If you run a small, local business, you may feel like there’s only so much you can cover on your blog. After you’ve created content about your products and services, your company’s origins and issues affecting your industry, you may feel like you’re tapped out of new ideas.
Don’t give up just yet. The best SEO content writers know how to think creatively to open up new opportunities to create blog posts and other content that resonates with the target audiences of locally based businesses.
Below are three tips to get you thinking about your approach to local SEO content:
1) Share local news
People care about what’s happening in their communities—especially in their neighborhoods. SEO content writers use this to their advantage, keeping tabs on all local news sources, including daily and weekly newspapers, online news publications, local blogs and the websites of TV and radio stations. They also follow news outlets and blogs on Facebook and Twitter so that they can stay up to date on pertinent news items.
If a story grabs your attention, it’s likely to catch the interest of your local customers, as well. You can “cover” the news on your own blog, linking to the original source and even offering comments or insights of your own.
Imagine you own a coffee shop, and your neighborhood association has just received a grant to improve streetscaping throughout the community. You can provide a quick summary of the news (again, linking to the source) and write a few paragraphs on how you think the grant will affect both your business and others in the neighborhood.
While you likely don’t want to get too political or dive into hyper-controversial issues, this is a fantastic way to maintain ties to your city or neighborhood and demonstrate the fact that you’re a positive and engaged member of the community.
2) Profile your staff
Every one of us has a story to tell. You can personalize your business by showcasing to your customers the people behind it.
From time to time, focus some content on a member of your staff, either through a profile piece or in a Q&A format. Write about that individual’s role within your company and the impact he or she has on your customers on a daily basis. You might also cover staff members’ backgrounds and what they like to do in their spare time.
Many customers will choose to do business with local people they know and trust, even if it costs them a little extra money. Letting them get to know your staff will make them feel a connection to your business, leaving them more likely to seek your products or services.
3) Get involved locally
In most communities, you’ll be able to find local events in which you can take part, either through a sponsorship or by simply attending like anyone else. You don’t necessarily have to promote your business at these events—although there certainly may be opportunities for you to do so.
No matter how you participate, be sure to cover the event on your blog. In fact, this is an important strategy local SEO content writers use all the time, as it highlights how a business owner is involved in its community and connects a brand to positive local events.
To start, check community calendars to see if there are any concerts, festivals, parades or street fairs happening in your area. When you attend an event, take a few photos with your smartphone so that you can post them to your blog, along with a write-up about the event and the impact it had on you.
As you can see, there’s really no limit to the locally focused content you can develop for your company blog. There are always community events, local news items and staff members to highlight, along with various other topics.
If you could use a little help with your digital marketing efforts, consider working with a team of local SEO content writers. These professionals can ghostwrite your content and provide you with a steady stream of compelling material you can post to your blog, social media profiles and various other platforms.
ProPRcopy staffs dozens of skilled, U.S.-based content writers and editors, many of whom have subject-specific expertise.