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
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
Latest Blog Posts
5 Paid Search Red Flags to Watch Out For
If you’re an insurance agent, chances are you either have a third-party company handling your leads or you’ve at least received sales emails promising astronomical numbers. However, keep in mind not all marketing agencies are equal — and in fact, some can over-promise or artificially inflate their data. In the ever-changing world of insurance marketing, finding the right partners to generate leads for your agency can be a daunting task,
5 Things I Love About Melon Local – Feat. Sean Morton
Since starting his insurance career in 2005, Sean Morton’s agency now manages over 4,500 households in Littleton, CO — located in the busy and competitive Denver Metropolitan area. If he wasn’t busy enough, he also runs his own business, SPEED Trainer Workshop, and helps oversee Team Member Trainer with several other agents across the country. However, Sean eventually realized he needed extra help with his digital marketing efforts and made
10 Video-Making Strategies for Insurance Agents
In this day and age, it’s essential for insurance agents to incorporate video content into their marketing strategy. Today, 86 percent of businesses regularly use video as a marketing tool, so filming engaging and unique content should be a priority for your agency. Videos are a great way to connect with your audience and community, and they can be especially effective when used as part of a larger marketing campaign.
Melon Minute: Rank Higher for Auto Insurance on Google
If you’re an insurance agent, you may be wondering, “Why am I not ranking higher on Google for auto insurance?” The search engine considers a wide range of factors when it comes to ranking, but according to Google, it considers these three its highest priority: Relevance Distance Prominence For this blog, let’s focus on Google’s relevance factor — which is how well a Google Business Profile aligns with what someone
5 Things I Love About Melon Local: Feat. Connie Fenner
After spending nearly 20 years working in media advertising, Connie Fenner wanted a career path that would allow more opportunities to help her community more directly. She eventually found her calling working in insurance — first as a sales rep in January 2021, and she opened her own agency in August of the same year. She currently operates her insurance agency in Chapel Hill, NC, a close-knit community best known
Threads by Instagram for Insurance Agents
As if there weren’t enough platforms to keep up with, Threads by Instagram recently took the social media world by storm on July 5, 2023. On its first day alone, thirty million users signed up for Threads — making the Twitter (now known as X) rival surpass ChatGPT as the fastest-growing app in history. As the app is still in its infancy, we have yet to see if it will
Facebook Advertising Strategies for Insurance Agents
It’s one thing to have an active Facebook business profile, but did you also know that it can be an effective advertising tool for your insurance agency? Whether it comes to boosting a post or you’re using Facebook Ads, you have the power to connect with your customers at the click of a button. Let’s take a look at why you should be using Facebook for advertising and how you
5 Ways to Use Reviews to Increase Your Insurance Agency’s Visibility
Congrats, someone gave your insurance agency a five-star review on Google — now what? In this digital age, harnessing the power of your customers’ testimonials can be a game-changer in spreading awareness about your brand. So, don’t let your customers’ feedback sit idle! Let’s take a look at how you can use positive feedback to boost your insurance agency’s online visibility! 1. Responding to Online Reviews First and foremost, staying
5 Things I Love About Melon Local: Feat. Ava Stewart
As a teen, while working under her father, Ava Stewart saw firsthand the difference a good insurance agent can make in people’s lives. After working in the corporate world for several years, she returned to her father’s agency so she could have a more direct impact on her community. She eventually followed in his footsteps and opened her own insurance agency in Miramar, FL. Being of Jamaican descent, Ava especially