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An Epic Guide To Local SEO

Ryan Chute
Ryan Chute
June 27, 2022
An Epic Guide To Local SEO

Imagine a ship built strong and sturdy out of lines of code and keywords. The ship is out there, somewhere beyond the broadband horizon, leading businesses to a treasure trove of leads and everlasting traffic to their websites. Its name is local SEO. The vessel is notoriously difficult to track down and even more difficult to bring into a dock. But if you can manage it and hop aboard, you’re all but guaranteed to succeed. Every business with a physical location needs to understand local SEO. With a few key words typed into Google, a map showcasing the top businesses in the searcher’s area spring forward. It goes without saying that any business interested in growing wants to appear on the top of the map section. If your knowledge of local SEO isn’t as refined as you’d like, this guide is the one for you. We’ll tell you everything you need to know to land that ship. We’ll start this local SEO guide in the most logical place, its origins.

A Brief History of Search Engine Optimization and Its Evolution

Traveling back in time to the first days of the internet, it was pretty sparse. There were few websites to visit, so navigating the internet was simple and straightforward. It was similar to visiting a small local store. There isn’t much to see. However, fast forward a few years, and the internet expanded, a lot. Soon enough, it became massive. It had grown to such an extent that it was nearly impossible to navigate as you once would. It was no longer the lovely, innocent mainstreet shops. Now, it’s a mega mall with more stuff than anyone can conceive. Thankfully, search engines came along. They allow users to find the website they are looking for with less difficulty. The way that the search engines worked was simple. You type a certain phrase into the search bar, and the engine shows you websites that include that phrase. Even Google used that same approach. However, like any good business, Google had a trick up its sleeve. Google became the first search engine to use links between websites as a sign of which websites were trustworthy. Similar to how we as people trust a stranger more when they have a connection to someone we know. As of today, Google has ramped up even more. They now use hundreds of factors, which all carry different levels of importance to rank your website in search results. Like all things having to do with the internet, search engines and their ranking systems are complex. If you need help understanding it beyond the surface level, book a call with Wizard of Ads™.

The Difference Between SEO and Local SEO

The Difference Between SEO and Local SEO

Most people’s first question is, how is local SEO different from traditional SEO? Meanwhile, others fail to realize that there’s any difference between the two at all. Both SEO and local SEO focus on improving your rank in search engine results, so that more people will be able to find, contact, and convert into an appointment and subsequently, a sale. With that said, there are differences that you should definitely understand before you go moseying along. The first is that traditional SEO hones in on improving your website’s visibility on a national or worldwide scale. It aims to get your brand seen from coast to coast, no matter the physical location of your business. It’s perfectly happy introducing your brand to someone in New York, even if you’re in L. A. On the other hand, local SEO, as you may have guessed, allows you to hone in on your local search area. It reaches locals in your city in an effort to capture their attention. While you’re grasping for a smaller audience with local SEO, you’re in front of more of the right people. 46 percent of all Google searches have local intent, and 80 percent of local searches on mobile devices convert into viable leads. That’s a massive opportunity for your business. However, even if they’re different in their overall aim, traditional SEO and local SEO use the same strategies. Aside from a few special ones, local SEO uses to connect you with your audience, including Google Local Service Ads (LSA). You're not to blame if you aren’t familiar with Local Service Ads. They are fairly new on the Google scene. But you can learn more here.

Ranking Factors

Do you recall the hundreds of ranking factors that are each valued differently? Well, it’s time that we revisit those and come to understand them on a deeper level. Don’t panic! You don’t need to understand all 200, only those with the highest value. At their core, ranking factors are the criteria that Google uses when evaluating websites to determine the best order of results. Understanding those factors is necessary for effective SEO. That goes for all marketers, creators, and everyday SEO professionals. If you don’t understand them and you’re trying to make effective results in those fields, good luck. Unfortunately, you’ll need it because they aren’t the only important thing, but they are essential to elevating your domain rank. An elite user experience leads to more conversions. Below, we’re going to cover the most important factors.

Major Categories of Google’s Ranking Factors:

The following categories and factors within are the ones proven to yield the strongest impact on search results. They’re sort of similar to those weighted questions on those exams we all dreaded. This time your grade isn’t on the line. Your business is. So continue reading below and study up.

1. Domain Factors

Domain factors are all the ranking factors that connect your domain (website) to search engine results. If there were levels to these factors, these would be level one. The domain factors that Google will pay attention to include:

  • First keywords in your domain
  • Domain registration length
  • Penalized WHOIS owner (Google designates owners of spam websites as Penalized WHOIS owners.)
  • Public WHOIS instead of private WHOIS
  • Keyword in subdomains
  • The history of the domain
  • The age of your domain
  • Keywords in your domain

2. Page-Level Factors

Page-level factors are fairly straightforward. There are factors on each page that you can optimize. Essentially, all the pages on your website. Those factors include:

  • The appearance of the keyword in the H1 tag
  • The frequency of keywords used in the content
  • Keyword at the beginning of the meta title
  • The length of the content
  • Word count
  • Presence of a linked table of contents
  • Density of keywords
  • The presence of the keyword in the title tag
  • Keywords in the meta description

3. Site-Level Factors

Site-level factors go beyond the surface level of the page, and instead, they look at the entire website. Basically, a bird's eye view of the website. Site-level factors include:

  • The presence of a sitemap
  • Long-term downtime
  • Location of the server
  • Appropriate contact information
  • Content on site that brings value or insight
  • TrustRank (how closely linked your website is to another trusted website. This is that factor that Google launched early on that we mentioned.)
  • Website updates determine a freshness factor
  • The architecture of the website
  • The presence of a contact us page

4. Backlink Factors

Backlink factors look at the websites linking you to determine where to place or rank your page. Typically speaking, the higher quality websites linking to your website, the higher you’ll rank. That is assuming you have high-quality content to match. Backlink factors include:

  • The trust factor of the linked page
  • The number of referring domains
  • The age of the linked domain
  • Anchor text of backlinks
  • ALT tag of image links on the website
  • The number of connections from separate c-class IPs
  • The number of referring pages
  • Number of links from .edu and .gov domains
  • The trust factor of the linked page

User Interaction

5. User Interaction

If there’s one thing we know about Google, it’s that they love a website with an elite user experience. Even in the update announcements, they show how important it is. To demonstrate how serious they are, they use several factors to measure user interaction. Then rank your page accordingly. User interaction factors include:

  • The organic click-through rate for the exact keyword
  • The organic click-through rates for every ranking keyword
  • Repeat visitors
  • Blocked websites
  • Dwell time (dwell time is the measure of time that a user spends viewing a document after clicking a link.)
  • How users interact on your website
  • Overall direct traffic
  • Bounce rate (the number of people who visit your page and leave without viewing other pages on your website)

6. Special Google Algorithm Rules

A handful of Google Algorithm rules do not link to your page or domain. Believe it or not. They involve factors that look at personalizing search results for the user or better search results in general. Here are some of those rules that you should know about:

  • Diversity in the SERP
  • Freshness in the SERP
  • The browsing history of the user
  • Search history of the user
  • Adult content or curse words (websites with that content are not present in safe search results.)

7. Brand Signals

Many heavily valued factors are linked directly to your brand. Those factors include:

  • Branded searches
  • Your brand and keyword searches
  • Branded anchor text
  • Brand’s official LinkedIn
  • Your brand’s Twitter with followers
  • Facebook page, ideally with a lot of likes

8. On-Site Webspam Factors

Let’s get one thing straight. Spam doesn’t rank on search engines. If your website even looks the slightest bit spammy, you could be hurting your search engine results. Here are some factors that Google uses to track your spammy traits:

  • Links to sketchy websites
  • A lot of redirects
  • Popups that are difficult to close
  • Over-optimizing the site
  • Hidden redirects
  • Flagged server IP address
  • Low-quality content (honestly, who likes that?)
  • Distracting/spammy appearing ads

9. Off-Site Webspam Factors

Off-site webspam factors take a deep look at all of the websites connected to yours. Specifically, looking at what they do. The off-site webspam factors include:

  • Low-quality backlinks
  • A high percentage of links from unrelated websites
  • Automatic links inclosed in widgets
  • An unnatural and sudden increase in backlinks
  • A hacked site
  • Links from sites with the same server IP
  • Low-quality directory links

Get Started with Local SEO

Get Started with Local SEO

Okay, we’ve covered the history of search engines, the difference between traditional and local SEO, and many, many ranking factors. With all of that serving as the foundation of your knowledge, you’re undoubtedly ready to get started. So it’s time we get to the highlight of our epic little guide here. Here are your step-by-step instructions on how to get started with local SEO. Let’s jump right in.

Claim your Google Business Profile

Formerly known as Google My Business or GMB, Google Business Profile is hailed as fantastic among business owners. Why? Here’s a quick rundown of Google Business Profile. Keep in mind that we’re only going over the basics here. Google Business Profile is a totally free directory listing tool offered by Google. It allows businesses to create and manage their online presence across all of Google’s platforms, including search results, maps, and more. Using a GBP, you can quickly build your online presence, not as an influencer but as a business. For instance, you can upload images and videos, create post updates, respond to customer reviews, and even optimize your website for visibility in search engines. There’s truly no better way to win a search engine’s game than using one of their tools, right?

Local Directories and Listings

A local business directory lists vital information about your business. That information can include your hours, location, contact information, pictures, and other relevant information, like reviews and important links. These directories and listings can be local, such as one for HVAC companies in [BLANK] part of New York. However, they can also be global, such as Google Business, which is the single largest one available. These directories and listings can also be free to join, so you have no excuse not to be on them.

Test for Mobile-friendliness

The user experience is incredibly important to Google. It’s equally important to your potential customers. And with 80 percent of mobile searches converting into leads, it’s in your best interest to ensure your website looks and operates well. You can use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Testing Tool to check your website. You test through code or URL. Give it a try.

Utilize Local SEO-relevant keywords

The first step to utilizing those keywords is finding them. And to do that, you need to understand which search queries most of your audience uses to find you. For that, you use tools like Google’s Keyword Planner. It gives you insight into how often people search for certain words and how those searches have changed over time. There’s also [Semrush](https://www.semrush.com/lp/keyword-research-b-1/en/?kw=google keyword planner&cmp=US_SRCH_Keyword_Magic_Tool_EN&label=keyword_magic_tool&Network=g&Device=c&utm_content=485546553093&kwid=kwd-59330883096&cmpid=11126975927&agpid=112799974527&BU=Core&extid=124582948312&adpos=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzLCVBhD3ARIsAPKYTcSbjDt0sK0j0dCr-z_ychBu6aj08qoofY1wWKkH1OSSptj5ay-dl14aApPSEALw_wcB), which works nearly the same.

Get more Google My Business reviews

Google reviews provide essential information to people viewing your Google Business Profile and help your business stand out. To get more reviews, Google recommends verifying your account so that you appear on maps, searches, and other services. But they also recommend that you remind customers to leave reviews and reply to reviews as they come in.

Use Local Schema Markup tags

Schema markup is basically a code you can use to markup elements for your website. When you markup those elements, you help search engines understand them better. Thus, making them rank higher. It also improves your digital brand presence, which is always more than helpful. Here’s [a good resource](https://neilpatel.com/blog/get-started-using-schema/#:~:text=How to Use Schema Markup for SEO) that can tell you exactly how to use Schema markup to your advantage. There it is… our epic guide. That covers the majority of what there is to offer on local SEO. To wrap up, let’s go over what you need to do now that you’ve come this far. First, reread this starting from Get Started with Local SEO. However, as you read it this time, click every link we’ve inserted. That way, you can fully absorb all the information you truly need to understand. If you can do that, you’ll have a much easier time setting up your Google Business Profile and every other step after that. When you’re ready for more help on your SEO journey, something that goes beyond all of the guides out there, book a call with Wizard of Ads™.

(Branding)
(Lead Gen)
(Local Seo)
Ryan Chute
Ryan Chute

Helping small businesses become BIG brands with a holistic marketing strategy that speaks the same language across all sales and marketing channels.

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Frequently asked questions

Questions? We’ve got answers.

Who does the Wizard of Ads® for Contractors work with?

Wizard of Ads® for Contractors work with healthy and growing Residential Home Service Contractors hungry to grow by multiples, like you.

You are ready, willing, and able to grow your business. You are open to change and are seeking a distinctive angle of approach to gain the time and attention of a too-busy public.

You know that lasting relationships take time, patience, and good energy to nurture and cultivate. We carefully enter into every arrangement with the intention of working with you for as long as you own your business. You prefer lasting partnerships.

You are already a solid operator. You have successfully grown your business and appreciate the impact the right brand story will have to get to the next level in your operation. You know a strong relational message takes time to gain momentum, but it’s worth the one-time short-term discomfort for the long-term gains.

Marketing cannot fix a failing business.

We accelerate what’s already happening in a business. If your business is on the rocks, marketing will only speed up the inevitable.  

You’re focused on lasting change that leads to exponential, profitable growth, not just sales at any cost. Intuitively, you know that communication that enhances every element of your customer's experience and your employee's culture is the key to your success.

How does the Wizard of Ads® for Contractors charge?

Traditional marketing agencies are designed to capture the greatest amount of revenue from a client, regardless of results. Every last item is billed and expensed to the client. Typical agency fees can represent a whopping 55% of the entire advertising budget. That means a $5 million dollar advertising budget, you would spend $2.75 million on agency fees.

Think of Wizard of Ads® for Contractors as the Anti-Agency.

Our income is not tied to your advertising budget. Our income is exclusively tied to your growth. Our goal is to maximize your advertising impact with the lowest reasonable spend. This allows you to spend only what is necessary or to put extra horsepower into aggressively growing in your market.

The genius of this model is that it perfectly aligns our motivations as true partners for exponential profitable growth without the pain of being unaffordable. Ultimately, we are confident in taking the risk of being underpaid in the first few years because we know the results always speak for themselves.

Next, we do not accept commissions, referral fees, kickbacks, or other compensation from any service providers we recommend or engage for production work. Most agencies do. This includes the 15% agency commission for media buying. This approach is considerably different from the compensation plan employed by most advertising agencies, as it eliminates any potential conflicts of interest and allows us to focus our entire attention on helping you grow your business profitably as a true partner. For example, a $500,000 annual media buy would involve a $75,000 commission that we would have removed directly from your media providers' invoices.

This is the perfect pricing model for Residential Home Services.

By tying ourselves to gross revenue, we only have one motivation. Your motivation. We have no motivation to convince you to spend more money on marketing than what is necessary, and since we are a variable expense to sales, we NEVER become too expensive to have us on your team.

In almost every case, we end up lowering the amount of money you spend. We will stay within your planned marketing budget, including your media spend, production, and our Annual Fee. Add on the fact that you get any and all commissions back for media buys and various services provided by outside providers, and you will actually save money having us on your team.

Don’t forget, we have the largest buying power in North America for media buying, meaning for every dollar you spend buying media, we only spend 27 cents on average. This stretches your reach, impact, and frequency in a way no other agency (or yourself) can achieve on your own, saving you hundreds of thousands of dollars, eventually millions, every single year.

Clients who heed our advice and embrace our Marketing Strategy quickly add $1 million in incremental revenue to their business, making your investment a smart bet and a bit of a no-brainer.  

There is no longer any guesswork, hope, or fear that our marketing strategies are going to work. If our client’s are able to abandon any limiting beliefs about marketing, deliver operational excellence, and play the long game, our marketing strategy will accelerate their profitable growth.

Wizard of Ads® for Contractors pricing model is based solely on the topline revenue of your company. It consists of an Upfront Fee and an Annual Fee. These fees are inclusive of scheduled travel, services, and all other expenditures as outlined in the Consulting Agreement.

The Upfront Fee covers the intensive Uncovery Process, the first year’s Media Buy, the Creative Process, and the Market Research while the Annual Fee goes toward implementation, ongoing creative and consulting, and next year's media buy. You get a team of 3.5 people, with direct access to a top tier Creative Lead and Media Buyer, and on-demand access to me as your Master Strategist. You will also have a full-time Account Manager keeping everything on track.

While the upfront does have an initial pinch, it is easy to amortize the investment over the many years we will be working together to grow your business. Wizard of Ads® retain clients for 10 years, on average. The sale of the business is the number one reason for termination. We actively terminate the bottom 1% of clients who are unwilling or unable to follow our strategies.

Wizard of Ads® for Contractors believes that all rewards should be directly correlated to the success of our clients. This means that the Wizard of Ads® for Contractors only receives a raise when the company achieves growth. For example, if your gross sales for the year have increased by 25%, the Annual Fee you pay us in the following year will also be increased by 25%. Likewise, if your gross sales decrease, our Annual Fee will decrease by the same percentage during the following year.

This is an exceptionally easy and fair way to track and reward success. This model was developed by Wizard of Ads® over 35 years ago and has served us well because it serves our clients well.

As a rule of thumb, we take the risk of working for considerably less than our actual value in the first few years as we help accelerate growth. This means you need to be willing to pay us exceptionally well when you start doing even better.

When should I engage The Wizard of Ads® for Contractors?

There are four key revenue stages for engagement with the Wizard of Ads® for Contractors.

  1. Under $3.6 million in revenue
  2. Between $3.6 and $10 million in revenue
  3. Between $10 and $20 million in revenue
  4. Over $20 million in revenue

Under $3.6 million in revenue is an investment in your brand. This will serve you well in establishing your brand story early on and help you with your name, logo, and truck wrap design. It's easier to create pictures from a story than it is to make a story based on pre-drawn pictures. You'll be glad you did. Everyone on a fast path to growth is.

Most clients start with Wizard of Ads® for Contractors between $3.6 and $10 million in revenue. They have often seen a natural ceiling with their leads for demand service and are looking for ways to push past the ceiling. This can only be done with a properly executed brand strategy, specifically in mass media with a sticky story.

Between $10 and $20 million in revenue, Wizard of Ads® for Contractors has some natural economies of scale. This is a sweet spot where Wizard of Ads® for Contractors can offer some added value in getting the ball rolling.

Over $20 million in revenue is actually the lowest cost point of entry as a percentage of revenue, but not the cheapest time to start with the Wizard of Ads® for Contractors. Leveraging all economies of scale aside, we have been left out of the upside along the way, so engaging when over $20 million in revenue means we have to mend a lot of fences damaged along the way. This is also where clients see significant savings in their media buys and production costs.

There are also three market sizes to consider.

  • Primary Markets are the top 50 cities in America.
  • Secondary Markets are the smaller cities in America.
  • Tertiary Markets are the more rural trade areas in America.

When considering an engagement with The Wizard of Ads® for Contractors, consider what size market you are in. For example, a $3.6 million company in a Primary Market will struggle to get the necessary reach needed to make a splash. You either have to be more patient than a larger company or spend more money to accelerate your reach.

Alternatively, a $5 million company in a Secondary Market will look like a pretty darn big fish in a medium-sized pond.

A $20 Million company in a Primary Market will feel like a $50 million company using our strategies to potential customers.

The key to remember is that the earlier you start with the Wizard of Ads® for Contractors, the lower the investment to get started. As they say, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.

Are production costs included in your fees?

The Wizard of Ads® for Contractors Creative Lead will create the ad copy, cast the voice actors, source the production house, direct the performance, pick the music bed, manage all the edits, and provide you with the completed ad for final approval before sending to air on your behalf. This is included in our fees.

You pay for the production house, actors, royalty-free music, and jingles directly to avoid any potential for markups, commissions, or management fees.

We have many friends in the industry that give our clients good deals due to the large volume of work we provide them. We will introduce you to them.

How long before a brand-forward strategy starts working?

In approximately three months of activation, we’ll just be getting live on air. In six months (3 months on air), you’ll be getting anecdotal feedback from people that you are being heard, but there will be no direct line to revenue.

After 6 months on the air, you’ll think you made the biggest mistake of your life signing up for this branding nonsense. After 9 months on the air (12 months in) you’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel.

At 12 full months on the air, you’ll know why you did this branding thing. Two years from now, we'll be clinking champagne flutes as you wonder why you didn’t do this sooner.

How long before we’re live?

The general guideline is 70-120 days, depending on the level of production needed and if there is a name change to your business.

This includes an onsite visit, a deep dive into research, and getting things created, negotiated, approved, produced, and live on the air.

  • Uncovery - 15-30 days based on travel. 1-2 days onsite.
  • Research - 30-60 days based on the scope of work.
  • Creative and Media Buy Process - 45 to 60 days
  • Offline Production - 15 days for radio. 30 - 60 days for television.
  • Online Production (if switching) - 60 days

This means planning for roughly 90 to 120 days in the proper development and production of a completely unique Marketing Strategy before anything hits the airwaves.

Are you exclusive?

Creatively, yes. During the term of this Agreement, all Creative Partners assigned to your Account shall not engage, directly or indirectly, as an employee, officer, manager, partner, consultant, agent, owner, or in any other capacity, in any competition of the client, including any company engaged in marketing consulting.

For clarity, the Creative Partner is defined as the individual Wizard of Ads® Partners who is responsible for creating your creative strategy and ongoing creative copy. Competition is defined as companies that engage in the same industry and business units (e.g., HVAC, Plumbing, etc.) as you. The market area is defined as the area where the marketing message naturally reaches through DMA or 60 miles from the city center of the client's service area(s).

Naturally, we exclude any potential future competition in markets where you are not currently active at the date of signing.

We do not limit Media Buyers in any market. Media Buyers get better deals for larger volumes, making it beneficial for the client to have the Media Buyer available to do as many buys as possible to secure the best deals on the client’s behalf.

Do you do digital marketing?

In rare circumstances, Wizard of Ads® for Contractors will provide specific digital marketing solutions. Wizard of Ads® has very specific Partners that provide digital services that serve Residential Home Services effectively. Under no circumstances will digital marketing services be offered without Wizard of Ads® for Contractors' core solution.

It is most likely that Wizard of Ads® for Contractors will work with your existing digital partners and suppliers. If you do not have a reliable digital provider, we would be happy to introduce you to a number of great providers that play nice with Wizards.

Do you do jingles?

Wizard of Ads® for Contractors can assist you in getting a jingle for your business. Like any other tactical element of a marketing strategy, we do not produce a jingle for the sake of a jingle.

If you do not have a story or a strategic reason to have a jingle...or an ad campaign to tie it to, do not waste your hard-earned money on a jingle. You are wasting your time and money.

When you do build a single unified marketing strategy that incorporates a jingle for a specific (often scientific) reason, we have a Jingle Wizard who has studied the art and science of jingle design.

He will score you an original, royalty-free jingle, including professional singers, musicians, and producers. He will not knock off a generic jingle from a publicly available music bed that sounds like everyone else's jingle.

Your jingle will serve a very specific reason and produce a very specific result. Have you guessed how much we love jingles yet?

Who owns the copyrights?

Wizard of Ads® for Contractors owns your copyright for two very specific reasons. We also provide a fair use clause in all contracts to ensure you are in no way limited to the access of your creative works, whether you are working with us or not.

The first reason we own your copyright is to ensure that we do not have to go up against our own creative works in other markets we serve. This means you are not allowed to lend, give, borrow, tweak, rent, lease, or sell your creative works to any other company at any time.

The second reason we own your copyright is that we can establish a one-time value for your creative works in the event that someone steals the content. Upon selling you the copyrights, you can go after the perpetrator for theft and make a considerable bounty in a slam dunk case.

Here is how Wizard of Ads® word the fair use of your copyright for as long as your business is in operation:

All writing and/or marketing materials we create for you are not works-for-hire. Wizard of Ads® for Contractors hereby irrevocably grants you, and your successors in interest, the non-exclusive, royalty-free, non-transferable, and worldwide right to use the Works in connection with the marketing of your business pursuant to the Marketing Strategy for so long as your business is operational.
How do I measure brand results?

There are a number of interesting ways to measure results. Some people like to get unique identifying telephone numbers, or create branded URLs that redirect to landing pages or the website. However, much of this is a waste of time and energy as it never tells the true story of the brand journey and how it affected the decision-making process.

Other indicators of brand effectiveness include tracking new customers, reactivated customers, or running a brand equity survey to get a sense of your share of mind. Digitally you will see direct search increase, which cannot be affected by anything digital, as well as branded keyword inquiries increase. You’ll, of course, need to get your digital people to add these to your campaigns if you hope to see an increase in conversions.

Wizard of Ads® for Contractors tracks the simplest of indicators. Top line revenue. When your branding takes effect, and the company responds in kind from the phone call or form fill-on, top-line revenue will increase. Efficacy is plotted on a T12, and total lead volume from all sources is tracked.

12 things you should know before signing up.
  1. Quality relationships take time. Branding is a long-term strategy. That’s why most contractors do it wrong, or not at all. There is always a lag between the start of the new campaign and the time it takes your customers to connect the dots. You MUST BE READY, WILLING, AND ABLE to endure this lag period. In our experience, the lag is typically 6 to 9 months, depending on how competitive the marketplace is, your company’s reputation, your budget in relation to reach, and the eight uncontrollable environmental factors. During this time, we will be helping you implement a transition plan to ease the pain. The good news is that this lag only happens once.
  2. Decisions by Committee. We completely reject the notion of decisions by committee. We work with a single, courageous decision-maker. We welcome decision influencers, but we only look to the Owner for the final decision. All decision-makers and influencers must be involved in the Uncovery and Marketing Strategy Presentation if they want to offer input in the future. It is critical that we have a 100% fully approved plan that can be defended and championed by all leaders in the organization.  
  3. Proven Strategy. That means we are not the low-cost provider. With nearly 200 home service clients and a book of strategic devices, tools, and tactics, this isn’t a guessing game for us. We know what to do to make your externally triggered grudge purchase appealing to your potential buyers. If you can deliver the goods, we can continue building relationships. If you are uncomfortable with the idea that you are paying us less now so that you can pay us considerably more once revenues allow, please do not commit. We intend to be your true partners, in sickness and in health...so long as you own your business.
  4. Automatic Payments. Everything is on automatic payments. If you struggle with managing cash flow, figure that out in your business first. We accept all major credit cards and ACH payments.
  5. We Cause Problems. If you don’t have a capacity issue now, I promise you will in about 9 months. Let’s deal with recruitment out of the gate as part of your comprehensive marketing strategy.
  6. We Own the Copyrights. All writing and/or marketing materials we create for you are not works-for-hire. We irrevocably grant you, and your successors in interest, the non-exclusive, royalty-free, non-transferable, and worldwide right to use the Works in connection with the marketing of your business pursuant to the Marketing Strategy for so long as your business is operational.
  7. Brand Building. We will be steering you to limit the use of discounts, rebates, coupons, and sales to attract clients. We know this feels counterintuitive to many, and we will clarify our reasoning. Rest assured, we have considerable experience in creating similar offers that are not damaging to your profitability, your brand’s integrity, and your preferable long-term client relations.
  8. Creative Authority. We must have creative authority over the words. You can accept copy as written or reject it outright, but you cannot modify the words yourself. If you do not like something as written, we are happy to discuss it and make the necessary change to maintain the integrity and intention of the words chosen. Alternatively, we will scrap the concept and create new copy that you are happy to get behind 100%.
  9. Proprietary Algorithm. The media buy must be structured in a very specific way, including running a full 52-week schedule. It is based on brain chemistry, not P&Ls. Once we have committed to the buy, it’s important to avoid adjustments unless they are calculated additions.
  10. Knucklehead Factor. You should expect knuckleheads. For example, when you start running ads that are certain to get attention, you need the courage to continue running those ads, even when you receive complaints. We celebrate complaints. It means we’ve made people feel.
  11. Digital Weasels. In about three months from the time your advertising campaign hits the airways, your digital marketers will show you a marked increase in direct and organic traffic. Some Digital Marketers will mistakenly claim this success as their own. Done properly, you can continue to spend less and less on digital lead generation by increasing your branded keyword online presence.
  12. Annual Marketing Meetings. Travel permitting, we prefer to hold Annual Marketing Meetings (AMMs) outside your city. Years of experience have taught us that we get better results when decision-makers are outside their sphere of influence, away from the day-to-day distractions of the office.

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deserve this)