Expanding Local w/ Will Troup

In Episode #8 of the Expanding Local Podcast, host Will Troup interviews Ryan Fenn, CEO of Chirp, a platform revolutionizing lead conversion for home service businesses. Ryan shares his entrepreneurial story—starting as a high school dropout-turned-successful founder—and reveals the core strategies that helped him build a thriving customer engagement system through text messaging, follow-up, and genuine marketing authenticity.

Discover how consistency in communication, combined with real human connection, can transform casual leads into loyal customers. Ryan dives into the essentials of tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), using automation wisely, and balancing advanced technology with personal touch. He also explains how to seed the idea of reviews early, maintain a solid customer list, and keep your business top-of-mind with effective tactics like direct mail and voicemail.

Tune in to learn:

• Why speed to lead is crucial for conversions
• How to find your ideal follow-up frequency without overwhelming prospects
• Ways to achieve authentic engagement and foster lasting customer loyalty
• The evolving role of customer service representatives in an automated world
• Why business mindset and health are pivotal for sustainable business growth
• How tools like Chirp integrate with existing software to streamline your processes

If you’re looking to sharpen your approach to lead conversion, enhance customer relationships, and grow your home service business authentically, don’t miss this insightful conversation with Ryan Fenn.

Join host Will Troup in this exciting Episode #7 of the Expanding Local Podcast as he interviews Tony Whatley—a successful entrepreneur, business coach, and author known for helping business owners unlock their full potential. In this conversation, Tony shares his perspectives on mindset, personal branding, and accountability, offering valuable strategies for home service businesses seeking growth and profitability.

In this episode, Tony and Will discuss the importance of effective time management and how to apply the 80-20 principle to maximize impact in every area of business. Tony also dives into why scaling your company should be guided by market demand, how health plays a crucial role in sustainable success, and the evolving role of AI in the trades. Additionally, they cover common pitfalls—like cash flow management and ineffective sales strategies—that often trip up new entrepreneurs.

Listen in to learn how to:

• Develop a winning mindset that positions you for success
• Cultivate a powerful personal brand to amplify your reputation
• Implement accountability measures to establish a healthy company culture
• Balance priorities using the 80-20 principle for smarter business growth
• Approach goal setting with clarity and intention
• Stay ahead of the curve by integrating AI insights into your processes

Whether you’re an established home service pro or testing out a side hustle, Tony’s insights will help you overcome mental hurdles, build a stand-out brand, and scale your business for the long haul.

Tune in now to discover the mindset shifts and strategies that will fuel your entrepreneurial journey!

Join host Will Troup on the Expanding Local Podcast as he interviews Andrew Lee Jenkins, founder of Catalyst RVA Marketing, to explore the ethical challenges faced by home service contractors in the digital marketing world. Andrew shares his experiences with agency pitfalls, reveals best practices for website optimization, and explains how a careful balance of SEO, local search, and backlinks can deliver real results. He also highlights the importance of customer experience, collecting reviews, and building a transparent, trustworthy online presence.

From leveraging your Google Business Profile to understanding the difference between black hat and white hat tactics, Andrew emphasizes the value of an honest approach to digital strategy. Listen in for tips on developing long-term relationships within your community, incorporating video marketing, and evaluating the effectiveness of local services ads for lead generation. Plus, learn why tracking analytics is the backbone of any successful marketing plan—especially for home service businesses striving to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How to identify and avoid unethical marketing practices
• Key insights for website optimization that drives leads
• The role of customer experience and reviews in building brand authority
• Best practices for optimizing your Google Business Profile
• Ways to use community engagement and video marketing to connect with local audiences
• The importance of tracking analytics and focusing on measurable results

Don’t let shady tactics jeopardize your business. Equip yourself with the knowledge you need for sustainable, ethical marketing success in the home service industry.

Join host Will Troup in this episode of the Expanding Local Podcast as he welcomes Carson Spitzke, co-founder of Vision Management, to discuss the latest strategies and trends in Home Service Marketing. Carson reveals how Facebook Ads, retargeting, and effective campaign setup can transform your digital advertising efforts—especially when targeting higher-ticket home improvement and premium services.

Throughout their conversation, Carson and Will explore the power of Local Services Ads for generating high-quality leads, the importance of understanding your customer segments, and the tactics needed to adapt to the ever-changing digital marketing landscape. They also highlight the crucial role that video content plays in building customer trust and emphasize how PR strategies can boost brand credibility in a crowded marketplace.

As they dive deeper into lead generation, Carson explains how to maintain a marketing mindset that’s rooted in data and results. Plus, you’ll learn why customer engagement must be at the forefront of every business’s marketing approach—from leveraging public relations to making the most of tools like ChatGPT. Whether you’re new to digital advertising or looking to refine your existing methods, you’ll walk away with actionable insights for driving business growth in the home service industry.

Tune in to discover:

• Proven techniques for Facebook retargeting in the home service sector
• Why Local Services Ads can be a game-changer for premium services
• The value of a numbers-driven approach to marketing success
• How to blend PR strategies with video content for maximum credibility
• The role of ChatGPT in analyzing and refining your business strategies

Ready to level up your Home Service Marketing game? This episode breaks down the mindset shifts and tactical approaches you need to stay ahead of the competition.

Join host Will Troup on the Expanding Local Podcast as he chats with Andrew Napier, founder and CEO of Pursuit of Happiness Marketing. Andrew reveals how he transitioned from the automotive industry to running a successful marketing agency that empowers home service businesses through video sales letters, intent-based marketing, and strategic use of Google Ads and Bing Ads.

In this episode, you’ll learn how AI is reshaping the future of customer service and business efficiency in the home services space. Andrew breaks down the process of training AI—including creating custom GPT models—and highlights why well-defined SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) are crucial for seamless automation and scaling. Discover why video content remains a powerhouse for generating leads and how personal branding can elevate your reputation, open consulting opportunities, and even boost your business's valuation.

Whether you’re a new startup or an established entity in the home services industry, Andrew’s insights will help you keep up with a rapidly evolving technology landscape. Listen in to gain practical tips on building robust marketing funnels, optimizing your ads for higher conversions, and leveraging AI tools to streamline your operations. From the underrated potential of Bing Ads to predicting the future of agencies in an AI-driven world, this episode offers actionable strategies to fuel business growth and stay ahead of the curve.

Join host Will Troup on the Expanding Local Podcast as he interviews Lewis Vandervalk, a marketing pro who transformed his background in construction and mechanical engineering into a thriving career in digital marketing for home-service businesses. In this episode, Lewis explains how hands-on experience in the trades can give you a competitive edge when it comes to creating effective SEO strategies, building backlinks, and mastering schema to help you get more local leads.

Lewis also breaks down the importance of video content on your website, the power of personal branding, and why your Google Business Profile must be closely connected to your main site. Discover how you can optimize your online presence through Local SEO, website optimization, and strategic social media engagement. Plus, Lewis shares tips on tracking the right metrics to ensure a solid ROI on your marketing efforts, and how community networking can strengthen your backlinks.

From practical advice on building trust through relevant content to leveraging tools that make SEO more data-driven, Lewis pulls from real-world experiences in junk removal and home services to help you avoid common digital marketing pitfalls. Whether you’re new to the trades or a seasoned professional, this conversation offers a blueprint for turning your brand into a local powerhouse. Don’t miss these insights on blending your in-house knowledge with creative outsourcing, and the key steps to keep Google happy—without losing your independence.

Join host Will Troup, founder of LocalSink, in the second episode of the Expanding Local podcast, as he interviews Billy “Door Guy” Cline, founder of Your New Door, about the mindset shifts and practical strategies needed to grow a small home-service business into a scalable model. In this episode, Billy reveals how he transitioned from competitive bass fishing to running a thriving door business by focusing on leadership, rebranding, and embracing fresh marketing approaches.

Discover the role of digital marketing, especially the power of Google Business Profiles and the evolving landscape of PPC advertising, and why radio advertising is still a valuable tool for brand awareness. Billy also explains the importance of tracking advertising success to measure your return on investment, along with owning your digital assets—so you’re never fully dependent on any single agency or platform.

They delve into agency relationships and the nuances of hiring an external team to handle your marketing, plus how to avoid the pitfalls of rapid growth by building a strong company culture. Billy shares actionable insights for generating customer reviews, discusses the dangers of over-reliance on Google, and highlights the benefits of developing both a personal brand and a business brand.

Throughout the conversation, you’ll learn how focusing on cash flow, profitability, and preparing your company for sale can lay the groundwork for future success. Billy emphasizes the value of removing constraints, cultivating A-players, and nurturing the mindset needed for young workers to thrive. If you’re looking to unlock new business growth opportunities and discover the best marketing strategies for home services, this episode is a must-listen.

This is the first full episode of the Expanding Local Podcast. In this episode, Will Troup, the founder of LocalSink and Jonathan Bannister, the founder of Cornerstone Marketing Solutions discuss specific strategies that can make the phone ring for your home-service business. 

We cover direct mail, Google Business Profiles, ads, and much, much more. 

In this bonus clip of Expanding Local, I sit down with Keigan Carthy to dive deep into the world of Facebook Ads and Google Local Service Ads (LSAs) for local home service businesses. We discuss proven strategies for crafting compelling ad creatives, the importance of tracking and optimizing leads, and how to maximize the effectiveness of your ad spend. Keigan shares his expert insights on the unique challenges and opportunities in different markets, how to overcome common pitfalls, and why retargeting and seasoned ad accounts can make all the difference. Whether you're new to digital marketing or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with valuable tips to help you generate more high-quality leads and grow your business. Tune in to learn how to turn your advertising efforts into a well-oiled lead-generating machine!

In this bonus clip of Expanding Local, we sit down with Ted Budzichowski, the CEO of Wirefox Electric. While Ted is one of the best electricians in Odenton, MD, it wasn't always that way. We sat down to discuss his journey through the challenges of working with digital marketing companies. Ted shares candid stories about past experiences with marketing agencies that overpromised and underdelivered, revealing the red flags every home service business should watch for. From misleading metrics to locked-in contracts, Ted provides valuable insights into how to spot ineffective marketing tactics and find partners that genuinely help your business grow. Tune in to learn what you need to know to avoid common pitfalls and ensure your marketing efforts are actually making your phone ring.