24 Local PR Tips for Small Businesses in 2025

Standing out in your community is the ultimate goal of any small business owner. You want your shop to be the talk of the town, right? Maybe you dream of being the go-to service provider in your area with a line down the block waiting to book with you.

With so much online and offline competition, how can you ensure your business stands out and remains relevant? Turns out, there’s more to running a strong business than creating a website and calling it a day. 

If you’re more of an introvert, taking those steps to make offline connections could seem scary. But we’ll touch on 24 essential local PR tips and show you how to improve your local PR strategy. 

What is Local PR?

Local PR involves connecting with local media, participating in community events, and engaging with local influencers and organizations. You can do this through various channels, like social media, press releases, and partnerships with other local businesses. 

The goal of local PR is to make your business well-known and trusted in the area. A good local standing can lead to increased customer loyalty, more foot traffic, and better word-of-mouth referrals. 

How Does Local PR Relate to Local SEO?

Local PR is a major component of local SEO. Local PR is all about building your reputation and connections offline through media coverage, events, and partnerships. What comes along with that? Backlinks.

When you get mentioned in local news or blogs (thanks to your stellar PR), those mentions often include backlinks to your website, giving your local SEO a nice little boost. Positive customer reviews and accurate local directory listings also contribute to better search engine visibility. 

The more organic backlinks you get for your website from these relationships, the higher your authority score. By showing this authority, Google is more likely to see your website as a credible source and rank it higher in search engines. 

It’s never wise to buy backlinks because that decreases your authority score. Google pays attention to brand mentions for relevancy. It won’t recommend your website if you violate its spam policies by buying irrelevant links from sites that lack authority.

24 Local PR Tips for Small Businesses in 2024

Try these 24 local PR tips for small businesses to build B2B relationships, gain organic backlinks, and see increased visibility for your website.

Tip 1: Join your local chamber of commerce.

Joining your local Chamber of Commerce is an easy PR win. Networking opportunities? Check. Free advice from people who’ve been there, done that? Double check. Plus, it gives your local visibility a boost, as most chambers will add a member profile to their website that includes a backlink to your website.

For those seeking local PR tips, this is a great place to start to help you establish a stronger presence in your community and connect with key players who will advocate for your business.

Tip 2: Participate in your local community.

Participate in local events like a farmer’s market, sponsor community activities, lead workshops, and build genuine relationships with your neighbors. Engaging with the community shows that your business invests in the local area and contributes to its growth.

The goal here is to be the business everyone’s talking about—in a good way. Show the community that you’re not just here to do business—you’re here to be a part of it.

Tip 3: Leverage customer reviews

You know those glowing reviews from your customers? Get more of them (especially on your Google Business Profile).

Repost them across your social media, and let the world know that people think you’re awesome. Positive customer reviews on your GBP are like gold for your local SEO, raising your credibility and making Google love you even more. 

How you interact with customers and answer complaints also affects how organizations like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) rate your business. BBB accreditation isn’t necessary to have, but it does look great if you can add that badge of honor to your website. 

If you establish a positive and transparent track record in the marketplace, the BBB will be more likely to rate your business with a high score and increase your brand’s credibility. 

Tip 4: Join or host local professional organizations.

Local professional organizations often provide resources, networking opportunities, and a platform to showcase your expertise. You’ll meet people who can help you, people you can help, and people who are just plain interesting. Plus, if you work from home, it’s a great excuse to get out and have face-to-face interaction. It’s always a good idea to add a few more people to your corner for future referrals. 

Tip 5: Partner with other local business owners.

Why go it alone when you can team up with your fellow local business owners? Host a joint event, advertise a co-branded promotion, or share a few backlinks. These alliances can help you build a stronger, more connected local network. 

Tip 6: Connect with local influencers.

No, we’re not talking about the people who post pictures of their brunch to their stories all day (unless, of course, you’re looking to appeal to their audience!)

We’re talking about local business influencers—people who have genuine connections within your community and can help spread the word about your business. Connecting with local influencers, especially those with similar interests and niches, can help you reach a wider audience within your community.

Tip 7: Post in Facebook groups and other forums.

Local Facebook groups and other forums are goldmines of potential customers just waiting to discover your business. Posting in these online spaces is one off-page strategy (anything you do outside of your website) to improve your local SEO. Engage, share your expertise, and become the go-to business that everyone recommends. Answer relevant questions and link your own website pages where applicable. 

Being active in these online communities can help you establish your business as a trusted local resource. Just remember, no one likes a spammer—be helpful, not pushy. 

Tip 8: Network at local events.

Networking doesn’t have to feel like speed dating with business cards. Attend local networking events, make genuine connections, and let people know what you’re all about to promote your business within the community. The more people you know, the more opportunities come your way. 

Whether it’s a business mixer or a community fair, these events offer you the chance to build relationships with potential customers and business owners.

Tip 9: Sponsor local events.

Sponsoring local events is about more than visibility—it’s about showing your community that you’re invested in their success and committed to local growth. 

Event sponsorship can also help you connect with local customers and build positive associations with your brand. You get your brand out in front of the community, and the community sees you as a business that cares. It’s a great way to boost your visibility and your reputation at the same time.

Tip 10: Run a contest or giveaway.

Who doesn’t love free stuff? Run a contest or giveaway to attract attention and get people talking about your business. 

The buzz will bring in new customers, and your existing ones will feel like they’ve hit the jackpot. It’s a fun way to reward your audience and keep your business at the top of their minds. These activities can generate excitement around your business and encourage customers to share their positive experiences online, improving your local SEO efforts.

Tip 11: Write a press release.

Got something newsworthy? Don’t keep those milestones to yourself—shout them from the rooftops (or at least from a well-crafted press release). This strategy is the norm for general PR, and local PR uses it too.

Write and distribute press releases about significant events or new offerings in your business to local media outlets. Whether it’s a new product launch or a major milestone, getting your story in the news can help generate local buzz and boost your brand’s visibility.

Tip 12: Acquire local backlinks.

The goal of local PR is to build relationships in person and online that can lead to organic backlinks for your website.

Build relationships with local bloggers, news sites, and community pages to earn these valuable links. If you’re in a networking situation, offer to guest blog and backlink for another business owner and they could reciprocate in turn. 

Not only will they drive traffic to your site, but they’ll also make Google take notice and rank your website higher.

Tip 13: Engage with local media.

Local journalists are always on the hunt for a good story—why not give them one?

Engage with local media, offer your expertise, and position your business as the go-to resource in your industry and community. Whether it’s a feature article, a TV segment, or a radio spot, the exposure can do wonders for your local PR and brand visibility.

Tip 14: Host or participate in workshops and seminars.

You know stuff—why not share it? If you teach an e-course or have a webinar in your offerings, list that on your website and socials and mention it at networking events. 

Hosting or participating in local workshops and seminars can position you as an authority in your field. It’s a great way to network, meet potential customers, and show off just how knowledgeable you are. We all love being the smartest person in the room.

Tip 15: Collaborate with local schools and universities.

Want to make a lasting impression on the next generation of entrepreneurs? 

Partner with local schools and universities for internships, sponsorships, or events. It’s a win-win: students get valuable experience, and you get to build a positive reputation with families and educators.  It’s an investment in the future—and in your community.

Tip 16: Gather case studies of local customers.

Sure, you could talk about how great your business is, but isn’t it better when someone else does? Ask your local customers to share their success stories and turn them into case studies.

These positive testimonials backed with proof of good outcomes can serve as powerful endorsements, showing potential customers the value your business provides. Think of it as storytelling with a purpose (and lots of graphs).

Tip 17: Share local content on social media.

Spice up your social media by sharing content that’s relevant to your local audience. Highlight community events, shout out other local businesses, and show that you’re more than just a business—you’re a part of the community. 

Create and share content that highlights local events, news, and stories on your social media channels. This strategy can inform your local audience and show your business's connection to the area. Plus, it makes you look like a local expert. 

Show that you’re plugged into what’s happening around town.

Tip 18: Offer local discounts and promotions.

Who doesn’t love a good deal? 

Provide special discounts or promotions for local residents to encourage them to visit your business and share their experiences with others. If you don’t have a brick-and-mortar shop, holiday promotions are a good way to drive online traffic to your product pages.

Offering special discounts to local residents can excite new customers and encourage old customers to return. It’s a simple yet effective way to show appreciation to your community.

Tip 19: Set up a pop-up shop.

Pop-up shops are like the cool, spontaneous cousin of the regular retail store. 

Set one up at a local event or in a busy area to create buzz and introduce your products to a wider audience. It’s a fun way to introduce your products to new customers, increase brand awareness, and test new markets with minimal investment. If you offer a local discount, this would be a great setting to offer that promotion to customers in the community. 

Tip 20: Create a GBP (Google Business Profile).

If you’re not on Google, do you even exist? 

Your Google Business Profile is like your business’s online storefront. Claim it, optimize it, and keep it updated with accurate information, photos, and reviews.  It’s one of the easiest ways to improve your local SEO and make sure customers can find you when they search for your services. It’s like rolling out the red carpet for potential customers—minus the actual carpet.

Tip 21: Get listed in local directories.

Remember phone books? Yeah, we barely do too. But local online directories are the modern-day equivalent, and you need to be in them.  

Get your business listed on Yelp, Yellow Pages, and industry-specific sites. These listings serve as an off-page SEO tactic that will improve your local SEO and make it easier for potential customers to find and contact your business.

Tip 22: Contribute and receive guest blogs.

Write guest blogs for local websites and invite local experts to contribute to your blog. These connections expand your reach, improve your credibility, and bring more traffic to both parties’ websites through mutual backlinks. Plus, it’s a great way to build relationships and show that you’re a team player.

Tip 23: Host or attend a “shop local” event.

People love an excuse to shop, especially when it’s for a good cause.

Organize and host a “shop local” event where you team up with other businesses to offer discounts, special deals, or exclusive products for customers in your area.  It’s a great way to improve sales, foster a sense of community, and draw in customers who are passionate about supporting local businesses. 

Tip 24: Create a loyalty program.

Loyalty programs are like the secret sauce of customer retention. 

Develop a loyalty program for local customers. Offering rewards, discounts, or special deals for repeat business can encourage customer retention and word-of-mouth referrals within your community.

Local PR for Small Businesses—Frequently Asked Questions

How is digital PR different from traditional PR?

Digital PR focuses on online platforms, aiming to secure mentions, backlinks, and social media engagement to improve search engine rankings. Traditional PR typically targets print media, TV, and radio. 

While both aim to build brand reputation, digital PR offers more measurable results and a broader reach through online channels.

How does local PR help with link building?

Local PR generates coverage in local media, leading to high-quality backlinks that improve your search engine rankings and online authority. Local PR can also foster relationships with local influencers who can further amplify your content.

How can local PR improve my business’s online presence?

Local PR through press releases, events, and community engagement boosts your online presence by increasing local search visibility, driving website traffic, and building trust within your community.

Ready for Your Brand to Be the Talk of the Town?

Don’t let your business be a wallflower—get out there and show your community what you have to offer! Need a hand becoming that social butterfly in business? Let’s make your business the talk of the town!