Metrics. That all-too-scientific-sounding word that helps us keep score in social media. Click stats, follower numbers, subscribers etc… sure they matter but let’s try a new metric,
Name 5 friends in your local area that you met through social media.
Not people. Not contacts. Friends.
If you can’t then you haven’t really tapped the power of this medium.
All Politics Social Media is Local
How ‘bout them Hogs!
If you live within 150 miles of me you instantly know what I’m talking about but if you happen to reside outside of my great state it might as well be hieroglypics. This proves a powerful point in social media.
Geography adds context.
I’ve met a ton of great folks via Twitter from Dubai to California but there is a good chance that neither @highandwild or @louisgray care anything about the Razorbacks or our state senate race.
We are friends but we don’t have that in common.
It’s simple. Proximity breeds commonality. If we live in the same town then you automatically hold value. Even if it is mundane weather and traffic issues I care. You are talking about my backyard.
And if you are business?
It’s even more important. Those locals are your potential customers.
If you want people to engage your coffee shop, restaurant, computer business, or car wash it helps if those folks live in the same town.
So whether we are talking about personal connections or business cases you should be building relationships locally through social media.
Finding Locals
So how do you go about finding folks active in social media in your town? Welcome to the Fred Roger’s school of Social Media.
(I say social media but these tips focus on Twitter because randomly inviting strangers to fan a FB page isn’t the way to grow a fan base. I might follow up with a localize Facebook post if I can stomach the research)
Here’s the standby answers that any Google Search will tell you to try:
- Twitter Search – Go to the advanced options, and search for tweets “near this place”. Example: Tweets within 100mi of Little Rock
- Twellowhood – A bit stale but still useful directory of twitter users based on location
Here’s a few of my tricks for finding locals:
- Find your local news station twitter account or local celeb, and browse the people following them. Look at their location info and last tweet timestamp and you’ll find a treasure of local tweeps.
- Bing Twitter map – (requires silverlight) Go to Map Apps in the bottom tool bar and select Map Apps, then choose the Twitter map option to see a map of your local area overlayed with recent tweets.
- Tweetie iPhone App – It has a feature to show nearby tweets
- GeoSocial GeoSocial GeoSocial – Sign up for Gowalla and Foursquare and use them to find people around you. Heck they even link to twitter and facebook accounts in user profiles.
And most importantly. Find a tweetup.
Put your town name and tweetup or meetup into Google and there is a good chance you’ll find your a local gathering of social medians. Get the details and get involved.
Takeaway
Whether you are looking for friends or customers you’ll find that localizing your social network will be one of the most rewarding facets of your social media strategy.
And you don’t have to take my word for it… (apologies to Levar Burton)
