#10: In this episode of What Couples Want, we’re breaking down the marketing strategies that quietly influence booking decisions long before an inquiry ever happens.

Couples today are planning earlier, researching more intentionally, and relying on outside validation, reviews, and follow-up systems to decide who feels trustworthy. While trends come and go, these evergreen tools continue to shape real decisions behind the scenes.

We’re joined by Allison from Made in Marketing, who works with service-based businesses across industries to strengthen their Google presence, build meaningful social proof, and create email systems that support long-term visibility and sales.

Together, we talk about what actually drives trust, how Google decides who gets shown, why reviews matter more than most people think, and how email marketing supports the booking process in ways social media alone cannot.

In this episode, we cover:

• How couples are deciding who to book before reaching out
• Why Google Business Profile is one of the most underused tools for service-based businesses
• How reviews influence visibility and trust, and why responding matters
• What “staying active” actually means to Google
• Common mistakes with service areas, business hours, and directories
• When to ask for reviews and how to structure a simple follow-up flow
• Why email marketing plays a major role in decision-making
• What should happen after someone downloads a freebie or joins a waitlist

This conversation is especially relevant for business owners who feel visible but not chosen, or who want to build systems that continue working even when they are not actively posting.

Guest Information

Allison GiamBruno : Founder of Made in Marketing

Made in Marketing helps service-based businesses clean up their Google presence, improve local visibility, strengthen social proof, and build email systems that support sustainable growth.

Website: https://www.madeinmarketing.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madeinmarketing.co

About the Hosts

North + South Agency helps wedding vendors and creative businesses understand how they are being discovered online and how to show up clearly across search, Google, and AI-driven platforms.

Through education, visibility strategy, and AI-informed insights, North + South Agency focuses on clarity, trust, and long-term discoverability rather than trend-based marketing.

Website: https://northandsouthagency.com

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@northandsouthagency