Unless you’re doing something extraordinary, the NY Times or Wall Street Journal aren’t going to link to you. But your local newspaper and television stations will. That’s the whole point of the Local Publicity Method—stop aiming for national press and go get the links sitting right in your backyard.
All you have to do is find something in your community that needs doing, and then do it. Seriously, that’s it. Local media love stories about regular people stepping up. It’s content gold for them, and it can be a link-building win for you.
Pick Something That Matters
Maybe it’s donating coats to the homeless, cleaning up a park, fixing up an old playground, or organizing meals for seniors. It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated—it just has to help someone.
The real trick here is to think about visibility. Is it something a local reporter would want to cover? Would a community blogger want to write about it? If yes, you’re on the right track.
Case in Point
My friend, Maurice, runs a carpet cleaning business, and this past winter was brutal—one of the coldest in years. He set up a drop-off spot inside a local restaurant he services, where people could bring coats, blankets, and shoes for the homeless. It ran for about a week. Word got around fast. A couple of local news sites picked it up (hello, backlinks), and more importantly, he booked a bunch of new customers who loved what he was doing. The thing is, he didn’t do it for the backlinks or for the publicity; he did it out of genuine concern for those less fortunate than him. That’s the Local Publicity Method in action—real help, real results.
Let the Right People Know
Once you’ve done something worth talking about, make sure people actually talk about it. Reach out to your local newspaper, TV stations, small city websites, community Facebook groups, and any local bloggers you can find. Send them photos, a quick write-up, and offer to answer questions. Don’t overthink the pitch—just be real.
In Maurice’s case, he didn’t even have to lift a finger to get coverage—word-of-mouth spread the story, and the local media picked it up on their own. That might happen for you, too. But if it doesn’t, don’t stress. You can still get the ball rolling by reaching out and making it easy for others to share what you’ve done.
How to Pitch Your Story
Most local media sites have a “Contact” or “News Tips” page—use it. You don’t need a press release. Just send a short email that says what you did, why it matters, and include your contact info, a few decent photos, and a link to your site. That’s usually more than enough.
Make Sure You Get the Link
Sometimes, they’ll run the story but forget to link to your site. If that happens, no big deal. Just reply with a polite note like, “Thanks for covering our story! Would it be possible to include a link back to our site for readers who want more info?” You’ll be surprised how often they say yes.
Bonus: Build Your Reputation While You’re At It
This isn’t just about SEO. You’re actually helping your community. You’re building goodwill. You’re showing up. And that kind of thing doesn’t just earn links—it earns trust, fans, and maybe even customers.
Why This Works
Local news outlets have authority. Their domains are trusted by search engines, and backlinks from them are worth more than most blog comments or forum profiles you’ll ever drop. Plus, these are links your competitors probably aren’t chasing, which makes them even more valuable.
Real Impact, Real Links
If you’re tired of begging for backlinks or playing the SEO outreach game with no replies, try the Local Publicity Method. Do something that actually helps people, and the links will follow. You don’t need to be a genius to make it work—just a good neighbor with a little hustle.
