It stands to reason that content marketing would be an excellent way to market your business online. But can it help you if you are a local business?

You may be surprised to find that the answer is yes. The trick is in geo-targeting this technique for a local target market.

Your local customers are searching for solutions to their problems online, many of which require a local solution and therefore a local business. That could be you! But how do you show up in their search results? You make sure that your content is locally focused, Here are some pointers.

Answer Burning Questions…with a Local Business Twist

What keeps your target market up at night? What are they combing the Internet in search of answers?

Be locally specific. What would a potential customer be looking for a local business like yours to solve their problem?

For example, let’s say your target market suffers from allergies. They might be looking for a local allergy professional to help them. Your content could focus on specific allergens found in your geographic area. Or what is unique about treating allergies in your city or county.

Another example: Let’s say your target market is looking for an auto repair professional. Are there things that a car owner needs to keep an eye out for when they live in your city? Auto care is slightly different in different climates, so use that to your advantage.

Find Out What They’re Searching For Locally

One way to find out what your target market might be looking for is to do some keyword research.

When doing your research, be sure to include your location. For example, if you offer allergy relief, then you might research keywords and phrases such as “[your city] allergies” and “[your state] allergy.”

Keep an eye out for keywords and phrases with decent search volumes of about 50 or more Google daily estimated searches. This will assure you that your content is more likely to have a good amount of traffic.

Once you know what the burning questions are, you can answer them in your article. Better yet, create an opt-in bonus that answers the question at a deeper level and use the article to tease them with part of the answer. Your resource box then points them to your more developed answer to their burning question. This will help you grow your list of local prospects.

Optimize Your Content for Your Chosen Key Word Phrase

Now, to make sure that your article is found, you’ll need to optimize it for the keyword phrase. So, let’s say you’ve chosen to write your article about “[your city] weather.”

The first thing you need to do is include that phrase as early in your article title as possible. For example: “[Your City] Weather and Your Shoes” or “[Your City] Pet Sitting: How To Choose the Right Sitter for Your Pet.”

Then you need to use the keyword phrase in your article a few times. I should be included in your first paragraph, as well as sprinkled throughout the content. Include it in one or two of the sub-headers, as well. Just be sure to not overdo it. About once for every 150 to 175 words is a good goal.

Using these quick local content marketing tips, you can develop several articles to post to on your site, as well as guest posts on other people’s sites, and start driving focused traffic to your website or offer.

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