In this episode of *Beauty Bound*, Cristal Rubio is joined by guest host Matt Nelson, marketing expert and owner of *Peachtree Rose Marketing*. *WANT MORE BEAUTY INSTUSTRY KNOWLEDGE?* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTtJ7hOyfDc&list=PLYLXULQekgf97oL1lxAwe0Ya5l3gOFWcv&index=1 Cristal and Matt dive into the fundamentals of marketing in the beauty industry. With Jackie Rodman away, Matt and Cristal break down how beauty professionals can leverage marketing strategies, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), branding, social media, and local search tactics to grow their businesses.The conversation touches on word-of-mouth marketing, social proof, website branding, and social media presence, emphasizing that beauty professionals must balance authenticity and strategy when promoting their services. The episode also covers common misconceptions about SEO, why Google My Business (GBP) should never be a paid service, and how local keywords can make or break a salon’s online visibility.This episode sets the stage for Part 2, where Matt will dive deeper into advanced growth strategies for scaling a beauty business.*Key Takeaways*🔑 *Word-of-Mouth is King in Beauty Marketing*The best ROI comes from referrals and client relationships.Word-of-mouth is more reliable than social media, where photos can be misleading.Happy clients lead to long-term loyalty.📢 *SEO vs. AEO: The Future of Search*SEO is about optimizing content for search and AI-powered answer engines.AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is growing as tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini evolve.Skip keyword stuffing—use clear, bulleted, and concise content.🛑 *Google Business Profile (GBP) Scams*GBP is free—never pay to get listed!Some “marketing services” charge for something you can do yourself.Every salon, esthetician, and hairstylist should have GBP set up.💡 *Branding for Beauty Pros*Your brand should match your personality, not just trends.Keep logos, websites, and social media consistent.Clients should instantly recognize your brand.🎯 *Why Local SEO Matters for Beauty Businesses*Prioritize local keywords:"Balayage in San Antonio" over "Balayage"."Best esthetician in Helotes" over "Best esthetician".Use Google Trends (trends.google.com) to find local search trends.📨 *Email Marketing: A Must-Have for Beauty Pros*Cheap and effective for client retention.Use email to:Share special offers (sparingly).Give hair care tips between appointments.Notify clients about new podcast episodes/products.Kajabi is great for email marketing & passive income.🔥 *How to Handle Negative Reviews*Never delete bad reviews—address them professionally.Report fake reviews to Google.Use criticism as a learning opportunity.📢 *Giveaways & Discounts: A Smart Growth Strategy*Limited-time giveaways and discounts attract new clients.Clients take a risk on new beauty pros—small incentives encourage bookings.Require winners to promote your work on social media.📝 *What’s Next?*Part 2 of this series dives into advanced beauty business growth strategies.More marketing insights, laughs, and chisme coming next week!🖥 *Follow Us for More:**Connect with us on all our social medias*https://www.instagram.com/beautyboundtx/https://www.facebook.com/BeautyBoundTXhttps://www.tiktok.com/@beauty.boundGet in touch with Cristalhttps://www.instagram.com/beautyprobookkeeping/ for Bookkeeping Services or https://www.instagram.com/artsycristal/ Tattoo Services or visit her website https://www.beautyprobookkeeping.com/https://www.facebook.com/BeautyProBookkeepingGet in touch with Jackiehttps://www.instagram.com/skinfinitesanantonio/https://www.skinfinitesanantonio.com/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084045943776*Matt Nelson* (Peachtree Rose Marketing): https://peachtreerosemarketing.com | https://www.instagram.com/officialmattnelson/