However, with evolving digital tools and marketing techniques, there are now more effective ways than ever to connect with potential customers right in your community. Let's review proven tactics and strategies to help your business generate more local leads, ensuring sustained growth and success.
Create Multiple Lead Magnets
Prospects won’t offer their contact information without a compelling reason, which is why your business needs lead generation offers, aka ‘lead magnets.’ Essentially, a lead magnet is an offer or incentive that gets people to give their contact information.
There are many types of lead magnets, such as a free sample, guide, discount, and more. Provide multiple relevant and enticing lead magnets to capture a wider portion of your target audience.
Craft Effective Landing Pages
The purpose of a landing page is to encourage visitors to take a specific action. Each lead magnet should have its own dedicated landing page to effectively communicate your offer so visitors are more likely to become local leads.
Furthermore, make sure your landing page follows
best practices to increase conversions, such as a user-friendly design, mobile responsiveness, compelling copy and visuals, and a clear call-to-action.
Use Forms to Capture Information
Sign-up forms that are concise and easy to fill out are great for capturing contact information from local leads and following up with them. To take it a step further, place them in a
sales funnel that nurtures them from a lead to a customer.
Forms are also highly versatile as they can be used in various places, such as a landing page, popup, or social media, like Facebook’s lead ads.
Having a strong online presence is essential for helping local customers find your business. By
improving your local SEO, your business is more likely to appear in search engine results, driving leads to your website. Here are some local SEO strategies:
- Local Keywords: Incorporate local keywords into your website content, meta descriptions, and titles. For example, "plumber in [your city]" or "best coffee shop in [your neighborhood]."
- NAP Consistency: Ensure your name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across all online directories and your website.
- Local Backlinks: Obtain backlinks from local websites, such as local news sites, bloggers, or business directories.
- Create Location-Specific Pages: If you serve multiple areas, create dedicated pages for each location with relevant content.
Use Social Media to Target Local Audiences
Social media platforms offer excellent opportunities to connect with local audiences. However, it's not enough to simply post content and respond to comments — a diversified
social media marketing strategy is key to reaching leads:
- Social Media Ads: Use Facebook, Instagram, and other social platforms to run ads targeting specific locations.
- Engage with Local Hashtags: Use and follow local hashtags to increase visibility and engage with your local community.
- Join Local Groups: Participate in local Facebook groups or community forums to share your expertise and build relationships.
- Run a Contest: A contest, sweepstakes, or giveaway can help you expand your online reach and generate engagement quickly.
Get Out into the Local Community
As a local business, you’re a part of the community, which is why community outreach is essential for building brand awareness and trust to attract more local leads. Building a presence in your local community can generate leads and strengthen your brand:
- Host Workshops or Seminars: Offer free or low-cost workshops related to your industry to showcase your expertise.
- Sponsor Local Events: Sponsor local events, sports teams, or charity activities to increase brand awareness.
- Participate in Trade Shows: Attend and participate in local trade shows or business expos to network with potential customers.
Leverage Local Listings and Reviews
Claim and optimize your business listings on local directories such as Google Business, Yelp, Bing Places, TripAdvisor, and Angi. Encourage satisfied customers to leave your business an online review.
High ratings and positive reviews can significantly impact your local search ranking and attract more leads. But don't leave it up to chance; launch a
customer review strategy to actively improve your online reputation and build trust in your brand.
Implement Localized Content Marketing
Create and share content that speaks directly to your local audience. Not only can localized content increase brand exposure and build relationships in your community, but it also provides local SEO benefits. Here are some content ideas:
- Blog Posts: Write blog posts about local events, news, or topics of interest to your community.
- Local Case Studies and Testimonials: Showcase local success stories or testimonials from satisfied customers.
- Videos and Live Streams: Produce videos or live streams that highlight local culture, events, or behind-the-scenes looks at your business.
Utilize Geotargeted Advertising
Geotargeted
PPC advertising allows you to reach potential leads in specific geographic areas, ensuring your marketing efforts are focused on those most likely to become customers. Platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads offer advanced geotargeting options that let you define your audience by location, down to the city, or even neighborhood level.
By targeting ads to people in your local area, you increase the relevance and effectiveness of your campaigns. Plus, you can tailor your ad content to reflect local events, interests, and needs, making your messages more relatable and compelling.
Partner with Local Influencers and Businesses
Collaborating with local influencers and complementary businesses can significantly expand your reach and credibility within the community. Local influencers have a dedicated following and can promote your offers to their audience, increasing visibility and trust.
Additionally, partnering with other businesses that share a similar target market allows for mutual referrals and co-branded promotions, benefiting both parties.
Offer Virtual Consultations and Services
In the post-pandemic world, many people still prefer virtual interactions. Offer virtual consultations or services to attract leads who are more comfortable engaging online. This expands your reach and convenience for potential leads while communicating to prospects that you're at the forefront of technology.
The Takeaway: Innovate Your Lead Generation Strategy
Businesses that rely on local customers can't depend on just a handful of strategies to generate high-quality leads. It's vital to embrace innovation in your approach to lead generation to not only survive but thrive in 2024 and beyond. By implementing these tactics, your business can attract more local leads, increase sales, and foster lasting relationships within your community.
Book a free discovery call with our Orlando sales and marketing experts to transform your lead generation into a fine-tuned system.
This post was originally published in February 2020 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.