How to use social media to increase local traffic

Time is of the essence for every small business owner I have worked with so here is a quick list of useful ways to increase your local traffic using social media (I will likely add to this shortly):

1. Blogs: Use Google, Google Blog Search, and Wordpress to search for local blogs and become involved as a user. You may find it appropriate to leave your number or contact information on the site, or at least be vocal about your involvement in the area and how your business is relevant. Try to establish a relationship with local power-bloggers, and they may even find it appropriate to blog about your business.
2. Begin your own blog: You can easily set up your own blog on blogspot.com or wordpress.com for free, or if you have a website, you can install your own Wordpress blog on your website for free as well. Start blogging about your industry and the local community – you can use it as a tool to notify your community/customers of events in the area that you are sponsoring or participating in.
3. Use Twitter: Twitter is a microblogging tool that you can use to follow other businesses and members of your community.You can use TwitterLocal.net to find the “Twitterers” in your area and find out what is buzzing in your area. I see networking opportunities, lunches, get-togethers, and news flashes in my area every day in my area.

   

4. Own your listings on Google Local, Yahoo! Local, MSN Maps, and Map Quest: Your customers are increasingly using these online tools instead of those heavy, dusty old phone books to find your business and if they can’t find your business, they are going to use the next business that matches their search.