I’ve been attending this conference since it began.  I can’t remember what it was originally called but it eventually became Local U and is now one of the most important dates on my calendar. I can’t share everything I learned there, because it is part of the secret sauce that makes us successful and helps us stand out from the competition, but the very unique experience of having all of these experts together in one room is worth carving time out of my schedule to travel to at least once a year, and sometimes on very hectic Google years, it has been twice.  I have been everywhere from Williamsburg, VA to Santa Monica, CA to take in the cutting-edge strategy and information I learn here and I would highly recommend it to any young local search professional or business with in-house local search specialists.  The NYC event was limited to just 75 people, so it was a great environment to learn and share. It was so good, that I got so caught up in the moment, I didn’t get any good pictures.

Local Search Tactics that Move the Dial

What sets us apart from other digital marketing agencies? The most important thing in search is to be flexible and to use the limited resources that we have available to move the dial the most each month for your online presence. You can’t do all of the things with a limited budget, so it is important to figure out which things help the most. One of the most important aspects of each time I attend Local U is then coming home and figuring out how to apply all of the latest information to my client budgets and plans.  One year it may be about business citations and the next it is about getting out of the Google local filter.

To be honest, it is hard to find people in my industry who are taking it seriously and do consider the needs of their clients above all else. I run into so many prospects who have been spending on SEO for years and yet aren’t even doing the most basic things.  Just by being in that room, I know you take it seriously, and it is good to know there are solid and ethical people out there like me.  There are certainly enough clients to go around that we can all lean on each other.  Though this post may sound self-serving, or just an ad for Local U,  I put it out there to help my prospects and clients know that a core part of what I do is to stay up-to-date with the best information in a constantly evolving industry. The constant change can be frustrating, but it is also part of what keeps my work fun and interesting every day.

Yesterday’s conference included key updates and data on the following:

  • Do Links Help with Local?
  • Escaping the Google Local Filter
  • As mentioned above, what moves the needle on limited budgets
  • Doing a great local search audit
  • AI as a tool in local search
  • Effective Local Landing Pages

 

If you need help getting your local search program off of the ground, give us a call or send a message.