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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Latest Blog Posts
You’re Invited to Melon Local’s Open House
Heading to Las Vegas during the week of May 11? You don’t want to miss Melon Local’s Open House! Don’t think of this as just another stop on your trip — it’s a chance to experience Melon Local up close and personal. From May 11-12, we’re opening our doors just minutes from the Strip and giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how everything comes together. The strategies, the people and
Melon Spotlight: Raya McCracken
As a Client Success Manager, Raya McCracken brings positivity, consistency and a genuine commitment to helping her clients succeed every day. She thrives in the day-to-day, balancing communication, strategy and support to ensure each client feels confident and taken care of. From managing accounts to building strong relationships, Raya plays a key role in delivering the Melon experience with care and intention. We caught up with Raya to talk about
Why Your Business Needs to Be on Social Media
There was a time when social media felt like a “nice to have.” Something you’d get to after your website was polished, your ads were running and your referrals were steady. These days, however, it’s no longer optional for businesses to be present on social media. Social media isn’t competing with your marketing strategy — it is your visibility strategy. And if you’re not showing up consistently, you’re handing opportunities
Melon Spotlight: Edgar Serrano Ramos
As a Director of Client Success, Edgar brings strong leadership, steady focus and a genuine commitment to both his team and the clients he supports every day. He leads with intention, working closely with Client Success Managers to refine processes, strengthen communication and ensure every account is set up for long-term success. From guiding strategy to supporting day-to-day wins, Edgar helps keep the entire client experience running smoothly while continuing
Inc. Ranks Melon Local at No. 15 in Rocky Mountain Regionals
Melon Local is proud to announce it’s been ranked No. 15 on Inc. Magazine’s 2026 Regionals: Rocky Mountain list of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the region. An extension of the national Inc. 5000, the Regionals list offers a data-driven look at the independent businesses driving growth across the Rocky Mountain economy. This year’s list includes 69 companies across Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah and Colorado, with each selected
AIO vs. GEO: What’s the Difference in AI Search?
SEO is no longer just about ranking on Google. Today, businesses also need to appear in AI-generated summaries, map results, voice search answers and generative responses that may not show traditional search listings at all. That shift has introduced two important strategies businesses need to understand: Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and Artificial Intelligence Optimization (AIO). While the terms sound similar, they serve different roles in helping businesses stay visible in
Website Traffic but No Leads? Here’s What’s Going On
If your website traffic is going up but calls, form fills, or bookings aren’t following, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common frustrations we hear from local service businesses. And it’s usually extra confusing because on the surface, it feels like things should be working. People are finding your site and clicking through pages. So why aren’t the leads pouring in? Let’s break down what’s actually
6 Barriers to Business Growth – Feat. Rick Gutenmann
Does running your business often feel like solving one challenge after another with no end in sight? The thing is, businesses don’t stall because of a lack of effort. Instead, growth often slows due to a handful of common barriers that quietly limit how far a company can scale. As part of his upcoming Melon University workshop, Mapping Your Growth Blueprint on March 27, Rick Gutenmann of MAP Consulting will
Melon Local’s Approach to Google Performance Max Ads
Google’s Performance Max (PMax) campaigns have continued to evolve, with ongoing refinements to their AI-powered capabilities in recent years. Unlike traditional ad campaigns, PMax campaigns leverage machine learning to dynamically optimize ad placements and improve conversion performance. With AI playing a bigger role than ever before in paid search strategy, PMax campaigns can be a powerful tool when used correctly. Let’s break down how they work and why your business