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
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
Interview with an Agent: Julie Hahn
North Carolina Insurance Agent Julie Hahn always understood the necessity of smart marketing when she opened her first agency in 2009 — whether it be through internet leads, organic search optimization or social media. Fast-forward to 2022, and Julie has opened another successful agency with a new company in the competitive Charlotte-metro area — but something was missing. She had the drive, but what she really needed was the right
Melon Spotlight: Natalie Nunez
From the moment she joined our team as a Social Media Content Creator, Natalie Nunez has been a valuable force for helping not only our agents establish and elevate their social media game, but Melon Local’s as well. Always in the know with the latest social media trends, her creative eye and knack for helping our clients stand out in their local markets have made her a truly One in
How AI Is Changing Insurance Consumer Behavior
With predictive algorithms and personalization tools, artificial intelligence (AI) is more than a buzzword. This emerging tech is redefining the behaviors and expectations of today’s digital shoppers. For business owners, staying ahead in the digital marketing space means adapting to these shifts while understanding where the industry is heading. What AI Platforms Are Leading the Way? From OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini and Microsoft’s Co-Pilot, these advanced AI platforms are
Year-Over-Year Strategies for 2025 and Beyond
The start of a new year is the perfect time for fresh ideas, new goals and taking note of what’s worked and what hasn’t. The truth is, reviewing your year-over-year performance can feel like comparing apples to melons. So how can you measure success and set yourself up for a thriving 2025? Understand the Shifting Market Dynamics Competition is heating up in the insurance industry, it’s no longer enough to
FTC’s New Rule for Fake Reviews Officially in Effect
How New Federal Rule Affects Business Reviews In case you missed it, a federal rule banning fake reviews recently went into effect. The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) new rule — originally issued in August 2024 — officially went into effect in October. According to the FTC, this new rule now holds businesses accountable for posting or purchasing fake reviews, including those from people who don’t exist or have never engaged
Soaring Eagle Founder Shares Excitement About 2025 Event
As the COVID-19 pandemic redefined the professional landscape in 2020, Michigan insurance agent David Arce realized a significant void in networking and educational opportunities for agents. His recognition of the need for in-person connection and shared growth among insurance agents inspired Arce to found the Soaring Eagle Agent Study Group to continue fostering agency growth. “The core of it was just about agents sharing with each other,” says Arce. “Being
5 Things I Love About Melon Local – Feat. Trevor McBride
Portland, OR-area insurance agent Trevor McBride had already been running his agency for nearly seven years before coming across Melon Local. Previously, he’d tried working with other marketing companies but didn’t quite find the fruitful partnership he needed for his digital presence. Despite only joining us in February, Trevor has grown to love Melon Local for a number of reasons, including our personalized approach to digital marketing and transformative workshops.