In the fast-paced digital world, Google Ads stands as a beacon of opportunity for restoration companies. Like a lighthouse guiding ships through stormy seas, Google Ads can illuminate the path to abundant leads and thriving business. This post unveils five transformative hacks, each a beacon in its own right, to revolutionize your Google Ads strategy.

Hack 1: Geo-Targeting for Precision Marketing

Imagine casting a net that only snags the fish you want. That’s geo-targeting.

• The What and Why: Geo-targeting allows you to target ads to specific geographic locations. For restoration companies, whose services are often urgently needed and locally provided, this is a game-changer.

• The How-To: Start by identifying the areas where your services are most in demand. Then, tailor your Google Ads campaigns to these locales. Include local landmarks or references in your ad copy to resonate with a local audience.

• Real-World Success: Case studies show restoration companies...

Social media is everywhere. If you’re like me, you know you have to be engaging on it. I confess, I’m not always on it, and I do social media marketing and management for a living. Crazy, huh? It can feel like there is so much content out there, there’s nothing new to be said. And I want my content to be engaging and relevant and new. So I’m on a mission. My mission is to go deeper on my blog, with social media, and in my life.

So how in the world am I going to do that in a culture on information overload? I feel like an information junkie. Do you ever feel that way? I’m sure we all have at one point or another. Start by engaging. I’m going to ask you a couple point blank questions: Are you engaging with your list and your various connections on social media? What are you doing to engage them? Here are three steps for engaging.

1. Talk to them, not at them!

I’m learning this over and over again—when I talk to people by adding a human...

There is a great quote by Milton Berle that I just love: “If opportunity does not knock, then build a door,” In other words, don’t sit around and wait for an opportunity, go out and work and make one. At least, this is what it means to me.

Social media is no different. You have to build that door! Are you making your own opportunities? I believe one of the biggest opportunities out there for small business is social media marketing. The problem is, most of us are missing it. I would like to share with you three opportunities for you to create by using social media.

1. Listen first, and then engage.

I believe if you will listen, you will find an opportunity somewhere to connect and engage with potential clients. Start visiting various targeted groups. Listen to what is going on in that group, and then start commenting on the posts or answering some questions. People will take notice, and some will want to know more about you. That’s how relationships are...

Ready, Set, Hike! American Football is one of those sports that relies heavily on strategic game plans. One of the most fascinating things about football is seeing whose plan—and whose execution—is better. The best-prepared team wins. As in football, social media marketing benefits from strategic planning. If you want to be successful in your social media marketing, a strong plan and faithful execution are essential.

It starts with one little step. That first step is the hardest! For the sake of your business, take that one step. You will thank me later. 

There are a few things you need to know about social media plans. 

1. You cannot follow a template that belongs to someone else.
   Why? It’s important you make your plan according to what you need in your business for your marketing success. The plan should be in your unique voice!
2. This marketing plan is written not to get money from the banks.
   That’s a business plan. And if you haven’t got a...

Sometimes we need to be creative when we are implementing social media strategy. Try these right away and see what works for you.

1. Ask Questions: This is the easiest strategy. Be straightforward with your questions and make it sound like you really want an answer. One idea is to ask for advice. Your audience’s opinion matters and believe it or not, people love to give opinions. Plus, they like to help. Another kind of question you could ask is what their favorite is and make it relate to something in your business.

Also, you can make the question visual by having them pick something. Whatever it is, you decide and have fun with it.

 2. Try organizing a contest! This strategy works very well. When hosting a contest, there are some things important for its success. You must be very clear on the rules. Make sure the rules can be understood. Pick a prize that has something to do with your business. And make the deadline doable.

3. Tag and share others’ content. I...

When I browse through the different posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, I sometimes wonder if there was any thought at all put into some of the messages. My strategy for posting relies on four pillars: fun, relevance, emotion, and honesty.

Here are a few of my thoughts on how you can create great social media content that engages by sticking to these four tenets. These are the questions I ask myself before I post anything.

1. Is it fun? If you are just doing it because you think you have to, then you may as well not do it at all. I have a blast posting, sharing, and connecting with others. There is an excitement about it. I advise you to keep the excitement going. Don’t post out of obligation but post out of the joy of connecting and giving to others. Make your audience laugh. Laughter sometimes is the best medicine! Sometimes having a sense of humor goes a long way!

2. Is it relevant? Here is where it gets trickier. Post content that drives your ideal audience to...

I’m a person who loves walking on the beach. Every once in a while, I find a great shell or a very cool rock. One time I found a bottle with a message in it, and it wasn’t S.O.S. (Who remembers the song “Message in the Bottle” song by Police?) It was a yellow piece of paper that said: You are loved. I don’t know who sent it, but the message was clear, and for the rest of the day, I was quite encouraged. Why am I telling you this? I’m telling you this to spur you on to make sure your message is clear and out there when you are working on social media posts for your business. Here are some pointers for you:

1. Keep it simple, short and sweet. Sometimes the shorter, the better. I love Nike’s slogan: “Just Do It.”

It is short, but you get the point. You don’t want to put your audience to sleep with a long and drawn-out post.

2. Always post relevant content. There is a question I always ask myself when posting. Will this...

It’s so important to follow the right people while you are using different social media platforms. Doing so will generate more warm leads for your business, and it will grow your business. These are some of the strategies I use to find and follow these people.

1. Start with people you know. This could be long-time friends or someone you just met at a networking event. The idea is to connect with people you could help with your services. Brainstorm ways to find people to connect with. I usually go after former clients I enjoyed working with. This makes for a perfect following.

2. Find strategic influencers in your field. They will help you connect with others. Share their content. Study what they do. Find out who they are following. Learn everything about them.

3. Always build relationships first. You should begin creating a relationship of “know-like-trust” with all your connections. Do this before you start asking them to buy something. Show them that you want...

If you’re like me, you want each year to be an amazing year in your life and your business. Most of you probably made a commitment to step up your marketing this year. Maybe you’ve decided to stop dreaming about a marketing plan for your business and actually get out there and do something about it.

Many of you have been ignoring the impact social media marketing can have on your business. Maybe for some of you, it means some changes. The big change I’m challenging you to make this year is to step up your social media marketing by creating a social media content calendar.

Here are three reasons why creating a content calendar is important.

1. The calendar is helpful in planning and developing strategy.

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!” I believe that saying is true. Planning is essential to succeeding. The projects I work on in my business go so much better if I have thought them through from the beginning to the end. Planning and developing...

How do you add value to your audience on social media? I’m always asking that question. Really, it all has to do with the content you're sharing. These five essential tips will help you add value:

1. Share what you know. Don’t leave anything out. Don’t hold back. The more you share, the more you’re noticed. The best thing is, if you don’t hold back, you are probably sharing some things that will really help your audience.

2. Share great pictures. I hate blurry pictures. Everyone hates blurry pictures. Try to share great pictures. Better yet, share high-quality pictures with great content on them.

We live in a visual age. I’m sure if you share a great graphic, your audience will respond.

3. Share great resource links. While browsing the Internet if you see something that might benefit your audience, share it with them. It doesn’t always have to be your own content.

4. Share great videos. All I can say is, that videos are in. Are you doing...