In this engaging podcast, Danny Leibrandt, founder of Pest Control SEO, interviews Joy Hawkins, a highly respected expert in local SEO. Joy is known for her extensive experience as a Google Business Profile product expert and the owner of Sterling Sky, Local Search Forum, and Local University. With nearly two decades in the field, Joy shares her journey from starting as a telemarketer for Google ads in 2006 to becoming a self-taught SEO expert and founding her own successful agency.Key insights from the conversation include:Joy's SEO Journey: Joy started her career in sales but soon transitioned to SEO by self-teaching and experimenting with different strategies to rank websites. She emphasized the importance of learning from hands-on experience and the value of persistence in mastering SEO techniques.Google Business Profile (GBP) Optimization: Joy shared valuable tips on optimizing GBPs, such as the significance of business hours for ranking, the impact of reviews, and the strategic use of additional categories. She also discussed the pros and cons of including keywords in business names and the ethical considerations of doing so.Local SEO Strategies: Joy elaborated on the importance of customizing SEO strategies based on business needs. She explained how Sterling Sky approaches SEO with a minimum service fee and a flexible, custom strategy for each client. She also stressed the importance of continual testing and adapting strategies based on data and results.YouTube and Video Content: Joy shared her journey into video content and the significant impact it has had on her business. She emphasized the importance of video as a future trend in digital marketing and how it can boost SEO rankings. She also provided tips on creating engaging video content and leveraging it for SEO benefits.Future of Local SEO: Joy predicted continued growth in local service ads and emphasized the importance of staying updated with new features and changes in Google's algorithms. She encouraged businesses to be proactive in testing new strategies and adapting to changes in the digital marketing landscape.Overall, this podcast is a treasure trove of insights and practical advice for anyone involved in local SEO, digital marketing, or running a local business. Joy Hawkins, Owner of Sterling Sky, Local Search Forum, and Local University:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyhawkins/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoyanneHawkinsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/seogirlYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SterlingSkyIncSterling Sky: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/Local Search Forum: https://www.localsearchforum.com/Danny Leibrandt, Founder of Pest Control SEO:Facebook: https://facebook.com/DannyLeibrandt LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/dannyleibrandt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DannyLeibrandt Website: https://dannyleibrandt.com

The Local Marketeer Platforms:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LocalMarketeer/ 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1TCL0LhZbsJS6mzanqnnT1?si=224075c9fbda42f5  

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-local-marketeer/id1741176782  

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e0bb5254-5d6c-4940-8211-085157cc1239/the-local-marketeer 

Audible: https://www.audible.com/podcast/The-Local-Marketeer/B0D1FCN28S?action_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp Podcast Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Background08:00 Changes in SEO Practices25:03 Agency Services and Customization28:03 Easy Wins in Local SEO32:06 The Google Data Leak35:10 The Impact of Business Hours and Website Content on Local SEO38:22 YouTube: A Powerful Platform for Local Businesses46:06 Challenges and Rewards of YouTube51:05 Follow Joy Hawkins for Insights on Local SEO#localmarketing #localbusiness #localseo #seo #marketing #pestcontrol #pestcontrolseo #pestcontrolmarketing