San Francisco local marketing, from the Lunar New Year parade to Fleet Week.

San Francisco Travel counted 23.1 million visitors and $8.8 billion in visitor spending in 2023, and the city's events steer much of that traffic. The Chinese New Year Parade arrives in February. Bay to Breakers runs from the bay to the ocean in May. Pride fills late June. Outside Lands and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass take over Golden Gate Park in August and early October, and Fleet Week brings ships and air shows to the waterfront. Restaurants, bars, hotels, retailers and transport businesses should schedule campaigns and Business Profile posts for each, weeks ahead.

Long-standing businesses have a marketing asset newer ones lack. The city's Legacy Business Registry recognizes more than 400 businesses that have operated in San Francisco for 30 years or more. If you are on it, say so in your profile, your ads and your posts; if you qualify and have not applied, it may be worth a look. Customers in a city of constant change respond to businesses that have stayed.

Underneath, the weekly work: a complete Google Business Profile with accurate hours and recent photos, a review request after every visit or job, replies within a day, and Google Ads targeted to the neighborhoods you serve. Contractors should remember that California requires the license number in all advertising. Expect a fee from $575 a month, depending on how much there is to manage, with ad spend paid to the platform directly.