Alright, listen up, local legends. You want eyeballs on your business? You don’t need a 40-page marketing plan or a $10K ad budget. You need these five things — the non-negotiables, the ride-or-die marketing moves that get real results in 2025.
1. Google (and Bing) Business Profile — Set It Up, Show It Off
If your Business Profile isn’t fully optimized, you’re basically invisible in local search. No shade, just facts.
- Claim it
- Add updated hours, services, and categories
- Post weekly (yes, like a mini social feed)
- Ask for reviews and RESPOND to them
- Add fresh photos — stock photos = snooze-fest
“Yes, you need a Google Business Profile. And no, it’s not optional.” – Lexzie
2. Local SEO — Say It Like Your Customers Do
Stop trying to sound fancy. If someone Googles “best tacos near me” and you’re out here saying “authentic culinary experience,” you’re missing the party.
- Add city/region-specific keywords to your site
- Mention landmarks or neighborhoods you serve
- Build local backlinks from directories, partners, or press
- Use schema markup (don’t worry — Lexzie handles that for you 😉)
3. Social Media — But Make It Strategic
You don’t need to be on every platform. Pick the one your customers use and actually show up.
- Post 3–4x/week
- Use Stories/Reels to show behind the scenes
- Tag local partners and businesses
- Engage like a real human — not a corporate zombie
- And please… no more Canva templates with 500 words of text
“Your cousin’s advice to ‘just go viral’ isn’t a strategy. It’s a cry for help.”
4. Get Reviews — Then Leverage the Heck Out of Them
Social proof is everything. People trust other people more than they trust you (no offense).
- Ask every happy customer to leave a review
- Make it easy with a link or QR code
- Showcase reviews on your website and in posts
- Reply to bad reviews with grace, not excuses
- Pro tip: Turn killer reviews into graphics or videos
5. Run Local Ads — Small Budget, Big Impact
You don’t need Super Bowl money to win your neighborhood.
- Use geo-targeted Facebook + Google ads
- Promote time-sensitive offers or events
- Run “click to call” ads (yep, people still use phones)
- Spend $5–10/day to test before scaling
- Retarget website visitors — they were this close
🎯 Bonus from Lexzie:
Marketing isn’t about being everywhere. It’s about being in the right places — consistently. I’m not here to overwhelm you, I’m here to do it for you.