The Latest News From Melon Local
Stay in the know with the latest news in digital marketing, best practices and updates from Melon Local.
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
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
Using the Right Social Platform as an Insurance Agent
In the marketing world, we often hear the mantra: “Be where your customers are.” Well, more often than not, this can be on social media. As of 2024, over 4.9 billion people use social media, with the average time spent on at least one platform being around 144 minutes. Whether you’re on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn, it’s not just about being present — it’s about being present in the right
Melon Spotlight: Cara Kornegay
Welcome to our first-ever Melon Spotlight, in which we will be highlighting One in a Melon team members making a difference in the digital marketing space. This time, we caught up with Cara Kornegay, one of our many talented Client Success Managers whose enthusiasm for digital marketing is as infectious as it is insightful. Check out our video interview with Cara as she shares a mix of fun personal anecdotes
4 Do’s and Don’ts of Organic Search Optimization
Did you know that the number one organic search result at the top of a page is 10 times more likely to receive a click compared to a page in the number 10 spot? Whether you’re a small-town insurance agent or run a multi-state agency, a smart approach to organic search optimization can expand your digital reach and garner fresh, quality leads. Unlike paid search, focusing on your organic reach
Ranking Factors on Google’s Local Map Pack
Ever searched for a nearby business on Google and seen a map with highlighted results at the top? That’s the Google Local Map Pack, a handy tool that shows relevant businesses based on your search. This dynamic feature, also known as the Google 3-Pack, Google Maps Pack and Google Local Pack, pulls info from Google Maps to give you a quick snapshot of nearby options. Each listing includes the business’s
Interview with an Agent: Amy Davis
Raised in Pennsylvania, Amy Davis was deeply inspired by her grandfather, a local insurance agent who took a personalized approach to customer service. After earning her degree from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Amy ventured to Texas, fueled by a profound desire to support individuals and engage with the community. With a six-year tenure at a local agency under her belt, she decided to emulate her grandfather’s legacy by launching
5 Things I Love About Melon Local — Feat. Nick Mongeau
San Fernando insurance agent Nick Mongeau is a natural conversationalist who enjoys educating people in his community about finding the right insurance coverage. Since opening his agency in 2020, his office has grown to serve over a thousand households across the San Fernando Valley, including the areas of Pacoima, Mission Hills, Sylmar, and Granada Hills. Realizing the importance of having a comprehensive approach to digital advertising, he tried working with
Melon Local’s CEO Named a Vegas Inc 2024 40 Under 40 Honoree
Whitney Green-Olson, CEO and Co-Founder of the Las Vegas-based digital marketing agency, Melon Local, was recognized by Vegas Inc as one of its 2024 40 Under 40 honorees. Vegas Inc’s 40 Under 40 awards celebrate the achievements of young leaders from various industries. Recipients were selected by a panel of judges based on their work ethic, community devotion, and exceptional leadership throughout Southern Nevada. “Being recognized as one of the
Latest Blog Posts
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
Melon Spotlight: Justyna Ruszczak
Since joining our team as a Paid Search Manager, Justyna has brought a sharp eye for optimization, steady focus and a genuine commitment to improving performance across every account she manages. She thrives on refining our AI-driven Google Performance Max campaigns, strengthening headlines and descriptions and optimizing for Melon Max to drive higher-quality leads, making her a true force in the Melon Patch. We caught up with Justyna to talk
Your 2026 Guide for Growing Your Insurance Agency
The end of the year is more than just reflection — it’s a chance to reset your strategy and prepare your agency for what’s next. Every goal you set shapes how your agency grows. With the right strategy, you can turn ambition into action and set your agency up for success. As technology continues to evolve, optimizing for AI is becoming essential. From how customers find your business to how
Fireside Chat with Melon Local’s CEO: 2026 Edition
2025 was a year of real progress for Melon Local — not just in growth, but in the tools, support and momentum we built alongside our clients. It’s safe to say we had our share of fresh milestones over the past year, including: Launching Melon Max live transfer calls and internet leads — further solidifying our place as the original one-stop shop for digital marketing. Connecting with thousands of agents
Melon Spotlight: Bailey Swiger
Since joining our team as a Client Success Manager, Bailey has brought positivity, focus and a people-first approach to everything she does. Whether she’s hopping on client Zoom calls, digging into the data behind their results or simply being the steady voice they can count on, there’s a reason her clients love working with her. And with a background in education, Bailey’s no stranger to leading with patience, staying organized
Melon Spotlight: Trevor Black
Since joining our team as a Paid Search Manager, Trevor has brought a thoughtful approach, steady drive and genuine care to everything he does. He thrives on digging into campaign performance and finding smart ways to deliver results in spaces other agencies might consider too challenging, making him a real difference maker in the Melon Patch. We caught up with Trevor to talk about what excites him most about digital
How SEO and GEO Work Together to Keep You Visible
Traditional SEO can only take you so far on its own in today’s world of AI-powered search and local discovery. That’s where Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) bridges the gap — expanding your visibility beyond traditional rankings by optimizing for AI. On their own, each optimization practice delivers results, but together, they amplify reach, relevance and digital traffic. Let’s discuss what sets SEO and GEO apart and how they work together
What to Know About ChatGPT’s New Browser Atlas
We’re walking into a new type of internet where people don’t “search” first — they ask first. Instead of treating AI like a separate tool you open in another tab, ChatGPT’s Atlas browser brings it right into the browsing experience. Since launching on October 21, 2025, it’s offered consumers an alternative to traditional search giants like Google or Microsoft Bing. Instead, you ask, it understands the page you’re on and