Local SEO: How to Rank Locally with Chris & Craig is likely a reference to a podcast, webinar, or article focused on strategies for improving local search visibility. While I don't have access to specific content by "Chris & Craig," I can provide a comprehensive overview of how to rank locally in search engines, incorporating common strategies and techniques. Here's a guide based on general local SEO best practices:

1. Optimize Google My Business (GMB) Profile
Claim Your Listing: First and foremost, claim and verify your Google My Business (GMB) profile. This is one of the most powerful local SEO factors.

Complete All Information: Fill in your business name, address, phone number (NAP), website, and business hours. Add as much detail as possible, including categories that accurately describe your business.

Add Photos: Include high-quality images of your products, services, or team to enhance the visual appeal of your GMB listing.

Encourage Reviews: Positive reviews on GMB play a crucial role in local rankings. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews, and always respond to them to show engagement.

2. Optimize Website for Local Search
Use Local Keywords: Include local keywords on your website, such as city names or neighborhood names, in strategic places (titles, headers, meta descriptions, etc.). For example, "Best pizza in Brooklyn" or "Affordable plumbing services in Los Angeles."

Create Location-Specific Pages: If you serve multiple areas, create separate pages for each location to target those specific keywords. Each page should have unique content that reflects the needs of that location.

Optimize for Mobile: Local searches often come from mobile users, so ensure your website is mobile-friendly. Google uses mobile-first indexing, so having a responsive site is crucial.

3. Local Citations and NAP Consistency
Submit to Local Directories: List your business on other local directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and others relevant to your industry. These citations help improve your visibility.

Ensure NAP Consistency: NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency is critical. Ensure that your NAP information is consistent across all platforms and directories. Inconsistencies can hurt your local rankings.

4. Build Local Backlinks
Partner with Local Businesses: Form partnerships with local businesses to gain backlinks from their websites, blogs, or local event sponsorships.

Get Featured in Local News: Get involved in local news stories, community events, or charity efforts. Local press mentions can boost your authority and credibility.

Sponsor Local Events or Causes: Sponsoring local events or supporting charitable causes can lead to backlinks from local organizations, which can improve your authority.

5. Create Location-Based Content
Blog About Local Topics: Blogging about local events, news, or other issues that are relevant to your community can help boost local SEO. This content is often shared on social media and linked to by local news sites, improving your local authority.

Include Local Case Studies and Testimonials: Showcase your work with local clients by adding case studies and testimonials to your website. This reinforces your connection to the community and improves local relevance.

6. Local Structured Data (Schema Markup)
Implement Local Schema Markup: Structured data helps search engines understand your business better. Using schema markup for local businesses (like local business schema or organization schema) can improve your chances of ranking in local searches and being featured in rich snippets.

7. Engage with Social Media
Check-In and Geotag Posts: On platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, geotag your posts and use location-based hashtags to increase local visibility.

Interact with Local Followers: Respond to comments and messages, and engage with local customers. Social signals can influence local rankings by showing search engines that your business is locally relevant.

8. Optimize for Voice Search
Use Conversational Keywords: Many local searches are conducted via voice assistants like Google Assistant, Siri, or Alexa. Optimize your website for voice search by using conversational keywords and phrases.

Answer Local Questions: Voice searches often include questions like "Where is the nearest coffee shop?" or "What time does XYZ business open?" Provide clear, direct answers to frequently asked questions on your website or in a dedicated FAQ section.

9. Get Local Backlinks
Leverage Local Sponsorships: Support local charities, events, or sports teams and get backlinks from their websites.

Engage in Local Partnerships: Collaborate with other local businesses to cross-promote each other, leading to backlinks from relevant, local sources.

Sponsor Local Content: Some local blogs or news websites accept sponsorships, which can include a backlink to your website.

10. Monitor and Track Performance
Use Google Analytics: Track your website traffic, conversion rates, and user behavior through Google Analytics to identify which areas of your website are performing well and where you need improvement.

Use Google Search Console: Monitor your site's performance in search results. Track keyword rankings, search queries, and indexing issues.

Local SEO Tools: Use tools like BrightLocal, Moz Local, or Whitespark to track your local rankings and audit your local SEO efforts.

11. Engage with Local Influencers
Influencer Partnerships: Collaborate with local influencers to increase brand awareness in your area. They can create content, write reviews, or share their experience with your product or service, which can help improve both visibility and trust with your target audience.