While the internet can help you reach potential consumers from around the world, most small businesses rely on local or hyper-local customers. So, while general information about social media and content marketing is useful, all the web traffic in the world has little value if the visitors are not likely to buy. Don’t you agree? Today’s article provides useful tips and tricks for utilizing the major social media platforms to attract and convert local customers.
Local Social Media Marketing
1. Facebook – While Facebook has over 1.5 billion users, only a very small percentage live close to your business. Regardless, statistics show that every business can benefit from being on Facebook. In fact, if you can only afford to market yourself on one platform, Facebook is the channel you should focus your attention. Here are some tips for targeting local customers.
- Encourage Check-ins – Every time that a person uses Facebook’s check-in feature, they are providing your business with free visibility within their feed.
- Boost Posts – Facebook’s Ad Manager will guarantee greater exposure, targeting specific demographics including user location.
- Share on Personal Pages – You don’t want to drown your friends and family with posts from your business page. However, sharing important updates on your personal page can increase exposure and engagement.
- Facebook Events – Using Facebook to promote a Customer Appreciation Day, Family Fun Day, or other promotional events can help create buzz. Those invited will continue to receive updates. Plus, when a person clicks that they are attending, the event is seen in their feed.
2. Twitter – For many small businesses, Twitter is hard to understand and a tough nut to crack. Nevertheless, it does have value when you are marketing to a local audience.
- Twitter Lists – This feature gives you the ability to create segmented groups of those who are potential customers, without risking violating Twitter’s aggressive follow rules. Without these lists, you are likely to become just background noise.
- Advanced Search – Using Twitter’s Advanced Search, you can monitor conversations based on specific keywords within a certain number of miles of your location. As a result, you can narrow in on locals who actively discussing your niche.
- Twitter Ads – Much like Facebook, you can promote your profile and tweets based on user data, including their location.
- Local Hashtags – Discovering and using popular local hashtags is a powerful way to attract users to your business by engaging a larger conversation.
3. LinkedIn – Because LinkedIn is a social platform for professionals, the information about users is considered the most accurate. As a consequence, it is easy to find and contact local leads. Moreover, tools like the LinkedIn Sales Navigator are specifically designed to help you communicate with potential customers.
4. Instagram – If you have a strong visible brand, Instagram is a great way to connect with potential customers. What is a strong visible brand? Any product or service that can create great photos or videos, such as fitness, restaurants, real estate, or fashion.
Do you have questions? What haven’t we talked about yet that is important to you? If you would like to talk more about local social media marketing, or a related topic, please contact us.