Local shoppers can become a business’s most loyal customers by helping to spread the word about the business to other community members. It is therefore important that companies establish these local connections at an early stage to see the best results from local marketing.
To help businesses create more meaningful interactions with local community members, a panel of Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) members answered the following question:
“What’s one way to have more personal or one-on-one interactions with your audience in local marketing? How does this affect your relationship with them?”
Here are their top recommendations.
1. Find keywords related to your region
“Always optimize your site for local SEO. An SEO tool takes care of the technical side, but you also want to use keywords related to your region. Make sure your business location is clearly stated on your website or you can even add a line like “serving Boston since 1912.” This way, local users are more likely to find and interact with you, knowing your business is close by.” † Benjamin Rojas† All in one SEO
2. Write personalized responses to customers
“If you have a Google My Business profile and customers rate you online, respond to those reviews with personal messages without violating confidentiality. You want to avoid generic responses like ‘Thank you for your review’ and instead make it more personal by including what it was like when you first met and how their lives had improved after you worked with you.” † Givelle Laman† Law firm Lamano
3. Join the Community
“The best way to make personal connections with local customers is to participate in community events, such as state fairs, farmers’ markets and expos held by local schools and universities. If you find a way to sponsor these events or participate in a large gathering where you can set up a booth to talk to attendees, you can position your organization as a staple in the community.” † Bryce Welker† The CPA Exam Man
4. Host Social Media Q&A Sessions
“One way to have more personal interaction with your audience is to have regular question-and-answer sessions on social media. This way you can communicate directly with your followers and answer their questions in real time. Plus, Q&A sessions are a great way to build trust with your followers and add more human interest to your brand.” † Syed Balkan† WPBeginner
5. Promote personalized services
“If you’re going to market locally, you can offer a face-to-face option. Because the world remains more virtual than ever before, nothing can replace a handshake and a person a few doors away.” † Mary Harcourt† CosmoGlo
6. Take reels to the street
“Mark locally with Instagram or Facebook Reels and take them to the streets by visiting your favorite local vendors and cafes. We have always made it part of our culture to regularly visit local businesses and interact with them through social media. It’s a great way to market locally and also help local businesses grow.” † Matthew Capala† alphametric
7. Interaction through personal events
“One way to have more one-on-one interactions with your audience is to offer in-person performances and events. People love to meet and interact with the experts they follow, so it’s a great way to get closer to your fans and followers. You can also use social media to create a more personal connection with your audience by responding to comments and questions and sharing content behind the scenes.” † Blair Williams† Members Press
8. Reach Your Social Media Followers
“If you want to have more personal interaction with your audience, reach out to them through social media. Ask them to reply to your message with a comment or suggestion. Answer their questions and give them links back to your website. This creates a stronger bond between you and your audience, so you can convert them into paying customers.” † Stephanie Wells† Formidable shapes
9. Connect their digital experiences with personal experiences
“You can interact more personally with your local audience by giving them a promo code that they can activate in-store by mentioning the deal to your cashier. These small but important interactions will help you bond with local customers, which will undoubtedly lead to more sales and engagement opportunities.” † John Brackett† Smash Balloon LLC
10. Go where your customers go
“One of the best ways to know your customers is by being where they are: at events, trade shows and concerts. Depending on where you are, you can have conversations about the product, get instant feedback and, best of all, hear what they would like to see from your brand. This is one of the best ways to build a brand because it shows you care and build solutions for them.” † Candice Georgiadis† digital day
11. Invite them to your store
“Invite them to call or visit a nearby store. Use your digital ads as lead generators to ultimately drive local foot traffic. That way, you can showcase your products and services in person, giving you a deeper understanding of their advantages and advantages over competitors. This goes a long way because it is easier to be persuasive in face-to-face interactions.” † Firas Kittanehu† Amerisleep mattress
Image: Depositphotos
