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Why Small Businesses Search for “The Best Small Business Marketing Platform in Colorado” — And How to Choose the Right One
If you’ve typed “best small business marketing platform in Colorado” into Google, you’re probably looking for more than just software. You’re looking for an edge.An advantage.A partner who can help you grow your business without swallowing your time, your budget, or your sanity. And you’re not alone—small business owners across Colorado (from Fort Collins breweries […]

Firestarter Labs
Aug 123 min read
Want to Beat the Instagram Algorithm? Stop Broadcasting and Start Talking
You’ve probably heard a million times: “Post consistently!” Cool. But here’s the part most people miss—posting alone isn’t enough anymore. Instagram’s algorithm is evolving (again), and this time, it’s rewarding something beautifully human: actual conversation. That’s right. The brands winning right now? They’re not just posting. They’re replying. Fast. Here’s what the algorithm really loves: […]

Firestarter Labs
Jul 312 min read
Instagram Is Now an SEO Tool—Welcome to the Future of Visibility
Remember when Instagram was just about pretty pictures and clever captions? Well, plot twist: your posts are now showing up in Google and Bing search results. Yes, you read that right. Your Instagram captions, hashtags, and even alt text are now part of your SEO footprint. That means your next post isn’t just competing for […]

Firestarter Labs
Jul 302 min read
Why Instagram Reels Still Reign—and What You Can Do About It Without Losing Your Mind
Let’s be honest: If your Instagram strategy still looks like a static photo and a caption from 2019, the algorithm is already rolling its eyes. Instagram Reels are still the king of reach—and that’s not changing anytime soon. 📈 Here’s the trend: Instagram is going full throttle on video. Not just any video—Reels that grab […]

Firestarter Labs
Jul 292 min read
Why Your Next Best Marketing Move Might Be on Your Phone
One of our oldest and favorite customers, Ride & Joy Window Tint, has been killing it with short form video of their finished work. They get super high engagement and they are growing their audience with it. Welcome to the era of short-form video—and the reign of realness. Why Small Businesses Should Pay Attention Short-form […]

Firestarter Labs
Jul 172 min read
AI Slop is getting Slapped
Why Authentic Content Still Wins In an update that’s sending waves through the creator world, YouTube is actively downgrading what it calls “AI slop” — content that’s obviously churned out by artificial intelligence with little human touch. Think low-effort, faceless, soulless content designed more for algorithms than for actual people. That’s bad news for content […]

Firestarter Labs
Jul 162 min read
Your Instagram is Now Part of Your SEO—Here’s What to Do About It
It’s official, Google and Bing are now indexing your social media for SEO purposes. That means that you need to pay attention to your Social Media in ways you have not been in the past. Here are a few things to consider. Social Media is Now Search-Optimized—Ready or Not Google and Bing are now indexing […]

Firestarter Labs
Jul 152 min read
Top 5 Things You Should Be Doing to Get Seen as a Local Business
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 […]

Firestarter Labs
Jul 102 min read
How AI is changing local Search
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: […]

Firestarter Labs
Jul 93 min read
Don’t Sleep on Bing for Small Business
You Need a Bing Business Profile—Yes, Really If you’re like most small business owners, you probably haven’t thought much about Bing since you bought your first PC and saw that little blue “e” icon sitting in the corner. But here’s the thing: Bing is quietly making a comeback—and you don’t want to miss this wave. […]

Firestarter Labs
Jul 82 min read
Marketing is Strategy – not just tactics
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 […]

Firestarter Labs
Jul 22 min read
Why your Business Profiles are the cornerstone of local marketing
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 […]

Firestarter Labs
Jul 22 min read
How to get found in the era of AI
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 […]

Firestarter Labs
Jul 13 min read
Keep Going during a downturn
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 […]

Firestarter Labs
Jun 243 min read
Local SEO Supercharger
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 […]

Firestarter Labs
Jun 192 min read
5 Practical SEO Tips for Local Businesses
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 […]

Firestarter Labs
Jun 183 min read
AI’s Impact on Local SEO
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 […]

Firestarter Labs
Jun 173 min read
AI and Search Engine Marketing
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. […]

Firestarter Labs
Jun 123 min read


Optimizing your Google Business Profile for Local Marketing
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.aisoci.ai. This guide will walk you […]

Firestarter Labs
May 2035 min read
Small Business Marketing on a budget
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, […]

Firestarter Labs
May 152 min read
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