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 an Agent: Tim Maudsley
Las Vegas agent Tim Maudsley has always had a heart for helping businesses with their commercial insurance needs. He originally started his career 25 years ago in Southern California and was one of the first agents to offer liability coverage for tattoo parlors. He eventually left sunny California for Alaska and worked with oil and gas clients before relocating and opening his agency in Las Vegas in 2020. Despite his
Meet Melon Local’s Director of Quality Assurance
Say hello to our Director of Quality Assurance and one of our original Melons, Brenda Hernandez! Based on her experience working as a Client Success Manager and Director of Client Success, Brenda felt inspired to develop her role to further streamline processes for our agents and offer the best customer service possible. As the director of our quality assurance department, Brenda is dedicated to ensuring our digital insurance marketing services
How ChatGPT Will Impact the Insurance World
With the insurance and tech world often going hand in hand, it’s important to stay on top of the latest industry-disrupting tools and methods. Perhaps one of the biggest technological disruptions as of recently has been the introduction of ChatGPT. Originally launched in November 2022, ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI that can answer questions, summarize and simplify documents and even write blogs that are easy to
Your Guide for Writing Agent Bios
Considering how competitive the insurance world is, having a well-written agent bio can make a difference in how your current and future customers may view your agency. Let’s take a look at some of the best practices you should keep in mind when it comes to writing your insurance agent bio! Prioritize What’s Most Important Imagine you’re a potential customer who happens to find your website. Do you think they’re
Interview with an Agent: Greg Bratcher
Originally born and raised in New Mexico, Greg Bratcher eventually made his way out to Texas and began his insurance career working in claims in 1987. Honing his passion for customer service and helping people realize their dreams and goals, Greg opened his own insurance agency in San Angelo, TX in 2006. Since opening his agency, he’s qualified for the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table and has enjoyed being able
How to Create the Perfect Insurance Marketing Plan
As an insurance agent, it’s essential for you to create a detailed marketing plan every year to help you keep your business on track and realize your goals. A detailed insurance marketing plan can make a difference in your annual ROI and may lead to new opportunities you never considered. Although no two agencies are the same, we’ve come up with five useful strategies for developing a new marketing plan!
Make People Fall in Love With Your Insurance Agency
As an insurance agent, part of your job is to win the hearts of your customers. Sure, offering low insurance premiums may impact customer retention, but there’s more to winning people over than helping them save on their policies. Satisfied customers are 80 percent more likely to renew their policies, so it’s essential to consistently keep the individuals, families and businesses you serve top-of-mind. Let’s go over some insurance marketing
Interview with an Agent: Chad Stalvey
After earning his finance degree from the University of South Carolina, Chad Stalvey imagined himself working on Wall Street. However, when the 2008 financial crisis swept the nation several months later, Chad was forced to reevaluate his career path. Fortunately, he was offered the life-changing opportunity to take over an agency in North Augusta, SC, where he could apply his financial background toward helping local families and businesses with their
Insurance Marketing Trends for 2023
The insurance industry and digital marketing world are anything but static. From more extreme weather patterns to disruptions to the traditional business model, you can expect this year to be filled with innovation and disruption for the insurance industry. Let’s go ahead and talk about several marketing trends and predictions we’ve come up with so you create an effective marketing plan for 2023! Prepare for an Ever-Changing World While the
Latest Blog Posts
Melon Spotlight: Kris Plaat
Meet Kris Plaat — one of our dedicated Paid Search Managers! From optimizing bids to refining targeting, Kris ensures our campaigns deliver high-quality leads. We asked Kris about his behind-the-scenes role and what — besides coffee — fuels his passion for paid search. Ready to see how Kris and the rest of our paid search team can elevate your business? Schedule a demo today and experience a fresher approach to
5 Things I Love About Melon Local – Feat. Juan Calix
Altamonte Springs, FL insurance agent Juan Calix built his agency from the ground up during one of the most uncertain times — June 2020, in the middle of the COVID pandemic. But instead of seeing obstacles, he saw opportunity. With a mindset rooted in growth and an unwavering commitment to his community, Juan quickly turned challenges into wins, proving that success is about perspective and persistence. Five years later, Juan’s
What to Know About Google Review Count Issue
If you’ve noticed that some of your Google reviews have vanished, you’re not the only one. Businesses across multiple industries have voiced concerns about missing or delayed reviews on their Google Business Profiles. Although some have lost only a few, others have seen dozens of reviews seemingly disappear from their profiles. Some businesses have also noticed their review count isn’t adding up correctly, even though the reviews themselves are still
Business Meets Magic: Robert Strong Visits Melon Local
Recently, Melon Local welcomed Robert Strong — magician, author and keynote speaker — to inspire our team with his unique blend of magic and business insight. With over 30 years of experience captivating audiences worldwide, Robert isn’t just about sleight of hand — he’s about creating moments that leave lasting impressions. His philosophy aligns perfectly with what we do at Melon Local: delivering extraordinary experiences that delight and inspire. During
Digital Marketing Dos and Don’ts for 2025
While there are many approaches to digital marketing in 2025 that will elevate your brand to the next level, others may hinder your progress. With the new year in full swing, it’s time to focus on strategies that deliver results and leave outdated practices behind. From mastering local optimization to leveraging data, let’s dive into the dos and don’ts that will keep your business fresh and relevant. Do Focus on
Melon Spotlight: Sarah Levitz
Since joining our Melon Patch, Client Success Manager Sarah Levitz has proven herself to be an invaluable part of our team. Known for her positive attitude and her knack for “mom jokes,” she’s not just winning people over with her personality — Sarah’s delivering quality results. Curious about what keeps Sarah motivated and how she helps agents achieve their digital marketing goals? Stay tuned to discover why she’s passionate about
Fireside Chat with Melon Local’s CEO: 2025 Edition
We already know the bar was set high, but it’s safe to say 2024 was no ordinary year for Melon Local. Despite a challenging landscape filled with fluctuating market conditions, we proved once again that we’re leaders in the digital marketing space. Notably, our journey last year was highlighted by some incredible “Melonstones” for our Patch and leadership: We maintained our Google Premier Partner status for another year, reinforcing our
How to Strategize Your Social Media for Success in 2025
Is refreshing your social media part of your 2025 resolution? With a new year right around the corner, now’s your chance to reimagine how your business resonates across people’s feeds. From refining your content calendar to embracing cutting-edge trends, this is your moment to hit “refresh” on your social media. Let’s talk about what you need to do to ensure you’re relevant and top-of-mind in your local market! Look Back
What to Know About the FCC’s New Lead Generation Rule
A new federal rule tightening regulations on lead generation, as well as robocalls and robotexts is set to go into effect January 27, 2025. The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) new rule — originally adopted in December 2023 — aims to protect consumers from scam communications by closing loopholes in the lead generation industry and strengthening text messaging regulations. According to the FCC, these changes address vulnerabilities in robotext defenses, making