Local Content Optimization with @AnkushMahajann #vcbuzz

Local Content Optimization with @AnkushMahajann With mobile search on the rise, local marketing is becoming even more important as most on-the-go searches relate to finding something nearby.

If you are running (or working for) a local business, how to adapt your content to those local queries to increase your brand exposure to organic search?

Let’s discuss!

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About @AnkushMahajann

@AnkushMahajann works with India’s leading web development company @fatbit_tech.

@AnkushMahajann contributes to @EntrepreneurIND @jeffbullas @B2Community and @hackernoon.

Questions we discussed

Q1 How did you become a digital marketer? Please share your career story!

I am an accidental digital marketer. But once I fell into it, I never looked back.I learned different marketing concepts by reading on SEJ, SEL, & Neil Patel Blog.

From removing Google Manual penalty on a City Local UK listing site, Handling more than 100 ORM projects in a year, and helping my company to feature on sites like Forbes, Inc, Huffington, etc. are quite a few achievements that inspire me to work hard regularly.

I wanted to be a developer. My training teacher motivated me to go for SEO training as I was a MBA student. I am glad I worked on her advice.

@ankushmahajann I was dreaming about a career in teaching… still think I'd make a good one #vcbuzz

— Ann Smarty (@seosmarty) March 12, 2019

@seosmarty Yup as I told I am glad that I chosen Digital Marketing. It's a amazing field and everyday there is so much to learn. #vcbuzz

— Ankush Mahajan (@ankushmahajann) March 12, 2019

@seosmarty is selling a marketing skill? or a sales skill? #vcbuzz

— David Hartshorne (@davidhartshorne) March 12, 2019

I can say Both 🙂

Q2 How can content marketing support local marketing? Does local marketing even need to invest into content?

Content is the backbone in any DM campaign. However, local businesses need to use local content strategies like citation on relevant local sites, publishing content on local sites, linking your content with local values and causes.

Tell your local story, get into local news, answer local-based stories.. So many ways! RT @vcbuzz: Q2 How can content marketing support local marketing? #vcbuzz

— Ann Smarty (@seosmarty) March 12, 2019

@ankushmahajann – do you recommend scheme/structured data in your content to achieve that? #vcbuzz

— David Hartshorne (@davidhartshorne) March 12, 2019

Absolutely schema mark ups are very effective in Local SEO.

Of course, you should invest in content! 😉
Content helps you to rank higher (that's obvious, isn't it?), and it works for local as well #vcbuzz

— Pitchbox App (@PitchboxApp) March 12, 2019

Agree! Story telling is an another thing that being a local brand you can do very well.

The trend I see is local businesses investing less in onsite content and more in aesthetics. They are ranking higher. #vcbuzz

— 24 Hour Translation Services (@24hrtranslation) March 12, 2019

Q3 Are there any local businesses that are doing a particularly good job at content marketing?

Hard to say a single business name. Not only local companies, the big brands are also focusing on local targeting through different marketing channels.

This looks great! RT @PitchboxApp: @vcbuzz I personally like the case by @onemileatatime: https://t.co/MxH5axc6IK #vcbuzz

— Ann Smarty (@seosmarty) March 12, 2019

We at our company FATbit completely focusing on content marketing to acquire clients & it is working very well for us.

Owner(dot)com is doing a great job in local content marketing https://t.co/DzWc9Yk5uU #vcbuzz

— Ann Smarty (@seosmarty) March 12, 2019

What are your content marketing tips, Ankush? #vcbuzz

— Don Sturgill (@DonSturgill) March 12, 2019

Focus on your business niche, target your customers through multiple marketing techniques, & connect with influencers for better or wider content reach.

These days, there is a lot of content homogeneity on local sites. Opportunities to find new selling points are slim. Reviews dominate. #vcbuzz

— 24 Hour Translation Services (@24hrtranslation) March 12, 2019

Offer your clients complementary things or discounts. Feature them on your website or social profiles. It will surely work.

@24hrtranslation you need to encourage people to leave reviews on different platforms because not everyone uses the same 👉 https://t.co/tXlWCNbINC #vcbuzz

— David Hartshorne (@davidhartshorne) March 12, 2019

@24hrtranslation Yes, reviews are of prime importance for local businesses. But reviews are content too 👆🏻 You can curate them, broadcast them, turn them into stories, etc. #vcbuzz

— Ann Smarty (@seosmarty) March 12, 2019

Q4 How to optimize content if you target a certain locality?

Target Google Places, Put the targeted cities, state name in Meta titles, content, headings. Facebook ads can be highly effective. Don’t forget the power of Email marketing distribution.

Do you/How do you use Google My Business news posts? #vcbuzz

— 24 Hour Translation Services (@24hrtranslation) March 12, 2019

It is a good way to increase your barnd visibility on Google search. Post regularly but don’t make your users bore with long posts.

Research local hashtags (e.g. festivals, charities, etc.) & build content around those for high visibility RT @vcbuzz: Q4 How to optimize content if you target a certain locality? #vcbuzz

— Ann Smarty (@seosmarty) March 12, 2019

Absolutely. User generated content is a best & effective way to target your audience.

Same principle as social media: Whatever adds value works! We saw GREAT results using G Posts for seasonality (special offers, seasonal events, etc.) RT @24hrtranslation: Are certain types of GMB posts more effective? What's New/Events/Offers/Products #vcbuzz

— Ann Smarty (@seosmarty) March 12, 2019

Visual content (pictures) is also a great local content marketing asset. Curate! I was asked for permission to re-use my Instagram updates lots of times. This is powerful! #vcbuzz

— Ann Smarty (@seosmarty) March 12, 2019

Q5 What are your favorite local marketing tools?

My favorite ones are: Yext, Google Places, ahrefs, hall analysis for schema codes, Keywords planner, mention.com

.@yotpo is a great tool for (local) social media marketing curatiom: Collect and publicize more reviews! #vcbuzz

— Ann Smarty (@seosmarty) March 12, 2019

Nowadays I started using biteable.com for video creation. It is an interesting tool.

Another solid one is @Chatmeter: LOTS of tools their to manage your local marketing, including your content asset, including reviews and pictures #vcbuzz

— Ann Smarty (@seosmarty) March 12, 2019