation. Even if your customers are local, they are still finding you online first.

1. Google Business Profile is essential. Keep your hours, location, photos, and contact information up to date. Respond to reviews and questions so customers know you’re engaged.
2. A simple website goes a long way. Make it easy to understand what you offer, how to reach you, and what makes you different. It doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to be clear and current.
3. Social media works best when it’s focused. Choose one or two platforms where your customers already spend time. Post consistently rather than perfectly. Share behind-the-scenes moments, updates, and stories that feel real.
4. Email marketing keeps you top of mind. Build a list and send regular updates, announcements, or offers. Consistency beats intensity every time.
5. Get listed in the BuyAlaska directory. This no-cost, statewide resource helps customers find Alaska-owned businesses that want to be supported locally. Being listed puts you in front of people who are actively looking to buy Alaska. The SBDC can help you get started.

And don’t overlook offline marketing. In many Alaska communities, radio, local events, print newsletters, bulletin boards, and personal referrals remain powerful tools. Digital strategies are strongest when they’re paired with trusted, community-based outreach.

Accessibility expands your reach

Alaska’s size and connectivity challenges mean accessibility matters. Marketing that works across the state is clear, mobile-friendly, and easy to access, even on slower internet connections. Combining online tools with radio, print, events, and direct outreach helps ensure your message reaches customers wherever they are. This approach is especially important for rural and remote communities, where awareness and trust often drive decisions more than algorithms.

Avoiding common mistakes

Don’t try to do everything at once. Choose two or three channels and do them well. Don’t ignore existing customers. They are often your strongest advocates. And remember, marketing is not a one-time task. It’s an ongoing conversation that builds over time.

Taking the next step

Finding and keeping customers is one of the most common challenges Alaska small businesses report, alongside workforce shortages and rising costs. Marketing support helps address that challenge directly.

The Alaska SBDC has helped thousands of businesses across the state build practical, effective marketing strategies. Through your local center, you have access to market research tools, workshops, planning templates, and one-on-one advising, all at no cost.

Our advisors understand Alaska’s realities, from seasonal fluctuations and rural logistics to the importance of trust and community relationships.

Ready to build a marketing strategy that fits your business and your Alaska reality? Connect with an Alaska SBDC advisor for confidential, no-cost consulting. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Every successful Alaska business started exactly where you are now.

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Sources:

GE Capital Retail Bank, Major Purchase Shopper Study (81% online research statistic)

CoSchedule, 2022 Marketing Strategy Report (3.3x success rate for consistent marketing)

Litmus, Email Marketing ROI Statistics (2024-2025)