How to Reach Your Local Audience on Instagram

You are swiping through Instagram all the time, but do you know HOW to reach a local audience with your content?

Social media connects people all over the world.
So how does a location-based business attract the RIGHT audience in your geographic area on social?

Below we explore key strategies to reach your local audience on Instagram.

# Use the Right Hashtags and Incorporate Keywords in Your Captions

Are you aware that the Instagram algorithm analyzes every single thing you share? Brace yourself, because here’s a mind-blowing fact: this algorithm can even decipher if your hashtags align with your post. But don’t be alarmed; you can actually leverage this to your advantage. By incorporating local hashtags of the city where your business is based, you can greatly improve the visibility of your posts within your local community. We also recommend using audience-relevant keywords in your post captions AND your Instagram bio to increase your discoverability with a geo-targeted, interest-based audience. It certainly helps to know who your Ideal Customer is.

# Create Partnerships and Tag Local Businesses

Your business is likely surrounded by an amazing community of other local businesses. Why not engage in meaningful conversations and nurture partnerships with these businesses to expand your reach? Let’s say you own a coffee shop and source your flowers from a local nursery. Snap a picture of their floral arrangement in your shop and give them a shout-out by tagging their business in the post. Consider engaging with local bloggers or influencers about featuring your business in collaborative posts. Showcasing the joint efforts between you and other local businesses in your content can increase your reach within your community. By featuring their products alongside yours, you create a win-win situation that promotes each other’s offerings and fosters a sense of local support.

# Use The Location Geotag in Posts

Location is key! Make sure to incorporate your location wherever possible. Every post gives you the option to include a specific location, so be sure to add your business’s location. Plus, optimize your Instagram profile by including your physical address & other business information. By including your location, store hours, and contact details, you can attract new customers AND make it easier for them to find and connect with your business.

# Follow and Engage With Local Accounts

Don’t overlook the “social” part of social media marketing. To be successful on social media, engage with your ideal customers, competitors, and other local businesses. Being SOCIAL is an integral, and yet often overlooked, part of successful social media marketing. Build a network of local businesses and regularly like, comment, and support their social media accounts. This will help Instagram show your content to your local audience. Plus, when you support local businesses, they will support you back.

# Encourage Customers to Share Pictures

Get your customers involved to amplify your reach. Encourage your audience to post pictures of your business or products and tag you. Get their permission to repost their content on your feed. Consider adding an incentive to gathering user-generated content (UGC). For example, run a month-long contest where participants have a chance to win a gift card when they tag your business on their posts at your location. Once you select a winner, be sure to take a photo together and announce the lucky winner on social media. This not only keeps your audience engaged but also creates a sense of excitement, especially if you opt for an ongoing giveaway.

# Run Location Based Targeted Ads

Ads can significantly enhance your marketing campaign. Consider running an Instagram ad specifically designed to target a local audience. Set your campaign goal to increase profile visits, which will help expand your audience base. By combining an ad campaign with the strategies mentioned above, you can effectively attract a local audience to your business and maximize your marketing efforts.

Now it’s time to take action and build a successful strategy to attract a local audience through social media marketing.