Local Tips for Social Media Marketing Phoenix-Based Businesses
Are you capturing the uniqueness of The Valley in your social media strategy? 🌵
🌵 70 degrees is sweater weather.
🌵 Park in the shade no matter how far you have to walk.
🌵 That point in July when even the pool is too hot.
🌵 Excessive heat days instead of snow days.
🌵 Haboobs.
There are some things that only Phoenicians will understand. #iykyk
If your business targets the Valley of the Sun, you have a unique marketing challenge ahead of you. How do you capture the uniqueness of Phoenix in your social media presence? Today, I’m spilling a few secrets of social media marketing Phoenix based businesses.
Desert dwellers, this one’s for you.
Let’s Dive Into Social Media Marketing Phoenix Based Businesses
#1: Highlight Local Phoenix Businesses + Events
One of the best ways to connect with our community is by showcasing other local businesses and events. By sharing the love, you'll not only strengthen your local network but also increase your visibility among potential customers in the area.
Here are a few of my favorite places to find “the latest” for Scottsdale and Phoenix social media spotlights:
Visit Phoenix: https://www.visitphoenix.com/events/
Downtown Phoenix Events: https://dtphx.org/calendar/
Visit Scottsdale Events: https://www.experiencescottsdale.com/events/
Wild Joy Experiences on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildjoyexperiences/
Locals also love to be “in the know” of the hottest new hangouts. These are my favorite sites to find local restaurants:
Phoenix Eater: https://phoenix.eater.com/maps/best-new-restaurants-phoenix-arizona-scottsdale-tempe
AZ Foodie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azfoodie
AZ Nom Noms on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aznomnoms
#2: Don't Forget Google My Business
Google My Business is a powerful tool that bridges the gap between social media and local SEO. If you have a physical store, it's a must-have! Regularly post updates, share photos, and encourage reviews to boost your local search rankings.
Here is a quick checklist to run through while setting up your account:
Step 1: Set up a gmail account
Step 2: Head over to the Google My Business page to set up, claim, and verify your page.
Step 3: Add high-quality photos that show off the storefront, interior, and your products.
Step 4: Optimize your business description and services for SEO!
Step 5: Create a strategy to regularly post updates, events, promotions, and announcement. Include brand consistent graphics, SEO-optimized captions, and call-to-action buttons.
Step 6: Monitor insights to track how posts are performing and don’t forget to respond to messages, questions, and reviews.
#3: Treat Social Media Like a Two-Way Street
Engagement is key! Make sure to respond to all comments, direct messages, and location tags promptly.
Building a genuine connection with your audience can turn casual followers into loyal customers.
Remember: Social media is a two-way street, none a one-way street. Oh, and don’t forget to have fun with your responses to show off your brand’s unique voice and personality!
#4: Use Phoenix-Inspired Hashtags and Keywords
The debate is real on this one. Do hashtags still have value in 2024? Absolutely.
Do hashtags have less impact than they used to? Also, absolutely.
While the reach and importance of hashtags have certainly decreased over the years, the numbers don’t lie and our clients are proof.
The strategy: prioritize quality over quantity.
While you can use up to 30 hashtags per post, we don’t recommend it. Instead, opt for less high quality tags that accurately represent your brand and the unique post.
Part 1: The Hashtags
In our experience, using a mix of industry-specific, local, and post-specific hashtags provide the best results. For example, here are a few local hashtags that we might use:
🌵 #phoenixagency
🌵 #phoenixsocialmedia
🌵 #scottsdalemarketing
🌵 #scottsdaleagency
Part 2: SEO-Optimized Keywords
Now onto SEO-optimized keywords. SEO optimization in social media captions is essential for several reasons: increased visibility in Instagram, enhanced user engagement, and a stronger likelihood of placement on Google. Yes, it is possible for your posts to appear in Google’s search results based on the SEO-optimization of your caption!
The keywords we might use are pretty similar to the hashtags, although we might throw in a few post-specific tags as well:
🌵 phoenix social media agency
🌵 guide to hashtags
🌵 hashtags 101
🌵 scottsdale marketing
#5: Be Relatable — Think Like A Phoenician
Living in Arizona is unique, and your social media content should reflect that. Share stories, insights, and experiences that resonate with your fellow Phoenicians. Authenticity goes a long way in building trust.
Here are a few posts that speak directly to an Arizona-based audience and brand our clients as a credible and local resource.
Remember in 2021 when the Suns made it to the playoffs? We do too – the energy in Phoenix was palpable.. Our client, Provision Coffee, launched a Suns-themed coffee special and promoted it on social. This post went wild and so did their sales. #RallytheValley
What about in 2021 when the Cardinals made it to the playoffs? Again, the crowd went wild.
#6: Partner with Influencers in Phoenix
Collaborating with local influencers can give your business a significant boost. Consider traditional influencer marketing, collaborative product launches, or joint promotions with well-known figures in the Phoenix community.
We supported our Flagstaff-based client, Americana Motor Hotel, to reach a Phoenix-based audience through influencer marketing. To do this, we partnered with local influencer, <insert name>, to host a partnered giveaway. The results speak for themselves (and helped us gain more than 500 new followers):
#7: Show Off Your Local Reviews
Positive reviews are like gold on social media. Share your glowing customer testimonials to build credibility and trust with potential customers. Although they aren’t typically the highest performing posts, credibility is essential in moving your customers down the sales funnel.
#8: Partner with Other Phoenix-Based Businesses
Team up with fellow local businesses for joint giveaways, product collaborations, or even live streaming sessions. These partnerships can expand your reach and create memorable experiences for your customers.
Our client, Provision Coffee, is especially fluent in partnering and promoting local businesses. When you look at their feed and posts, you see community. Here are a few of their high-performing posts that partner with a local tequileria, artist, and flowershop:
#9: Be Human
Finally, remember that behind every social media account is a real person. Be genuine, transparent, and personable in your interactions. Your audience will appreciate the human touch.
One of our clients suffered a stroke in 2020 and has since made a remarkable recovery. While supporting him and his brand, we find that taking a heart-felt and transparent approach helps his audience to connect with him.
Although nerve-wracking for our client, being transparent has allowed his company to flourish. Here is a snippet from a LinkedIn post we created for him:
And That’s Arizona Marketing 101
Social media is not just a tool for businesses; it's a lifeline to your local community in Phoenix. By following these tips and staying true to your Arizonian roots, you can harness the full potential of social media to grow your business and strengthen your ties with the vibrant community we call home.
Looking to supercharge your social media presence in Phoenix? Consider partnering with Scott Social, your friendly boutique social media agency right here in Arizona. When it comes to social media marketing phoenix based companies, we’re your go-to gals.
Reach out to us today, and let's connect to take your social media game to the next level!
WRITTEN BY:
Chelsea Evans-Flower
Owner of Scott Social