Mike Budny is the Director of Strategy at Rankings.io. With decades of expertise in marketing, branding, business development, and advertising, he developed a proven sales training system that blends strategies across disciplines for holistic growth. Taking a hands-on approach, he personally reviews sales setups, uncovers growth opportunities, and guides businesses to close gaps for immediate results. Dedicated to integrity and authenticity, Mike helps organizations not just sell, but sell with confidence—driving sustainable success and elevating brands to new heights in highly competitive markets.

In this episode, John, Kyle, and Mike discuss:

• Mike’s journey from Indiana roots to digital marketing leader for law firms
• Branding, storytelling, and authenticity as trust-builders online
• Why personal injury law is the toughest SEO market to compete in
• How private equity consolidation is reshaping legal marketing agencies
• Smarter ways for firms to approach SEO, PPC, and lead generation

Key Takeaways:

• Humanizing your brand is essential in legal marketing, where trust and likability serve as the core currencies that attract and retain clients. Building authentic connections online is what sets firms apart.
• Personal injury law is the most competitive digital battleground, and only those who commit real budgets and long-term strategies can expect to win. Half measures simply don’t work in this space.
• When private equity takes over, the focus often shifts from quality to margins. Law firms that want lasting results should align with founder-led agencies that invest heavily in talent and client success.
• In SEO, there’s rarely a middle ground. You’re either ranking on the first page and getting cases, or you’re invisible—dabbling almost always leads to wasted effort and disappointment.
• The right partner doesn’t just generate leads but ensures budgets, operations, and intake processes work together. This alignment transforms marketing spend into real, measurable ROI.

“The two currencies you deal in online, 100% of the time—whether you know it or not—are likability and trust. These two currencies are how we do sales. We buy from those we know, we like, and we trust.” — Mike Budny

Connect with Mike Budny: 

Website: https://rankings.io/ 

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

Email: [email protected] 

Connect with John and Kyle:

Website: https://defactodigitalconsulting.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-schroeder-b87b3821a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeFactoDigital

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defactodigitalconsulting/

Emails: [email protected], [email protected]

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.