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Alright, listen up, local legends. You want eyeballs on your business? You don’t need a 40-page marketing plan or a $10K ad budget. You need these five things — the non-negotiables, the ride-or-die marketing moves that get real results in 2025. 1. Google (and Bing) Business Profile — Set It Up, Show It Off If […]

Last month, I sat across from a local bakery owner in Denver who was baffled: “My foot traffic’s down—my website’s still ranking #1 on Google!” But she hadn’t accounted for a new game in town: AI-generated search results. And she’s not alone—AI is completely reshaping how people find and interact with local businesses. Here’s how: […]

A few years ago, I sat in a meeting where the CEO leaned back in his chair and said, “Let’s talk strategy first. We’ll worry about marketing later.” I nearly dropped my coffee. Because here’s the thing:Marketing is strategy.Not an afterthought. Not just promotion. Not a department in the corner. It’s the lens through which […]

If you’re a local business and you haven’t optimized your Google Business Profile (GBP), you’re leaving money on the table. Period. Let’s break this down. When someone searches for a service you offer — “car detailing near me,” “best tacos in town,” or “accountant Parker Colorado” — Google doesn’t show them your website first. It […]

SEO is changing, which means that getting attention is more difficult AI is already changing the world we live in across so many different medium. I have a ton of predictions in my head as to how, but today let’s focus on something that has been easy to manage and critical for many business over […]

Cutting Marketing in a Downturn Is the Wrong Move (And What to Do Instead) Recently, I have been hearing from many of you that business is tougher to get. This starts to sound like there is an economic downturn on the horizon. Couple that with the Fed just issuing more cautionary notes about the economy […]

How Local Backlinks Supercharge Your Local SEO and Help You Get Found If you’re a local business, backlinks from other trusted local websites aren’t just “nice to have” — they’re a crucial signal that tells Google your business is an authentic, trusted part of the community. Why Do Local Backlinks Matter? Backlinks are like votes […]

I was recently talking about AI’s impact on SEO for small, local businesses with a customer. She was anxious about AI and digital marketing shaking up how customers find her. She asked, “With all this tech, how do I keep my salon showing up on Google when people search nearby?” That question is the heartbeat […]

Last week, I wrote a LinkedIn article about how AI has had a dramatic impact on Search Engine Optimization. In it I was stating that almost 50% of the volume for search engine optimization is gone, and likely forever. But that is not necessarily the case for local businesses. Here’s the truth: AI is shaking […]

By now, we are all aware that search engine optimization and the traffic it provides has dropped off the cliff. Many have seen a 50% or more decline in search volume this year. This is a scary proposition for many companies who have relied on search engine optimization for site traffic over the past decade. […]

Overview: A fully optimized Google Business Profile (GBP) can dramatically improve your visibility in Google Search and Maps, helping you attract more customers. In fact, nearly half of all Google searches have local intent, and 42% of searchers click results in the local “Map Pack” (the top 3 business listings)​soci.ai​soci.ai. This guide will walk you […]

Let’s be honest: most small business owners don’t have a six-figure marketing budget or a team of experts running campaigns behind the scenes. More often, it’s just you—maybe with a little help—juggling operations, customer service, and marketing on the fly. I’ve worked with enough small businesses to know that the key isn’t to spend more, […]

Everyone loves a vending machine. Put money in, and out pops your favorite snack. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if marketing were like that: if you could get a reliable revenue surge when you bought advertising or posted online. Marketing has never worked that deterministically and never will, despite tremendous advances in marketing data, technology, and […]

Summary Let’s talk about what really makes marketing tick—especially for small businesses that are out there hustling every day. It doesn’t matter if you are running ads or simply posting on social media, the key to marketing success starts with: Consistency, Authenticity, and Generosity. Nail all three, and you’ll stand out in a world packed […]

I remember the day I realized I was spending more time thinking about my next Netflix binge than the future of my business. In that moment, it hit me: “If I don’t have a simple plan for how I want to market my services, how can I possibly expect great results?” Looking back, I realize […]

You know that moment when you glide down a ski slope, catching the perfect line, feeling the crisp air on your face, and for a split second everything aligns just right? That’s what success in local SEO can feel like—seamless and exhilarating when all the elements come together. Yet it doesn’t happen by accident; it […]

It’s funny how life works sometimes: you’re scrolling through social media, sipping your morning coffee, when suddenly you spot a local bakery’s mouthwatering post about fresh cinnamon rolls. You think, “I could really use one of those right now.” And just like that, you’ve gone from casual onlooker to potential customer. Such is the power of social […]

If you’ve felt like your LinkedIn posts aren’t getting the same engagement they used to, you’re not alone. The State of LinkedIn 2025 Report reveals a major shift: organic reach is declining as LinkedIn prioritizes ads. But that doesn’t mean small businesses should abandon ship. Instead, it’s time to adapt. 1. Shift from Reach to Relationships The report confirms what […]

Social media posting can feel like you are shouting into a void often. But, if you can stay consistent and build a strategy around these channels, they can be a very cost effective way to reach new and current customers to stay top of mind and increase sales. Beyond the three pillars that I’ve mentioned previously, there […]

AI is here and likely here to stay. As a small business owner, using this tool can not only reduce your costs, but give you the ability to create a lot more marketing effort and generate more revenue for your business. As a small business owner, marketing often gets pushed to the back burner. Now […]