Local Business Growth Skills
A mini marketing agency for local businesses. Each skill is designed to be usable by someone who's never run a marketing campaign before.
Table of Contents
- Social Reel Maker
- Campaign Writer
- Referral Builder
- GBP Optimizer
- Review Responder
- Competitor Scout
- Local SEO Keyfinder
1. Social Reel Maker
Quick Info
- Skill Name: Social Reel Maker
- Description: Generates ready-to-film video ideas for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts — tailored to a local business's type, location, and offerings. No video editing experience needed. Each idea comes with a simple script, suggested visuals, and the "hook" that stops the scroll.
- Category: Social Media / Content Creation
- Best For: Restaurants, cafes, retail shops, salons, service providers
Trigger Phrases
- "Give me reel ideas for my [business type]"
- "What should I post on TikTok today?"
- "I need 5 video ideas for this week"
- "Help me make a reel about [product/service]"
- "What's trending for local businesses on Reels?"
- "I'm not good at videos, give me something simple"
Key Instructions
Step 1: Identify the Business & Goal Ask (or infer from context):
- What type of business? (restaurant, salon, boutique, plumber, dentist, etc.)
- What's the goal? (more foot traffic, promote a product, build awareness, behind-the-scenes)
- Any current promotion or seasonal angle?
- Location (for local relevance)
Step 2: Pick the Right Reel Format Match format to business type and goal:
| Format | Best For | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Behind-the-Scenes | Showing authenticity | "How we prep our kitchen every morning" |
| Transformation | Before/after results | Haircut transformation, renovation reveal |
| Customer POV | Relatability, social proof | "POV: You walk into the best coffee shop in [city]" |
| Quick Tip | Authority building | "3 things to check before calling a plumber" |
| Trending Audio | Reach & virality | Dance or trend with product showcase |
| Day in the Life | Connection with owner | "A day serving [city] — from prep to close" |
| FAQ Answer | Reducing friction | "How long does a haircut really take?" |
| Offer/Announcement | Direct response | "This week only: 20% off your first visit" |
| UGC Style | Authenticity | Real customer enjoying your service |
| Local Pride | Community connection | "Why we love being in [neighborhood]" |
Step 3: Generate the Reel Idea For each idea, provide:
- Hook (first 3 seconds — the most important part)
- Visual plan (what to film, camera angles)
- Script (what to say, overlaid text)
- Audio suggestion (trending sound or original)
- Call to action (what the viewer should do next)
Step 4: Example Output
🎬 REEL IDEA #1: "The 7 AM Kitchen Prep" Hook (text on screen): "What happens before you walk in?" Visuals: Fast cuts of chopping veggies, coffee brewing, setting tables Script: "Every morning at 6am, we start fresh. Hand-chopped. Locally sourced. Made with love. [Business name] opens at 8 — come taste the difference." Audio: Upbeat trending sound or lo-fi beat CTA: "Tag your brunch buddy 👇" Hashtags: #localbusiness #[city]eats #behindthescenes 🎬 REEL IDEA #2: "The 15-Second Salad" Hook: "This salad takes longer to order than to make ⏱️" Visuals: Fast montage of assembling the most popular salad Script: "Our [name of salad] — made in 90 seconds flat. Perfect for your lunch break. Swing by [location]." Audio: Fast-paced, snappy track CTA: "Save this for your next lunch run" Hashtags: #quicklunch #[city]foodie #healthyeating
Step 5: Batch Recommendations Always suggest 3-5 ideas in one go so the owner can batch-film them in a single session.
2. Campaign Writer
Quick Info
- Skill Name: Campaign Writer
- Description: Crafts ready-to-send email and SMS marketing campaigns for local businesses — promotional offers, newsletters, event announcements, and re-engagement messages. Handles tone, length constraints, and includes subject lines and call-to-actions.
- Category: Marketing / Email & SMS
- Best For: Promotions, weekly specials, holiday campaigns, re-engaging past customers
Trigger Phrases
- "Write an email about our weekend special"
- "I need an SMS blast for our sale"
- "Create a newsletter for this month"
- "Send a re-engagement offer to old customers"
- "Write a holiday promotion"
- "Craft a 'we miss you' message"
Key Instructions
Step 1: Gather Campaign Details Ask:
- What's the offer or announcement? (discount, new item, event, etc.)
- Who's the audience? (all customers, loyalty members, lapsed customers)
- What channel? (email, SMS, or both)
- Deadline/urgency? (limited time, while supplies last)
- Brand voice? (friendly, professional, quirky, minimal)
Step 2: Pick the Campaign Type
| Type | Purpose | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Promotional Offer | Drive sales with a discount or deal | Email + SMS |
| Weekly/Happy Hour Special | Regular cadence, predictable | SMS (short) |
| New Product/Service Launch | Build excitement | Email (long) |
| Event/Workshop Announcement | Drive attendance | |
| Re-engagement ("We miss you") | Win back lapsed customers | SMS (strong) |
| Holiday/Greeting | Seasonal connection | |
| Thank You / Loyalty | Retention & appreciation | |
| Urgent / Flash Sale | Scarcity-driven | SMS only |
Step 3: Write the Email Campaign Structure every email:
Subject Line: [Under 50 chars, creates curiosity or states value] Preheader: [Extension of subject line, 80-100 chars] Header / Hero Section: - One main message (e.g., "This Weekend Only: 20% Off") - Eye-catching, benefit-first Body: - Short paragraphs (1-3 sentences max) - What's the offer? Why now? Why you? - Social proof if available ("Loved by 200+ locals!") Call to Action: - One primary button (NOT multiple) - Clear action verb ("Order Now", "Book Your Spot", "Claim Offer") Footer: - Business name, address, hours - Unsubscribe link - Social media links
Step 4: Write the SMS Version Keep under 160 characters for single SMS. Use urgency.
Template: [Offer] + [Deadline] + [Link/Coupon] Example: "🍕 This weekend only: Buy one large pizza, get one FREE. Use code BOGO25 at checkout. Ends Sunday! Order: [link]"
Step 5: Example Output
📧 EMAIL CAMPAIGN: "Summer Sale — This Weekend Only" Subject: Your summer treat is here ☀️ Preheader: 20% off everything this Saturday & Sunday Hi [Name], Summer just got sweeter. This weekend (Sat-Sun only), enjoy 20% off your entire order at [Business Name]. Whether you're craving [signature item] or want to try something new — now's the time. 📅 This weekend only: August 17-18 📍 [Address] 🎉 Use code: SUMMER20 We can't wait to serve you. [Button: CLAIM YOUR 20% OFF] With love, [Business Name] [Address] | [Hours] [Instagram Link] --- 📱 SMS VERSION: ☀️ HOT DEAL: 20% off everything at [Business Name] this weekend only! Use code SUMMER20. See you Sat-Sun! 📍 [address] [link]
Step 6: Compliance Reminder Always include at the end:
- For email: Unsubscribe link required
- For SMS: "Reply STOP to opt out" message required
- Note: "Verify you have consent before sending"
3. Referral Builder
Quick Info
- Skill Name: Referral Builder
- Description: Designs a complete customer referral program from scratch — reward structure, referral mechanics, tracking method, and promotion strategy. Tailored for local businesses with no complex tech setup.
- Category: Growth / Customer Acquisition
- Best For: Salons, dentists, auto shops, restaurants, boutique fitness studios, service businesses
Trigger Phrases
- "How do I get my customers to refer friends?"
- "Build a referral program for my business"
- "I want a 'bring a friend' system"
- "What reward should I offer for referrals?"
- "How to track who sent who?"
Key Instructions
Step 1: Analyze the Business Model Ask:
- Average transaction value? (determines reward size)
- How often do customers return? (monthly, weekly, yearly)
- What's your most profitable service/product?
- Do you have a way to identify customers? (phone number, email, loyalty app)
- Current customer count?
Step 2: Choose a Referral Structure
| Structure | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Double-Sided Reward | Both referrer & friend get something | Restaurants, retail |
| Single-Sided Reward | Only referrer gets rewarded | High-ticket services (dentist, auto repair) |
| Friend-Only Reward | Only the new customer gets a discount | First-time buyer incentive |
| Tiered Rewards | Rewards increase with more referrals | High-repeat businesses (salons, cafes) |
| Points System | Accumulate points per referral, redeem later | Subscription/regular visit models |
Step 3: Design the Reward Rule of thumb: Reward should be 10-20% of average order value.
| Business Type | Suggested Reward (Referrer) | Suggested Reward (Friend) |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant/Cafe | Free appetizer or drink | 15% off first meal |
| Hair Salon | 20% off next visit | 20% off first visit |
| Auto Shop | Free car wash with next service | $25 off first repair |
| Dental Office | Free teeth whitening kit | Free exam & X-rays |
| Boutique/Gift Shop | $10 store credit | 15% off first purchase |
| Yoga/Fitness Studio | 1 free class pass | 1 week free trial |
| Pet Groomer | $10 off next groom | $10 off first groom |
Step 4: Create the Tracking System For businesses without fancy software:
Low-Tech Options (pick one): 1. Unique referral code per customer (e.g., "REF-JOHN5") → Customer shares code, friend mentions it at checkout 2. Physical referral cards (print 500, give 5 per customer) → Each card has a unique code, friend brings it in 3. "Mention [customer name]" — simple verbal system → Friend says "Sarah sent me" at checkout 4. Google Form + QR code at register → Customer scans, fills friend's email, you send the offer 5. Free tools: ReferralCandy, Viral Loops, Yotpo (for online) → Or simple: a Google Sheet + honor system
Step 5: Launch & Promote
Week 1: Train staff to ask every customer - "Love us? Bring a friend and you both save." In-Store signage: - Counter tent card: "Share the love — refer a friend, get [reward]. Ask us how!" - Receipt footer: "Refer a friend → you both win" - Bag stuffer card with referral details Social Media Announcement: 1 post announcing the program 1 post highlighting a customer who earned the reward 1 Story with "Tag a friend you'd bring" Check-in ask: "How did you hear about us?" → If "a friend", log the referrer
Step 6: Measure & Optimize Track monthly:
- Number of referrals generated
- Conversion rate of referred friends
- Average value of referred customers vs. organic
- Cost per acquisition via referrals
- Most effective reward tier
4. GBP Optimizer
Quick Info
- Skill Name: GBP Optimizer
- Description: Analyzes and optimizes a Google Business Profile to rank higher in local search and Google Maps. Checks completeness, categories, posts, reviews, photos, and local relevance signals. Provides a prioritized fix list.
- Category: Marketing / Local SEO
- Best For: Any business with a physical location or service area
Trigger Phrases
- "Optimize my Google Business Profile"
- "Help me rank on Google Maps"
- "Why isn't my business showing up in local search?"
- "Check my GBP for issues"
- "I want more customers from Google Maps"
- "What's wrong with my Google listing?"
Key Instructions
Step 1: Audit Current Profile Completeness Check every field — Google rewards 100% complete profiles.
Completion Checklist: □ Business name (exact real name — no keywords stuffed in) □ Category (primary + secondary categories selected) □ Address (exact, consistent with website and citations) □ Service area (if no storefront, define radius) □ Phone number (local, not toll-free) □ Website URL □ Business hours (including holiday hours) □ Description (750 chars max — use keywords naturally) □ Attributes (women-led, outdoor seating, free wifi, etc.) □ Products/Services section (add top 5-10) □ Photos (minimum 10-15 high-quality images) □ Posts (minimum 1 per week) □ Q&A section (populate with FAQs) □ Reviews (respond to every single one)
Step 2: Optimize Categories Primary category is the MOST important ranking factor.
How to choose: 1. Go to Google's category list 2. Pick the most specific category that fits - ❌ "Restaurant" (too broad) - ✅ "Italian Restaurant" (specific) - ❌ "Hair Salon" (generic) - ✅ "Hair Extension Salon" (more specific) 3. Add secondary categories - Add 3-5 relevant secondary categories - Restaurant example: "Pizza Restaurant", "Takeout", "Delivery"
Step 3: Optimize Business Description Formula for the 750-character description:
Paragraph 1 (Who you are): "For over [X] years, [Business Name] has been [city]'s go-to for [service]. We specialize in [specific offering], serving [neighborhood/community] with [what makes you different]." Paragraph 2 (What you offer): "From [signature product] to [another offering], we do it all. Our team brings [years] of experience in [field]." Paragraph 3 (Call to action): "Visit us at [address]. Open [hours]. Call [phone] to book or stop by — we'd love to serve you." Keywords to naturally include: - City name and neighborhood - Service keywords (e.g., "organic haircolor", "wood-fired pizza") - "Best [service] in [city]" (once, naturally)
Step 4: Audit NAP Consistency NAP = Name, Address, Phone. This MUST be identical everywhere.
Check these sources for NAP consistency: □ Google Business Profile □ Website (footer and contact page) □ Yelp □ Facebook Page □ Apple Maps □ Bing Places □ YellowPages □ Nextdoor □ Industry directories (ZocDoc for doctors, TripAdvisor for restaurants) □ Chamber of Commerce site □ Local blog mentions Common NAP errors: - "Street" vs "St" (pick one, use everywhere) - "Suite 100" vs "Ste 100" - Area code with/without parentheses - (555) 555-1234 vs +1 555-555-1234
Step 5: Photo Strategy Google profiles with photos get 42% more requests for directions.
Required photos: □ 3-5 exterior shots (storefront from different angles) □ 5-10 interior shots (atmosphere, seating) □ 5+ product shots (food, services being performed) □ 3-5 team photos (staff, owner, action shots) □ 2-3 "in action" shots (customer enjoying service) Photo best practices: - High resolution (minimum 720px wide) - No stock photos — real images only - Add geotags to photos - Upload new photos weekly - Encourage customer photo uploads
Step 6: Posting Strategy Posts show in search results and Maps. Post at least weekly.
Post Types & Cadence: Monday: What's New (product, service, menu update) Wednesday: Offer/Promotion (limited-time deal) Friday: Event or Community Involvement Post content formula: - Image/video (720x720 minimum) - Short, punchy text (150-200 chars) - Clear CTA ("Call Now", "Get Offer", "Learn More") - UTM tracking link if possible Example Post: "🔥 New on our menu: [Item Name]! Handmade, locally sourced, and absolutely delicious. Come try it this weekend. 📍 [Address] [CTA: Order Now → link]"
Step 7: Q&A Optimization Seed 5-10 common questions and answer them yourself.
Sample Q&A for a restaurant: Q: "Do you have vegetarian options?" A: "Yes! We have 8 vegetarian dishes including our famous [dish]. Ask your server for recommendations." Q: "Do you take reservations?" A: "We accept reservations for parties of 5+ via our website or phone. Walk-ins are always welcome!" Q: "What's the best time to avoid the crowd?" A: "Weekday afternoons (2-4pm) are our quietest. Weekend mornings before 10am are also great!" Q: "Is there parking available?" A: "Free street parking on [street names]. We also have a small lot behind the building with 10 spaces."
Step 8: Prioritized Fix List Output as a ranked action list:
🔴 HIGH PRIORITY (Do this week): 1. [Fix] Add secondary categories 2. [Fix] Respond to 12 unanswered reviews 3. [Add] 5 photos of interior 4. [Add] Complete business description 🟡 MEDIUM PRIORITY (Do this month): 5. [Fix] NAP inconsistency on Yelp 6. [Add] Weekly posts for next 4 weeks 7. [Seed] 5 Q&A entries 8. [Add] Products/Services section 🟢 LOW PRIORITY (Do this quarter): 9. [Add] 3 more exterior photos 10. [Add] Holiday hours 11. [Collect] 10 more Google reviews
5. Review Responder
Quick Info
- Skill Name: Review Responder
- Description: Drafts professional, brand-aligned responses to customer reviews — both positive and negative. Turns happy customers into loyal advocates and defuses negative experiences with empathy and solutions. Tracks sentiment patterns.
- Category: Marketing / Reputation Management
- Best For: Any business collecting Google, Yelp, or Facebook reviews
Trigger Phrases
- "Help me respond to this review"
- "How do I reply to a bad review?"
- "Write a thank you response for a 5-star review"
- "Draft a response to this 1-star review"
- "I need a template for responding to reviews"
- "How do I handle a complaint review?"
Key Instructions
Step 1: Analyze the Review Classify before responding:
| Type | Sentiment | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Positive | Happy customer | Reinforce loyalty, encourage return |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Positive with note | Mostly happy, small critique | Address the note, thank them |
| ⭐⭐⭐ Neutral | Mixed experience | Acknowledge, improve, invite back |
| ⭐⭐ Negative | Unhappy customer | Empathize, make it right, take offline |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ No text | Just stars | Simple warm thank you |
Step 2: Follow the Response Framework
For Positive Reviews (4-5 stars):
Framework: Thank + Personalize + Invite Back "Hi [Name], thank you so much for the kind words! We're thrilled you enjoyed [specific thing they mentioned]. Can't wait to serve you again soon. Next time, ask about [new item/service] — we think you'll love it! 🙌 – [Owner/Manager Name], [Business Name]"
Rules:
- Respond within 24-48 hours
- Mention something specific from their review
- Keep it warm, not robotic
- Never copy-paste the same response
- Invite them back with a reason
For Negative Reviews (1-3 stars):
Framework: Empathize + Apologize + Explain + Resolve + Move Offline "Hi [Name], thank you for sharing your experience. We're truly sorry that [specific issue] didn't meet your expectations. That's not the standard we aim for. We'd love the chance to make this right. Please reach out to us directly at [email/phone] so we can [specific resolution]. We appreciate your feedback — it helps us improve every day. – [Owner/Manager Name], [Business Name]"
Rules:
- NEVER get defensive or argue
- NEVER blame the customer
- Acknowledge the specific problem
- Take the conversation offline for resolution
- Show you've taken action if applicable
Step 3: Example Responses by Scenario
⭐ 5-STAR: "Best pizza in town! The crust was perfect." Response: "Thanks, [Name]! That means the world to us. Our dough is made fresh daily — glad you could taste the difference. Next time, try the Truffle Mushroom — it's a fan favorite! 🍕" ⭐ 3-STAR: "Food was okay but service was slow." Response: "Hi [Name], thanks for the honest feedback. We're sorry the service didn't match our usual pace — Saturday nights can get busy. We've talked with our team about table turnaround. We'd love to have you back for a faster experience. Reach us at [email] and we'll set you up!" ⭐ 1-STAR: "Found a hair in my food. Disgusting." Response: "[Name], I'm genuinely horrified and deeply sorry. This is completely unacceptable. Our kitchen team has been re-trained on our protocols. Please email us at [email] so we can personally make this right for you. We take this extremely seriously." ⭐ 4-STAR: "Great haircut! Just wish the wait was shorter." Response: "Thanks, [Name]! So glad you loved the cut. You're right about the wait — we've actually started taking online bookings to fix that. Book ahead next time and you'll be in the chair in 5 minutes. See you soon! ✂️"
Step 4: Track Sentiment Over Time Maintain a simple log:
Date | Platform | Rating | Category | Issue (if negative) | Responded? -----|----------|--------|----------|--------------------|----------- Jan 5 | Google | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Service | Wait time | ✅ Jan 6 | Yelp | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Food | - | ✅ Jan 7 | Google | ⭐⭐ | Cleanliness | Bathroom | ✅ Monthly Report: - Total reviews: 45 - Average rating: 4.2 - Positive: 38 | Neutral: 4 | Negative: 3 - Top complaint: Wait time (5 mentions) - Top praise: Food quality (12 mentions)
Step 5: Proactive Review Generation Strategy
Ask for reviews at the right moment: 🟢 Best times to ask: - Right after a compliment ("I love this place!") - After successful service completion - When customer says "see you next time" - After resolving a complaint successfully 🔴 Worst times to ask: - During a rush or busy period - When there's an unresolved issue - Right after payment (feels transactional) How to ask: In-person: "If you had a great experience, we'd love a Google review! Here's a QR code — takes 30 seconds." Email/SMS follow-up: "Thanks for visiting [Business Name]! If you enjoyed your experience, consider leaving us a review. It helps small businesses like ours so much. [Link to review]" QR Code: Place at register and on receipts
6. Competitor Scout
Quick Info
- Skill Name: Competitor Scout
- Description: Analyzes a local business's competitors across social media, Google reviews, website, and local presence. Produces actionable insights — what they're doing well, where they're weak, and what opportunities exist to outperform them.
- Category: Growth / Competitive Intelligence
- Best For: Any local business wanting to understand and outperform local competition
Trigger Phrases
- "Analyze my competitors"
- "What are other [business type] doing better than me?"
- "Spy on my competition"
- "How do I stand out from competitors?"
- "What's my competitor posting on Instagram?"
- "Tell me what my competitors are doing"
Key Instructions
Step 1: Identify Competitors Ask the business owner:
Primary Competitors (direct — same service, same area): 1. [Name] — [Location/Area] 2. [Name] — [Location/Area] 3. [Name] — [Location/Area] Secondary Competitors (different but could substitute): 4. [Name] — [Different angle, same customer need] 5. [Name] — [Nearby area, might draw same customers]
Step 2: Analyze Each Competitor Across 5 Dimensions
A. Google Business Profile
For each competitor, check: □ Overall rating (average stars) □ Number of reviews □ Profile completeness (photos, description, services) □ Post frequency □ Response rate to reviews □ Top keywords in their reviews (what customers praise)
B. Social Media Presence
Platform-by-platform analysis: Instagram/Facebook: - Follower count - Post frequency - Average likes/comments per post - Content themes (food, team, promos, behind-the-scenes) - Most engaging post types - Use of Reels vs static posts - Bio and link optimization TikTok: - Follower count - Video style (trendy, educational, funny) - Most viewed videos - Posting frequency
C. Website & Online Presence
□ Website quality (mobile-friendly, speed, design) □ Is there online ordering/booking? □ Menu/pricing visible? □ Blog or content? □ Email signup visible? □ SEO basics (title tags, descriptions)
D. Reviews & Reputation
What customers LOVE about them (extract from reviews): 1. [e.g., "Fast service" — mentioned 8 times] 2. [e.g., "Friendly staff" — mentioned 6 times] What customers COMPLAIN about (their weak spots): 1. [e.g., "Expensive" — mentioned 5 times] 2. [e.g., "Parking is hard" — mentioned 4 times] → Their weaknesses = YOUR opportunities
E. Promotions & Marketing
□ Current offers or deals □ Loyalty program □ Referral program □ Email/SMS marketing □ Partnerships with other local businesses □ Events or community involvement
Step 3: Competitive Matrix Output as a comparison table:
COMPETITIVE COMPARISON: [Business Type] in [City/Area] Feature | Us | Comp A | Comp B | Comp C -----------------|-----------|----------|----------|---------- Google Rating | 4.5 ⭐ | 4.2 ⭐ | 4.7 ⭐ | 3.9 ⭐ # of Reviews | 87 | 203 | 56 | 41 Post Frequency | 1x/week | 3x/week | 1x/month | Never Instagram Fol. | 1,200 | 3,400 | 890 | 450 Response Rate | 100% | 60% | 90% | 20% Online Ordering | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ Loyalty Program | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ Happy Hour/Deals | Weekly | Daily | Never | Monthly Website Mobile | ✅ Fast | ✅ Slow | ❌ | ✅ Decent
Step 4: Identify Opportunities The gap analysis — what you can exploit:
🔵 OUR ADVANTAGES (defend & amplify): - [e.g., Higher Google rating than anyone] - [e.g., Only business with online ordering] 🟡 COMPETITOR WEAKNESSES (attack): - [e.g., Comp A responds to only 60% of reviews — we can win by responding to 100%] - [e.g., Comp B doesn't post on social — we can own that channel] 🟢 MARKET GAPS (nobody is doing this): - [e.g., No one has a loyalty program] - [e.g., No one posts behind-the-scenes content] - [e.g., No one does a weekly email newsletter]
Step 5: Provide 3 Actionable Recommendations
🚀 TOP 3 ACTIONS FOR THIS WEEK: 1. [Action] — [Why] — [Expected Impact] e.g., "Post 3x this week on Instagram. Comp A is out-posting us 3:1 and capturing attention." 2. [Action] — [Why] — [Expected Impact] e.g., "Respond to all 12 unanswered reviews today. Comp A ignores 40% of theirs — being responsive builds trust." 3. [Action] — [Why] — [Expected Impact] e.g., "Add a 'Refer a Friend' card to every bag. No competitor has a referral program — this is free customer acquisition."
7. Local SEO Keyfinder
Quick Info
- Skill Name: Local SEO Keyfinder
- Description: Researches and prioritizes local keywords that actual customers are searching for — including "near me" queries, service + location combinations, and long-tail questions. Provides a content and optimization roadmap based on keyword opportunities.
- Category: Marketing / Local SEO
- Best For: Any local business wanting to be found in Google search and Maps
Trigger Phrases
- "What keywords should I target for my local business?"
- "Find local SEO keywords for me"
- "What are people searching for in [city]?"
- "Help me rank for 'near me' searches"
- "I want to show up when people search for [service] in [city]"
- "What search terms bring customers to businesses like mine?"
Key Instructions
Step 1: Understand Keyword Types for Local Businesses
4 Types of Local Keywords: 1. "Near me" & Implicit Near Me - "pizza near me" - "coffee shop near me" - "dentist open now" → Google uses location data; optimize GBP 2. Service + Location - "hair salon Austin" - "plumber Brooklyn" - "best Italian restaurant Chicago" → Most competitive; highest intent 3. Service + Modifier - "affordable plumber" - "24 hour dentist" - "vegan bakery" → Qualifies intent; less competitive 4. Long-tail Questions - "how much does a haircut cost in [city]" - "what's the best pizza place for delivery near [street]" - "when do farmers markets open in [city]" → Lowest competition; content opportunity
Step 2: Research Keywords (Free Methods)
Method 1: Google Autocomplete Type into Google: "[service] in [city]" and note suggestions Example: "pizza in" → "pizza in Chicago", "pizza in [neighborhood]" Method 2: Google's "People Also Ask" Search your main keyword → scrape the PAA boxes These are real questions people are asking Method 3: Google Search Console Go to Performance → Queries Filter by your pages that rank 8-20 (easy wins) Look for queries with impressions but low clicks Method 4: Customer Language Audit Look at your existing reviews — what words do customers use? (They often use different terms than you do!) Method 5: Google Maps Search Type "[service]" with your Maps location centered Note what auto-suggests in the Maps search bar Method 6: AnswerThePublic (Free tier) Enter "[service] [city]" → get question-based keywords
Step 3: Build the Keyword Table Output a structured table:
LOCAL KEYWORD OPPORTUNITIES: [Business Name] Primary Keywords (High volume, competitive — optimize GBP + homepage): | Keyword | Search Intent | Competition | Priority | Where to Use | |---------|--------------|-------------|----------|-------------| | [service] [city] | Transactional | High | ⭐⭐⭐ | Homepage, GBP | | [service] near me | Transactional | High | ⭐⭐⭐ | GBP, Website | | best [service] [city] | Commercial | Medium | ⭐⭐⭐ | Homepage, Blog | | [service] [neighborhood] | Transactional | Medium | ⭐⭐⭐ | GBP, Landing page | Secondary Keywords (Medium volume — optimize service pages + posts): | Keyword | Intent | Competition | Priority | Where to Use | |---------|--------|-------------|----------|-------------| | affordable [service] [city] | Commercial | Low | ⭐⭐ | Pricing page | | [service] open now [city] | Transactional | Low | ⭐⭐ | GBP hours | | [service] for [specific need] | Informational | Low | ⭐⭐ | Blog post | | [city] [service] [descriptor] | Commercial | Low | ⭐⭐ | Service page | Long-tail Content Keywords (Low volume, high conversion — blog/social): | Keyword | Intent | Competition | Priority | Content Idea | |---------|--------|-------------|----------|-------------| | how to [related topic] | Informational | Very Low | ⭐ | Blog: "How to..." | | [service] vs [alternative] | Commercial | Very Low | ⭐ | Comparison post | | what to look for in [service] | Informational | Very Low | ⭐ | Buyer's guide | | best time for [service] [city] | Informational | Very Low | ⭐ | Seasonal post |
Step 4: Map Keywords to Content
For each priority keyword, create a content plan: Keyword: "emergency plumber Austin TX" Content to Create: 1. Homepage section: "24/7 Emergency Plumbing in Austin" → Include phone number prominently → Mention response time ("60 minutes or less") 2. Service page: "Emergency Plumbing Services Austin" → List common emergencies (burst pipes, clogged drains) → Service area map → Testimonials from emergency calls 3. GBP Post: "Got a plumbing emergency? We're available 24/7. Call [number]. #AustinPlumber #EmergencyPlumbing" 4. Blog post: "What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency [City Guide]" → Step-by-step instructions → When to call a pro vs DIY → Your emergency contact info
Step 5: Technical Local SEO Checklist
For each keyword group, ensure: ☐ Keyword appears in page title tag ☐ Keyword appears in H1 (once, naturally) ☐ Keyword appears in URL slug ☐ Keyword appears in meta description (1x, naturally) ☐ Keyword appears in first 100 words of content ☐ City/neighborhood name on page (NATURALLY, not stuffed) ☐ NAP (Name, Address, Phone) on every page ☐ Embedded Google Map on contact page ☐ Schema markup: LocalBusiness structured data LocalBusiness Schema example: <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "LocalBusiness", "name": "[Business Name]", "image": "[logo URL]", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "[Street Address]", "addressLocality": "[City]", "addressRegion": "[State]", "postalCode": "[ZIP]" }, "telephone": "[Phone]", "openingHours": "Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00", "url": "[Website URL]" } </script>
Step 6: Content Calendar Based on Keywords
WEEK 1: Primary Keywords - Update homepage H1 with main keyword - Write GBP description with top 3 keywords - Create 1 GBP post with secondary keyword WEEK 2: Secondary / Service Keywords - Create/optimize 1 service page - Write 1 blog post for a long-tail question WEEK 3: Local Content - Write a neighborhood guide or "Best of [City]" post - Get listed on 2 local directories/citation sites WEEK 4: Review & Measure - Check Google Search Console for keyword impressions - Note which keywords are gaining traction - Adjust strategy for next month Monthly recurring: - Add 1 new blog post targeting a long-tail keyword - Create 4 GBP posts (1 per week) - Check rankings for top 10 keywords - Add 1 new citation/directory listing
Quick Reference: When to Use Each Skill
| If you want to... | Use this skill |
|---|---|
| Get more followers and views on social media | Social Reel Maker |
| Send a promotion to your customer list | Campaign Writer |
| Get existing customers to bring in new ones | Referral Builder |
| Show up higher in Google Maps and local search | GBP Optimizer |
| Handle customer reviews like a pro | Review Responder |
| See what competitors are doing and beat them | Competitor Scout |
| Find the exact words people search for | Local SEO Keyfinder |
Marketing Quick Wins Calendar
DAY 1: ☐ Respond to all unanswered reviews (Review Responder) DAY 2: ☐ Post 1 Reel/Reel idea (Social Reel Maker) DAY 3: ☐ Add 3 new photos to GBP (GBP Optimizer) DAY 4: ☐ Research 5 local keywords (Local SEO Keyfinder) DAY 5: ☐ Check 1 competitor's social (Competitor Scout) WEEK 2: ☐ Send 1 promotional email/SMS (Campaign Writer) WEEK 3: ☐ Design referral program (Referral Builder) WEEK 4: ☐ Post weekly GBP updates (GBP Optimizer)
Built for local business owners who wear every hat. No marketing degree required.


