The Latest News From Melon Local
Stay in the know with the latest news in digital marketing, best practices and updates from Melon Local.
How AI Determines Which Business Is the Best
You know your business is the best. But when someone asks AI (Artificial Intelligence) for the best business nearby, does your name come up? And if another business gets recommended, what made AI choose it over yours? Let’s look at how ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Perplexity find business information and
Melon Spotlight: Colin Heald
Introducing our July 2024 Melon Spotlight, Colin Heald, our one and only Senior Software Architect. Though not always front and center, Colin’s impact on Melon Local’s operations is tremendous as the founder of our proprietary software known as “The Patch.” We took some time to speak to Colin to learn more about his unique background, creating The Patch and what he enjoys most about working at Melon Local! Check out
5 Things I Love About Melon Local – Feat. Andrew Smith
While working as an intern at an Atlanta-area accounting firm after his graduation from Kennesaw University, Andrew Smith realized he wanted a career that would allow him to have a greater impact on his community. When given the chance to join a local insurance office as a team member, he fell in love with the industry and eventually opened his own office 11 years later in Marietta, GA in 2019.
Interview with ‘Helpy Hour’ Founder Lee Ann Stach
If there’s anything that can be said about Helpy Hour, it’s that their approach to networking insurance agents with each other is unconventional. What originally began as a satirical social media page in 2018 for like-minded agents to vent about common challenges has since become a trusted voice that has amassed a following in the thousands and regularly holds educational workshops across the country. Now on the horizon is their
Client Success Story with Natalie Nunez
Meet one of Melon Local’s talented Social Media Content Creators, Natalie Nunez! Natalie has been an integral part of our Melon Patch, from helping our One in a Melon agents create their social accounts to helping them stand out in their local market. We caught up with her to learn more about her innovative approach to social media and how she’s had an impact on our One in a Melon
4 Ways to Celebrate ‘Insurance Nerd Day’ On Social Media
Have you ever wondered why so many people in the insurance industry proudly call themselves “insurance nerds”? It’s because they genuinely love what they do, and there’s even a day to celebrate this passion! July 18 is Insurance Nerd Day, a fun-filled occasion for all the dedicated insurance enthusiasts out there. Insurance Nerd Day is a celebration for everyone in the insurance industry, from agents to policyholders and even those
Not All Business Listings Are Created Equal
First impressions often happen online, especially when it comes to online business listings. You can think of them as digital storefronts where your customers can learn everything about your business, including your contact info, your services and products, workplace culture and reviews. In fact, online listings may receive 2.7 times more views than a brand’s own website. Notably, one 2024 survey found that 77 percent of consumers use at least
Deciding Between Google and Microsoft Ads
Google accounts for over 90 percent of the global search engine market — making it the world’s most popular search engine — but this doesn’t mean you should overlook the lead-generating potential of Microsoft Ads — in particular through its search engine Bing. Let’s break down how both Google and Microsoft Ads differ and what they share in common. 1. Demographics Perhaps one of the most notable differences between these
How Melon Local Measures Success in Paid Search
At Melon Local, we believe paid search isn’t just about being seen — it’s about letting people know you run the best business in town. With an average 30 percent click-to-quote rate, our comprehensive approach ensures you not only reach your local market but also convert them into loyal customers. Here’s how we “ex-seed” expectations when it comes to our paid search services. Monthly In-Depth Meetings We get that sifting
Melon Spotlight: Michael Long
Meet our June 2024 Melon Spotlight, Michael Long, one of our exceptional Directors of Client Success. Since day one, Michael has proven himself as a valuable team player by consistently driving results and forging fruitful partnerships with agents all across the country. Join us as we delve into what fuels Michael’s passion for digital marketing and his passions beyond Melon Local!
Latest Blog Posts
4 Questions to Ask Before Granting GBP Access
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of the most valuable digital assets your business owns. It’s often the first thing potential customers see when they search for your business, making it a key driver of organic calls, website visits and foot traffic. In fact, a fully optimized GBP gets around 70 percent more in-store visits. Because of its importance, it’s not uncommon to receive emails or notifications asking you
4 Lead Follow-Up Strategies From Insurance Agent Katie Olson
When lead performance starts to slow down, it’s easy to assume the leads are the problem. But after working with thousands of insurance agencies across the country, we’ve found the best opportunities come from improving what’s done with a lead after it comes in. That’s exactly what Melon Local Business Development Specialist and experienced insurance agency owner Katie Olson discusses in our latest Melon Minute. As the owner of her
Melon Spotlight: Cassidy Fehr
From rolling out the green carpet as a CSM to helping keep The Patch running smoothly as Executive Assistant, Cassidy has continued to grow alongside Melon Local. Known for her organization, positivity and attention to detail, she’s become a go-to resource for keeping projects on track, supporting leadership and adding thoughtful touches that make Melon feel like home. Whether she’s coordinating behind the scenes, helping elevate the client experience or
How to Write Better AI Prompts with the GREEN Framework
Artificial intelligence has changed the way businesses create content, brainstorm ideas and solve problems. With nearly 75 percent of companies adopting AI for at least one business function, its use will inevitably increase over time. But here’s something many people overlook: the quality of AI’s output depends on the quality of your input. Two people can ask the same AI platform the same question and walk away with completely different
Melon Local Hosts Successful Open House for 2026
For two days in May, Melon Local opened its doors and welcomed hundreds of clients, partners, sponsors and friends at our Las Vegas-based Melon Patch. Yes, there were live demos. Yes, there were even tacos, drinks and a dunk tank. But the biggest takeaway from Melon Local’s 2026 Open House wasn’t found in any activation station or presentation. It was the people. Throughout the event, we had the opportunity to
The Importance of Staying Visible During Uncertain Times
If you’ve been in business long enough, you know how market shifts can make you rethink everything. Maybe AI is changing how your customers find your business. Maybe it’s rising costs of operations. Or perhaps it’s your own ROI not keeping pace with your business’s needs. But after years of working with our clients across the country, we’ve seen one thing consistently hold true: The businesses that stay visible during
Melon Local Named a 2026 Quantum Certified Workplace
Melon Local is proud to be recognized as a 2026 Quantum Certified Workplace, a designation awarded to organizations that demonstrate a consistent commitment to building strong workplace cultures and high-performing teams. The recognition reflects Melon Local’s ongoing investment in its people and the belief that a thriving internal culture directly drives better outcomes for clients. The certification, awarded by Quantum Workplace — a leader in employee experience and workplace culture
RECAP: Melon Local Celebrates Bring Your Child to Work Day
Bring Your Child to Work Day officially took over the Melon Local office on April 23, and for a few hours, our usual crew of marketers, strategists and Client Success pros shared the spotlight with some very important guests — the future generation of Melon leaders! Throughout the morning, 14 kids ages 4–11 got a behind-the-scenes look at life at Melon Local, starting with an office tour where they met
What to Know About Google’s Review Response Update
Did you know you may be replying to Google business reviews without realizing your responses never went live? Google has quietly introduced a new moderation layer for business review replies — meaning responses can now be delayed, filtered or rejected before ever appearing publicly on Search or Maps. Here’s what’s changing, and what your business should do about it. How is Google Now Moderating Reviews? Before this update, Google review