Free Local Advertising in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

If you have lived in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida (a very popular place of Gulf Coast Tourism) for any length of time, then you have heard of SoWal. But, if you are new to the area (as we were last year), and looking to advertise, you need to know that SoWal is a web forum that is visited by thousands - mainly natives to the area that use it as more of a social networking site. If you want to get the word out for any new or existing business, grand opening, party, garage sale, job opportunity, sale or service this is the place to do it.

Last year we moved to town and opened a small business. I had seen the SoWal bumper stickers all over. In fact, I used it to gauge if someone was local or visiting. If they had the sticker, they were local. All locals seemed to be a fan and freely advertise their love for SoWal. But, I had no idea what it was. I assumed it stood for South Walton...which is our county.

I didn't realize it was the most popular networking site on the web for locals and long standing tourist and the online place to go for info from Destin to Panama City. It was a 13 year old boy, a friend of our sons, who let us know. His sell was convincing and soon we learned that kids to senior "snow birds" used the site to stay connected to "what's going on" in the area. Sure enough, we were able to advertise our business free and generate awareness and traffic - way more than we expected. (And it wasn't long before the SoWal sticker was on every car and bike we own!)

Expect Local Outreach
Natives to the area use SoWal for anything from email to discovering current events and news. Locals post pictures of the rumored bear they saw in their back yard, or the shark they saw kayaking. If you want to know what happened last night....long on to SoWal!

In addition, there are many-a-happy forum to discuss newbie's, local bands, restaurant specials, beach parties and wine tastings. If anything happening is worth happening, someone has posted a comment, link or plug on SoWal.

Reoccurring Tourists Know SoWal
Many tourists in the area which substantially feed local businesses seem to be year-over-year vacationers. They have been coming since their grandmother came in the 50's - except, now...they bring their whole college fraternity, or their own spouse and children. These young adults know SoWal. They go on the site for what to do, where the band is, where the happy hour specials are, when the next marathon is, what time the art show starts, etc. Reoccurring tourists rely on SoWal weeks in advance, because they know it will give them the inside scoop!

What is this SoWal?
If you are visiting for the first time and have no clue what this is...it wouldn't be long before you start wondering. The bumper sticker is literally on every other local car and offered for free at every local store counter - so you too, can have a sticker of your own. So, even a first time guest would ask..."What is this SoWal?" This question will lead them to a happening portal of information and free advertising used throughout the Panhandle as a "GO TO."

If you are looking to advertise anything from Pensacola to Tallahassee, you definitely want to sign on, sign up free...and explore the best free advertising port in the Panhandle: SoWal!