Introduction
In 2024, it seems like everyone’s focused on making money online. But what if I told you that social media could be used to build a thriving local business, not just a global one? Thanks to digital tools, even small local businesses can thrive without huge marketing budgets. In this post, I’m going to share how my wife, Emily, and I built a six-figure local business in just one year—without spending a cent on traditional advertising.
Whether you’re starting a business with little investment or you have a family to support like we do, this is the perfect guide for you.
Video Version:
Why Service-Based Local Businesses Are the Best Bet
If you’re wondering what kind of business to start, especially locally, my recommendation is a service-based business. These typically require less upfront investment and can often be run from home. Some examples include offering video editing services for local content creators, running errands for elderly neighbors, or even bookkeeping for nearby small businesses.
For Emily and me, teaching English was a natural choice because we were fluent and there was a demand in our community. After moving into our new neighborhood, we realized there were no children’s reading programs nearby. As parents ourselves, we knew how important this was. That’s when we decided to fill the gap—and it worked!
Using Social Media to Build a Local Presence
Here’s where social media really shines. You don’t need a national or global audience to succeed. Social platforms can actually help you target local audiences effectively. We used it to connect with parents in our neighborhood, and our business took off from there.
For example, Facebook groups, local hashtags, and community boards allow you to interact with nearby residents. On Instagram or Facebook, we used location tags on every post, so people in our area could discover our services. Social media lets you build relationships and trust in your community—just like we did.
Start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
At first, we weren’t sure if there was enough demand, but we tested the waters with an MVP (Minimum Viable Product). We set up a small classroom in our living room, bought some desks and chairs, and started advertising in local Facebook groups and to our neighbors.
The key here is to start small, especially in your local market, and keep things simple. We didn’t rent a fancy office—we used what we had and focused on building a community connection first.
Leverage Your Local Network
Your personal network is one of your strongest assets when starting a local business. Think about who you already know—friends, family, neighbors. In the beginning, our first clients were our neighbors’ kids. Not only did they enroll in our program, but they also referred others, helping us grow organically through word of mouth.
Always have your business cards and flyers ready. We’d hand them out whenever we saw neighbors. Social media helped us stay connected with them daily, too, keeping our services top of mind for whenever they needed them.
Why Local Businesses Thrive on Social Media
Social media is key to building a local customer base. Here’s our content strategy:
- Personal Content: Show your audience who you are. Share your story, your values, and your personality so people know you as a local member of the community.
- Professional Content: Share your expertise. Whether it’s tutorials, advice, or customer success stories, this builds your authority and trust within the local area.
- Lifestyle Content: Engage with the community by sharing snippets of your everyday life. Show your favorite spots around town, talk about local events, or even mention your kids’ school activities. This helps you connect with your audience on a personal level and further establishes your local credibility.
Organic Growth Through Word-of-Mouth
One of the best parts about building a local business is that word-of-mouth referrals happen naturally. Happy customers refer you to their friends, and soon enough, you’ll see your customer base growing without spending a fortune on ads.
We encouraged this by offering small incentives to parents who referred other families to our reading program. Word of mouth is incredibly powerful, especially when backed by a social media presence that highlights your local connections.
The Power of Local Traffic on Social Media
When it comes to traffic, there are two types you should focus on:
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Private Traffic: This includes people who already know you—friends, family, and existing customers. They’re more likely to give referrals and spread the word about your business.
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Public Traffic: Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok to reach new audiences in your area. By using location tags and connecting with local influencers, you can bring new clients through the door.
Conclusion: Social Media + Local = Success
Starting a business in your local community has never been easier. Don’t worry about building a global empire—focus on the people around you. Using social media, we built a local six-figure business in just one year. By leveraging personal connections, focusing on service, and building a presence through social media, we were able to grow organically without a huge marketing budget.
Start small, gather feedback, and build your local business step by step. If you’re thinking about starting a business that serves your community, there’s no better time to do it than right now.
If you found this blog helpful, make sure to subscribe and share it with others in your community who might be thinking about starting a local business. Let’s keep the conversation going, and I’ll see you in the next post!