Don’t Go Viral — Go Local: How to Win Your Neighborhood with Video
Hey there, amazing small business owners! Linda Donnelly here, from Business Solutions Marketing Group. For over ten years, my team and I have been like your secret marketing superheroes, helping businesses just like yours get noticed and make more money. We’ve seen a lot of changes in how people find businesses. And one thing that stays super important: being found by the people right around you!
You know that big dream everyone talks about? “Going viral!” It sounds exciting, right? Millions of views, overnight fame! But for most local businesses like a cozy coffee shop in Camp Hill, or a fantastic auto repair shop, going viral might not even help much. A million views from people in, say, California, won’t bring them to your local store. What you really need are customers who live close by!
That’s why today, we’re talking about something far more powerful for local businesses: Don’t Go Viral — Go Local! We’re going to dive into how you can use the amazing power of video to win your neighborhood. We’ll look at secret strategies that use local words, famous spots in your town, and happy customer stories to bring people straight to your door.
This isn’t just theory. Video is huge! Did you know that 87% of businesses are now using video as a marketing tool [HubSpot, 2024 Video Marketing Report]? That’s almost everyone! But here’s a secret: most of them aren’t using video the right way to win locally. That’s where you come in! We’re going to change that for your business.
Why Local Video Marketing is Your Best Bet for Neighborhood Wins!
You might be thinking, “Video? For my small business? Isn’t that for big companies?” Nope! Video is for everyone now. And when it comes to local customers, it’s truly your secret weapon.
- People are searching locally, all the time! Think about it: when you need something right now, like a “plumber near me” or “Camp Hill bakery,” you pull out your phone, right? Most of these searches are local. And they mean business! A whopping 88% of consumers who do a local search on their smartphone engage with a business within 24 hours – whether it’s a call, a website visit, or walking through their door. Video helps you stand out in those searches.
- Video grabs attention like nothing else. Our brains love video! It’s easy to watch. It tells a story quickly. It shows things. In today’s busy world, a quick video can say more than a whole page of words. Businesses that use video get way more attention. In fact, 91% of consumers want to see more video content from brands [HubSpot, 2024 Video Marketing Report]. That’s almost everyone asking for it! If you want people in your neighborhood to choose you, video is the way to get their eyes on your business.
- Most local businesses aren’t doing it right (yet!) – that’s your chance! Here’s a little secret: while everyone knows video is important, not many local businesses are using it strategically. They might post a random video here or there, but they’re not using it to truly win their neighborhood. This is your amazing opportunity! By using video smartly, you can pull way ahead of your local competition. It’s a gold mine waiting for you.
- Video builds trust faster. When people see you, your team, and your business in a video, they feel like they know you. It builds trust! You can show off your friendly faces, your clean store, or how you make your amazing products. This connection makes people in your neighborhood feel comfortable choosing you. They see you as a real person, not just a name online. This kind of trust is priceless for local businesses.
So, how do we make sure your videos are hitting the mark for your neighborhood? It’s all about being smart with a few key strategies.
Winning Your Neighborhood with Video: Smart Keyword Choices!
- What are local keywords? These are the words and phrases people type into Google when they’re looking for something nearby. Think “pizza Dallas,” “plumber near me,” “best salon New York,” or “boutique dress shop downtown.” They are very specific to your area.
- Why are they important for video? Google tries to understand everything in your video. It reads the titles. It reads the descriptions. And it even “listens” to the words you say in the video! So, by using local keywords in the right places, you tell Google exactly who you are and where you are, helping it show your video to the right local people.
- How to use them in your videos:
- Video Titles & Descriptions: This is the easiest place! Make sure your video title includes your main local keyword (e.g., “Best Coffee Shop in Camp Hill – Linda’s Beans”). Your video description should also have your business name, address, phone number (NAP!), and other local keywords. This is super important for YouTube videos and videos you upload to your Google Business Profile.
- Spoken Words in the Video: When you talk in your video, naturally say your business name, your town, and the services you offer. For example, “Welcome to [Your Business Name], proudly serving the Camp Hill community!” or “We’re located right here on [Main Street] in Camp Hill!” This helps both people and Google know exactly where you are.
- Video File Names: Before you even upload your video, give the file a name that includes your keywords, like “camp-hill-bakery-best-cupcakes.mp4.” It’s a tiny step, but it helps!
- Statistics that show why keywords matter:
- Local keywords are critical! Almost half (46%) of all Google searches have a “local intent” [Search Engine Journal]. That means people are looking for something near them. Your videos need to speak that language!
- Businesses that focus on local SEO strategies (which includes using local keywords everywhere, even in videos) get 50% of their organic traffic from local searches [Search Engine Land]. That’s a huge slice of the pie!
- Even though video is visual, Google still uses text clues like titles, descriptions, and captions to understand what a video is about [Google Search Central]. So, don’t forget the words!
- Tips from Linda:
- Think like your customer! What would they type into Google if they needed your product or service right now in your town? Use those exact words.
- Don’t just pick one keyword. Try a few different ones that make sense.
- Be natural! Don’t just stuff keywords in weirdly. Make your video sound like real people talking.
Showcasing Your Neighborhood with Video: Use Local Landmarks!
Winning your neighborhood with video isn’t just about what you say; it’s about what you show! And nothing says “local” quite like showing famous places or well-known spots in your town.
- Why do landmarks work? They’re familiar! When people see a place they know, it instantly makes your business feel more connected to their community. It builds trust. It helps Google understand exactly where your business is. It’s like giving your video a big, friendly “YOU ARE HERE” sign.
- How to feature them in your videos:
- Your Business with a Landmark: Film a quick shot of your storefront with a recognizable Camp Hill building or street in the background (if it’s close enough!). Maybe it’s the Camp Hill clock tower, a specific park, or a famous old building. This immediately connects your business visually to the neighborhood.
- A Quick Tour: Show a short video tour of how to get to your store. “Having trouble finding us? We’re just two blocks from [The Famous Camp Hill Bridge]!” or “After you visit [Local Park], come grab a coffee at our place!”
- Use Local Scenes: If your video is about your business, you can still sprinkle in quick shots of local scenes. Maybe people walking down your town’s main street, or kids playing in a local park. This just screams “local!”
- Statistics that show why visuals matter:
- People remember visuals better than just words! We process images 60,000 times faster than text [3M]. Video is all about powerful visuals.
- When it comes to local search, photos on your Google Business Profile already get 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks to websites. Video takes this even further by giving a moving, engaging picture of your location and atmosphere.
- Google uses visual signals too! By showing local landmarks, you help Google confirm your physical presence in that area, which can boost your “prominence” in local search rankings [Google Search Central – Local SEO]. It’s a powerful way to geographically tag your content.
- Tips from Linda:
- Be authentic! Don’t make it look fake or overly produced. Show real places and real people.
- Pick landmarks that everyone in your town knows, not just tiny ones.
- Mix it up! Don’t just show the same landmark in every video. Vary your scenes.
- Think about how your customers arrive. Show them the route they’d take, or key signs they’ll see.
Real Neighborhood Wins with Video: Customer Testimonials!
You know what’s even better than you saying how great your business is? Your happy customers saying it! And when they say it on video, it’s incredibly powerful. This is how you really build trust and connection in your neighborhood.
- Why testimonials are powerful: People trust other people more than advertisements. It’s just how we are! When a neighbor or someone from your town talks about your business, it’s like a personal recommendation.
- 85% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations [Shapo]. Video testimonials take this to a whole new level!
- Why video testimonials are even better: When you see someone’s face, hear their voice, and see their honest reactions, it feels more real. It’s much harder to fake than just a written review. It builds trust faster than just reading words. You can see their genuine excitement and hear their sincerity!
- In fact, 77% of consumers say they’ve been more convinced to buy a product or service after watching a testimonial video [Wyzowl]. That’s a huge persuasive power!
- How to get them for your local video:
- Ask Happy Customers: The easiest way! When you have a really happy customer, politely ask if they’d be willing to share a quick video testimonial. Make it super easy for them! Maybe just a quick clip on your phone or tablet. You can even offer a small discount or a free treat for their time as a thank you.
- Focus on Local People: Try to get testimonials from people who actually live in your neighborhood or nearby towns. When potential customers see someone from their own community saying good things, it resonates even more. It builds a sense of local pride and community.
- Ask Specific Questions: Don’t just say, “Say something nice!” Ask questions that get them to talk about your services and your local connection: “What did you like most about our [product/service] here in Camp Hill?” or “How did we help you with [specific problem]?” This gets them to use important keywords and give useful details.
- Keep it Short and Genuine: Short, honest testimonials are best. They feel more real and are more likely to be watched all the way through.
- Statistics that show why testimonials matter:
- User-Generated Content (UGC), like customer testimonials, is hugely trusted. 93% of consumers say UGC is more helpful than brand-created content when making buying decisions [Stackla]. Video testimonials are the ultimate UGC!
- Local search relies heavily on reviews and trust signals. Testimonials, especially from local customers, reinforce your prominence in the community, a key factor for Google’s local ranking [Google Search Central – Local SEO]. They add social proof directly to your local online presence.
- Tips from Linda:
- Make sure the lighting is good, and you can hear them clearly in the video.
- Don’t force it! Only ask truly happy customers who genuinely want to share.
- Be incredibly grateful! Always thank them for their time and kind words.
- You can use these testimonials on your website, your social media channels, and especially your Google Business Profile!
Making it Happen: Your Video Marketing Partner
So, we’ve talked a lot about the power of local video: using smart keywords, showing off local landmarks, and getting amazing customer testimonials. These strategies are incredibly powerful for making your business visible, trusted, and chosen by customers right here in your neighborhood. They help you make that big splash in your own small pond!
- Video is a must-have now. It’s no longer just an option for businesses. 91% of businesses are using video as a marketing tool in 2024 [Wyzowl]. If you’re not using video effectively, you’re missing out on serious attention and engagement from your local market.
But doing all this might sound like a lot for a busy small business owner. Creating great videos, knowing where to put keywords, figuring out how to ask customers, keeping it updated on different platforms… it can feel completely overwhelming! You’re busy running your business, right?
That’s exactly why my team and I at Business Solutions Marketing Group are here. We simplify the entire process for you. We are experts in making your online presence shine, especially for local customers. Our programs are designed to take all this off your plate.
We don’t just talk about video; we do video marketing. We create stunning, professional videos that showcase your business, tell your unique story, and grab attention. We also specialize in making sure those videos are perfectly optimized for local search, using all the tips we talked about today – from local keywords and landmarks to featuring those powerful customer testimonials.
And our help doesn’t stop there! We also handle:
- Google Business Listing Optimization: We make sure your entire Google Business Profile is a customer magnet. Every detail is optimized. Remember, a well-maintained GBP is 50% more likely to lead to a purchase [Loopex Digital]. We ensure your hours, services, photos, and posts are all working together to attract more local customers.
- Reputation Management: We help you get a steady stream of new, positive customer reviews. We monitor your reviews across all platforms. We help you craft timely and professional responses (because consumers are 41% more likely to engage with a business that responds to all its reviews [Chatter Research]). This constant engagement builds trust and signals activity to Google.
- Review Removal: And yes, if you have those unfair, fake, or harmful reviews causing problems for your business online, we offer specialized Review Removal services for reviews that violate platform policies. We help protect your star rating and overall online image, ensuring only genuine feedback influences your potential customers.
We cover all the bases to make sure your business is seen, trusted, and chosen by local customers. This is our program, and how we help small businesses everywhere.
Your Local Empire Starts Now!
The days of just putting up a sign and hoping customers walk in are long gone. Today, to truly thrive, you need to be visible where your customers are looking. And more and more, they’re looking online, especially on Google, and they’re watching videos.
Focusing your marketing efforts on your local area with powerful video strategies is not just smart; it’s essential. It builds trust. It boosts your visibility. And most importantly, it brings real, ready-to-buy customers to your door.
So, forget the viral dream. Dream local! Win your neighborhood. It’s closer than you think, and strategically used video is your golden ticket.
Ready to start winning your neighborhood with video?Contact Linda Donnelly and Business Solutions Marketing Group today! Let’s talk about how our expert video marketing and Google Business Listing Optimization services can transform your local business presence and bring you more customers. Visit us at https://businesssolutionsmarketinggroup.com/ to learn more about our program and how we help small businesses everywhere!
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