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
What to Know About the Rise of DeepSeek AI
The latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are no longer confined solely to Silicon Valley. China-based AI startup DeepSeek recently made headlines across the world with the launch of its DeepSeek R1 chat model in January. Let’s dive into how DeepSeek is shaking up the industry, and what implications their rise may have for your business. DeepSeek’s Impact on AI World It’s safe to say DeepSeek is making waves in
What to Know About the FCC’s Vacated TCPA Consent Rule
The regulatory landscape for insurance marketers took an unexpected turn on January 24 when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officially postponed the enforcement of its 1-to-1 Consent Rule for up to 12 months. But just hours later, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals went a step further — vacating the rule entirely. This ruling effectively nullifies the FCC’s attempt to require direct, individual consent from consumers for each specific company
Melon Spotlight: Kris Plaat
Meet Kris Plaat — one of our dedicated Paid Search Managers! From optimizing bids to refining targeting, Kris ensures our campaigns deliver high-quality leads. We asked Kris about his behind-the-scenes role and what — besides coffee — fuels his passion for paid search. Ready to see how Kris and the rest of our paid search team can elevate your business? Schedule a demo today and experience a fresher approach to
5 Things I Love About Melon Local – Feat. Juan Calix
Altamonte Springs, FL insurance agent Juan Calix built his agency from the ground up during one of the most uncertain times — June 2020, in the middle of the COVID pandemic. But instead of seeing obstacles, he saw opportunity. With a mindset rooted in growth and an unwavering commitment to his community, Juan quickly turned challenges into wins, proving that success is about perspective and persistence. Five years later, Juan’s
What to Know About Google Review Count Issue
If you’ve noticed that some of your Google reviews have vanished, you’re not the only one. Businesses across multiple industries have voiced concerns about missing or delayed reviews on their Google Business Profiles. Although some have lost only a few, others have seen dozens of reviews seemingly disappear from their profiles. Some businesses have also noticed their review count isn’t adding up correctly, even though the reviews themselves are still
Business Meets Magic: Robert Strong Visits Melon Local
Recently, Melon Local welcomed Robert Strong — magician, author and keynote speaker — to inspire our team with his unique blend of magic and business insight. With over 30 years of experience captivating audiences worldwide, Robert isn’t just about sleight of hand — he’s about creating moments that leave lasting impressions. His philosophy aligns perfectly with what we do at Melon Local: delivering extraordinary experiences that delight and inspire. During
Digital Marketing Dos and Don’ts for 2025
While there are many approaches to digital marketing in 2025 that will elevate your brand to the next level, others may hinder your progress. With the new year in full swing, it’s time to focus on strategies that deliver results and leave outdated practices behind. From mastering local optimization to leveraging data, let’s dive into the dos and don’ts that will keep your business fresh and relevant. Do Focus on
Melon Spotlight: Sarah Levitz
Since joining our Melon Patch, Client Success Manager Sarah Levitz has proven herself to be an invaluable part of our team. Known for her positive attitude and her knack for “mom jokes,” she’s not just winning people over with her personality — Sarah’s delivering quality results. Curious about what keeps Sarah motivated and how she helps agents achieve their digital marketing goals? Stay tuned to discover why she’s passionate about
Fireside Chat with Melon Local’s CEO: 2025 Edition
We already know the bar was set high, but it’s safe to say 2024 was no ordinary year for Melon Local. Despite a challenging landscape filled with fluctuating market conditions, we proved once again that we’re leaders in the digital marketing space. Notably, our journey last year was highlighted by some incredible “Melonstones” for our Patch and leadership: We maintained our Google Premier Partner status for another year, reinforcing our
Latest Blog Posts
Insurance Ads for Your New Agency
New to your market? Insurance ads can help you alert your community that your agency is open for business! The goal of insurance advertising is to get your agency in front of potential policyholders when they’re searching for services like yours. Following these tips, you can make the most out of your insurance ads. 1. Set attainable goals. Before creating ads, you first need to decide what your goals are
Guide to Google’s Search Engine Results Pages
When you plug a search query into Google, millions of results populate in the blink of an eye. Depending on your query, the format of the search engine results page, or SERP, can vary. If you were to submit a search for a local restaurant, then you’re likely to see Google Business Profile listings at the top of the page. If you search for a pair of leather boots, then
How to Respond to Reviews at Your Agency
We probably don’t have to tell you that reviews are important to your business, but just in case you missed it, we’ll say it again. Reviews are important to your business! In fact, an incredible 93% of people say that online reviews have impacted their purchasing decisions. To capture the attention of an increasingly online crowd, you’ll need to wow on review sites. Getting reviews isn’t the only factor necessary
What is the Google Algorithm, Anyway?
Our Las Vegas roots tell us it’d be a smart bet to put money on where your insurance agency’s clients come from. Primarily, you’re getting word-of-mouth referrals from previous happy clients. And the second-largest group is from Google searches for “insurance agency” or “insurance agent near me”, right? If so, you’re doing something right. If not, it’s probably time for some adjustments to your insurance agency marketing plan. Either way,
Interview with an Agent: Mike Paffhausen
Prior to becoming an insurance agent, Mike Paffhausen lived another life as a civil engineer working in water resources and environmental services. However, with a family full of agents, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the insurance industry was his calling. Flashforward, Mike is a captive agent with six years under his belt at his Butte, Montana agency. Throughout his years in the industry, Mike has counted himself lucky to
Spring Cleaning for Your Marketing Campaigns
It’s official! We’re now in Q2 of 2021. Where has the time gone?! Now that quarter one is behind us, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the performance of insurance marketing campaigns past. Here at Melon Local, we provide our clients with monthly updates on their insurance marketing campaigns. However, it’s important to remember that some campaigns take a little more time than others to yield results (such as
5 Business Tips for New Insurance Agents
Our expertise may be in digital marketing for insurance agents, but we know there’s more to building your business than gaining new leads. So, we caught up with multi-office insurance agent Chris Jones from Bothell, WA to pick his brain about growing a new insurance agency. With years of experience, a large team, and multiple offices, Chris knows a thing or two about what it takes to thrive in the
How to Optimize Local Directory Listings
Online local directory listings are essentially an advanced, tech-age version of the Yellow Pages. These websites help people find business information, compare companies, and browse reviews so they can get the goods or services they need. If you’ve searched for a local business using a query like “Thai food near me” or “plumbing services in Bend, OR”, then you’ve likely come across local business directory listings. As a local business,
What Makes a Good Advertisement?
We’re surrounded with advertising every day. Between logos on t-shirts, social media ads, and mailers from our favorite fast-food chains, they’re almost impossible to avoid! As someone who comes across various types of ads on a daily basis, you probably have opinions about what is and isn’t effective. But have you thought about the why behind this interest or aversion? While there isn’t a fool-proof formula for creating great ads,