503. Local Services Website Teardown: A Case Study with Greg Merrilees

🚀 How a children's book company increased sales from 4 million to 6 million copies with a strategic website redesign Just dropped an incredible case study with Greg Merrilees, breaking down the complete transformation of Tuttle Twins' website. Here's what moved the needle:  ✅ Leveraged "common enemy" strategy (CNN criticism actually DROVE sales)  ✅ Implemented side cart upsells for instant AOV boost  ✅ Removed ALL distractions from checkout pages  ✅ Built a community around brand vs. generic discounts Greg's conversion-focused approach proves that pretty websites don't pay the bills - converting sites do. Listen to Episode 507 of Marketing Speak to get the behind-the-scenes breakdown of every design decision that contributed to this 50% sales increase. What's your biggest website conversion challenge? 👇 The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at marketingspeak.com/507.

Kevin Indig dropped mind-blowing insights on Marketing Speak about how AI is reshaping everything we know about search and marketing. His exclusive user study reveals that Google's AI overviews are causing click-through rates to plummet by more than half. But here's the counterintuitive truth: To compete with AI, you need to become MORE human, not less. Kevin's research shows that users now apply a two-step filter: trust BEFORE relevance. This means your brand recognition and authenticity matter more than perfect SEO. As someone who grew Shopify, G2, and Atlassian, Kevin knows what works. His Growth Memo reaches 18,400+ subscribers with cutting-edge insights like these. Don't get left behind in the AI revolution. Listen to episode 506 now!  The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at marketingspeak.com/506.

🎯 Most entrepreneurs struggle with selling because they feel "too salesy" - but what if selling could actually be joyful? My latest Marketing Speak guest, Lisa Bloom, has cracked the code. After 15+ years as a story coach, she's helped hundreds of entrepreneurs sell naturally through authentic storytelling. One client made two sales at a single networking meeting, covering her entire program investment. Lisa's secret? The right stories do the selling FOR you. When you share specific experiences, people start asking, "How can I work with you?" instead of you having to pitch them. Ready to transform your sales approach? Listen to episode 505, where Lisa reveals the seven stories every business needs. The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at marketingspeak.com/505.

From laid-off architect to 1.5M YouTube subscribers and $415K Kickstarter launch—Pat Flynn's journey proves that authenticity beats perfection every time. His secret? The "just-in-time learning" approach helps you avoid information overload while accelerating skill acquisition. Instead of consuming everything "just in case," Pat teaches focusing only on what's needed for your next step. This strategy helped him launch a physical product (SwitchPod) with zero manufacturing experience and create a YouTube Shorts channel that hit 1 billion views in under a year. Most powerful takeaway: "There's no unique messages, there's only unique messengers." 🎧 Discover Pat's complete roadmap for building genuine connections that no AI can replicate in this latest Marketing Speak episode!  The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at marketingspeak.com/504.

🎯 The #1 mistake local service businesses make with their websites? Copying their competitors. Greg Merrilees just shared this game-changing insight on Marketing Speak: "You don't know what's working on their website and what's not. Why copy them?" Instead, Greg's Studio One Design uses a systematic approach: → Deep competitor analysis (to differentiate, not copy) → StoryBrand framework for messaging → Custom mood boards for brand positioning → Location-specific SEO strategies The result for one landscaping client? Tripled inbound calls and premium-quality leads. This episode is packed with actionable strategies that work for ANY local business ready to stand out in a crowded market. Full case study breakdown in this episode! The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at marketingspeak.com/503.

After 20 years transforming technical B2B brands into compelling stories (and winning awards alongside Bloomberg and National Geographic), Molly St. Louis reveals why traditional PR is dead—and what's replacing it. In this Marketing Speak episode, discover: How to create your brand's "Marvel universe" Why 500 engaged views beat viral content every time The entertainment secrets that make technical content irresistible From actor to award-winning content strategist, Molly shares the counterintuitive approach that helped her clients stand out in crowded markets. Transform your technical content now! The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at marketingspeak.com/502.

From $250K in debt to 3 seven-figure companies—discover the exact marketing formula that transformed Garrain Jones from living in his car to commanding six-figure speaking fees worldwide! 💰 In today's game-changing episode of Marketing Speak, bestselling author and master brand builder Garrain Jones reveals: ✅ The "Viral Vulnerability Framework" that generated 2,000 likes and 500 comments in 20 minutes  ✅ How to convert your personal story into a scalable 7-figure business model ✅ The "Artist Power Method" for instant brand differentiation in saturated markets  ✅ Why his first authentic post led to celebrity DMs and million-dollar opportunities Garrain's book Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life isn't just inspiration—it's a masterclass in personal brand monetization. Learn how he built a business empire on authenticity while others struggle with fake personas. 🎯 This episode shows you EXACTLY how to: Turn your biggest failure into your most profitable asset Create content that magnetically attracts premium clients Build a value ladder from $20 books to $50K corporate contracts Use strategic vulnerability to dominate your market This isn't typical marketing advice. This is your blueprint if you're ready to build an authentic brand that prints money. Listen now and discover why vulnerability is the new competitive advantage in marketing! The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at marketingspeak.com/501.

MAJOR SEO SHIFTS HAPPENING NOW: "AI cannot write about experiences," I explained to John Jantsch on his Duct Tape Marketing podcast. I had the pleasure of sharing how Google's updated E-E-A-T principles now emphasize genuine experience over credentials, and offering practical strategies to future-proof your digital presence.  We discussed content pruning techniques that quickly boost rankings and voice search optimization that prepares you for what I call "the Star Trek computer future"—approaches that will position you far ahead of competitors. Listen to our conversation now! The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at marketingspeak.com/500.

Imagine scaling your business — not through force or burnout — but by mastering your energy and channeling universal intelligence. This week on Marketing Speak, meet Jennifer Lyall, intuitive business mentor and creator of the Thrive Client Attraction System. Jennifer reveals how she transformed from an exhausted entrepreneur to a magnetic force of abundance and flow by tapping into her intuitive gifts and clearing the energetic blocks that held her back. Tune in now to unlock your intuitive power and activate your next-level success! The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at marketingspeak.com/499.

Is your brand suffering from an identity crisis? It could be costing you millions. In this eye-opening conversation, branding expert and existential marketing therapist Mordy Oberstein breaks down how brands lose their audience, not from bad design, but from disconnecting from their core identity. He shares insights on how to unify brand and performance marketing, discusses how Jaguar and Wix mishandled brand pivots, and what Coca-Cola got right in their recent redemption arc. If you’re a business leader, CMO, or agency pro looking to build a brand that resonates (and converts), this one’s a must-listen. Tune in! 🎧 The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at marketingspeak.com/498.