Most link building efforts arent focused on a specific strategy but if you’re a local company then what use is it targeting your link building nationally or internationally.

How can you focus your link building on a local strategy? It’s not as easy as it might sound but here are 4 often overlooked strategies to help get you started.

• Foster Relationships with Local Bloggers
  Getting links from local bloggers, especially those who have a large audience in your city or state, is one of the easiest ways to build useful backlinks. 

  The key is to target bloggers that have a large yet locally focused audience. In order to find bloggers in your area I suggest using a tool like Globe of Blogs to search for them. Then it’s just a matter of reaching out to them.

• Use the Right Search Engine
  While running a search for links isn’t really a great way to go long term, it will give you a fair start. But you need to have a specific search engine to use, and you have to know how to use it to find local opportunities. 

  I recommend Open Site Explorer because it is made specifically for links. Now comes the work: begin to search local business categories to find links. At the very least this will give you a genuine chance at analyzing the local market and finding some chances at your own links.

• Turn To Official Sources
  This is one of the strongest means of generating a local link that there is, though it can cost money and take some time and effort to get it done. 

  For example, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is one place, or the local Chamber of Commerce. You can also check out any local business group that is membership only and join up. Or try a local community group for small businesses, or join a local business directory. The possibilities are endless!

• Local Networking
  Meet ups are a great way to get to know local bloggers or small businesses that could help in your link building efforts. Not only will this improve relationships that could be massively beneficial, but you could gain some mention to those readers or customers and get your name out there.

Building links following a local strategy isnt going to happen overnight but it will yield stronger results than just aimlessly wandering the web attempting to gain a couple of strong links in random places.

*Hat tip to Daily SEO Tips for the original tips.