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
Strategize Around the 3 Stages of the Marketing Funnel
A strong brand isn’t built through just a single ad or phone call. It’s built across every step of the customer journey — from the moment a customer first hears your name to the second they decide to choose you over your competition. More often than not, that journey follows the marketing funnel. But today’s funnel demands more touchpoints, faster trust and consistent branding every step of the way. If
Melon Spotlight: Aaron Chu
You won’t often catch Aaron Chu in front of the camera — and honestly, he prefers it that way. However, if you’ve ever scrolled through one of our clients’ social feeds and paused on a design that made you look twice, chances are, he had something to do with it. As one of our talented Social Media Designers, Aaron works behind the scenes to make sure our clients’ content stands
Google Ads Updates Its Unfair Advantage Policy
Google recently changed its rules on how many ads a business can show on a single search results page — and if you want to stay competitive, it’s important for you to understand what’s changed. On April 14, Google updated its Unfair Advantage Policy to allow multiple ads from the same business to appear on the same search engine results page (SERP), so long as they are shown in different
How to Get More Instagram Engagement Without Spending a Dime
If you’ve ever opened Instagram and thought, “Why isn’t this getting more traction?” — you’re not alone! Social media changes constantly. New trends pop up, algorithms shift and it can feel like you’re always trying to catch up. But here’s what hasn’t changed: real connection still drives engagement. And the good news? You don’t need a big budget, a complicated strategy or a perfectly curated feed to start building that
Interview with an Agent: Andrew Blevins
Illinois Insurance Agent Andrew Blevins didn’t take the typical path to insurance, but his path has made all the difference. After more than a decade managing Broadway productions across the country, the COVID pandemic forced Andrew into a new career path as an insurance agent. What started as a pandemic pivot quickly turned into a passion, combining his creative edge and problem-solving mindset with a deep-rooted commitment to his community.
How Quality Photos Can Impact Your Google Business Profile
Uploading stock photos to your Google Business Profile may seem like a tempting idea, but using these images may not truly represent you — at least in the eyes of Google. Swapping out cookie-cutter images for high-quality, authentic photos can do so much more than just polish your profile. It can boost your visibility, your credibility and even your search rankings. In fact, even Google says businesses that add photos
Melon Local to Sponsor The Chair Project Art Charity
Melon Local is proud to announce its sponsorship of The Chair Project, a one-of-a-kind silent art auction dedicated to fundraising for the vital non-profit work of Sanctuary, Inc., in Hopkinsville, KY, on April 18. The event — which was founded by owner and local artist Julie-Anna Carlisle — will take place from 4-8 PM CDT at Milkweed Health and Harmony Emporium in Downtown Hopkinsville. Established in 1982, Sanctuary, Inc. is
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
Latest Blog Posts
Interview with Melon Local’s Senior Director of Paid Search
Meet Megan Murphy, Melon Local’s Senior Director of Paid Search — or as our paid search team affectionately refers to her, “Fearless Leader.” Despite starting off as a Client Success Manager (a role in which she also excelled), Megan’s real passion was in driving change for our clients behind the scenes. Upon joining our paid search department, it didn’t take long for her to establish her fearless persona and earn
Celebrating National Homeownership Month as Insurance Agents
June is National Homeownership Month, a special time to celebrate the dream of owning a home and the stability it brings. Originally starting as a one-week celebration in June 1995, it eventually evolved into a month-long celebration in 2002 and recognizes not only the 66 percent of Americans who currently own homes but also those in the home buying process. In honor of this special month, let’s delve into some
Real Numbers and Results with Melon Local
Why get “melon-choly” about your insurance agency’s digital marketing when you can get Melon Local? Agents like you deserve a partner like us who knows how to make your agency the talk of the town. At Melon Local, we specialize in market-proven strategies that yield fruitful results. Whether it’s Paid Search, Organic Growth or Social Media, your business won’t just reach your local market — it will captivate them! Paid
4 Do’s and Don’ts of Paid Search
No matter the size of your insurance agency, mastering paid search can dramatically boost your digital presence and bring in fresh, quality leads. In fact, 45 percent of page clicks go to pay-per-click (PPC) ads in search results and visitors are 50 percent more likely to convert through paid search than those who come through organically. Paid search requires investing more than dollars — it takes strategy and time. But
The Long-Term Benefits of Being on Social Media
We all know social media is everywhere — it’s where people connect and get their daily fix of everything from breaking news to silly dog videos. But if you’re not tapping into this vast digital world to grow your insurance business, you have to ask yourself: why not? While you may not become a viral sensation overnight, let’s dive into the long-term benefits of using platforms like Facebook, Instagram and
Melon Spotlight: Stephan Penczek
For our May 2024 Melon Spotlight, we’re diving in behind the scenes with Stephan Penczek, our one and only Executive Assistant. Stephan may not always be front and center, but his impact is felt all across Melon Local. From managing several blocked-out calendars to organizing high-level presentations like our Melon University workshops, it’s safe to say we wouldn’t be One in a Melon without his ability to juggle a myriad
5 Things I Love About Melon Local – Feat. Eva Hurley
From managing policies across multiple states to overseeing her family’s beef cattle farm, it’s safe to say Greenville, SC insurance agent Eva Hurley stays busy. After opening her agency in 2014, she knew she needed an extra hand managing her digital marketing. She tried going with several different marketing groups, yet no one could ever deliver the results she needed — until she found Melon Local! Read more about why
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