We recently surveyed our influencer community to see what they considered the best cities for bloggers to live in – for attending local events and making brand connections. Thanks to the survey we learned a large number The Network Niche influencers live in or close to major cities. They’re frequently invited to attend local events, partner with agencies even host their own in-person events. By creating content with a local focus, they’re able to reach a targeted, loyal readership. We asked our rockstar content creators to share insight on running a successful hyperlocal blog.
Successful Hyperlocal Blog Advice
Create Great Local Content
Pattie Cordova created LatinaMomsOC.com and credits content creation for the blog’s growth with its California audience.
She said: “Latina Moms OC has grown organically through our ability to share our favorite spots to a demographic we believe hasn’t been targeted before – Latinas living in Orange County. We share what we see on the streets, events that we take our families to, and deals that we want our readers to know about. Our audience has stayed with us because we consistently bring to them new places and products that we know they will be interested in knowing about. We also do Facebook Live videos to bring in-the-moment coverage of events.”
Follow Latina Moms of Orange County on Instagram to look at the array of places Pattie and her contributors visit.
Tiffany Haywood of The Mrs. Tee lives near Fayetteville, North Carolina where her local content focus evolved naturally.
She said: “A few ways I started to focus in a bit more intentionally was to work with my city’s Visitor’s Bureau. I took part in a Blogger Tour and maintained that relationship with them beyond that experience. I still attend as many local events as possible. I subscribing to local events on Facebook, follow local brands and businesses on Twitter, Instagram and other social media. These all help me stay ‘in the know’ to what’s happening around me so that I can be as involved as possible.”
Lesli Peterson runs 365 Atlanta Family where one of her most popular posts, Atlanta Area Date Night Ideas, gets 1,000 hits per day thanks to SEO.
She said: “I’ve been able to grow a hyper-local blog into a successful business using SEO – and I’m convinced it’s the reason we’re growing at around 150% year-over-year. SEO is about answering the questions people are asking. It’s not sexy or glamorous…but it works. And it works well. My only advice is to choose carefully from where you learn SEO…it seems like “SEO experts” are a dime a dozen…and most of them are doing it wrong.”
Credit: 365 Atlanta Family
Work with Local PR & Small Businesses
Patricia Hall founded Fairfax Family Fun and often works with local PR agencies and small businesses. She recommends hyperlocal blog owners and content creators pitch for paid promotions locally, keep and up-to-date media kit and partner with local businesses.
“Seek out businesses whose target audience is YOUR target audience, create ad packages and promotions that best serve them, and remember that ultimately you are both trying to serve your readers. If you can connect your readers with these businesses, you can serve as an important link in the community and build a successful and profitable site.”
RELATED TOPIC: Best Cities for Bloggers for Events & Brand Connections
Boost Local Facebook Posts
One of the benefits of the personal information Facebook keeps for marketing, is that advertisers and influencers can use it to grow a successful hyperlocal blog. As a hyperlocal blogger you can boost posts by neighborhood, age and interests.
Have an Exit Strategy
If you lifestyle dictates that you need to move, you don’t have to leave your local blog behind. Consider selling your hyperlocal blog, hiring a part-time staff or re-branding.
Comment below: What’s your favorite thing about running or reading a hyperlocal blog? What are the growth opportunities for growing a local audience.
Click to tweet: How #TheNetworkNiche influencers @365ATLFamily @FFXFamilyFun @LatinaMomsOC @TheMrsTee Run Successful Local Blogs
Our brand partners often ask to work with influencers in major cities like Chicago, Atlanta and New York.
When you join our influencer network we ask about your reach and location to find the best fit for sponsored opportunities.
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