What if you could qualify leads, show off your past work, and prevent callbacks—all without ever stepping foot in a client’s home?

In this episode, Mike Goldstein chats with James Hatfield, Chief Revenue Officer at LiveSwitch, a video communications platform built specifically for service businesses like yours. James shares his journey from running a painting and pressure washing company to helping thousands of contractors scale faster with instant video tools.

Whether you're dealing with unqualified leads, no-show appointments, or struggling to collect reviews—this episode will show you exactly how to use video to close more sales, streamline communication, and create a better client experience from start to finish.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• Why speed to lead is more important than ever for remodelers
• How to qualify prospects with a single text—before wasting gas
• Using QR codes to automate job site videos, updates, and documentation
• Creative ways remodelers are using video to build trust and drive reviews
• How LiveSwitch integrates with tools like Jobber, Housecall Pro, and Zapier
• Why contractors are calling this the “virtual walkie-talkie” of sales

Resources & Links from the Episode:

Free Trial Signup: Try LiveSwitch Now

Get 10% Off with coupon code: CWKR10

About James Hatfield

James is the Chief Revenue Officer at LiveSwitch, a leading communications platform that helps home service pros use instant video to connect faster with customers, document jobs in real-time, and close more sales. With roots in the trades and over two decades in tech, James bridges the gap between practical field knowledge and smart digital tools.

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If you’re a contractor, remodeler, or home service pro still banking on old-school SEO to bring in leads… this episode is your wake-up call. Google has changed the rules — again. But this time, it’s not just an algorithm tweak. It’s full-blown AI replacing the search experience with answer boxes that cut you right out of the picture.

In this episode, Mike Goldstein breaks down the shift to AI Overviews and Google’s new AI Mode — and more importantly, what the actual patents say about how Google decides which businesses show up. Spoiler: it’s not about backlinks anymore. It’s about structured, machine-readable answers, trust signals, and real-world expertise.

You’ll learn:

• Why your homepage and blog might be totally invisible in Google’s AI results
• What the newest Google patents reveal about how AI chooses which websites to pull from
• How to rewrite your content for AEO (Answer Engine Optimization)
• Real examples of businesses who’ve adapted and are now dominating local search
• Tactical steps you can implement this week to start showing up again

This isn’t theory. It’s how Google is working right now — and the businesses that adapt first will win.

Read the full blog version of this episode here:

https://kitchenremodelingseo.com/googles-ai-just-rewrote-the-rules-and-your-website-didnt-get-the-memo/

Need help getting your business found in AI search? Visit KitchenRemodelingSEO.com to book a strategy session.

In this solo episode, Mike Goldstein shares a no-fluff breakdown of how AEO—Answer Engine Optimization—is replacing traditional SEO and what that means for kitchen and bathroom remodeling businesses. AI search tools like Google SGE, ChatGPT, and Perplexity are changing the rules of how homeowners find local remodelers—and if your content isn’t built to answer specific questions, you’re getting left behind.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is—and how it’s already changing local search
• Why keywords matter less and questions matter more in the AI-powered search era
• How tools like ChatGPT, Alexa, and Google SGE are delivering instant answers without sending users to websites
• The 5 key strategies for optimizing your remodeling business for AEO:

1. Build a question-based content strategy
2. Create and structure FAQ pages that link to blog-level answers
3. Add schema markup (FAQ, product, article) to signal AI bots
4. Optimize for voice search with conversational headlines and page titles
5. Leverage chatbots and AI assistants to stay in front of search behavior shifts

• The difference between “ranking” in SEO vs. “being the answer” in AEO
• How being featured in zero-click results can boost local leads and brand authority

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Tools: AnswerThePublic, AlsoAsked, Google’s People Also Ask
• Schema resource: https://schema.org
• Mike’s upcoming AI & marketing book (free download for subscribers—stay tuned)

Who This Is For:

Kitchen and bath remodeling business owners, cabinet shop owners, and marketers in the home remodeling niche who want to future-proof their lead flow and get found in the next wave of AI-powered search.

Watch the full webinar at: https://youtu.be/zN1IsfOX7YI?si=AEP5VWsNhQIyTTa6

If your kitchen or bathroom remodeling business has a showroom, but you're not getting enough walk-ins or phone calls, your Google Business Profile (GBP) might be the problem.

In today’s episode of Crushing It with Kitchen Remodeling SEO Contractors, we’re diving deep into how to optimize your GBP the right way so more homeowners can find you, visit your showroom, and book appointments.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The #1 mistake remodelers make with their Google Business Profile (and how to fix it fast)

How one remodeler increased showroom visits by 40% in just 30 days—without spending money on ads

The photo strategy that makes homeowners trust you instantly

Why Google ranks active businesses higher (and what to do about it)

A simple way to get more 5-star reviews without begging customers

Want more remodeling leads?

Get expert help optimizing your digital presence by reading the accompanying article on enhancing your Google Business Profile

Listen now and start getting more showroom visits, leads, and booked projects today!

I

n this episode of Crushing It With Kitchen Remodeling, host Mike Goldstein takes a deep dive into the world of SEO. Rather than interviewing a guest this week, Mike walks you through a live SEO audit of a sample business outside the kitchen remodeling industry. He reveals the exact tools, strategies, and processes he uses to analyze a website’s performance in Google search results—and how you can apply these techniques to your own kitchen remodeling business.

From examining your Google Business Profile and map rankings to identifying technical SEO issues and content gaps, this episode is packed with actionable tips. Learn about tools like Local Falcon, Screaming Frog, Search Atlas, and Google PageSpeed Insights. Discover why internal linking, structured data, and site speed optimization are critical to dominating your local search results.

Tune in to gain insider knowledge and practical steps you can take today to improve your online presence, attract more local leads, and grow your business.

Show Notes:

1. Introduction

• Why we’re taking a different approach this episode
• Overview of SEO audits and why they matter

2. Google Business Profile Analysis

• Using Local Falcon to assess map rankings
• Understanding the importance of customer reviews and competitor analysis

3. Technical SEO Essentials

• Robots.txt files: What they are and how they impact your site
• XML sitemaps: Ensuring Google can find and index your pages
• 404 errors, redirects, and canonical tags: Common pitfalls to avoid

4. Content Optimization

• Crafting compelling title tags and meta descriptions
• The importance of internal linking for SEO success
• Utilizing schema markup and authorship for better search visibility

5. Off-Page SEO Strategies

• The role of backlinks in SEO performance
• Identifying and disavowing toxic links with tools like SEMrush

6. Tools Mentioned in the Episode

• Local Falcon
• Screaming Frog
• Search Atlas
• Google PageSpeed Insights
• WP Rocket for WordPress performance

7. Key Takeaways

• SEO is like building a solid foundation: technical structure, content strategy, and authority all matter
• Simple improvements in site speed, internal linking, and content clarity can yield significant ranking boosts
• Regular audits help you stay ahead of competitors and adapt to Google’s evolving algorithms

Connect with Us:

• Visit our website: kitchenremodelingseo.com
• Call us at: 339-645-9461
• Follow us on YouTube to see the live audit walkthrough

If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Let us know if you have any SEO questions or need help optimizing your kitchen remodeling business for more leads and better visibility. See you next week on Crushing It With Kitchen Remodeling! ️

Are you leaving money on the table because of slow lead response?

In this episode of Crushing It with Kitchen Remodeling Contractors, we tackle one of the biggest (and most costly) mistakes home service businesses make—poor lead follow-up. If you're running ads, getting website inquiries, or generating leads but not responding fast enough, you're losing deals to your competitors.

To break it all down, we’re joined by James King Baskin, founder of Outsourced Kings, an expert in speed-to-lead and virtual appointment setting for home service businesses. James shares exactly what remodeling companies should be doing to respond faster, qualify leads more effectively, and close more deals without wasting time on bad prospects.

Why responding to leads within five minutes is a game-changer

The biggest mistakes remodeling companies make when handling inbound leads

How to qualify leads so you’re not wasting time on tire-kickers

The difference between an appointment setter vs. a call center (and why it matters)

How many times you should follow up before giving up on a lead

Simple strategies to reduce no-shows and increase conversions

How to run a database reactivation campaign and close old leads

If you’re ready to fix your lead follow-up process and stop losing deals, this episode is a must-listen!

Connect with James King Baskin: OutsourcedKings.com

Follow James on Facebook: facebook.com/outsourcedkings

Learn more about lead management & automation: Kitchen Remodeling SEO

Loved this episode? Leave a review and subscribe to Crushing It with Kitchen Remodeling Contractors so you never miss an expert tip!

#leadgeneration #homerepair #kitchenremodeling #contractorlife #businessgrowth #salesstrategy

Are you making money in your remodeling business but not thinking about long-term financial security? In this episode of Crushing It with Kitchen Remodelers, we sit down with Matt Ruttenberg, a financial expert and Business Development Officer at Life Inc. Retirement Services, to discuss how kitchen and bath remodelers can leverage 401k plans to secure their future, attract top talent, and optimize tax savings.

Matt shares insights on how small business owners can start investing in retirement, common mistakes to avoid, and how to design a plan that maximizes benefits for both owners and employees. Whether you have a couple of employees or a growing team, this episode will help you understand the right financial moves to set up your business for long-term success.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

Why 401k plans are critical for business owners and employees

Common misconceptions about retirement planning

How to maximize contributions while minimizing tax liability

When is the right time to start a retirement plan?

The difference between traditional 401ks, solo 401ks, and SEP IRAs

How offering a 401k can help you attract and retain skilled employees

Guest Information:

Matt Ruttenberg – Business Development Officer at Life Inc. Retirement Services

Website: 401k.expert or Life Inc. Retirement Services

Tools & Resources: Tax credit calculator and "Which Plan is Best for Me?" assessment available on their website.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us bring more valuable content to help you grow your remodeling business.

#KitchenRemodeling #RetirementPlanning #401kForBusinessOwners #FinancialSuccess #HomeServices

Attention all kitchen remodeling business owners! Get ready to boost your online visibility and dominate the SEO game with our latest episode of "Crushing it with Kitchen Remodeling." Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of podcast guesting and its profound impact on your off-page SEO efforts. In this episode, our special guest, Matt Hepburn, an esteemed expert in digital marketing and SEO, unveils the secrets to strategically leveraging podcast appearances for building powerful backlinks. Learn how these backlinks can propel your website's E-A-T score (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) and enhance your online authority within the kitchen remodeling industry. Discover why backlinks from reputable podcasts hold exceptional value and how they can significantly influence your search engine rankings. Matt provides insider tips on selecting the right podcasts in your niche, maximizing the SEO benefits of being a podcast guest, and establishing yourself as an industry authority. But the benefits don't end there! Tune in to uncover additional SEO advantages of podcast guesting and gain invaluable insights on leveraging your appearances to amplify your overall digital marketing efforts. If you're a kitchen remodeling business owner looking to skyrocket your online presence and dominate the SEO game, this episode is a game-changer! Don't miss out on the opportunity to level up your business with the power of podcast guesting. Download now and immerse yourself in the world of "Crushing it with Kitchen Remodeling" as we explore the profound impact of podcast guesting on your off-page SEO success. Let's take your kitchen remodeling business to new heights.

In this episode of the Crushing It with Kitchen Remodeling Podcast, we dive into the game-changing world of renovation loans with mortgage expert Peter Ferrara, and kitchen remodel marketing expert, Mike Goldstein. Learn how offering financing options can help contractors attract more clients, close larger deals, and boost their bottom line. Peter breaks down the different types of renovation loans available, including FHA 203K, Fannie Mae Homestyle, and VA renovation loans, and shares actionable strategies to incorporate financing into your marketing efforts.

We also explore untapped opportunities like accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and discuss how contractors can use webinars and educational tools to nurture leads and grow their businesses.

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about renovation loans and how they can help your business by attending Peter’s webinar: https://renovationwebinar.loyamortgageteam.com/

Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you found this episode helpful!