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

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Megan Murphy, Senior Director of Paid Search, featured in an Interview with a Melon discussing paid search strategy, digital marketing trends, and client success

Interview with Melon Local’s Senior Director of Paid Search

Meet Megan Murphy, Melon Local’s Senior Director of Paid Search — or as our paid search team affectionately refers to her, “Fearless Leader.” Despite starting off as a Client Success Manager (a role in which she also excelled), Megan’s real passion was in driving change for our clients behind the scenes. Upon joining our paid search department, it didn’t take long for her to establish her fearless persona and earn

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Melon Local team members sharing strategies to help insurance agents generate more home insurance leads during National Homeownership Month

Celebrating National Homeownership Month as Insurance Agents

June is National Homeownership Month, a special time to celebrate the dream of owning a home and the stability it brings. Originally starting as a one-week celebration in June 1995, it eventually evolved into a month-long celebration in 2002 and recognizes not only the 66 percent of Americans who currently own homes but also those in the home buying process. In honor of this special month, let’s delve into some

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Man giving two thumbs up beside the headline “Digital Marketing Rooted in Results” on a Melon Local blog graphic.

Real Numbers and Results with Melon Local

Why get “melon-choly” about your insurance agency’s digital marketing when you can get Melon Local? Agents like you deserve a partner like us who knows how to make your agency the talk of the town. At Melon Local, we specialize in market-proven strategies that yield fruitful results. Whether it’s Paid Search, Organic Growth or Social Media, your business won’t just reach your local market — it will captivate them! Paid

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Melon Local team member sharing paid search best practices and common mistakes businesses should avoid to improve advertising performance

4 Do’s and Don’ts of Paid Search

No matter the size of your insurance agency, mastering paid search can dramatically boost your digital presence and bring in fresh, quality leads. In fact, 45 percent of page clicks go to pay-per-click (PPC) ads in search results​ and visitors are 50 percent more likely to convert through paid search than those who come through organically. Paid search requires investing more than dollars — it takes strategy and time. But

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The Long-Term Benefits of Being on Social Media

We all know social media is everywhere — it’s where people connect and get their daily fix of everything from breaking news to silly dog videos. But if you’re not tapping into this vast digital world to grow your insurance business, you have to ask yourself: why not? While you may not become a viral sensation overnight, let’s dive into the long-term benefits of using platforms like Facebook, Instagram and

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Stephan Penczek, Executive Assistant at Melon Local, featured in a “Melon of the Month” spotlight graphic.

Melon Spotlight: Stephan Penczek

For our May 2024 Melon Spotlight, we’re diving in behind the scenes with Stephan Penczek, our one and only Executive Assistant. Stephan may not always be front and center, but his impact is felt all across Melon Local. From managing several blocked-out calendars to organizing high-level presentations like our Melon University workshops, it’s safe to say we wouldn’t be One in a Melon without his ability to juggle a myriad

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Portrait of insurance agent Eva Hurley featured in Melon Local's "5 Things I Love About Melon Local" interview series

5 Things I Love About Melon Local – Feat. Eva Hurley

From managing policies across multiple states to overseeing her family’s beef cattle farm, it’s safe to say Greenville, SC insurance agent Eva Hurley stays busy. After opening her agency in 2014, she knew she needed an extra hand managing her digital marketing. She tried going with several different marketing groups, yet no one could ever deliver the results she needed — until she found Melon Local! Read more about why

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Man speaking into a microphone beside the headline “Common Insurance Marketing Scare Tactics” on a Melon Local blog graphic.

How Organic Search and Paid Search Work Together

Some things have proven better together throughout the course of history: peanut butter and jelly, Lennon and McCartney, and, in the digital marketing world, organic and paid search. Sure, both of these approaches can be effective on their own, but when properly used together, they can offer your business a wide range of unique benefits and insights. The Distinct Roles of Organic and Paid Search Although organic and paid search

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Headshots of Jeff Burtis and Karen Michaels featured in Melon University workshop on systems and processes that drive agency success

Meet Insurance Power Couple Jeff Burtis and Karen Michaels

In the heart of the insurance world, Jeff Burtis and Karen Michaels stand out not just as partners in life but as trailblazers redefining the industry through a shared dedication toward spreading positivity. When their paths first crossed at an Agents Hosting Agents event in 2018, it was immediately clear that they shared more than just professional interests. Despite managing their agencies from different states — with Jeff in Illinois

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Latest Blog Posts

A Melon Local team member with a laptop gives a thumbs up in a blog focused on how AI determines which business is best.

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 what you can do to help your business get found! First, What Does “Best” Actually Mean? Let’s say someone asked

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Melon Spotlight: Ashley Errisson

Ashley Errisson knows every agency has different needs, and she’s here to help find the right fit at Melon Local. From checking in with our clients to helping them choose the right marketing package, Ashley keeps communication and follow-through at the heart of what she does. We caught up with Ashley to talk about how she supports clients, what makes the Melon Local experience so adaptable and how she enjoys

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Melon Local team posts for 7-year company Melonversary photo.

Melon Local Celebrates 7 Years

Seven years, countless conversations, and a Patch that keeps growing! This November, Melon Local celebrates seven years of helping businesses get noticed, connect with customers and take their next step toward growth. Along the way, we’ve welcomed new Melons, built new ways to support our clients and made plenty of memories worth celebrating. But to appreciate how far we’ve come, let’s rewind a little. Where Our Roots Took Hold Melon

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A Melon Local team member screams next to blog text that describes the topic of the blog: 7 Digital Marketing Mistakes That Might Haunt You.

7 Digital Marketing Mistakes That Can Haunt Your Business

Candy, costume parties and spooky decorations are all part of October’s fun. But digital marketing mistakes? Those can haunt your business year-round, quietly draining your budget and making it harder for customers to find you. At Melon Local, we want you to know where your marketing dollars are going and what they’re doing for your business. Let’s take a look at seven digital marketing mistakes that can quietly hold your

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: Graphic reading “Still marketing like it’s 2025?” beside a man in a dark green suit with his arms crossed.

Is Your Digital Marketing Strategy Keeping Up with the Times?

Maybe you’re actively running Google ads. Maybe your business still appears in search. Maybe social posts are still going out. Your website may still bring in traffic. But just because your business is doing all these things doesn’t mean your marketing is keeping up with the times. The way your customers find, research and choose local businesses continues to change as search results evolve, competition shifts and new AI platforms

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Melon Local CEO Whitney Green-Olson and Executive Assistant Cass Fehr pose together at the BizX Tampa Bay 2026 award ceremony.

Melon Local Named Best Overall Company at BizX 2026 Tampa Bay

Another year, another big win for the Melon Patch! We’re proud to announce that Melon Local was named Best Overall Company at BizX 2026 Tampa Bay, hosted by ActionCOACH. The recognition comes nearly a year after Melon Local earned Best Service-Based Business Over 10 Employees at BizX North America 2025, making this year’s honor an especially meaningful win for our entire team. From continuing to grow our team and services

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Employees of Melon Local pose for a photo at brighton SEO & Hero Conf.

4 Melon Local Perspectives on brightonSEO & HeroConf

Unless you live under a rock, you know AI is changing everything in the digital marketing space. But when we sent several of our team members to brightonSEO & HeroConf San Diego, it wasn’t just another convention filled with the typical cliche talking points about how AI is changing everything. Instead, our team walked away with real, in-depth strategies and started planning how we can improve everything from how our

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Chad Stevens, Melon Local Software Engineering Manager, is featured with a headshot for a Melon Spotlight about his career with Melon Local.

Melon Spotlight: Chad Stevens

Even though he’s usually working remotely 400 miles away from our Las Vegas HQ, Chad’s behind-the-scenes impact on The Patch has made him an invaluable part of Melon Local’s success. As our Software Engineering Manager, he helps transform big ideas into scalable solutions that keep our systems running smoothly. Thoughtful, steady and always focused on finding the best path forward, his work may happen behind the scenes, but its impact

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Melon Spotlight: Michael Long

Meet our latest Melon Spotlight, Michael Long, our Principal of Paid Search Analytics & Optimization. After previously being featured as a Melon Spotlight during his time as Director of Client Success, Michael has continued to grow alongside Melon Local, stepping into a role where his strategic mindset and passion for performance help drive stronger results for our clients. Today, his expertise in paid search analytics and campaign optimization plays an

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