Why Your Local Audience Still Matters (Even If You’re Online)

Social media gives us the ability to connect with anyone, anywhere—but that doesn’t mean we should skip over the people right next door. Building local relationships creates a foundation of trust, connection, and real-life community that can strengthen your online presence.

Starting locally can actually help your online growth, too. A strong base of local support often translates into increased engagement, word-of-mouth referrals, and long-term customer loyalty.

3 Powerful Ways to Build a Local Audience on Social Media

1. Engage Strategically and Genuinely

One of the most overlooked (but effective!) ways to build a local following is by being intentional with your engagement.

Avoid spammy tactics like liking 20 posts in a row without context. Instead, think about where your audience already hangs out—both online and in real life—and become part of those spaces.

📝 Try this:

• Comment on posts from your local chamber of commerce, library, or coffee shops.
• Follow and interact with nearby creators, business owners, or community leaders.
• Leave thoughtful, conversation-starting comments—not just emojis or generic praise.

This kind of engagement tells Instagram’s algorithm that your account is connected to others in your region, which can boost your discoverability in the area.

Pro tip: Use Instagram’s “Favorites” feed to keep your key local accounts easily accessible for daily engagement.

2. Tag Your Location—Always

Tagging your city or region in your profile and posts is one of the simplest ways to get found by local users.

Even if your business is fully digital, adding a location to your public profile and your posts helps Instagram understand where you’re based, so it can recommend your content to people nearby.

📍 Where to add your location:

• Under “Public Business Information” on your Instagram profile (not just in your bio text)
• In your posts and Reels by tagging your town, city, or region

This doesn’t limit your global reach—it just gives you a better shot at showing up in local feeds.

3. Use Location-Based Hashtags

Hashtags are still a valuable tool—especially when they’re tailored to your area.

Think beyond just #YourCity. Include:

• Local nicknames or slang-based hashtags
• Community event or seasonal tags (#KingstonMakersMarket, #TorontoMoms)
• Region-specific tags (e.g., #EastCoastBusiness, #PrairiesMade)

Start by including one or two local hashtags in every post and rotate them based on what’s trending in your area. Over time, you’ll become more visible to people who live nearby and are already interested in your niche.

Bonus: Don’t Forget Your Offline Presence

While we’re focused on social media, don’t underestimate the power of offline efforts to fuel your online growth.

Consider:

• Leaving flyers with QR codes in local cafés or wellness clinics
• Hosting in-person workshops or info sessions
• Adding your Instagram handle to community boards, local events, or partner businesses

All of these help bring local people into your online community, where you can continue to build those relationships through content and conversation.

Start Local, Grow Online

In today’s world, meaningful connection is more valuable than ever—and it often starts close to home.

If you’ve been struggling to grow your audience or deepen your engagement, focusing on your local community might be the game-changing move your business needs.

So start small, start real, and start local.