How To Ask For a 5-Star Review (And Get It!)

by Andrew Peterson | Dec 21, 2022 | 5-Star Reviews, Google Business Profile, Google My Business, SEO

Reading Time: 6 minutes

The Complete Guide to Getting Google Reviews for Your Google My Business Listing

5 Star Google Reviews are the Ultimate Trust Builder

If you know how to effectively ask for a 5 star Google review you’ll be able to rank your Google Business Profile above those of your competitors. This is absolutely huge in generating new business from clients and customers who need your services. You can’t be a great white shark in the big blue ocean if you’re not even a big fish in your own little pond yet. You must corner your market.

Don’t be afraid to ask, but make it good when you do!

Like any time we ask anyone for anything an in-person is always most effective. So do anything you can to expose people to the idea so they won’t be surprised when you do ask. Talk to them about your business, mention how you’re looking to expand, and even chat about Google reviews in person or on the phone if you can.

However, ultimately you’ll need to forward them the review link so they can actually submit the review. Thus it will be essential to send via e-mail or text to get them to actually submit the review. To do that you’ll need to be able to find the review request link yourself.

How to Get Your Review Link (2 methods)

Get Your Review Link from the Search Results

With just a few clicks, you can find your Google review link on the search results page in seconds.

Step 1 – Ensure that you’ve signed into Gmail with your business account, and then follow these steps:

Step 2 – Type “your business name” into Google and search for your business.

Step 3 – Click the “Get More Reviews” link.

Watch The Video

Now you’ve got the link and you can text or email it to your contacts!

Get the Review Link from Google Business Manager

To get your review link, sign in to Google Business Manager business.google.com with the Google Account (Gmail account) which manages your Business listing, and scroll down until you see “Get More Reviews” on the main page (as seen below).

How to Manage Your Google Business Listing & View Your Insights / Analytics

The best way to conveniently do this is to have the Google Maps app on your phone (available for Apple iPhone & Android Phones) so you can easily click the “Get More Reviews” button (seen below) and fire off the request to anyone you have in your phone contact list via text or email.

What happened to the Google My Business App? Google discontinued it and moved its functionality into the Google Maps app!

A 5-star Google review can be like a goldmine for businesses. They are the most coveted type of review because they not only help to improve your ranking on Google, but they also have a huge psychological impact on potential customers.

Studies have shown that people are much more likely to trust a business with 5-star reviews and that they are also willing to pay more for products and services from 5-star businesses.

In other words, 5-star reviews can help to drive highly targeted traffic to your business, and they can also significantly increase your bottom line. So if you’re looking to give your business a boost, make sure to encourage your satisfied customers to leave 5-star reviews on your Google Business Profile.

6 Steps to Structure your ask for a 5-star Google review aka my “secret script.”

Studies show that people are dramatically more likely to complete your request if you do these things.

Use their name – Start with “Hello James” or “Good afternoon Jane”. Leading off with someone’s name reminds them of how familiar and close you are.
Make the ask – “Would you please give me a 5-star Google review?”
Give them a reason – “Because I’m trying to get ahead of my local competition” It doesn’t have to be crazy, studies show that even if the reason doesn’t seem that important the person will be much more likely to give you the review if you give them a reason.
Include a number if you can – “I’m trying to get to 10 (or 25) five-star google reviews to get ahead of my local competition” is even better.
Tell them it won’t take much time so they do it right away. “it will only take 2-3 minutes of your time and it will help me a LOT!”
Provide them with the link – Hit them with the link right away! You’ve set them up and they’re ready to give you a five-star Google Review, make sure you make it easy for them and hit them with the review link right now!

The number & quality of your Google Reviews makes a major difference in how much NEW BUSINESS you will receive from people who find you online and call your establishment to hire you.

When you know how to ask for a 5 Star Google Review, you’ve got a majorly important skill you need to grow your business.

Example Script You can Copy, Adjust & Use to get 5 Star Google Reviews

“Hello *Their Name*, would you be willing to give me a quick 5 star Google review? I’m trying to get to 25 five-star reviews today, so I can get ahead of my local competition. It will only take 2-3 minutes of your time. Here’s the link. “

We have found this is extremely effective, ask in person first (if possible) send a message via text or email, include their name, give them a reason you are asking (use my reason or create your own,) include a number & tell them it won’t take up much of their time and give them the link so they can actually do it.

If you follow this technique on How to ask for a 5 Star Google Review, I guarantee you will have a greater than 90% success rate when you ask your clients & friends for a five star google review.

Do you need help getting listed on Google? If you don’t have your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) set up & optimized it’s like you’re not even listed on the phone book.

Contact us right away and start getting the new business you deserve.

Don’t know if you’re listed on Google? Need help getting the business your company deserves?

How To use AI to Dominate The Business Networking Scene

by Andrew Peterson | Dec 15, 2022 | Artificial Intelligence (AI), BNI, Business Networking, Sales Training

Reading Time: 3 minutes

There’s no question that networking is a critical part of any business owner or entrepreneur’s success. But with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), there may be some new opportunities to supplement your existing networking group – and potentially expand your reach even further. Here are a few ideas on how you can use AI to help take your networking game to the next level.

You can use AI to brainstorm ways to recruit new members for your BNI networking group

Brainstorming for ideas on how to recruit new members for your BNI networking group just got easier with artificial intelligence (AI). Using the powerful capability of AI, you can generate an endless well of creative thought that will jump-start networking activities. Imagine having AI at your disposal to help craft and deliver engaging messages that will reach potential new members like never before! It’s an exciting situation that elevates the game of brainstorming like a superpower. With the help modern AI, gone are the days of not know exactly how to attract people to join your network – AI is here to make sure your message always hits the mark.

You can use AI to write social media posts to advertise this networking group

Networking is an invaluable tool for success and BNI is the premier networking group to be a part of! AI technology can make advertising this amazing networking group on social media a cinch. With AI, you won’t have to worry about crafting interesting posts with captivating pictures – it’s completely taken care of! Networking with BNI will ultimately benefit you, so stop wasting time and let AI take your social media presence to the next level.

You can use AI to Write Follow Up emails to your meetings

Follow up emails are a critical component of any successful email marketing plan. There’s nothing worse than going to all the trouble of having a productive meeting only to never hear from the people involved afterwards! But with AI, you can have powerful, engaging follow-up emails sent out automatically whenever your meetings end. Automatically tracking conversations and being able to personalize email content is simple; plus, it frees up your time and energy so that you can focus on what matters: actually making things happen! If you’re serious about success in your business or life, AI-powered follow up emails are something you simply must consider.

You can use AI to write a script for your networking group presentation.

Writing the script for a networking group presentation used to be a challenge for most people. However, with the help of AI that is no longer the case. With AI, you can quickly generate an optimized script tailored to your needs and objectives. You’ll be able to create an elevator pitch that’s engaging and memorable, along with providing your audience with all the necessary information they need. And there’s no limit on how creative you can get! AI ensures that you get more time to focus on impersonating your script, making it even more entertaining for your audience.

All in all, there are many ways that you can use AI to support your BNI networking group. From helping you write follow up emails and social media posts, to brainstorming new ideas for recruiting members and writing a script for your presentation – AI can be a powerful tool to help you streamline your processes and save time. So if you’re looking for ways to make your BNI group run more efficiently, consider using AI tools like ChatGPT or Jasper. What other ways do you think AI could help improve business processes? Let us know in the comments below!

TOP 10 TIPS FOR CREATING YOUTUBE SHORTS THAT GO VIRAL

by Andrew Peterson | Nov 16, 2022 | Google My Business, Social Media Marketing, TikTok, Youtube Shorts

Reading Time: 10 minutes

Are you looking to create viral youtube shorts, TikTok or Instagram Reel? If so, you’re in luck! In this blog post, we will share 10 tips that will help you create content that is sure to be shared by your friends and followers. So without further ado, let’s get started!

The Creator Economy

For better or worse we are living in the “Creator Economy”. There are now 2 types of people: creators & everyone else.

Creating content that connects with an audience brings marketing value greater than many thousands of dollars of Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Print Marketing, and the like.

That means that creators can influence the market to buy a product and there’s even more good news! If you’re reading this you have the ability to become a vital cog in this new economy by becoming a creator yourself.

Search Engine Decay is Real!

Have you noticed Google isn’t as good?

It’s starting to seem like search engine results are less useful than they are structured to get traffic. Especially the top-ranking stuff.

Get The Complete Guide to Creating Viral YouTube Shorts!

This 10-step guide will teach you how to create viral Youtube Shorts that position you as a well-known expert regardless of your industry!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

More & More People Search on Social

And all of social, everything that goes viral particularly, is VIDEO CONTENT. TikToks, Instagram Reels & YouTube shorts.

The Most Important Search Engine Isn’t Google… it’s YOUTUBE!

When you need to learn how to do something that is simple or complex, do you want to read about it or do you want to watch a video and have someone explain it to you with visual aids and examples of the job being done?

YouTube is Google, so Google Favors Shorts!

Thus Only YouTube Shorts Appear On Google Search. Not TikToks, Not InstagramReels!

Video Marketing Is Everything | The Short Form Video War

Video Marketing is everything. It’s not a stretch to make a joke that the average American is probably on their phone, on social media, looking at videos at this very second. So it makes sense that right now there is a war going on between 3 major players. This is good for you because they can’t squeeze down the organic traffic that creators like you can get for FREE!

TikTok – The Ubiquitous Brand Name that was first to market and has a strong lead
Instagram Reels – (by Facebook) Reels are super powerful and catch on virally on Instagram & Facebook.
Youtube Shorts – This platform is the only one that gets indexed by Google. Thus it’s the only one with REAL SEO VALUE!

Future Outlook & Expectations for Youtube Shorts, Instagram Reels & TikTok

Since Google is under such a clear and present threat from TikTok and Facebook for the soul of the video content-consuming public we can reasonably predict they will continue to expand the organic reach of YouTube shorts not only in YouTube searches but also in wider search results (SEO)!

TOP 10 TIPS FOR CREATING VIRAL YOUTUBE SHORTS

Market Research: The First Step To Solving EVERY problem. Research the Competition.

Search Youtube 2-3 times to see content that ranks highly for your topic and figure out what it’s like and what makes it good. Note: This is a necessary step on all social media platforms and for ranking your website in Google Search Listings (SEO)

How To Research

Try to make content that is similar to the most popular content on that platform but is better in one specific way. Funnier, Shorter, More Useful, More Adorable, more clearly explained. If you can do this you have a chance of ranking along side the big boys of that search term!

Youtube Shorts Tip #1

Have a Catchy Intro, or you’re already cooked!

It’s essential. Get to the point right away. They won’t stick around long if you bore them.

Short attention spans are the norm these days, so it’s important to make sure your YouTube Short catches your viewer’s attention right away. The best way to do this is to have a catchy intro that gets to the point quickly. You don’t want to bore your viewers with a long, drawn-out introduction – they’ll likely just move on to the next video if you do. So make sure you grab their attention from the start, and you’ll have a better chance of keeping them around for the whole video.

Youtube Shorts Tip #2

Use Different Camera Angles

It Creates motion & Excitement. Action is key, it can save a boring Product!

Camera angles are important! They can make or break a scene. It’s all about creating excitement and motion. You want your viewers to be engaged, so action is key. By using different camera angles, you can add interest and energy to your videos. So don’t be afraid to experiment. Try different things and see what works best for you. Who knows, you might just find your next big hit!

Youtube Shorts Tip #2

Use Different Camera Angles

It Creates motion & Excitement. Action is key, it can save a boring Product!

Camera angles are important! They can make or break a scene. It’s all about creating excitement and motion. You want your viewers to be engaged, so action is key. By using different camera angles, you can add interest and energy to your videos. So don’t be afraid to experiment. Try different things and see what works best for you. Who knows, you might just find your next big hit!

Youtube Shorts Tip #3

Keep the Clips Short!

1 second is plenty for people to understand! Don’t go longer unless you’re great on camera.

Attention span is everything when it comes to YouTube Shorts. You want to make sure that your viewers are able to understand the content of your video in a short amount of time. This is why it is important to keep your clips short! 1 second is plenty for people to understand what is happening in the clip. If you are not great on camera, then it is best to keep your clips shorter so that people are not left confused about what is happening in the video. Action is also key in keeping people engaged with your content. By including action-packed clips, you will be sure to keep people hooked on your YouTube Shorts videos!

Youtube Shorts tip #4

Listen To The Sound!

Choose music that’s trending (!) & turn the volume down a little. Sound effects connect big time too!

Ears are important! You need to listen to the sound. What kind of sounds? Well, mostly music. But not just any music – trending music. And not too loud, though. You want people to be able to hear the sound effects too. They connect us emotionally to the video in a big way. So choose your music carefully and don’t forget the sound effects!

Youtube Shorts tip #4

Listen To The Sound!

Choose music that’s trending (!) & turn the volume down a little. Sound effects connect big time too!

Ears are important! You need to listen to the sound. What kind of sounds? Well, mostly music. But not just any music – trending music. And not too loud, though. You want people to be able to hear the sound effects too. They connect us emotionally to the video in a big way. So choose your music carefully and don’t forget the sound effects!

Youtube Shorts Tip #5

Use Your Smartphone!

Ditch the DSLR. Do everything in one place! One device for shooting & Editing everything means less time sending big video files around!

If you’re looking for a way to reduce your production time and increase your efficiency, then using your smartphone to shoot and edit your videos is a great option. Smartphones are incredibly easy to use, and they allow you to do everything in one place. This means you don’t have to worry about sending big video files around, and you can focus on getting your videos edited and uploaded as quickly as possible. Plus, using your smartphone gives you the freedom to shoot your videos anywhere, anytime. So if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to produce high-quality videos, then using your smartphone is the way to go.

Youtube Shorts Tip #6

Get a Stand (With a Light)

Ease of shooting & essential lighting for short money! Stability, ease of use, and lighting = success.

Stand up for your shots! A stand will make shooting so much easier, and a ring light will provide essential lighting for short money. Stability, ease of use, and lighting are key to success when shooting YouTube Shorts videos. So get a stand and a ring light, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a YouTube Shorts video superstar!

Youtube Shorts Tip #7

Use A Dedicated Video App.

Don’t post tiktok’s on Youtube or Youtube videos on Instagram Reels. These platforms don’t like that and you WON’T get boosted if you do it.

If you’re serious about making great YouTube Shorts videos, then you need to be using a dedicated video app. We recommend: Splice (iPhone) & Canva (desktop). They are both great options that will help you produce videos more efficiently. By using a dedicated video app, you can avoid the hassle of having to post TikTok’s on YouTube or YouTube videos on Instagram. Plus, you’ll be able to take advantage of features like video templates and editing tools that will make your life easier. So if you’re looking to up your YouTube Shorts game, be sure to use a dedicated video app.

Youtube Shorts tip #8

Use The App Fonts Specific to Each Social Media Platform

Text & captions make a huge difference. They make it easy for the viewer to understand your message. Use popular fonts for each platform. The text conveys vital info even if the volume isn’t up!

Platform specific fonts are important to use in your YouTube Shorts videos. The text conveys vital info even if the volume isn’t up! This is why using popular fonts for each platform is key. By using the right font, you can make it easy for the viewer to understand your message. Platform specific fonts also help to make your video look more professional. Consequently, using the right font can help you convey your message more effectively and make your YouTube Shorts videos look more professional.

Youtube Shorts Tip #9

Repurpose Your Content!!!

What doesn’t catch fire on Youtube shorts might go totally viral on TikTok or Instagram Reels. Don’t miss huge opportunities for your video content!

This is a great tip for content creators! When you create a piece of content, don’t just think about where it might do well. Think about all the different platforms it could be repurposed for. That way, you get the most bang for your buck!

For example, let’s say you create a piece of content that doesn’t perform as well as you hoped on YouTube Shorts. But then you post it on TikTok and it goes viral. Suddenly, all that work has paid off and you’ve reached a whole new audience.

So next time you’re planning your content strategy, remember to think about how you can repurpose your content to get the most value out of it. Create once, post everywhere!

Youtube Shorts Tip #10

Keep Learning & Support Other Creators

Learn from other creators. Grow your audience by commenting, liking, and subscribing.

One thing that all great creators have in common is that they never stop learning. If you want to grow your audience, it’s important to do your research and see what other creators are doing. Find out what’s working for them and see if you can apply those same principles to your own work. Additionally, subscribing to and commenting on other channels is a great way to get exposure for your own channel. By taking the time to engage with other creators, you’ll not only learn more about the process of creating videos, but you’ll also build up a network of fellow YouTubers who can help promote your work. So whatever you do, don’t forget to keep learning. It’s the key to success on YouTube.

Youtube Shorts Tip #10

Keep Learning & Support Other Creators

Learn from other creators. Grow your audience by commenting, liking, and subscribing.

One thing that all great creators have in common is that they never stop learning. If you want to grow your audience, it’s important to do your research and see what other creators are doing. Find out what’s working for them and see if you can apply those same principles to your own work. Additionally, subscribing to and commenting on other channels is a great way to get exposure for your own channel. By taking the time to engage with other creators, you’ll not only learn more about the process of creating videos, but you’ll also build up a network of fellow YouTubers who can help promote your work. So whatever you do, don’t forget to keep learning. It’s the key to success on YouTube.

While you’re at it please visit our Youtube Channel and Subscribe there, it will help us to continue to bring you content like this!

Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel

How To Choose The Right Social Media Platforms For Your Business

by Meg Praino | Nov 11, 2022 | Facebook, Google Business Profile, Google My Business, Instagram Reels, Social Media Marketing, Testimonals, Youtube Shorts

Reading Time: 6 minutes

There are so many social media platforms out there that it can be difficult to know which one is right for your business. Each platform has its own strengths and weaknesses, and it’s important to choose the one that will be the most effective for you. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for choosing the right social media platform for your business.

Do your research

In today’s digital world, it’s easy to find information on just about anything with a few clicks of a button. However, not all of the information out there is accurate. That’s why it’s important to do your research before you believe everything you read on the internet. Just because something is popular on social media doesn’t mean it’s true. next time you see something interesting on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or Facebook, take a moment to look into it further before you accept it as fact. A little bit of research can go a long way in ensuring that you’re getting accurate information.

Know your goals

The first step in any successful marketing campaign is to know your goals. Are you looking to generate awareness for your brand? Increase web traffic? Or boost sales? Once you’ve identified your goals, you can start to develop a strategy that will help you achieve them. For example, if you’re looking to generate awareness, you might focus on creating shareable content that can be distributed across social media. If you’re looking to increase web traffic, on the other hand, you might invest in search engine optimization or pay-per-click advertising. No matter what your goals are, it’s important to have a clear plan for achieving them. By knowing your goals and devising a plan to reach them, you’ll be well on your way to success.

Meg Praino is a driven and experienced digital media professional who uses social media platforms, analytics, and curated content to increase client engagement and improve organization’s online presence. Meg has a proven ability to establish and maintain excellent communication and relationships with clients. Find out more at her LinkedIn!

How do you know what your goals are?

One of the most important steps in any marketing campaign is to identify your goals. Without clear goals, it can be difficult to measure success or know what actions to take next. So how do you go about identifying your goals?

There are a few things you can do to help determine your business’s goals. First, ask yourself what you want your business to achieve. What are your long-term objectives? Once you have a general idea of what you’d like to achieve, break those objectives down into smaller, more specific goals. Then, develop a strategy for reaching those goals. By taking these steps, you’ll be well on your way to achieving success for your business.How do you know what your goals are?

Consider your target audience

As a business owner or marketer, it’s important to consider your target audience when creating content. Who are you trying to reach? What are their key demographics? What sorts of things are they interested in? Once you have a good understanding of your target audience, you’ll be better equipped to create content that resonates with them. And when your content resonates with your target audience, you’ll be more likely to convert them into customers or clients. So don’t forget to consider your target audience when planning your next marketing campaign – it could make all the difference in your results.

Tailor your content to each platform

In today’s social media-driven world, it’s important to tailor your content to each platform. While a cute cat video might do well on Instagram, it’s likely to get lost in the shuffle on Facebook. Similarly, a witty tweet might get plenty of engagement on Twitter, but it’s not going to work on TikTok. The key is to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each platform and create content that takes advantage of those strengths. Only then will you be able to reach your target audience and achieve your desired results.

Experiment and find what works best for you

The best way to find out what works best for you is to try new things and experiment. There’s no point in sticking to the same old routine if it’s not giving you the results you want. So go ahead and try that new workout class, or experiment with a different skincare routine. It is the same thing with social media. You might be surprised at how good you feel when you mix things up a bit. And who knows, you might just find your new favorite thing. So go ahead and experiment – the worst that can happen is that you’ll learn something new about yourself.

Keep up with the latest trends

It’s important to keep up with the latest trends, especially if you’re in a creative field. Whether it’s fashion, art, or design, staying up-to-date ensures that you’re always ahead of the curve. It can be easy to get stuck in a rut and stick to what you know, but branching out and trying new things is what allows you to grow as an artist. Trends can be tricky to keep up with, but there are a few key ways to stay on top of them. Social media is a great way to see what’s popular, and magazines and websites are also good sources of information. There are also trends within specific industries, so it’s important to stay abreast of developments in your field. By keeping up with trends, you can ensure that your work is always fresh and exciting.

Social media is a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes. By using the right platforms and tailoring your content to each one, you can reach a wider audience and achieve your desired results. So don’t be afraid to experiment with new platforms and content formats – it’s the only way to find what works best for you. And remember to keep up with the latest trends, so that your work stays fresh and exciting.

If you’re looking to improve your social media presence and achieve your desired results, contact Wicked Modern Websites today. We’ll work with you to create a custom plan that takes advantage of the strengths of each platform and helps you reach your target audience. Contact us today to get started!

Are you looking for a social media management service that can help you achieve your business goals? Look no further than our Social Media Marketing Management Service! We will work with you to create a custom plan that will help you reach your targets. This includes identifying your goals, creating content, scheduling posts, engaging with your audience, and analyzing your results.

Our team of social media experts will make sure that your voice is heard across all platforms, and that you are able to connect with your target market. With our help, you will be able to take your business to the next level!

Social Media Marketing Pricing

Looking for a Social Media Marketing Manager to Bring Your Company To Help The Next Level?

Outstanding Results

Andrew consulted me in two business ventures and the results were outstanding. He also offered at no cost suggestions on other areas that would benefit my business such as web optimization to increase relevance and traffic on the web. I highly recommend Andrew to anyone looking to grow their brand.

Nelson Cruz

Owner, Nelson Cruz Entertainment

A website developer we can trust!

“Wicked Modern Websites built and maintained our website for us from start to finish and beyond. They were responsive & creative while taking our feedback and putting it into action. Thank you for being a website developer we can trust!”

A much more effective site, in a few days!

Andrew made me a much more effective site within a few days. He is always very responsive to my many questions and his advice has boosted the traffic to my site significantly. Thanks so much. I highly recommend! Melissa Depasquale

Owner, Bright Stars Preschool

Excellent at listening to our needs!

Andrew designed our website from start to finish. He was excellent at listening to our needs and transferring it into a finished product. His experience and expertise guided us in a great direction in regards to incorporating social media into our website. He is a pleasure to work with and gives great insight.

Johanna Channel

Teacher Recruiter, CCLC

Outstanding Results

Andrew consulted me in two business ventures and the results were outstanding. He also offered at no cost suggestions on other areas that would benefit my business such as web optimization to increase relevance and traffic on the web. I highly recommend Andrew to anyone looking to grow their brand.

Nelson Cruz

Owner, Nelson Cruz Entertainment

Outstanding Results

Andrew Peterson is passionate about projects and endeavors he undertakes, and this makes him most effective in the realm of website design, website development, and social media. After being floored by the effectiveness of his work in developing a website and Facebook/Twitter presence with the Easton Children’s Museum, I recommended he talk with a local non-profit “School on Wheels of Massachusetts” (SOWMA) and for-profit “Shaw’s Center/Campanelli Stadium” to deliver the same. SOWMA and Shaw’s Center were equally impressed with his capabilities, his depth of knowledge, and his unwavering commitment to projects he undertakes.

Lori Prew

Director of Corporate Outreach, Willwork, Inc. Exhibit and Event Services

1 Simple Trick to ACTUALLY Improve Your Public Speaking

by Andrew Peterson | Nov 5, 2022 | Content Creation, Instagram Reels, Public Speaking, Sales Training, TikTok, Youtube Shorts

Reading Time: 2 minutes

1 Simple Trick to ACTUALLY Improve Your Public Speaking

Imagine you’re in a board meeting. It’s been going on for hours, and the only thing keeping you awake is the hope that it will eventually end. Suddenly, the CEO starts speaking. He sounds like he’s reading off a grocery list… in a monotone voice. You can feel your eyelids getting heavy, and the next thing you know, you’re asleep.

Now imagine you’re at a networking event. You meet someone who seems really excited about their work. They tell you all about their business, and they make it sound so interesting that you can’t wait to learn more. You exchange business cards and make plans to meet up again soon.

Which scenario would you rather be in? If you said the second one, then you understand the importance of varying your tone when speaking to an audience.

When we speak in a monotone voice, we sound bored, uninterested, and flat.

Imagine if your favorite TV show was always shot in one location with the same lighting and the same characters wearing the same clothes day after day. It would get pretty boring, right? The same is true for our voices. We need to mix things up to keep our audiences engaged.

Watch the Video

Here are a few tips for adding variety to your vocal delivery:

Speak louder or softer depending on the situation
Use inflection (rising or falling pitches) to emphasize important points
Vary your tempo (speed) to add interest
Change your volume (volume) to emphasize certain words
Use pauses for effect
Add emphasis by stressing certain words or syllables
Speak in different tones (e.g., friendly, throaty, nasally)
Try using different vocal techniques (e.g., whispering, shouting, Creeking)

Implementing these tips will help you avoid sounding like a robot or worse, putting them to sleep —and trust me, your audience will thank you for it! So next time you have to give a presentation or speak publicly, remember to vary your vocal delivery for maximum impact. Your audience will be glad you did.

In conclusion, it is important to vary your tone when speaking so that you do not sound like a robot or bore your audience to sleep. Mix things up by speaking louder or softer, using inflection, changing your tempo or volume, using pauses for effect, or stressing certain words or syllables. There are many different ways to add interest to your vocal delivery, so experiment until you find what works best for you. Your audience will appreciate it!

Need Help With Your Google Listing?

How To Easily Find Your Google My Business Listing Insights / Analytics

by Andrew Peterson | Oct 24, 2022 | 5-Star Reviews, Google Business Profile, Google My Business

Reading Time: < 1 minute

It’s important to know how many people are seeing your Google My Business listing and interacting with it. There are two different ways that you can check this information.

Use the Google Maps App on your iPhone or Android OR Log into business.google.com and click on insights.

Method 1: How to Check GMB Insights using the Google Maps App on iPhone

Open the Google Maps App on your Phone.
Click on your picture on the right hand of the search bar & then click on “Your Business Profiles” and select the business you want to manage.
Alternatively, In the search bar, type in your business name and press it once it auto-populates.
Now you are on your business listing, scroll down, and just below the word “Overview”, you’ll see “Your Business on Google – ### Views this month” Press on that.
Here you will be able to see how many people have viewed and interacted with your Google business listing.
You can also see how people found you (ex. Via search, directions, website, etc.) as well as what actions they took once they found you (ex. Called, visited the website, etc.)

This information is valuable because it helps you understand how effective your GMB listing is in reaching new potential customers.
It also helps you understand which marketing efforts are resulting in customers finding your GMB listing.

Method 2: How to Check GMB Insights by logging into business.google.com

Go to business.google.com and log into the account that you use to manage your GMB listing
IF you manage multiple listings click on “Business Profile Manager” in the top left and choose your business, if you only have one listing you should be able to skip this step.
Click on “Insights” in the menu on the left side of the screen
Here you will be able to see how many people have viewed and interacted with your listing
You can also see how people found you (ex. Via search, directions, website, etc.) as well as what actions they took once they found you (ex.. Called, visited the website, etc.)

Checking your GMB insights regularly helps you understand how effective your GMB listing is in reaching new potential customers 6 It also helps you understand which marketing efforts are resulting in customers finding and interacting with your GMB listing.

Looking at your Google My Business insights/analytics is a quick and easy way to track how many people searching for your services and products are seeing and interacting with your listing. This information is wildly valuable because it helps you understand which marketing efforts are resulting in customers finding your business listing so that you can adjust your marketing strategy accordingly!

Need Help Getting Listed on Google?

The number & quality of your Google Reviews makes a major difference in how much NEW BUSINESS you will receive from people who find you online and call your establishment to hire you.

When you know how to ask for a 5 Star Google Review, you’ve got a majorly important skill you need to grow your business.

6 Steps to Structure your ask for a 5-star Google review aka my “secret script.”

Studies show that people are dramatically more likely to complete your request if you do these things.

Use their name – Start with “Hello James” or “Good afternoon Jane”. Leading off with someone’s name reminds them of how familiar and close you are.
Make the ask – “Would you please give me a 5-star Google review?”
Give them a reason – “Because I’m trying to get ahead of my local competition” It doesn’t have to be crazy, studies show that even if the reason doesn’t seem that important the person will be much more likely to make give you the review if you give them a reason.
Include a number if you can – “I’m trying to get to 10 (or 25) five-star google reviews to get ahead of my local competition” is even better.
Tell them it won’t take much time so they do it right away. “it will only take 2-3 minutes of your time and it will help me a LOT!”
Provide them with the link – Hit them with the link right away! You’ve set them up and they’re ready to give you a five-star Google Review, make sure you make it easy for them and hit them with the review link right now!

Example Script You can Copy, Adjust & Use to get 5 Star Google Reviews

“Hello *Their Name*, would you be willing to give me a quick 5 star Google review? I’m trying to get to 25 five-star reviews today, so I can get ahead of my local competition. It will only take 2-3 minutes of your time. Here’s the link. “

We have found this is extremely effective, ask in person first (if possible) send a message via text or email, include their name, give them a reason you are asking (use my reason or create your own,) include a number & tell them it won’t take up much of their time and give them the link so they can actually do it.

If you follow this technique on How to ask for a 5 Star Google Review, I guarantee you will have a greater than 90% success rate when you ask your clients & friends for a five star google review.

Do you need help getting listed on Google? If you don’t have your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) set up & optimized it’s like you’re not even listed on the phone book.

Contact us right away and start getting the new business you deserve.

Need Help Getting Your Google Business Listing Found By Customers?

Complete Guide to Getting 5-Star Google Reviews

by Andrew Peterson | Oct 13, 2022 | 5-Star Reviews, Google Business Profile, Google My Business

Reading Time: 4 minutes

How To Ask For A 5-Star Google Review

If you know how to effectively ask for a 5 star Google review you’ll be able to rank your Google Business Profile above those of your competitors. This is absolutely huge in generating new business from clients and customers who need your services.

About the Ask

Like any time we ask anyone for anything an in-person is always most effective. However, ultimately you’ll need to forward them the review link so they can actually submit the review. Thus it will be essential to send via e-mail or text to get them to actually submit the review.

Make it Easy For Them To Give You A Review with the Google Maps App

The best way to conveniently do this is to have the Google Maps app on your phone (available for Apple iPhone & Android Phones) so you can easily click the “Get More Reviews” button (seen below) and fire off the request to anyone you have in your phone contact list via text or email.

!IMPORTANT! – You need this “Share Profile” button at your fingertips. It is absolutely essential. Get the Google maps app right this moment!

A 5-star Google review can be like a goldmine for businesses. They are the most coveted type of review because they not only help to improve your ranking on Google, but they also have a huge psychological impact on potential customers.

Studies have shown that people are much more likely to trust a business with 5-star reviews and that they are also willing to pay more for products and services from 5-star businesses.

In other words, 5-star reviews can help to drive highly targeted traffic to your business, and they can also significantly increase your bottom line. So if you’re looking to give your business a boost, make sure to encourage your satisfied customers to leave 5-star reviews on your Google Business Profile.

The number & quality of your Google Reviews makes a major difference in how much NEW BUSINESS you will receive from people who find you online and call your establishment to hire you.

When you know how to ask for a 5 Star Google Review, you’ve got a majorly important skill you need to grow your business.

6 Steps to Structure your ask for a 5-star Google review aka my “secret script.”

Studies show that people are dramatically more likely to complete your request if you do these things.

Use their name – Start with “Hello James” or “Good afternoon Jane”. Leading off with someone’s name reminds them of how familiar and close you are.
Make the ask – “Would you please give me a 5-star Google review?”
Give them a reason – “Because I’m trying to get ahead of my local competition” It doesn’t have to be crazy, studies show that even if the reason doesn’t seem that important the person will be much more likely to make give you the review if you give them a reason.
Include a number if you can – “I’m trying to get to 10 (or 25) five-star google reviews to get ahead of my local competition” is even better.
Tell them it won’t take much time so they do it right away. “it will only take 2-3 minutes of your time and it will help me a LOT!”
Provide them with the link – Hit them with the link right away! You’ve set them up and they’re ready to give you a five-star Google Review, make sure you make it easy for them and hit them with the review link right now!

Example Script You can Copy, Adjust & Use to get 5 Star Google Reviews

“Hello *Their Name*, would you be willing to give me a quick 5 star Google review? I’m trying to get to 25 five-star reviews today, so I can get ahead of my local competition. It will only take 2-3 minutes of your time. Here’s the link. “

We have found this is extremely effective, ask in person first (if possible) send a message via text or email, include their name, give them a reason you are asking (use my reason or create your own,) include a number & tell them it won’t take up much of their time and give them the link so they can actually do it.

If you follow this technique on How to ask for a 5 Star Google Review, I guarantee you will have a greater than 90% success rate when you ask your clients & friends for a five star google review.

Do you need help getting listed on Google? If you don’t have your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) set up & optimized it’s like you’re not even listed on the phone book.

Contact us right away and start getting the new business you deserve.

Need Help Getting Your Google Business Listing Found By Customers?

Top 3 Reasons Why you Need a Google My Business Listing

by Andrew Peterson | Sep 27, 2022 | Google Business Profile, Google My Business, SEO

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Top 3 Reasons Why you need a Google My Business Listing

1. Your Google My Business Profile is the phone book of today!

Your Google My Business profile is the most important factor in how your business ranks in local search. When someone types in a related query to what your business does, your company needs to be one of the top results if you want them to contact you. In order to ensure that this happens, it is important to have a well-optimized Google My Business profile.

There are three main things that you need to do in order to have a great Google My Business profile: Claim your listing, complete your profile, and get reviews.

Watch the Video

2. You need to be a big fish in your own little pond before you can be a great white shark in the big blue ocean.

In order for your business to grow, you need to dominate your local market. If you are not ranking at the top of local search results, then you are losing out on potential customers. 91% of adults use search engines to find information, so if your business isn’t at the top, you’re missing out on a lot of potential leads.

In order to rank higher in local search results, it is important to have a well-optimized Google My Business profile. This includes completing your profile and getting reviews from happy customers. Make sure that you list all of your relevant business information, including hours, address, and products and services offered.

3. The BEST ROI: 24% of actions are calls to the business.

One of the main goals of any small business should be to get more customers through their door. In order to do this, it is important to focus on online marketing tactics that generate leads. One such tactic is local SEO services.

Local SEO services refers to the process of optimizing a business’ website and online presence so that they rank higher in local search results. When done correctly, this can result in a significant increase in leads and sales for a business. One study found that businesses that rank in the top 3 spots for their related keywords receive 24% of all actions taken by searchers.

Here are a partial list of some of the items our team handles on a weekly basis for each account to increase its exposure to highly targeted searching customers.

Weekly creation of new posts
Regular uploading of new images
Monthly responding to your reviews.
Addition of new business services & categories as needed
Approval of Google’s requested changes
And much more…

Need Help With Your Google Listing?

Are Website Builders Like Wix & Squarespace Worth It?

by Andrew Peterson | Sep 20, 2022 | How To Work With A Web Designer, Recommendations, SEO

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Are website builders worth it?

You might be surprised to hear that I say no.

In my experience, website builders like Wix, Squarespace and Weebly are simply not worth the time or money. While they may be easy to use, they produce subpar websites that look amateurish and lack the features and customizability of a truly professional website.

Website builders have a lot of disadvantages that most people don’t realize until they’ve already built their website. For starters, you’re limited to the templates and features that the website builder offers.

This means that your website will look and feel like every other website built with that same platform. If you want to stand out, you’re going to have a hard time.

Secondly, website builders are not built for SEO. Sure, you can add some keywords and descriptions but you’re still going to be at a disadvantage compared to a website that was custom-built with SEO in mind.

Lastly, and this is the most important point, website builders are not flexible. Once you’ve built your website on one of these platforms, you’re pretty much stuck with it. If you want to make any major changes, you’re going to need to start from scratch – which defeats the purpose of using a website builder in the first place.

All in all, we don’t recommend using a website builder. If you want a truly unique and flexible website, it’s worth it to invest in a custom-built site.

Everyone business has different needs so each project is unique. The initial consultation will define which deliverables are most important to your success.

Complete Guide to Working With A Web Designer

by Andrew Peterson | Jul 26, 2022 | How To Work With A Web Designer, Standard Operating Procedures, Web Design

Reading Time: 2 minutes

How To Work With a Web Designer

What they will probably ask from you, even if they don’t you should forward this stuff to them!

So you’re ready to start your website development project (with me or any other website designer). Congratulations! You’re ahead of the game, you’ve dodged the trap of those mass produced website builders which steal your content and give you the worst possible outcome for your business, bravo!

You’re probably asking yourself a list of questions: How much does it cost to hire a web designer? How do I hire someone to design my website? What do I need to know before hiring a web designer? Who should I hire to build my website? How much does creating a website cost? Is it worth building your own website?

Here is a list of things that your website designer will ask you for. Even if you haven’t had a consultation with us yet or if you’re working with another website developer here’s a list of things that any good web designer is going to ask you for.

If they don’t it’s a huge red flag that they are either cutting corners or don’t know what they are doing and you should seek advice from an experienced website designer before it is too late!

Here’s what I, your website designer, am asking for from you the client:

Your Logo (PDF, EPS or high res JPEG if possible)
Hosting Login (hosting account and/or Cpanel login)**
Current Website Login
Analytics Access (we make decisions based on data, hopefully your old website developer has been collecting it for you!)
Images or any new pictures you’d like to use for the new site
Brand style guide, colors or any special graphics being used

Getting Started with a website developer

You might not have all or any of these things but don’t worry, we make it easy for you. If you don’t it’s no problem but providing your website designer with as much info as you possibly can make things smoother and result in the best possible outcome.

How to get started with a website developer

Getting Started with a Website Developer – How to collaborate: (send me your content & Images)

We will create a shared Google Drive folder and invite you to it so that you can place your images, text, videos and ideas for your website there.

Your Web Design Team Will Also Accept Your Content Via.

E-Mail
Text Message
DropBox
Any other sharing platform of your choosing

Understand the website development process

THE DESIGN PROCESS
Designing a website, no matter how big or small, is an extensive process that can be overwhelming. I’ve outlined my process into 3 steps:

Check back here soon for more info on understanding the website development process.