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

Melon Local Visits Google’s Headquarters
At Melon Local, we don’t just keep up with the latest in digital marketing — we go straight to the source. Several members of our Melon Patch, including CEO Whitney Green-Olson, recently had the incredible opportunity to visit Google’s headquarters in California for an exclusive learning experience with some of the brightest minds in digital advertising. As a Google Premier Partner, we’re proud to be recognized in the top three

5 Common Digital Marketing Scams to Avoid
If you’re involved in the digital marketing world, chances are you’ve heard it all. “Your listings are broken.” “We can get you to #1 on Google.” “We’ll wipe those 1-star reviews.” But how many of these bold claims are legit? Spoiler alert: not many. At Melon Local, we’ve seen quite a few of these and the damage they can cause firsthand. Let’s break down five of the most common scams

Melon Spotlight: Alisha Lucik
As one of our Directors of Business Development, Alisha is often the first Melon clients meet during a demo — and she makes a lasting impression. With a background in relationship-building and a talent for making people smile, she brings warmth, laughs and strategic insight to every conversation. We caught up with Alisha to talk about her passion for meaningful connections, what agents can expect on a demo and the

How to Build Your Business’s Social Media Presence
Standing out in a crowded market isn’t easy. But one of the best ways to establish trust, connect with your community and set yourself apart from competitors is through social media. It’s easy to overthink the process — worrying about how you’ll look, what you’ll say or whether your videos will be “good enough.” But remember, social media is all about making connections. Here are some tips to keep in

4 Must-Know Best Practices for Artificial Intelligence
Whether it’s ChatGPT or Gemini, businesses everywhere are jumping on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) bandwagon to streamline processes, enhance customer experiences and make smarter, data-driven decisions. But as AI chat technology evolves, so do the rules that govern it — especially when it comes to safety and responsibility. AI is clearly here to stay, but businesses must stay ahead of the game to ensure their use of AI remains ethical,

What It Means to Optimize Your Google Business Profile
You’ve probably heard it before —“We optimize your Google Business Profile (GBP).” But what does that really mean? At Melon Local, we go beyond the basics to ensure your GBP isn’t just set up, but fully optimized to attract new customers and keep your business ahead of the competition. Here’s what we do to make sure your profile is working its hardest for you. 1. Laying the Foundation A strong

Melon Local Celebrates International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month
At Melon Local, we take pride in being a women-led agency where leadership, expertise and innovation thrive. We understand that diverse leadership isn’t just beneficial — it’s essential. As we celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we recognize the women who shape our company’s and clients’ success today and every day. Notably, we are proud to be a women-led company with over half our leadership and team being

Melon Spotlight: Kirsten Nguyen
As one of our Senior Directors of Client Success, Kirsten is committed to keeping her team ahead of the curve through dynamic collaboration. Her extensive expertise in SEO and her knack for infusing humor into everyday challenges have made her a standout leader to both our team and our clients. In a candid conversation, Kirsten shares her passion for investing in people, her approach to guiding the team through the

4 Easy Ways to Refresh Your Instagram Business Page
You’ve finally got your business on Instagram, but are you using it to its full potential? According to Sprout Social’s 2025 Sprout Social Index, 29 percent of Instagram users make purchases through the app — making Instagram prime digital real estate for businesses looking to boost visibility and drive growth. For business owners, though, keeping Instagram up-to-date can feel like a full-time job on top of everything else. The good
Latest Blog Posts
Melon Spotlight: Cian Murphy
As one of our Paid Search Managers, Cian Murphy’s impact on Melon Local’s digital ad campaigns is tremendous. He’s a go-to expert for fine-tuning budgets, optimizing ads and implementing strategic adjustments to keep thousands of campaigns delivering fresh, quality leads for our agents. We took some time to speak to Cian to learn more about his meticulous approach to paid search, the rewarding challenges of his role and what he

Beware of These 13 Digital Marketing Scare Tactics
The digital marketing world is filled with hidden traps and misleading claims designed to exploit your fears. But the reality is that most of these claims aren’t just exaggerated — they can be misleading. Let’s unmask some of these spooky scare tactics used by other marketing companies and talk about how Melon Local uses facts over fear in our approach to digital marketing. 1. Guaranteed Placement On Google Ranking If
Get to Know Melon Local on a Demo Call: What to Expect
Alisha and Judy may have had a few surprises for each other in the video above, but, as our Directors of Business Development, they do know a lot about what it takes to level up your agency with Melon Local! So, what can you expect when you schedule a demo call with them? Let’s break it down! Tailoring the Demo to Your Interests After a warm introduction from one of

Social Media Trends to Keep You Growing This Season
Just like sweater weather and pumpkin spice, social media trends change just as quickly as the seasons, so it’s essential for insurance agents not to “fall” behind on the latest digital happenings across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok. Let’s explore some of the latest social media trends that should be a part of your strategy, such as taking advantage of trending audio, video ideas and authentic storytelling. Sound Off with

Interview with an Agent: Mario Giraldo
Growing up in an immigrant household in the U.S., Mario Giraldo became well aware of the obstacles Spanish speakers face trying to navigate the insurance world. He often served as his family’s translator for official matters and found it frustrating how his parents would often be dismissed or left without answers due to their language barrier. This ultimately drove his passion to become an insurance agent in Kansas City, MO,
Navigating Market Fluctuations in the Insurance Industry
Are you staying competitive in the ever-changing insurance landscape? Melon Local can help! The truth is that the insurance industry has faced an unprecedented wave of market fluctuations driven by factors such as the lingering aftermath of the pandemic, persisting inflation, disruption in supply chains, natural disasters, evolving consumer trends and changing government regulations and laws. As you are familiar with, not only has the insurance industry been impacted, but

Melon Spotlight: Richard Viado
Paid Search Manager Richard Viado often works behind the scenes, but his impact is always front and center. From creating lead-generating Facebook ad campaigns to diving deep into data, Richard’s expertise drives quality results for Melon Local. We caught up with him to learn more about his typical day and what updates may be in store with Facebook! Ready for your paid search to pay off? Book a demo today!

Meet Melon University Speaker Scott Grates
Following the 2007–2008 Financial Crisis, insurance agent Scott Grates found himself in a tight spot. As a brand new agency owner with a wife and two babies at home, he had to make every dollar count. So, he tested every marketing strategy he could — Yellow Pages, direct mail, telemarketing and newspaper ads. A year later, he reviewed his various marketing efforts and realized there was one clear outlier that

How to Help Melon Local Support Light the Night
Melon Local is excited to once again participate in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Light the Night walk in Las Vegas on November 2. Since 2021, we’ve been proud supporters of this cause, raising over $5,000 to help fund the LLS’s life-saving work. For us, it’s more than just a walk — it’s an opportunity to stand with survivors, remember those we’ve lost, and contribute to the fight against
