Social Media Marketing for Local Businesses: How to Stand Out in Your Town

Tia Bonfield
Jul 25
3 min read

Let’s be real for a second: competing with big brands on social media can feel like showing up to a red carpet event in your everyday jeans. But here's the thing: you’ve got the hometown advantage.

And that’s powerful.

While the big guys are busy chasing millions of followers, you get to build real connections with real people in your own backyard — the ones who can walk into your store, book your service, or shout your name at the next community event.

So how do you turn your small-town presence into a big-time social media win?

Let’s break it down. 🍔📲

🧠 Step 1: Know Your Local Audience (Like, Really Know Them)

You’re not marketing to the whole internet. You’re marketing to Jen down the street, the guy who owns the gym, and the PTA parents who love a good brunch spot.

Think:

What do they care about?
What local slang, humor, or references can you use?
What problems can you solve for them TODAY?

📌 Tip: You don’t need to go viral. You just need to go relevant.

📸 Step 2: Show Off Your Local Flavour

Stop trying to look like a corporate brand with sterile stock images. You're a local legend in the making — own it!

Post what makes your biz you.

The quirky sign outside your shop
The local team you sponsor
Your grandma’s secret recipe that made it onto the menu
That one loyal customer who’s family now

💡 People don’t just buy products. They buy stories. They buy familiarity. They buy YOU.

📍 Step 3: Geo-Tag Everything (Yes, Everything)

If you're not using location tags and hashtags like #DallasEats or #MelbourneMoms, you're missing out on easy reach.

When you tag your town, neighbourhood, or local events, you make it ridiculously easy for nearby folks to discover you.

📌 Tip: Make a list of 10–15 local hashtags and rotate them in your posts and stories.

🫶 Step 4: Engage Like a Neighbour, Not a Brand

Don’t just post and ghost. This is social media — you gotta be social.

Try this:

Comment on other local biz posts
Shout out your favorite coffee shop or barber
Run a local giveaway with a nearby partner
Start a series like “Customer of the Week” or “Our Favorite Local Finds”

💬 Think of your feed like the digital version of waving hello at the supermarket. Show up. Say hey.

🛍️ Step 5: Make It Stupid-Easy to Buy or Book

Local folks don’t want to work hard to give you money. So tell them exactly what to do next.

Your bio should have:

A clear description of what you offer
A direct link to book/order/contact you
Location info (bonus points for a pinned post or highlight with hours, parking tips, etc.)

📌 Tip: Use Linktree, Stan, or a simple link-in-bio tool to guide people to the good stuff in one click.

🥳 Bonus: Be Part of the Local Hype

Jump on community trends. Share your reaction to local news. Make fun of the weather everyone’s complaining about. (Yes, we’re looking at you, heatwave memes.)

You’re not just a business. You’re part of the vibe of the town.