In this episode of the Referral Roadmap, hosts Athena Captain and Jada Haycraft delve into the critical strategies for enhancing local visibility in an increasingly digital marketplace. They emphasize the importance of optimizing Google Business Profiles and leveraging customer reviews to ensure businesses appear prominently in local searches. The conversation highlights the significance of 'near me' searches, which have surged in recent years, and how businesses can capitalize on this trend by ensuring their online presence is accurate, trustworthy, and engaging. Athena and Jada share personal anecdotes and practical tips, making the discussion relatable and actionable for small business owners navigating the complexities of marketing in 2026.

To access the resources and links discussed in this episode:

https://www.athenacaptain.com/podcast

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If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me here:

https://www.athenacaptain.com/

Athena's Prospecting Secrets Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/athenasecrets

Chapters

00:00 Becoming the Local Choice: Marketing Tactics for 2026

02:23 Understanding Local Search: The Importance of Visibility

05:39 Learning from Experience: The Need for Local Optimization

11:22 The Power of Reviews: Building Trust and Credibility

19:33 Research Insights: The Impact of Local SEO

24:22 Actionable Steps: Optimizing Your Local Presence