In this episode of Growth Guidance, host Kathleen breaks down the 5 essential Local SEO tools every small business should be using in 2025. From managing Google Business Profiles to tracking local rankings and optimizing citations, these tools are the real game-changers behind successful local marketing campaigns.

Kathleen shares the exact platforms she uses daily as an SEO professional—giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how agencies drive organic traffic, boost visibility, and help small businesses dominate their local markets.

🎧 Tune in to learn which tools can save you time, attract more local customers, and take your SEO strategy to the next level.

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Welcome to this exciting episode of Growth Guidance! I’m your host, Kathleen Parisien, and today is a special one—I’m thrilled to welcome my very first guest! Joining me is my friend and valued client, Christian, a lifelong entrepreneur with a wealth of experience. In this conversation, Christian shares invaluable tips on what it truly takes to succeed as an entrepreneur. It’s an inspiring discussion all about evolving, thriving, and fueling your purpose

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Grow Your Business with These Local SEO Tips

For any business with a physical location, appearing in local search results is essential for growth. In a recent episode of the Growth Guidance podcast, host Kathleen Parisien shared powerful, practical tips to help you dominate your local online market. This summary breaks down the actionable steps you can take today.

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is your digital front door. It's the free listing that appears in Google Maps and local search results. First, claim and verify your profile at google.com/business. Then, fill out every single section. Ensure your name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent everywhere online. Upload high-quality photos and use the "Products," "Services," and "Posts" features to keep your profile active and informative.

You need to speak your customers' language. They search with local intent, like "appliance repair in Ottawa." Integrate these location-specific phrases into your website, especially in page titles and headings. If you serve multiple towns, create dedicated service pages for each one (e.g., "Plumbing Services in Orleans"). This tells Google you are a relevant authority in those specific areas.

Reviews are pure gold for local SEO. A steady stream of recent, positive reviews signals to Google that your business is trustworthy. The best way to get them is to provide great service and then simply ask. Make it easy by sharing a direct review link via email or a QR code in your store. Remember to respond to all reviews—both positive and negative—to show you value customer feedback.

To further boost your efforts, post authentic updates to your GBP weekly. Upload geotagged images from job sites to strengthen your geographic relevance. Finally, list your business in local online directories to build more trust signals.

Your challenge is to pick one tip and implement it this week. Claim your GBP, ask for a review, or add a local keyword to your homepage. Small, consistent steps lead to big results.

To learn more, subscribe to the Growth Guidance podcast wherever you listen.

Pillar 1: Optimize Your Google Business Profile

Pillar 2: Use Local Keywords

Pillar 3: Build Trust with Customer ReviewsBonus Tips for an Extra Edge

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YouTube SEO Made Simple: 5 Tips to Boost Your Video Rankings

YouTube is more than just a place to watch cat videos; it's the second-largest search engine in the world, right after its parent company, Google. Millions of users search for everything from "how to bake sourdough bread" to "advanced quantum physics explained." If you're a content creator, this presents a massive opportunity. But with over 500 hours of video uploaded every minute, how do you make sure your content gets seen? The answer is YouTube SEO.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for YouTube is the process of optimizing your videos, channel, and playlists to rank higher in YouTube's search results for specific keywords. A higher ranking means more visibility, which leads to more views, subscribers, and engagement. It’s about making it easy for both the YouTube algorithm and your target audience to find and understand your content.

This guide will walk you through five essential tips to master YouTube SEO. We'll break down each strategy into simple, actionable steps. We will also cover some powerful bonus tips to give you an extra edge. Whether you're just starting or looking to grow an existing channel, these insights will help you level up your digital marketing game and achieve your goals on the platform.

Your video title is arguably the most crucial piece of your YouTube SEO puzzle. It's the first thing viewers see, and it heavily influences their decision to click. More importantly, it's a primary signal to the YouTube algorithm about your video's topic. A well-crafted title can be the difference between getting lost in the noise and ranking on the first page.

1. Craft Keyword-Rich Titles: Start your title with your primary keyword and make it compelling to attract clicks.
2. Write Detailed Descriptions: Use the description to provide deep context for the algorithm with keywords, timestamps, and links.
3. Optimize Tags and Categories: Use a mix of broad and specific tags and choose the correct category to help YouTube understand your content.
4. Create Eye-Catching Thumbnails: Design high-quality, high-contrast thumbnails with bold text to maximize your click-through rate.
5. Encourage Engagement: Use clear calls-to-action to ask for likes, comments, and subscribes to signal value to the algorithm.

Welcome to Growth Guidance with Kathleen Parisien—the podcast where we turn anxieties about business into opportunities for growth. Here, we dive into the challenges of entrepreneurship, explore the power of trying new things, and focus on the process—not just the end result. This is your space for real conversations with entrepreneurs who’ve walked in your shoes and are now running successful businesses. Why? Because they took that leap of faith and decided to grow.

So, are you ready to take your next step? Let’s grow together!

Hello and welcome to the very first episode of Growth Guidance. I’m your host, Kathleen Parisien, and I am so excited to kick things off with a topic that is absolutely fundamental for any new entrepreneur. Today, we're talking about the "Ten Digital Marketing Things You Must Do When Creating a New Business."

As a local SEO marketing specialist, I’ve walked countless clients through these exact steps to build a brand that shines online. This isn't just theory; this is the practical, step-by-step playbook I use. Whether you're just starting to brainstorm or you've officially launched, these ten items will create a powerful foundation for your digital presence. So, let’s dive in.

Ten essential digital marketing steps for any new business.

1. Choose a name with an SEO keyword.

2. Create a unique logo.

3. Start a website.

4. Set up your Google Business Profile.

5. Get on social media.

6. Use Canva for design.

7. Use a scheduling tool for efficiency.

8. Build out your service pages.

9. Write keyword-focused blog posts.

10. And most importantly, be consistent.

I hope this gives you a clear roadmap to follow. Remember, it’s about taking one step at a time. Don’t get overwhelmed. Just start with number one.

Thank you for tuning into the first episode of Growth Guidance. It’s my mission to help you navigate the world of entrepreneurship with confidence. You have what it takes. Now it's time to take that next step.

Any questions? Feel free to reach out!

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