The Truth About Marketing: What Works & What Doesn’t for Small Businesses

If Your Phone’s Not Ringing, This Episode Is for You

Episode Title: If Your Phone’s Not Ringing, This Episode Is for You If you’re a local business owner wondering why your phone isn’t ringing, this episode is for you. In this episode of The Ryan Spelts Get Attention Marketing Podcast, we dive into the 10 most common (and costly) mistakes that are keeping local businesses like yours invisible online. You’re likely leaving money on the table—and it’s not because your product or service isn’t great. It’s because your digital presence is falling short in ways you might not even realize. We cover essential SEO and marketing insights you can take action on today, including: * Why your website might be chasing customers away instead of attracting themLearn how poor design, unclear messaging, and friction in the user experience could be turning visitors off before they even reach out—and what to do instead. * The LaunchScape website formatI’ll walk you through the proven layout we use with our clients that boosts conversions, builds trust fast, and makes it easy for people to do business with you. * Making it easy to contact youAre you forcing people to call when they prefer to text or message? You’re losing leads. Meet customers where they are. * The content gap that’s costing you visibilityIf your website doesn’t clearly explain what you do, show examples, and educate, you’re not just confusing people—you’re also hurting your Google ranking. * Stop ignoring your best free lead source: Google Business ProfileWe’ll talk about active searchers, posting strategies, keyword placement, Q&A, and why our GBP Readiness Kit is a must-have. * Technical SEO: the hidden stuff that mattersFix site errors, ensure mobile responsiveness, improve load speed, and get your page structure right. I’ll explain why headings (H1, H2, etc.) matter and how to use them properly. * Keyword strategy that attracts the right trafficFrom big, broad terms like “plumber near me” to ultra-specific long-tail phrases like “emergency plumber in Ogden open now,” we break down how to target high-converting searches. * Learn the words your customers actually use“Davenport vs. couch”—I’ll show you how understanding search intent and language can make or break your rankings. * Build authority the smart wayGet tips on acquiring local backlinks, improving trust signals, and showing up as the expert in your industry through E-E-A-T principles. * Why site age, content depth, and topical coverage still matterWe’ll discuss how older, well-maintained sites with detailed, keyword-rich content still have the edge—and how you can catch up. This episode isn’t theory. It’s a checklist of action steps—based on what I see working (and not working) every day for local businesses across industries. Mentioned in this episode: * LaunchScape Website Framework * Free Google Business Profile Readiness Kit * Connect with Ryan Spelts Marketing at ryanspelts.com [http://ryanspelts.com] If your business is good but your phone isn’t ringing, don’t assume the market is slow. Your marketing might just be broken. Fix that. Hit play.

How Not to Run a Business

In this raw and honest episode, I open up about the painful lessons I learned from running — and eventually closing — Connection Publishing. I share the mistakes that cost me dearly, the turning point that led to my pivot, and the surprising wins that came from starting over. Whether you’re just starting out or deep in the trenches of entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with real talk, hard-earned wisdom, and a few things I wish someone had told me sooner.

The Truth About Marketing: What Works & What Doesn’t for Small Businesses

Welcome to Season 2, Episode 1 of the Ryan Spelts Marketing podcast, where i'm diving deep into the realities of marketing for small businesses—what works, what doesn’t, and why most businesses struggle with it. Owning a business is a wild ride. You’ve got big dreams, but marketing often feels like a guessing game with uncertain results. I hear it all the time: “I don’t want to waste money on ads.” But here’s the thing—you don’t even need to advertise unless you want to grow. In this episode, I use down real-world strategies for local businesses (like a bakery, a painter, a clothing store, and a deck builder) to help you see exactly what works. If you’ve ever wondered: • How to grow without wasting money • Why most ads fail (and how to fix it) • What a good marketing strategy actually looks like Then this episode is for you. Want a personalized strategy for your business? Drop a comment or book a free consult with me: book.ryanspelts.marketing/ryan [http://book.ryanspelts.marketing/ryan] Also, check out Optibot, my AI-powered tool that helps optimize your Google Business Profile and drive more customers to you. Get a free heatmap scan here: https://www.ryanspelts.marketing/optibot [https://www.ryanspelts.marketing/optibot] Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you found this helpful.

Get Attention - 5 Must Dos to Thrive in 2024

With over 25 years of experience in sales, marketing, and publishing, I've seen firsthand the importance of adapting to change and staying ahead of the curve. So, let's dive into five essential strategies for thriving in 2024's uncertain economy. These strategies will not only help you navigate economic uncertainties but also position your business for growth and success.

Get Attention - Educate or Differentiate

Whether you're in a low or high-competition market, your marketing approach will vary significantly. If your business operates in a low-competition environment, the challenge lies in educating potential customers about your product or service. Conversely, in a highly competitive market, the focus shifts to differentiation. Tune in to discover how to navigate the complexities of marketing in both low and high-competition markets and take your business to the next level.