Tourism groups and small businesses both struggle with a common question: once we get online, how do we get local people to follow, like or friend us?

Online friends join local friends for a tweetup in Alva.

Here are 3 quick ideas on how to get connected with the locals:

1. Talk about local issues. When you talk about the topics that local people care about, they are more likely to engage with you.

2. Tell local people about it. Talk in person, talk with them online, make business cards for your blog and Twitter and hand them out to locals.

3. Invite locals to participate. Ask them to guest post. Quote them in a story. Use their story, with their permission to illustrate a point.
How do you connect with locals?

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