Adschoolmaster

Had a great chat with a local business owner this morning.

They asked me, “Do I really need a lot of backlinks to rank well in my area?”

Here’s what I told them:

If you’re a local business, you don’t need hundreds of links like big national brands do.

Most of the time, fewer than 150 solid links can get you on page one.

But not just any links.

You need links from places that matter in your area.

Think of it like this:

Are other local sites talking about you?

Are you listed in local directories?

Are you creating content that people in your community care about?

Are you missing out on links your competitors already have?

These aren’t giant mystery strategies. They’re doable. With a little digging and some effort, you can find great link opportunities close to home.

It’s not about being everywhere. It’s about being in the right places, with the right people.

Want more visibility in local search?

Start by asking:
Who in my town is already ranking-and how can I be part of that conversation?

If you’re not sure where to begin, we can help.

Let’s build something that lasts.

A lot of local business owners still guess what people search for online.

They try to think like the customer... but end up missing the words that actually matter.

One of the things we talk about a lot at AdSchoolMaster is this:

If you want to show up in local search results, you need to know what people are really typing into Google.

Not what you think they type. What they actually type.

Example: People might not search “plumber in Manchester”… they might type “emergency drain fix near me.”

See the difference?

That’s why local keyword research is so important.

Here’s a simple way to start:

- Look for keywords that show local intent
(You’ll know when Google shows map results with business listings)
- Use Google Keyword Planner and set it to your city or area
- Don’t worry if search volumes look small
(For local businesses, that small number could be your next 10 clients)
- Group your keywords by service
(Each one should lead to its own service page-not all crammed on your homepage)

And yes, tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush help. But even free tools can get you pretty far.

Here’s the real secret: Stop guessing and start listening to the data.

Want to attract more local customers?

Start by knowing what they’re actually searching for.

Just had a good chat with a local business owner about showing up on Google.

They’d been working hard, but still weren’t seeing results in local searches.

So we went over a few things that really matter. Here’s what we figured out:

First, if you haven’t claimed your Google Business Profile, do it today. It’s free, and it’s basically how your shop shows up on Maps and in the little 3-pack right under the ads.

Second, think about how your customers search. People don’t just type “pizza.” They type “pizza near me” or “best pizza in Chicago.” Your website and pages should reflect that.

Third, keep your business info consistent. Name, address, phone number. Everywhere. Google sees mismatched info and starts to doubt you’re legit. That can hurt your ranking.

Also-get reviews. Ask for them. Make it easy. People trust what other people say, and Google does too.

It’s not about fancy tricks. Local SEO is just making it easier for people nearby to find and trust your business.

So here’s the real question:

When someone Googles what you do in your town… do YOU show up?

If not, it’s time to fix that.

Need help figuring out where to start?

Let’s talk.

Had a great chat today about something many business owners forget about-local citations.

If you’re running a local business, they matter more than you think.

So what the heck are they?

Local citations are when your business name, address, and phone number show up on websites like Yelp or Google. That’s it.

Simple stuff, right?

But here’s why they count:
They help people (and search engines) know your business is real.
They make you easier to find.
And they build trust.

Now, there are two types:
Structured ones-like directory listings.
Unstructured ones-like when a local blog mentions your shop.

Want to get started?

Start with these:
- Claim your Google Business Profile.
- Get listed on sites like Yelp or Yellow Pages.
- Use tools that update your info across the web.
- Join your local Chamber of Commerce.

One big tip: Make sure your info is exactly the same everywhere.

Spelling. Phone number. Everything.

Being consistent shows you care-and Google likes that.

Citations might not be flashy, but they’re a big piece of the local SEO puzzle.

Want more people to find your business?

Start getting your name out there-one listing at a time.

Had a good chat with a client yesterday about why their business isn’t showing up in local search results.

They thought just having a website was enough.

Here’s the truth:
If you’re a local business, you can’t ignore local SEO.

It’s how people nearby find you when they need what you offer.

Say someone’s looking for “coffee near me.” If your info isn’t showing up right or your Google Business Profile is out of date, guess what? They’ll end up at your competitor’s shop.

Here are some things that really move the needle:

Make sure your Google Business Profile is filled out and accurate. This helps you show up on maps and local results.

Use keywords people in your area are actually searching for. “Coffee shop in Austin” is very different from just “coffee shop.”

Have a landing page on your site that speaks to local customers with location-specific content.

Keep your business info (name, address, phone) consistent across all online listings.

Get reviews. Real ones. People trust them, and Google does too.

Ask to be featured in local guides or listicles. It helps your business show up more often.

Keep an eye on your website’s technical health. Little issues can hold you back.

You don’t need to do all of this overnight.

But start with one thing today.

Look up your business on Google. What shows up?

That’s where your customers are starting.

Want help figuring out where to improve?

We’ve got you. Let’s talk.

Had a great chat with a client this morning about SEO.

They asked, “Is content still that important?”

Short answer: Yes. More than ever.

Here’s why:

Writing a bunch of blog posts isn’t enough. You need to write stuff that actually helps people.

Clear answers. Real value. No fluff.

Google’s getting smarter. It’s not just looking for keywords anymore. It wants to show good, trustworthy info to its users.

So what does that mean for you?

Write with care. Focus on what your audience needs. Structure it so it’s easy to read. Use plain language. And don’t overthink the SEO part-just be helpful.

Good content brings traffic. But great content builds trust. That’s what keeps people coming back.

Thinking of reworking your content strategy?

Ask yourself:
Would I stay and read this if I wasn’t the one who wrote it?

Start there. Adjust often. And make sure it’s worth someone’s time.

If you want content that works for people and search engines, let’s make it happen.

Just posted this for Adschoolmaster:

Noticed a drop in traffic on one of your blog posts?

It might not be broken. It might just be old.

Content doesn’t last forever. Even great stuff can fade if it isn’t updated.

This is called content decay. It’s when posts lose traffic, drop in search rankings, and people stop sharing them.

But the good news is-you don’t always need to start from scratch.

Here’s what you can do:

Check your stats. Use tools like Google Analytics to find posts that aren’t doing as well as they used to.

Update them. Add new stats, fix old links, and make the content fresh again. Then publish it with a new date.

Try a new format. Maybe that blog post would work better as a video. Or a short email. Or a quick infographic.

And if the content really doesn't help anymore? It’s okay to delete it or send visitors to a better page.

The goal is simple: Keep your content helpful and easy to find.

Take 30 minutes today. Look at your old stuff. And ask yourself-does this still help the person reading it?

That’s how you stop the decay. And start growing again.

Need help figuring out what to update?

Let’s talk.

Just got off a call where someone asked,
"What’s the secret to winning with SEO?"

Honestly, it’s not one thing.
It’s a bunch of small steps done the right way.

Start here:
Figure out what you really want. More sales? More traffic? Better leads?
Then learn what your audience needs. What are they searching for? What problems can you solve for them?

Next, check out your competitors. What are they doing well? What are they missing? That’s your chance.

And yes-keywords matter. But only the ones that actually match what your audience is looking for.

Once you’ve got that down, make sure your website works.
Fix broken links. Clean up any slow pages.
Add content that helps people. Not fluff. Real answers.
And don’t forget to tidy up titles and tags. Search engines (and people) care about that.

Then there’s the trust part.
You’ve got to earn links from other sites. That tells Google you’re worth showing.
Also-share your content. Talk with your audience. Show up.

Finally, don’t just set it and forget it.
Check what’s working. Change what’s not.

SEO isn’t magic. But done right?
It brings steady, real growth over time.

Want a strategy built for the long game?

Start with what your audience needs.
And build from there.

Just got off a call with a friend who’s hiring for their marketing team.

They said, “I don’t know what to ask in the interview anymore. Everyone says they know SEO, but how do I know if it’s true?”

Totally get it.

What you ask in an interview matters just as much as what’s on someone’s resume.

Here’s a simple way to split it up:

Ask about real work:
What platforms do you know best?
Have you used AI for ad bidding?
How do you use customer data without crossing privacy lines?

Then check how they work with others:
How do you manage a team?
Can you stay self-motivated and still collaborate?

You’re not just hiring skills.
You’re hiring someone who will shape your team and your results.

Hiring soon?

Start by asking better questions.

Need help putting that list together?
I’ve got a few that can help. Let’s talk.

Had a few chats this week about voice search.
Lots of folks still write content like it’s 2012.

Here’s the thing:
When people talk to their phones, they don’t say “Italian restaurant New York.”
They say, “Hey, where’s a good Italian place near me?”

That’s a big deal.
If your content still sounds robotic, voice assistants might skip right over it.

So what can you do?

Write how people talk.
Use questions in your content.
Answer them clearly.

Also-snag that featured snippet if you can.
It’s the one voice assistants love to read out loud.

And don’t forget local search.
Most voice searches happen on the go.
People are looking for stuff nearby.
Make sure your business info is correct and easy to find.

One more thing-your site needs to be fast and mobile-friendly.
Nobody’s waiting around for a slow page to load, especially not voice search.

Optimizing for voice isn’t just smart-it’s how people are using the internet now.
This isn’t the future. It’s happening.

Not sure where to start?

Try reading your content out loud.
If it doesn’t sound like something someone would say… time to rewrite it.

Want to make your business easier to find with voice search?

Now’s the moment to lean in.

Just read a roundup of what 22 SEO experts think is coming in 2025.

It’s not just about traffic anymore.

Here’s what they’re seeing:

AI is changing the game.
Search results now look different, and organic clicks are down.
You can’t just stuff keywords and hope for the best.
You need to know how AI thinks-and work with it.

SEO is turning into straight-up marketing.
It’s not just about being found.
It’s about being known. Seen. Trusted.
Your brand needs to show up like a real person people want to follow.

Clicks used to be the main goal.
But now, people ask a question-then read the answer right on the page.
No clicks.
So what matters?
That they remember you. That your name sticks.

And don’t forget the humans behind the words.
Google still wants real expertise.
Especially in topics like health and money.
So make sure your authors are legit.

Also, Google’s not the only game.
Think Bing. Think AI chatbots.
Your brand needs to work wherever people are searching.

All this sounds big.
Because it is.
But it’s a chance to do better marketing. Not just better SEO.

Want your brand to keep showing up-no matter how search changes?

It starts with thinking beyond clicks.

Just wrapped up a chat about SEO with a few freelance marketers.

Most of them thought SEO was just about stuffing keywords on a page.

It’s not.

Here’s what really moves the needle:

Page Titles
Your title should tell Google-and people-exactly what your page is about. Use your keywords early. No tricks.

Real Content
Write stuff that actually helps your audience. Not fluff. Not just long for the sake of it. Answer real questions.

Fast Sites Win
If your page takes forever to load, people bounce. Google notices that. Speed matters.

Links Help
Link between your own pages. It keeps people exploring and helps search engines understand your site better.

Pick Good Keywords
Go after words people are actually searching for. Not just high-volume ones. Look for the narrow stuff too. Those often bring better leads.

Add Images
Not just pretty pictures. Use ones that explain what you’re saying. They should add value, not just fill space.

Think About the Reader
If your site is confusing or hard to read, people won’t stay long. Google sees that. Make it easy and helpful.

SEO isn’t magic.

It’s just doing a lot of simple things well-over and over again.

Want more people to find your site?

Start by asking:
Is my website useful, fast, and clear?

If not, that’s where to begin.