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: Peyton Pettus
A lot has changed with insurance marketing since Georgia-based agent Peyton Pettus entered the agency world 30 years ago — but one thing has stayed consistent: the need to adapt. Peyton has seen it all, from the days of cold calls and direct mail to today’s competitive digital landscape. Now, he’s one of the nation’s Top-10 agents and leveraging tools like Melon Max live transfer calls and prioritizing smart hiring
Meet Melon Local’s Social Media Team
At Melon Local, we believe that every client has a unique story to tell on social media, whether through lifestyle snapshots, educational posts or simple day-in-the-life moments. Of course, none of this happens by accident. It takes a village — or rather, a team — and at the center of that village is someone making sure every piece of content reflects purpose and personality. Now’s your chance to meet the
Melon Spotlight: Cassidy Fehr
From rolling out the green carpet as a CSM to now building stronger connections behind the scenes in her hybrid role as an Administrative Operations Specialist, Cass has built a reputation for “ex-seeding” expectations. She brings structure, organization, positivity and heart to everything she does, from coordinating smooth systems to adding a thoughtful touch to team events and client gifts. Cass tackles every task with calm confidence and a commitment
How to Prepare Your Business for Instagram’s SEO Update
As of July 10, Instagram is now allowing search engines like Google and Bing to index public content from professional accounts. Essentially, this means the content you share — whether it’s photos, carousels or Reels — from eligible accounts can now appear in search engine results pages (SERPs) — even for users who aren’t logged into Instagram. Not only is this a major shift for a social platform that’s traditionally
How Google’s AI Overviews Are Affecting SEO
Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just changing how businesses create content — it’s changing how their customers find them. Depending on the search, Google may now present an AI Overview at the top of your organic results — and sometimes above or below paid ads. This new feature provides AI-generated summaries based on your search results. Here’s what your business should know about Google’s ongoing AI rollout and how to set
Melon Spotlight: Matt McCracken
This time, we’re flipping the script. Meet Matt McCracken — Melon Local’s Director of Marketing and the usual mastermind behind the spotlight videos. Matt began his journey at Melon as a Client Success Manager, where he quickly developed a passion for solving client pain points. With a background in photography and videography, he soon stepped behind the lens to craft engaging content that hit home with our audience. Since joining
Understanding How Google Local Service Ads Work
Chances are, you’ve probably noticed these at the top of your search results — those clean, professional-looking boxes showing nearby service providers with a shiny green Google Guaranteed checkmark. Let’s talk about Google Local Service Ads (LSAs), which are a type of paid ad designed to help local service providers connect with customers in their area. Unlike your traditional Google Ads, which charge per click, LSAs operate instead on a
5 Tips for Strong Live Transfer Calls
You’ve got a live transfer call to your agency — the lead is hot, the intent is high and your window to make a lasting impression is small. But the difference between a call that converts and one that misses the mark? It all comes down to how prepared you and your team members are to lead the conversation. Here are five tips to help you make the most of
Why Enroll Your Agency in Melon University
At Melon Local, we’re not ones for a “set it and forget” type of approach to digital marketing — and we believe the same goes for continued education. If you’ve seen Melon University mentioned in your inbox or on your social feed and wondered what it’s all about, here’s your answer. Whether you’re a seasoned insurance agency owner or a team member looking to level up, Melon University is here
Latest Blog Posts
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
Photo Best Practices for Google Business Profile
A picture can really be worth a thousand words, especially when it comes to the photos you choose to upload on your Google Business Profile (GBP). Well, at least according to the search engine, businesses that add photos to their GBPs receive 42 percent more requests for directions on Google Maps and 35 percent more clicks through to their websites than businesses that don’t. Although images don’t directly influence your
10 Strategies for Higher Performing Google Ads
In the fiercely competitive digital insurance marketing space, the secret to making your Google ads stand out isn’t just a hefty budget — it’s through strategic planning and understanding the search engine’s Quality and Optimization Score system. Let’s dive into how Google measures the quality and optimization of an ad and some strategies you can incorporate into your paid search campaigns. How Google’s Quality & Optimization Score System Works Think