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How to Build Your Local Content Library

How to build a reusable library of local photos and b-roll that will repeatably fuel your content for months.

Written by Nola Gehring

You already have more content than you think.

One of the biggest things we hear from members is that gathering local photos and b-roll feels like the hardest part of staying consistent. The good news? You don't need special, brand-new shots every week or every month. With a little upfront effort, you can build a content library that you'll pull from over and over again.

Here's our recommended approach:

1. Create dedicated albums on your phone
Start content library albums in your camera roll - we recommend folders for "local", "listing" and "personal" photos and b-roll. This keeps everything organized and easy to find when you're ready to customize a template.

2. Grab free photos from Dupe
If you don't have your own local content to use for the tempaltes, head to dupephotos.com and search for your city (if it's a large enough city) or keywords that describe your city or area — think "downtown café," "palm trees," "brownstone," "waterfront," "farm", "sunrise", etc. Dupe is completely free, and it's a great way to fill in gaps while you're building up your own library.

3. Build up your library over time
You don't have to do this all at once. Snap photos and short clips as you go about your day — your favorite coffee shop, a pretty street in your neighborhood, a sunset over your city skyline. Over time, you'll have a bank of content that makes every template feel local and personal.

4. Want to get ahead? Schedule one photo/video session
Block off 1 hour and head to a few popular spots in your area around sunset (the best lighting for video!). Use our B-Roll Video Guide for a full list of shot ideas and recording tips. You can gather hundreds of clips in 1–2 hours and be set for months.

5. Feature local businesses as you go
When it comes to highlighting local spots, we recommend recording as you naturally visit them — grabbing a quick clip at a restaurant, snapping a photo of your go-to coffee order — and then using a template to post it. No need to schedule special visits or plan elaborate shoots. Just capture as you live your life.

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