The Secrets to Local SEO Success: David Hunter on Ranking and Reviews

Welcome to Market Movers: Building Brands and Links with Linkifi, the podcast that dives deep into the intersection of branding, SEO, and digital PR. Join us, Chris Panteli and Nick Biggs, as we explore strategies to make your business unforgettable. In this episode, we’re joined by Keval Shah, Founder and CEO of Inbound Pursuit, an e-commerce SEO agency. From humble beginnings in web design to managing SEO strategies for e-commerce brands, Keval shares his journey and the insights that have helped businesses thrive in a constantly evolving digital landscape. Here’s what we covered in this episode: Key Takeaways Keval’s Early SEO Journey: How creating video game blogs and navigating Google AdSense sparked a passion for SEO. E-Commerce SEO Trends: Shifts in search traffic from affiliate sites to e-commerce platforms due to Google’s updates. AI's Impact on SEO: The current role of AI in content and its potential influence on commercial keywords. Mistakes in E-Commerce SEO: Common pitfalls, from bloated pages to weak content strategies, and how to fix them. Content Strategy: The value of granular content and its role in topical authority and customer conversion. Link Building Strategies: Balancing paid links, digital PR, and niche edits for a sustainable and impactful SEO strategy. Future-Proofing SEO: Preparing for Google’s changing algorithms and leveraging insights for long-term success. About Keval Shah Keval Shah is a seasoned SEO expert and the founder of Inbound Pursuit, an agency specializing in e-commerce SEO. His expertise helps brands optimize their online presence, drive traffic, and increase conversions. Set up a call with us now: ☎️ calendly.com/linkifi/pr. 👉️ Connect with Chris on LinkedIn 👉️ Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Welcome to the Market Movers: Building Brands and Links with Linkifi podcast! Your trusted destination for insights on blending branding, SEO, and link-building to create unforgettable businesses. Hosted by Chris Panteli and Nick Biggs, Co-Founders of Linkifi. This episode features George Chasiotis, Founder of Minuttia, a leading growth agency for SaaS companies. George, known for his deep expertise in B2B growth strategies and SEO, shares game-changing strategies for content marketing and SEO in the evolving digital landscape. 🎙 Episode Highlights: The pitfalls of using a one-size-fits-all content strategy. How taking calculated risks can propel SaaS companies forward. The power of adaptive content strategies tailored to different business stages. SEO in saturated markets: overcoming challenges and leveraging unique approaches. The impact of AI on SEO strategies and content creation workflows. How perception affects SEO and why companies need a broader channel approach. Key Talking Points: Why Playing It Safe Doesn't Work Most companies follow outdated SEO and content strategies, recycling old tactics. George advocates for experience-led, contrarian content approaches that break the mold. George's Proven Adaptive Strategy Customizing content strategies to align with business dimensions like stage, growth motion, and budget. The importance of focusing on original content, case studies, and multimedia at early stages. Challenges of SEO in Saturated Markets Competing against well-funded players using traditional SEO strategies is tough for smaller companies. Unique content that emphasizes first-hand experience can outperform generic listicles. The Role of AI in SEO While Minuttia doesn’t use AI to create content, they leverage it for supporting processes like information gain and strategy building. Content Strategy Best Practices George emphasizes tailoring strategies based on growth stages: Early-stage companies should focus on case studies and narrative-driven content. Growth-stage companies need to account for scrutiny and legal risks while balancing innovation. The State of SEO in 2024 SEO’s reputation took a hit due to AI overviews and changing search landscapes. Despite challenges, SEO remains a vital part of a holistic marketing strategy. Notable Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs George encourages entrepreneurs to think carefully before starting agencies: “If you’re set on it, learn the ropes at a top company first.” For those pursuing growth in SaaS, George emphasizes the importance of experimenting with strategies from other industries to break through commoditization. 🎯 Resources and Takeaways: Check out Minuttia’s published AI policy for insights into ethical AI use in SEO. Explore Minuttia’s passion project, WithinDays, a platform sharing daily routines of inspiring figures. Learn from Growth Waves, George’s newsletter on SaaS and B2B growth strategies. 🖇️ Links Mentioned: Growth Waves Newsletter: Growth Waves Minuttia Agency: minuttia.com Connect with George on Linkedin: George Chasiotis on LinkedIn Set up a call with us now: ☎️ calendly.com/linkifi/pr. 👉️ Connect with Chris on LinkedIn 👉️ Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Welcome to Market Movers: Building Brands and Links with Linkifi Podcast Your ultimate destination for mastering branding, SEO, and link-building. Hosted by Chris Panteli and Nick Biggs, this podcast explores strategies for transforming your business into a powerhouse brand. Episode Spotlight: Ash Jones – Founder of Great Influence Ash Jones has shaped the personal brands of influential leaders, including Steven Bartlett and Gary Neville. In this episode, Ash discusses his journey from building Steven Bartlett’s brand at Social Chain to creating Great Influence. He shares strategies for personal branding, overcoming online barriers, and scaling influence. Key Talking Points: The Origin Story: Ash’s meeting with Steven Bartlett and their journey in building Social Chain. Going Viral: How Ash’s dog, Bruce, went viral and became his first LinkedIn marketing pitch. Starting from Scratch: Transitioning from big-name clients to local entrepreneurs to perfect personal branding. Building Personal Brands: Distinguishing between personal branding and social media presence. The Magic of Authenticity: Why bringing your offline personality online is crucial. From LinkedIn to Real Life: Using content as a launchpad for public speaking and networking. Key Insights: Foundational Strategy: Personal branding is about more than social media. It starts with defining who you are and what you stand for. Be Genuine: Content rooted in authenticity resonates better and builds lasting connections. The First Steps: For beginners, comfort is key. Start with content that feels natural and sustainable. Expanding Influence: Leverage social platforms to transition into offline opportunities like public speaking. Memorable Quotes: “The job for us is to keep chipping away until we get the person offline, online.” – Ash Jones “It’s not about tips and tricks; it’s about making good, organic content.” – Ash Jones “Public speaking and posting content online are the twin engines of personal branding success.” – Ash Jones About Ash Jones: Ash Jones is the founder of Great Influence, a personal branding agency that helps entrepreneurs establish their presence and grow their influence. His impressive client roster includes the founders of Huel, Grenade, and Pretty Little Thing. Ready to learn from Ash and level up your brand? Connect with him on LinkedIn at Ash Jones. Set up a call with us now: ☎️ calendly.com/linkifi/pr. 👉️ Connect with Chris on LinkedIn 👉️ Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Welcome to the Market Movers: Building Brands and Links with Linkifi podcast, your go-to for transforming your business into an unforgettable brand. I'm Chris Panteli, Co-Founder and CEO at Linkifi, here with my co-host and Co-Founder Nick Biggs. We're excited to explore the powerful blend of branding, SEO, and link-building to boost your brand's visibility, credibility, and impact. Today, we’re joined by Liv Conlon, Founder and CEO of The Property Stagers, a seven-figure home staging company operating across the UK. Liv shares her journey from starting a business at just 16 to scaling it into a major player in the property staging industry. She dives into growth strategies, PR tactics, and the essential role of personal branding in establishing industry authority. Plus, she reveals her latest venture: developing a software solution specifically for home staging businesses. Key Takeaways from the Episode: Starting Young & Scaling Up: Liv launched The Property Stagers at 16, inspired by staging her mother’s property, which sold within days. She scaled her business to seven figures by expanding services, leveraging organic social media, and building an active referral network. Building Financial Independence: Liv also founded Stage Boss Academy, a coaching program helping women launch their own staging businesses, some of whom have gone on to achieve six-figure revenues. Effective PR & Personal Branding: By using her unique story and maintaining a steady media presence, Liv has built authority in home staging. Her story continues to draw media attention, with coverage from major outlets like the Daily Mail, which generates leads and positions her as an industry leader. Social Media & Partnerships: Liv uses a multi-channel approach to client acquisition, combining social media presence, press coverage, and partnerships with property developers and estate agents. Manufacturing & Diversifying Revenue: To support growth, Liv’s team now manufactures their own furniture, ensuring quality and expanding their product offerings for both short-term rental and staging clients. Remote Operations & Strategic Growth: Despite relocating to Spain, Liv successfully manages her UK-based team remotely. This shift allowed her to focus on high-level strategy, which helped her business grow exponentially. Innovative Software Development: Liv is developing an inventory and operations management software tailored for home stagers, potentially revolutionizing the industry. Upcoming TV Show: Liv is working on a UK-based home staging TV show, aiming to elevate her brand and industry visibility. Memorable Quotes: “There’s enough room for everybody. I come from a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity.” “The press isn’t something you can do once—it has to be continually refreshed to keep your story relevant.” “When I moved to Spain, it was the best thing for my business because it allowed me to work on it, not in it.” Connect with Liv Conlon on Linkedin:  Set up a call with us now: ☎️ calendly.com/linkifi/pr. 👉️ Connect with Chris on LinkedIn 👉️ Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Welcome to Market Movers: Building Brands and Links with Linkifi, the podcast that helps you turn your business into a memorable brand. Join hosts Chris and Nick from Linkifi as they explore the intersection of branding, SEO, and link-building to increase your brand’s visibility and credibility. Today, Chris is joined by Dennis Yu, CEO of BlitzMetrics, a digital marketing expert and former Yahoo search engine engineer. Together, they dive into the ins and outs of local SEO, leveraging Google Knowledge Panels, and the power of structured link-building. Key Takeaways from the Episode: Understanding Knowledge Panels: Dennis explains what Google Knowledge Panels are and why claiming them is crucial for establishing a digital footprint and credibility, especially for local businesses. By claiming a knowledge panel, businesses help Google connect their online identity across platforms, boosting their visibility and ranking. Benefits of Knowledge Panels for Local Businesses: With a claimed knowledge panel, businesses are more likely to appear in relevant search results, rich snippets, and AI-generated suggestions. This is especially beneficial for businesses in reputation-driven fields like law, healthcare, and high-ticket home services. Geo-Vertical Grids in SEO: Dennis introduces the concept of geo-vertical grids—targeting specific local markets within a vertical (e.g., plumbers in Dallas or family lawyers in Chicago). Building local authority within these intersections helps businesses achieve more focused and effective SEO outcomes. Digital PR and Networking: Dennis highlights the power of creating short, meaningful video interviews and content snippets when networking. These can be repurposed as blog posts or guest articles, building authoritative backlinks and amplifying visibility in Google’s Knowledge Graph. Utilizing AI for Content Repurposing: AI can enhance content by transforming transcripts of short interviews into polished blog posts. This allows businesses to maintain authenticity while benefiting from SEO-friendly articles with minimal effort. Practical Steps for Link Building: Dennis shares an approach where local businesses and industry experts can generate relevant backlinks by connecting with others in their field, sharing real stories and insights instead of relying on artificial link-building tactics. In this episode, Dennis shares actionable insights for controlling your brand’s online narrative, the practical steps to claim and optimize Google Knowledge Panels, and effective strategies for digital PR and link-building. About Dennis Yu Dennis Yu is the CEO of BlitzMetrics and a former search engine engineer for Yahoo. Known for his data-driven approach to digital marketing, he has managed over a billion dollars in ad spend across major platforms. Through BlitzMetrics, Dennis helps small and local businesses scale their online presence and connect with their audiences. Set up a call with us now: ☎️ calendly.com/linkifi/pr. 👉️ Connect with Chris on LinkedIn 👉️ Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Ready to rise above the noise and make your mark? In today’s episode, SEO expert Louis Smith joins Chris and Nick to discuss the future of SEO for DTC brands, the importance of combining brand-building with SEO, and how AI and digital PR are reshaping SEO strategies. Louis highlights Google’s e-commerce focus, the essential role of product and collection pages in DTC success, and the surprising growth that can come from leveraging PR and smart keyword segmentation. Key Talking Points: Evolving SEO for DTC Brands: Google’s changes make SEO for e-commerce more competitive and demand smarter, intent-focused strategies. Impact of AI on SEO: Louis explains how AI helps analyze reviews, optimize content, and improve internal processes, providing insights that drive effective customer interactions and engagement. Digital PR vs. Traditional Link-Building: Louis shares why investing in high-quality PR links is more valuable than relying on bulk guest posts, providing more authority and lasting SEO impact. Importance of Customer Journey: Successful brands target specific keywords and optimize user experience by building out segmented collection pages, product attributes, and customized journeys. Using AI for Product Page Optimization: AI can help DTC brands deliver realistic images and product descriptions across various customer demographics, enhancing the customer experience. Link-Building Tips: A balanced approach to link-building with PR, niche edits, and relevant guest posts drives SEO, but PR is critical to building brand authority and visibility. Challenges and Strategies in Digital PR: Educating clients on the value of PR, obtaining high-authority features, and establishing lasting credibility can elevate a brand’s presence. About Our Guest Louis Smith is a seasoned SEO specialist who has helped DTC brands drive over $80 million in revenue. With a decade of SEO experience, Louis is passionate about advancing SEO practices and scaling e-commerce brands by prioritizing user experience, AI integration, and digital PR to build lasting brand credibility. 👉️ Linkifi secures high-authority backlinks and media coverage through digital PR, pitching journalists to earn links in reputable Tier-1 publications. Want to boost your brand visibility and domain authority, increasing search rankings and traffic with Linkifi? 🔥📈 Set up a call with us now: ☎️ calendly.com/linkifi/pr. 👉️ Connect with Chris on LinkedIn 👉️ Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Welcome to the Market Movers: Building Brands and Links with Linkifi podcast, where we explore the intersection of branding and SEO. In this episode, hosts Chris Panteli and Nick Biggs sit down with David Hunter, CEO of Local Falcon, to dive deep into local SEO strategies. From optimizing your Google Business Profile to leveraging reviews and backlinks, this episode is packed with actionable insights for small businesses looking to dominate their local market. David shares his journey, from struggling as a financial advisor to building a thriving digital marketing agency and acquiring Local Falcon, a powerful local SEO tool. Together, they explore best practices for getting your business noticed on Google and maintaining high local rankings. Topics like the importance of reviews, content creation, and how to use AI for personalized SEO advice are just the beginning. Key Takeaways: David's Journey: From Merrill Lynch to founding Local Falcon and Epic Web Studios. Local SEO Evolution: How Google has shifted focus to local intent and Google Business Profiles. Optimizing Your Profile: Why choosing the right category and maintaining consistency is critical. Importance of Reviews: Strategies for getting 5-star reviews and responding to negative feedback. Competitor Insights: How analyzing competitors' reviews can reveal opportunities for improvement. The Role of Backlinks: Building local backlinks to strengthen authority and rankings. Service Area Businesses: Challenges faced by SABs and how to compete without a physical location. Falcon AI and Future of Local SEO: Using AI to provide tailored SEO insights and strategies. 🎙️ Local SEO is not a "set it and forget it" strategy. Learn how to stay ahead of the competition with ongoing content, proper category selection, and smart use of reviews. 👉️ Linkifi secures high-authority backlinks and media coverage through digital PR, pitching journalists to earn links in reputable Tier-1 publications. Want to boost your brand visibility and domain authority, increasing search rankings and traffic with Linkifi? 🔥📈 Set up a call with us now: ☎️ https://calendly.com/linkifi/pr. 👉️ Connect with Chris on LinkedIn 👉️ Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Welcome to the Market Movers: Building Brands and Links with Linkifi podcast, your go-to spot for transforming your business into an unforgettable brand. Dive into the world where branding meets SEO and link-building, and unlock the secrets to becoming more visible, credible, and irresistible to your audience. I am Chris Panteli, Co-Founder and CEO at Linkifi, and I am joined by my co-host and Co-Founder, Nick Biggs. Ready to rise above the noise and make your mark? We’re thrilled to welcome Hazem Khattab, SEO Manager at Fantastic Services, a home services franchise company. With 15 years of digital marketing experience, Hazem shares key insights into SEO strategies that fuel Fantastic Services' growth. Together, we explore the intricacies of local SEO, content strategies, and link-building techniques that help service-based businesses dominate in competitive markets. Hazem also discusses the critical role of speed in customer conversion and the growing influence of AI on search results. Key topics covered in this episode: Hazem Khattab's journey from sales to SEO management Fantastic Services’ business model and franchise network growth Creating over 13,000 pages and 2,000 blog posts to support local SEO Strategies for ranking local home services pages The importance of personalized and location-specific content for local SEO How AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini are influencing search results The role of backlinks and the concept of "link fatigue" Using SEO and paid ads in tandem to optimize cost and rankings Building trust with reviews and managing customer satisfaction The increasing importance of speed across the customer journey The changing dynamics of buyer intent in digital marketing Hazem also highlights Fantastic Services' foray into private tutoring and the success they've seen by adapting their local SEO expertise to this new niche. Linkifi secures high-authority backlinks and media coverage through digital PR, pitching journalists to earn links in reputable Tier-1 publications. Want to boost your brand visibility and domain authority, increasing search rankings and traffic with Linkifi? 🔥📈 Set up a call with us now: ☎️ https://calendly.com/linkifi/pr. 👉️ Connect with Chris on LinkedIn 👉️ Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Welcome to the Market Movers podcast, your go-to spot for transforming your business into an unforgettable brand. Dive into the world where branding meets SEO and link-building, and unlock the secrets to becoming more visible, credible, and irresistible to your audience. I'm Chris Panteli, Co-Founder and CEO at Linkifi, joined by my co-host and Co-Founder, Nick Biggs. In today's episode, we welcome Brandon Leibowitz, Founder of SEO Optimizers and a digital marketing expert with over 15 years of experience. Specializing in helping real estate businesses boost their online visibility, Brandon shares expert strategies to help real estate professionals leverage SEO for lead generation in a competitive marketplace. We discuss local map listings, content creation, and the evolving role of AI in digital marketing. Key Takeaways: SEO for Real Estate Agents: Target niche keywords and specific communities to bypass big competitors like Zillow. Focus on low-competition terms with high buyer intent. Local Map Listings Optimization: Complete your Google Business Profile fully, and ensure consistency across various map platforms. Getting reviews and embedding the map on your site also helps build trust. Keyword Strategy and Content Planning: Target long-tail keywords related to specific amenities or communities. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to find search volume and avoid overly competitive terms. Importance of Backlinks: Backlinks remain essential for ranking. Focus on high-quality, niche-relevant backlinks to boost credibility. Consider guest posts, podcasts, and digital PR outreach. Utilizing AI for Content: AI tools can speed up content creation, but they require careful editing to avoid inaccuracies. The right balance between AI and human input can be key for scaling content production. Future of Real Estate SEO: AI search platforms are emerging, but traditional SEO techniques still have strong potential. AI may affect informational content, but transactional queries will likely continue to rely on search engines like Google. Connect with Brandon: Visit SEOOptimizers.com/gift for a special resource and free SEO training content. Linkifi secures high-authority backlinks and media coverage through digital PR, pitching journalists to earn links in reputable Tier-1 publications. Want to boost your brand visibility and domain authority, increasing search rankings and traffic with Linkifi? Set up a call with us now: https://calendly.com/linkifi/pr. Connect with Chris on LinkedIn Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Welcome to the Market Movers: Building Brands and Links with Linkifi podcast, your go-to spot for transforming your business into an unforgettable brand. Dive into the world where branding meets SEO and link-building, and unlock the secrets to becoming more visible, credible, and irresistible to your audience. I am Chris Panteli, Co-Founder and CEO at Linkifi, and I am joined by my co-host and Co-Founder and CEO, Nick Biggs. Ready to rise above the noise and make your mark? In this episode, we’re joined by Alex Galinos, Head Of SEO and SEO Product Manager at Hoppa, a major travel aggregator. Alex shares his insights on building a scalable SEO strategy for a global business, focusing on high-ROI activities. He explains his combined approach to link-building through guest posting and digital PR, and how he integrates data from PPC campaigns to enhance his SEO efforts. Alex also touches on the challenges of attribution in SEO, how to prioritise pages for link-building, and the impact of Google updates on rankings. Here are some key talking points from the episode: Alex’s approach to building a balanced link profile through guest posting and digital PR How he tracks SEO performance through custom Looker Studio reports Using PPC data to inform SEO strategy and prioritise high-value pages Insights into managing link velocity and competition analysis in the travel niche The challenges of attribution and how organic search performs in comparison to other channels The future of SEO in the travel industry amid the rise of rich snippets and AI-driven search features Alex describes himself in his own words like this. “I empower companies to drive qualified traffic to their website, generate leads and increase revenue through SEO and Content Marketing. I approach SEO from a business perspective and in a data-driven, testing-oriented mindset, contributing a commercial understanding and prioritising actions bringing the highest organic revenue impact in the shortest amount of time.” 👉 Linkifi secures high-authority backlinks and media coverage through digital PR, pitching journalists to earn links in reputable Tier-1 publications. Want to boost your brand visibility and domain authority, increasing search rankings and traffic with Linkifi?🔥📈 Set up a call with us now:☎️ https://calendly.com/linkifi/pr.Market Movers: Building Brands & Links with Linkifi Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so