In this podcast, Danny Leibrandt, founder of Pest Control SEO, interviews Chris Brencans, CEO of On The Map Marketing. Chris discusses his journey from joining the agency as a website project manager to leading a successful digital marketing firm specializing in local search.Chris’s Background and On The Map Marketing:Chris started at On The Map Marketing 10 years ago as a website project manager.The agency was founded 15 years ago by Rick Hoskins and initially focused on placing attorneys in local search results.The agency has grown significantly, now generating $6 million annually.Evolution of Local Search:Local search has evolved from simple map placements to a more complex system involving LSAs (Local Service Ads), PPC ads, and directories.Organic rankings have decreased in importance, while a holistic local search marketing strategy has become crucial.Brand recognition and real-life presence have become critical factors in achieving high search rankings.Effective Advertising Strategies:Chris emphasizes the importance of utilizing LSA ads, directories, and PPC ads depending on the business's budget and industry.Directory advertising can enhance both SEO and direct lead generation, especially in competitive verticals like legal services.Local Link Building and Community Engagement:Chris advocates for building local links and community engagement over traditional link building.This involves sponsorships, local outreach, and collaborations with local social media influencers.Real links from local organizations and mentions on social media and other channels are becoming more valuable than paid links from high DR sites.Holistic SEO Approach:SEO is now seen as a combination of technical SEO, content creation, social media engagement, and PR.Building a strong brand presence both online and offline is essential for success in local search.Danny and Chris discuss the importance of creating real, non-AI-generated content, including videos and social media posts.Practical Tips for Local Business Owners:Optimize Google Business Profiles with proper categories, consistent and genuine reviews, and high-quality photos.Utilize DBAs (Doing Business As) creatively to include keywords in business names.Ensure presence in all relevant business directories and local citations.Future of Local Search:Chris speculates on the future of local search, noting the potential changes in map results and the integration of new ad formats.The focus will continue to shift towards brand recognition and social media presence.Real brands with a strong local presence will have an advantage in search rankings.

Chris Brencans, CEO of On The Map:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbrencans/

Twitter: https://x.com/BrencansKWebsite: https://www.onthemap.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 00:00 Introduction and Background02:33 The Evolution of Local Search Marketing05:12 The Importance of Ads in Local Search Marketing08:56 Building Brand Recognition and Engaging with Customers11:45 The Shift in Link Building Strategies14:06 The Future of Local Search19:40 Common Misconceptions in Local SEO and Marketing23:49 Getting on the Map: Optimizing Google Business Profiles28:11 Conclusion and Contact Information