Blog - plain talk

For businesses heavily reliant on leads through their Google Business Profile (GBP) and local SEO, the temptation to boost rankings in the local pack through manipulative tactics is common. However, aiming to gain a competitive edge over rivals in ways that violate Google’s guidelines can end in catastrophe for many companies that try to game the system. In this edition of Plain Talk, we’ll give an overview of Google Business Profile ranking factors for 2024 and discuss some dos and don’ts for keeping your GBP healthy and thriving.

The relationship between social media and organic search engine optimization (SEO) has become increasingly intertwined. Social media platforms serve as more than just channels for connecting with friends or sharing cat videos – they have evolved into powerful tools for increasing visibility while driving referral traffic to your website. Couple this with Google serving up social media profiles in search results, and you have a match made in brand awareness heaven. In this edition of Plain Talk, we will explore how savvy use of social media can help increase your SEO rankings.

Whether you are a small business owner or a marketing lead in a larger company, 2024 looks like a pretty sunny year for many businesses. The economy looks set to grow, and businesses that put in the extra effort should have a pretty good year. And the good news is that growth doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. In this edition of Plain Talk, we’ll discuss free, cheap, or affordable things you can do to market your business better (and a few that might require extra help).

Many small and mid-sized businesses, including personal injury law firms, put a lot of effort into organic search (SEO). However, many SEO issues may lurk beneath the surface and often hold firms back from reaching their full ranking potential. In this edition of Plain Talk, we’ll review the top SEO issues and challenges that most law practices overlook. We’ll explain why they can negatively impact organic search and how to address them.

From being told to “Just Do It!” to the “now more than ever” pandemic lectures, we’ve all been viewed as “vessels.” The brands we love have, on occasion, transitioned their messages from what they can do for us to what we need to do or do better. Enough! Advertising brands this year need to focus on how they are useful and relatable to us and not judge us against their standard or lecture us. In this edition of Plain Talk, we’ll discuss how consumers are fatigued by assertive marketing (cause or otherwise). We’ll also explore how brands might better relate to them.

The value that SEO contributes to personal injury law firms is undeniable. However, measuring ROI and cost per signed case can be a challenge. Not understanding possible cost per case and ROI for SEO can lead to not truly understanding how SEO is contributing to your overall marketing mix and signed cases. In this Plain Talk edition, we’ll cover how personal injury law firms may be able to measure ROI from SEO, how firms can begin to understand cost-per-case values from organic search, and additional perspectives on how to best evaluate your marketing return.

The process of getting that organic traffic, search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the hottest and often misunderstood topics in personal injury marketing. So, it’s only natural for your firm to occasionally ask, “What am I getting for that monthly SEO expense?” In this edition of Plain Talk, we’ll look at how well-done, cost-effective SEO for personal injury can help build revenue for your firm and how you can maximize the value of online organic search.

When it comes to SEO and digital marketing, knowing your competition can mean the difference between smashing success and devastating defeat. But take heart. You need not fear the search results of a hundred organic competitors ranking above you. (See what I did there?) In this edition of Plain Talk, we’ll discuss competitive blunting through an SEO lens, how to leverage an SEO competitor analysis, and creative strategies to help you conquer your corner of the digital realm.

As a full-service agency with more than 80 clients, we often get asked our opinions on which CRM solution is best for a given client’s situation or if a certain CRM software is any good. While we have our favorites and can often provide insights on which is best for a client’s needs, the answer is they are all pretty good. The secret to getting results from your new CRM is in its implementation! In this edition of Plain Talk, join us as we take a deep dive into implementing a CRM system the right way.

On December 6, members of Google’s “Internal Access” program (early adopters, influencers, employees, and researchers) flooded the web with videos of Gemini as the “CHATGPT slayer.” And then, just as suddenly, it fell silent as the public availability of Gemini was pushed to a later date in 2024. With details of the sudden change limited in online searches, we looked for answers by interviewing the one source we were confident would have the answers, Google Bard. In this edition of Plain Talk, we’ll find out what Bard had to say about the Gemini launch and the future of AI in marketing applications.