Local Marketing Secrets

Hosted by Dan Leibrandt

Business Marketing

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Jan 2026

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About the show

Looking to up your local marketing game? Welcome to Local Marketing Secrets, where we interview the top experts in local marketing every week and learn their secrets to marketing for local businesses. Hosted by Dan Leibrandt, Local Marketing Secrets is part of his mission to help local businesses with marketing. So, if you're a local business owner or marketer, this podcast is for you! We've had some of the biggest names in digital marketing, like Neil Patel, and the show will only get better! Tune in every Monday at 9am CST. All follows, reviews, and comments are much appreciated!

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January 19, 202654 min

Chris Palmer: What's Actually Working in Local SEO Right Now (200+ Client Insights)

In this episode of Local Marketing Secrets, Dan Leibrandt interviews Chris Palmer, one of the most hands-on SEO practitioners in the industry who runs a top YouTube channel on local SEO with over 40,000 subscribers and manages 200+ client accounts. Chris has been in the trenches of local search for over 15 years, specializing in Google Business Profile optimization, technical SEO, and real-world testing to discover what actually moves the needle for local businesses.Chris breaks down his complete local marketing strategy, revealing why ads should come before SEO, how to dominate Google Maps with strategic location placement, and the exact link-building approach that works in 2026. He shares controversial tactics like ranking pages with all zeros to prove SEO is just math, explains why category-specific backlinks matter more than domain authority, and demonstrates how to reverse-engineer competitor rankings using tools like Cora and SEMrush. Chris also discusses the truth about AI overviews, why chat GPT won't replace Google for local search, and how to build true authority through multi-vector optimization across text, video, audio, and social platforms.The conversation covers everything from Google Business Profile strategies and service area business tactics to the future of local search and why consistency beats chasing shiny objects. Chris shares actionable insights on citation building, press releases, open redirect links, text fragments, and how to show up in AI overviews. Whether you're a local business owner, pest control company, home service provider, or digital marketing agency, this episode delivers the real-world local SEO tactics and strategies you need to generate more leads and dominate your local market in 2026.Chris Palmer, Founder of chrispalmer.org:Website: https://chrispalmerseo.orgYouTube: @chrispalmerseo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispalmermarketing/Dan Leibrandt, Host of Local Marketing Secrets:Facebook: https://facebook.com/DanLeibrandtOfficial LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/danleibrandt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanLeibrandt Website: https://danleibrandt.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 to Chris Palmer03:08 Current Trends in Local SEO08:08 Investing in SEO: When and How09:09 The Importance of Google Business Profile10:21 Website Strategies for Local Lead Generation16:23 Testing and Experimentation in SEO18:51 The Evolving Role of Links in SEO20:25 The Impact of Social Media on SEO26:31 AI and Its Relation to SEO28:41 The Evolution of SEO Strategies30:50 Local SEO: The Importance of Data31:54 Link Acquisition Tactics for Local Businesses37:19 Leveraging Google Business Profiles44:09 The Future of Search: Trends and Predictions49:04 Consistency is Key: Building Authority Over Time53:50 Like and Subscribe!#localseo #localseoexpert #localsearch #localseotips #localmarketingpAsIzFRQajLnm3FFSjm6

January 5, 202649 min

Breaking Down the 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors with Darren Shaw

In this episode of Local Marketing Secrets, Dan Leibrandt interviews Darren Shaw, founder of Whitespark and the current steward of the annual Local Search Ranking Factors Survey. Darren is one of the most respected names in local SEO, with his survey becoming the industry standard for understanding what drives local business rankings.Dan and Darren break down the brand new 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors Survey released in November, covering major shifts that local businesses and SEOs need to know. They discuss the surprising emergence of business hours as the #5 ranking factor for local pack results, revealing how being open at the time of search directly impacts rankings. Google now prefers ranking businesses that are currently open, with practical strategies including extending hours or implementing 24/7 call answering services for service area businesses.The conversation explores the resurgence of citations in the AI search era, where mentions across authoritative sites like BBB, Yelp, and industry-specific directories have regained importance for visibility in ChatGPT and Gemini results. Darren explains how review strategy has shifted from a numbers game to a recency and frequency game, with businesses receiving consistent weekly reviews often outranking competitors with thousands of stale reviews.Dan and Darren cover critical updates around service area businesses and address visibility, plus the newly added AI search ranking factors including content freshness, review diversification, and getting featured on expert-curated "best of" lists. They discuss the massive jump in importance for Google Business Profile services, which went from being considered a "local SEO myth" in 2023 to a confirmed ranking factor in 2026.The episode emphasizes behavioral signals and user engagement as critical ranking factors, with Google tracking profile dwell time, photo views, video watches, and whether users return to search results. Darren provides forward-looking insights on AI-driven search while reassuring listeners that local search remains more insulated from AI disruption than other SEO verticals, with Google Business Profiles remaining the foundation for local visibility.RESOURCES MENTIONED:See the full survey: https://whitespark.ca/local-search-ranking-factors/Whitespark Local Ranking Grid software: https://whitespark.caThe Whitespark Local Update Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@WhitesparkCa/podcastsDarren Shaw, Founder of WhiteSpark:LinkedIn: Darren Shaw: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenshawwhitespark/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darrenshawseo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrenshawseo/Dan Leibrandt, Host of Local Marketing Secrets:Facebook: https://facebook.com/DanLeibrandtOfficial LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/danleibrandt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanLeibrandt Website: https://danleibrandt.com TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction to Local Search Ranking Factors04:09 Understanding the Local Search Ranking Factors Survey07:19 The Impact of AI Search on Local SEO10:15 The Resurgence of Citations in Local SEO13:16 The Importance of Business Hours for Rankings16:11 Review Recency and Frequency as Ranking Signals19:03 Address Visibility for Service Area Businesses22:03 User Engagement and Behavioral Signals in SEO27:30 The Power of Reviews and Visual Content32:26 The Impact of Keywords in Google Business Profile36:12 Understanding Suspension Factors in Local SEO40:10 The Future of Local Search and AI Integration#localseo #localsearch #localseotips #localseoexpert #localmarketing

December 22, 20251 hr 20 min

Marie Haynes: Google Is Becoming an AI Agent (What That Means for SEO)

In this episode of Local Marketing Secrets, Dan Leibrandt interviews Marie Haynes, founder of Marie Haynes Consulting and one of the top names in SEO and AI search. Marie has spent more than a decade studying Google's algorithms, site quality, EEAT, and recovery from major traffic drops.Dan and Marie explore how AI is reshaping Google and what businesses need to do to win in 2026 and beyond. Marie shares her unique origin story as a veterinarian who became fascinated with Google's ranking systems and eventually became a leading SEO consultant after mastering penalty removal during the 2012 Penguin update.The conversation reveals how Google began implementing AI in 2017 and has progressively shifted from traditional ranking factors like links toward user engagement signals and behavioral data. Marie explains that Google has been collecting user signal data through NavBoost for over a decade, tracking clicks, dwell time, and user satisfaction to train their AI systems.Marie breaks down EEAT and clarifies it's not about gaming the system with author bios but building genuine recognition in your industry through original research, community PR, podcasts, and publishing books. She covers Google's Quality Rater Guidelines and how AI now makes most ranking decisions, with quality raters and user signals serving as feedback loops. Marie warns against publishing generic content and emphasizes user engagement metrics over traditional keyword rankings.The discussion shifts to AI agents and their coming dominance in search and business operations. Marie describes building complex agent workflows using tools like Google's Anti Gravity and predicts that within a year or two, AI agents will become the primary way businesses operate. She provides a glimpse into the future with AI glasses, brain computer interfaces, and agent driven commerce where users may never visit actual websites, encouraging everyone to start learning AI tools now and find joy in the technological transformation.Marie Haynes, Founder of Marie Haynes Consulting:Twitter: https://x.com/Marie_HaynesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-haynesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Marie_Haynes Dan Leibrandt, Host of Local Marketing Secrets:Facebook: https://facebook.com/DanLeibrandtOfficial LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/danleibrandt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanLeibrandt Website: https://danleibrandt.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 to Marie Haynes 04:16 The Evolution of SEO and AI07:01 Understanding Google's Algorithm Updates10:17 The Importance of User Signals in SEO13:03 Navigating the Quality Rater Guidelines16:09 Exploring EEAT and Its Significance19:06 Building Authority and Trustworthiness21:55 Local Business Strategies for EEAT24:57 The Future of SEO in an AI-Driven World42:13 Creating Unique Content for SEO Success46:14 The Impact of AI on SEO and User Intent53:54 The Future of AI Agents in Business01:01:45 Navigating the Evolution of Search Engines01:16:05 Embracing Change and Finding Joy in Technology01:19:42 Like and Subscribe!#SEO #AISearch #GoogleSearch #EEAT #AIAgents

December 15, 202540 min

Howard Patridge on How To Build a Business That Runs Without You (Systems, Leadership, Mindset)

In this episode of Local Marketing Secrets, Dan Leibrandt interviews Howard Partridge, one of the most influential small business coaches in America. Howard went from growing up in deep poverty to building multiple successful companies, starting with a cleaning business he scaled from the trunk of his car into a multi-million dollar operation. He's written more than a dozen books and worked closely with the legend Zig Ziglar.Dan and Howard dive into how owners can escape daily chaos, build real systems, develop strong teams, and scale to a million dollars and beyond without burning out. Howard shares his remarkable origin story of growing up in a 600 square foot shack in Mobile, Alabama with seven kids, getting kicked out as a teenager, and jumping on a Greyhound bus to Houston with 25 cents in his pocket. He explains how he used $3,000 in wedding money to buy a carpet cleaning machine and built a multi-million dollar turnkey business.The conversation explores what turnkey business really means, which Howard defines as a business that runs completely without the owner's presence. He breaks down the three essential components: leadership, people, and systems. Howard emphasizes that everything rises and falls on leadership, and most business owners fail because they don't build systems, don't understand relationships, and lack proper leadership training.Howard shares powerful lessons from Zig Ziglar, including "you can have everything in life you want if you'll just help enough other people get what it is that they want." He discusses how mindset and desire are the secret ingredients of success, explaining that most business owners struggle to break past the million dollar threshold because they lack true belief, compelling vision, and willingness to do the required work.The episode covers why money isn't evil and how healthy profits protect businesses from unexpected challenges. Howard explains his philosophy that "if you live your life to avoid pain, you'll never experience great gain" and emphasizes that all of business and life is about relationships. He shares how he built his companies through referrals and networking, identifying referral sources, serving others, and building genuine connections that create perpetual opportunities. Howard Patridge, Founder of Phenomenal Products:Website: https://howardpartridge.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-partridge-community/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howardpartridge/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HowardPartridgePPI/Dan Leibrandt, Host of Local Marketing Secrets:Facebook: https://facebook.com/DanLeibrandtOfficial LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/danleibrandt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanLeibrandt Website: https://danleibrandt.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 To Howard Patridge07:18 Understanding Turnkey Businesses12:35 The Importance of Leadership17:19 Mindset and Desire in Business22:31 The Role of Money in Success27:34 Building Relationships for Business Growth32:15 The Power of Serving Others37:16 Final Thoughts: Adding Value to Others40:08 Like and Subscribe!#homeservicebusiness #homeservicemarketing #localmarketing #localbusiness #homeserviceadvertising #localadvertising #marketing #podcast #danleibrandt #howardpatridge

December 8, 202552 min

Ken Moskowitz on How To Craft The Perfect Ad: Storytelling, AI Tools, and Brand Messaging

In this episode of Local Marketing Secrets, Dan Leibrandt interviews Ken Moskowitz, a branding veteran with over 40 years of experience. Ken has worked with some of the world's most recognizable brands including Coca-Cola, ESPN, the NFL, Facebook, and Budweiser. He's also deeply involved in the home service world, holding equity in seven home service businesses.Dan and Ken explore how to build a brand people remember, trust, and choose even in a crowded market. Ken shares his remarkable origin story of becoming obsessed with advertising at age 13, creating a recording studio in his bedroom, and landing his first paid gig writing ads for a local bike shop that drove real customers.The conversation covers Ken's approach to storytelling and emotional connection in advertising. He emphasizes that touching someone's heart before their brain moves them to action, sharing powerful examples like his "2 Seconds is Too Long" campaign for Phoenix Fire Department and his M&M's ad that told an entire love story in 30 seconds. Ken explains his philosophy that emotion trumps direct selling every time.Ken discusses his recent battle with stage three rectal cancer and how he used that year to master every AI tool available, transforming a threat to his business into an opportunity. He shares how AI disrupted his multi-million dollar business but became his greatest asset once he learned to leverage it properly.The episode covers copywriting with AI, where Ken explains the importance of training AI tools extensively on your writing style. He discusses using different platforms for different purposes and shares his suite of AI tools including the Hundred Year Copywriting Engine and Story Forge that allow small businesses to create high-level creative ads.Ken challenges skepticism around branding for home services, emphasizing that branding keeps businesses alive when lead generation pipelines fail. He explains why companies should invest in brand from day one, maintaining consistent messaging focused on quality and experience rather than price, and warns that businesses not utilizing AI are already dead.Ken Moskowitz, Founder of Ad Zombies:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spankymoskowitzInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/spankymoskowitzAd Zombies: https://www.adzombies.comDan Leibrandt, Host of Local Marketing Secrets:Facebook: https://facebook.com/DanLeibrandtOfficial LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/danleibrandt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanLeibrandt Website: https://danleibrandt.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 to Ken Moskowitz 08:06 The Evolution of Advertising and Storytelling15:04 Facing Cancer and Embracing AI20:26 Mastering Copywriting with AI26:00 Favorite Ads and the Art of Fixing Messages29:50 Crafting Emotional Connections in Advertising38:17 The Importance of Branding for Home Services46:29 Embracing AI in Advertising49:50 Innovative Tools for Storytelling in Marketing52:03 Like and Subscribe!#advertising #branding #AImarketing #homeservicebusiness #storytelling

December 1, 202549 min

Jeremy Vest Gives a MASTERCLASS On YouTube: #1 Ranking Signal, Best Content Strategy, and AI Video

In this episode of Local Marketing Secrets, Dan Leibrandt interviews Jeremy Vest, one of the top YouTube strategists in the world and founder of Creator Unlock. Jeremy has helped thousands of businesses and creators grow with video, working with some of the biggest YouTube channels like Grant Cardone and top home service channels including Roger Wakefield.Dan and Jeremy explore what actually works on YouTube in 2025 and beyond. Jeremy shares his 19-year journey as a YouTube strategist, revealing the biggest shift in YouTube history happening right now: television has become the number one source of watch time, surpassing mobile devices and platforms like Netflix and Amazon. This means creators need to focus on storytelling, anticipation, and curiosity gaps rather than just how-to content.Jeremy breaks down the importance of hooks and emotional engagement, explaining how top creators start videos with compelling promises in the first two seconds. He emphasizes that 70% of viewers must still be watching at the 30-second mark for YouTube to promote content, making that opening crucial. He covers the difference between YouTube Shorts and long-form content, revealing that while Shorts build vanity metrics, 99% of revenue comes from long-form videos.The conversation addresses AI's impact on video creation, with Jeremy arguing that storytelling and personality will always prevail over the technology used. He explains the click-watch-like framework and the importance of matching intent across thumbnails, titles, and video openings. For local businesses, Jeremy stresses niching down as far as possible, sharing examples of blue-collar creators with 50,000 subscribers making millions annually. He emphasizes consistent messaging across all platforms and promises that the plumber will make more money than viral dancers.Jeremy Vest, Founder of Creator Unlock:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeremyvestYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCt6USRnsgG2b3ADzOISzMSw Creator Unlock: CreatorUnlock.comDan Leibrandt, Host of Local Marketing Secrets:Facebook: https://facebook.com/DanLeibrandtOfficial LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/danleibrandt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanLeibrandt Website: https://danleibrandt.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 to Jeremy Vest02:03 Jeremy's Journey in Digital Marketing04:58 The Evolution of YouTube10:34 Optimizing for TV Viewership13:31 The Importance of Storytelling21:05 Crafting Compelling Stories for Engagement25:10 Teaching to Fish: The Importance of Strategy26:32 The Unique World of Podcasting28:43 YouTube Shorts vs. Long-Form Videos31:06 Optimizing for Watch Time37:43 Niche Down: Finding Your Audience41:35 Starting a YouTube Channel for Local Businesses47:01 Manifesting Success in the Age of AI49:32 Like and Subscribe!#YouTube #videomarketing #contentcreation #homeservicebusiness #YouTubestrategy

November 24, 202552 min

Ellen Rohr on Why You NEED To Charge More, Building a $40M Franchise, and Top 3 Home Services KPIs

In this episode of Local Marketing Secrets, Dan Leibrandt interviews Ellen Rohr, co-founder of Zoom Drain, a rapidly growing drain and sewer franchise now with 60+ locations across the United States. Ellen is also a major industry leader at ServiceTitan where she serves as the brand and industry marketing lead, helping guide thousands of contractors on building better, more profitable companies.Dan and Ellen explore how she helped grow two national brands so quickly, the most common money and pricing mistakes across the trades, and her best advice for scaling with clarity and confidence. Ellen shares her powerful story of coming into the industry as a plumber's wife, stepping into a struggling business after a sudden tragedy, and turning it around by mastering financials.The conversation covers Ellen's journey from a four-truck company to becoming president of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, helping grow that franchise from 0 to 47 locations and over $40 million in franchise sales in under two years. She breaks down the three main KPIs: sales, profits, and cash, stressing that most struggling businesses are simply underpriced.Ellen walks through her pricing philosophy, explaining why home service owners need to reverse engineer their desired income into hourly rates. She demonstrates how wanting $200,000 annual income with 1,000 billable hours requires charging $200 per hour just for salary before any expenses, making $400-500 per hour rates necessary for sustainable growth.The episode covers the importance of sales skills and financial literacy, with Ellen emphasizing that understanding business mechanics creates tremendous freedom. She shares the Zoom Drain story and her partnership with Al Levy and Jim Kreniti, emphasizing that success requires personal development and grit beyond just following procedures. Ellen addresses brutal moments in business around disappointing people and running out of money, explaining how profitability is essential for maintaining integrity and standards.Ellen Rohr, Co-founder of Zoom Drain:Website: https://ellenrohr.com/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ellen-rohr-5052101YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ellenrohrFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellenrohr/Her Book: https://a.co/d/3ruYEGjDan Leibrandt, Host of Local Marketing Secrets:Facebook: https://facebook.com/DanLeibrandtOfficial LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/danleibrandt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanLeibrandt Website: https://danleibrandt.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 to Ellen Rohr 02:58 Turning Challenges into Opportunities05:58 The Importance of Financial Literacy09:05 Sales Skills and Business Growth11:52 Key Performance Indicators for Success15:01 Pricing Strategies for Profitability17:47 Understanding Business Fundamentals21:03 Navigating Business Challenges23:56 Setting Realistic Financial Goals27:51 Pricing Strategies for Success30:13 Thinking Bigger: Overcoming Limiting Beliefs33:40 The Power of Personal Development34:49 Lessons from Successful Companies38:11 The Journey of Zoom Drain42:33 The Importance of Personal Growth in Business46:14 Navigating Brutal Moments in Business51:05 Embracing Opportunities in Home Services#homeservicebusiness #profitability #businessfinance #franchising #pricing

November 17, 202543 min

Bodhi Gallo on His SECRET To Local SEO, Building a $10M Agency, and Twitter Growth Strategies

In this episode of Local Marketing Secrets, Dan Leibrandt interviews Bhodi Gallo, an entrepreneur who went from running a dumpster rental business in college to becoming one of the biggest voices on Twitter for local SEO and home service marketing. Bhodi scaled his dumpster business to over $750,000 a year before selling it. Now he's co-founder and chief revenue officer at Striker Digital, working with over 600 home service clients.Dan and Bhodi explore the marketing strategies that actually move the needle for service companies today. Bhodi shares how he got into SEO at 17 through affiliate marketing and bought a dumpster rental business in college with just one dumpster and 20 trucks. He scaled it fast using three Google Business Profiles and smart ad spending during winter when competitors weren't running ads.The conversation covers Bhodi's rise on Twitter and his content strategy of mixing lifestyle and marketing posts while targeting specific audiences with keywords. He reveals that Twitter drives 50% of Striker Digital's client acquisition, with Facebook ads and referrals making up the rest. Bhodi breaks down Google Business Profile optimization, explaining that physical locations are critical for ranking along with putting your service in the business name and filling out all profile sections.The episode covers advanced tactics like using co-working spaces for verification, H1 tag optimization, location pages for building authority, and local backlinking strategies. Bhodi shares that Google Business Profiles can rank in 90 days while websites take 6-12 months. He discusses the gray area between white hat and black hat SEO tactics and emphasizes that customer service is the most important part of growing any business.Bodhi Gallo, Co-founder of Stryker Digital:Twitter: https://x.com/irentdumpstersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bodhigallo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bo_dhi_g/Stryker Digital: https://www.stryker-digital.com/Dan Leibrandt, Host of Local Marketing Secrets:Facebook: https://facebook.com/DanLeibrandtOfficial LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/danleibrandt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanLeibrandt Website: https://danleibrandt.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 to Bodhi Gallo's Journey01:07 Scaling the Dumpster Rental Business06:23 Transitioning to Twitter and Local SEO Expertise11:32 Client Acquisition Strategies for the Agency16:18 Optimizing Google Business Profiles20:56 The Importance of Multiple Google Business Profiles22:23 The Importance of Location in Service Businesses24:05 Optimizing Google Business Profiles27:34 Balancing SEO and Conversion Strategies29:30 Leveraging Location Pages for Authority30:46 Expanding Google Business Profiles31:30 Tools and Techniques for Local SEO35:17 Understanding SEO Timelines36:29 The Role of Backlinks in Local SEO37:39 Navigating SEO Ethics and Strategies40:04 Key Takeaways from Client Experiences41:54 The Importance of Customer Service in Business#localseo #localsearch #localseotips #localseoexpert

October 27, 20251 hr 4 min

Dave Carroll REVEALS How He Built a $100M SaaS, Going To Prison, and What It Really Takes To Win

In this episode of Local Marketing Secrets, Dan Leibrandt interviews Dave Carroll, founder and CEO of Dope Marketing, a software company offering laser-focused direct mail with no minimum order for small businesses and agencies. Dope just landed on the Inc. 5000 for the second year in a row, and Dave's team of over 100 runs a full-scale print and fulfillment operation that integrates with CRMs like GoHighLevel and Zapier.Dan and Dave explore Dave's incredible journey from prison to building multiple successful businesses including Lion Share Maintenance and Dope Marketing. Dave shares how he started a window cleaning company, got into data brokering for agencies, and eventually launched Dope Marketing five years ago after seeing inefficiencies in the direct mail industry. He explains how Dope grew from 0 to around 30 million in revenue by solving the problem of automated, hyper-targeted direct mail for home service businesses.The conversation covers the importance of personal growth and leveling up as your business scales. Dave discusses giving up drinking four years ago, developing a disciplined morning routine, and staying laser-focused on one opportunity rather than chasing every partnership. He shares insights on balancing family life with five kids while running a rapidly growing company, emphasizing being intentional with time and delegating tasks you're not good at.Dave explains the marathon mentality of business and how founders are often several laps ahead of their team. He stresses setting clear expectations, building systems, and slowing down to avoid reverting to old reactive patterns. Dave shares inspiration from Tommy Melo, Jesse Itzler, and Gino Wickman, emphasizing that if you're not inspired by something, you're not inspired by anything.Dave Carroll, Founder of DOPE Marketing:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.l.carroll.7Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davedopemarketing/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopemarketing/Website: https://www.dopemarketing.com/Dan Leibrandt, Host of Local Marketing Secrets:Facebook: https://facebook.com/DanLeibrandtOfficial LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/danleibrandt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanLeibrandt Website: https://danleibrandt.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 to Dave Carroll01:54 Reflections on Rapid Growth03:37 The Importance of Personal Growth07:17 Focusing on Core Business Opportunities11:54 Dave's Journey from Troubled Youth to Entrepreneur22:31 Defining Success and Parenting27:53 Balancing Family Life and Business Responsibilities34:54 Prioritizing Health and Wellness40:04 The Secret to Rapid Business Growth49:12 The Marathon of Business55:17 Learning from Influential Figures01:00:29 The Importance of Slowing Down#directmail #homeservicemarketing #localmarketing #homeservicebusiness #directmailmarketing

October 13, 2025Episode 348 min

Jason Hennessy on The TRUTH Of Hitting $23M, Reverse Engineering Google, and Local SEO Strategy

In this episode of Local Marketing Secrets, Dan Leibrandt interviews Jason Hennessey, an internationally recognized SEO expert, entrepreneur, author, and founder of Hennessey Digital, one of the fastest growing marketing agencies in America. Jason's work has helped hundreds of businesses, especially law firms, dominate Google through proven SEO systems. He's also built a massive following of over 1.7 million people on Instagram where he shares daily insights on marketing, mindset, and business growth.Dan and Jason explore Jason's 20-year journey from reverse engineering Google's algorithm back in the early 2000s to leading a 100-person agency today doing $23 million in revenue with $7 million in profit. Jason shares how he stumbled into SEO after paying $5,000 for a wedding DJ website that got no traffic, teaching himself SEO out of necessity. He explains how one 45-minute presentation at a DUI lawyer mastermind turned into $30,000 per month in recurring revenue and launched his first agency.The conversation covers Jason's "Lamborghini model" of charging premium prices ($15,000 to $100,000+ per month) for SEO services in the highly competitive personal injury law space. Jason explains the justification behind these high retainers, breaking down how generating 100 cases worth $12,500 minimum each creates over a million dollars in revenue for clients. He discusses giving clients homework like getting Better Business Bureau accreditation and building citations while his team handles sophisticated link building, content creation, and technical SEO.Jason dives deep into local SEO tactics including schema markup, creating location-specific landing pages, and building topical authority through subpractice area pages. He explains his strategy of developing personal injury lawyer pages for every small city in a state, creating sophisticated internal linking structures that pass relevancy and build topical authority. Jason emphasizes that many supporting pages exist solely to power up pillar pages, even if they generate zero traffic themselves.Jason Hennessey, Founder of Hennessey Digital:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonhennessey/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jason.hennessey.399/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhennessey/Website: https://www.jasonhennessey.com/Hennessey Digital: https://hennessey.com/Dan Leibrandt, Host of Local Marketing Secrets:Facebook: https://facebook.com/DanLeibrandtOfficial LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/danleibrandt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanLeibrandt Website: https://danleibrandt.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 to Jason Hennessy 06:05 Understanding High-Value SEO Services12:09 Client Engagement and Homework in SEO17:49 The Importance of Schema Markup21:05 Creating Effective Landing Pages for Local SEO25:39 Building Topical Authority through Subpages32:00 Adapting SEO Strategies in the Age of AI38:20 The Role of Social Media in Local Marketing42:53 The Future of Local Marketing #localseo #localsearch #localseotips #localseoexpert