Are you a local business owner or local marketer? Learn how to grow locally with Mike Forgie on the latest Pest Control SEO Podcast.Favorite Advertising Platforms: The discussion started with a comparison of different advertising platforms. Mike, one of the participants, mentioned that Google Search, particularly local service ads, map pack ads, and organic results, is his favorite platform. He prefers these over YouTube pre-roll ads, which he sees as more suitable for certain industries like auto dealerships.Advertising Goals: Both participants agreed on the importance of achieving a return on investment (ROI) with advertising efforts. They emphasized the significance of targeting bottom-of-funnel buyers who are ready to make a purchase rather than those in the awareness stage.Advertising Platforms for Different Industries: The conversation touched on how different industries may benefit from specific advertising platforms. For instance, Facebook ads were deemed suitable for branding and remarketing, while local service ads on Google were recommended for local businesses due to their cost-effectiveness and guaranteed leads.Challenges with Automotive Advertising: Mike shared insights into advertising challenges specific to the automotive industry, highlighting the high costs associated with Google Ads for automotive businesses. Instead, he suggested focusing on Instagram ads to build brand awareness and test funnels.SEO and Its Value: The conversation delved into the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) for local businesses. While acknowledging the value of SEO for building topical authority, Mike emphasized the primary goal of ranking for keywords that directly address potential customers' needs.Actionable Steps for Local Business Owners: The participants discussed actionable steps for local business owners just starting out in digital marketing. They recommended tools like Screaming Frog and GTmetrix to assess website performance and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, they suggested seeking help from specialists or agencies to address SEO and digital marketing needs effectively.Empowering Local Businesses: Both participants expressed a passion for empowering local businesses through digital marketing. They highlighted the potential to compete with larger corporations by leveraging available tools and platforms, emphasizing the importance of understanding how Google perceives their websites.Mike Forgie, Founder of Next Step Connect:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelforgie/Website: https://nextstepconnect.comDanny Leibrandt, Founder of Pest Control SEO:Facebook: https://facebook.com/DannyLeibrandt LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/dannyleibrandt/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/dannyleibrandt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DannyLeibrandt TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@dannyleibrandt Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/dannyleibrandt58/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@DannyLeibrandt Website: https://dannyleibrandt.com Local Marketing Secrets Platforms:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LocalMarketingSecrets Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1TCL0LhZbsJS6mzanqnnT1?si=224075c9fbda42f5 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/local-marketing-secrets/id1741176782 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e0bb5254-5d6c-4940-8211-085157cc1239/local-marketing-secrets Podcast Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background in Local SEO17:40 Shift in the Local Marketing Landscape24:50 Optimizing Google Business Profile and Video Content32:37 Optimizing Google My Business and Responding to Reviews43:16 The Power of Local Service Ads and Advertising Platforms56:17 Learning the Basics of SEO for Effective Communication#localmarketing #localbusiness #localseo #seo #marketing #pestcontrol #pestcontrolseo