If your marketing efforts are generating fewer website visits despite your best efforts, you aren’t imagining it. The modern customer journey has fundamentally transformed.

Today, 84% of consumers search online for a local business, but 75% choose a service provider in under 30 minutes—with nearly a third deciding in less than five minutes. Furthermore, over 58% of Google searches now end in zero clicks. Potential clients get answers directly from Google Business Profiles, AI-generated search summaries, and community recommendations before ever visiting a traditional website.

After a standing-room-only presentation to small- to medium-sized business owners eager to grow through smart marketing, Boost Creative has made its workshop, “Marketing That Connects: How to Reach Today’s Customer,” available on demand. Led by Corey Gehrold, Vice President of Boost Creative and Insight Marketing Group, this session cuts through marketing jargon to deliver an actionable, Monday-morning framework for local businesses.

Common Local Marketing Mistakes (And Why They Fail)

Before investing in new marketing channels, it is vital to eliminate the habits that drain time and budget without driving revenue:

• Treating Your Website as the Only Front Door: For the majority of buyers, your Google Business Profile is your real homepage. Missing hours, service listings, and regular updates leave high-intent buyers stranded.
• Chasing Vanity Traffic Over AI Visibility: AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini now handle complex, conversational queries (e.g., “My 12-year-old furnace is banging, should I repair or replace it, and who is open near me?”). If your content doesn’t answer direct customer questions, you won’t be cited or recommended.
• Ignoring Review Velocity and Recency: Having a 5-star rating from three years ago does not convert modern buyers. 74% of consumers care only about reviews written in the last 90 days, and 47% will not consider a business with fewer than 20 reviews.
• Publishing Generic “AI Slop”: Flooding blogs or social channels with raw, unedited AI articles leads to sharp drops in search rank over time. Search engines and consumers alike reward original photos, transparent pricing ranges, and real human case studies.

Core Framework: Get Found, Get Chosen, Get Remembered

Reaching today’s consumer requires focusing on three foundational milestones:

1. Get Found: Win the Short List of Three

Consumers rarely look at more than three businesses before deciding. Winning this shortlist requires:

• A Fully Optimized Google Profile: Categorize every service, upload authentic staff and project photos, and keep holiday hours accurate. Google data confirms complete profiles are 2.7 times more likely to be considered reputable.
• Consistent Directory Signals: Keep the same name, address, and phone number across the 60+ key directory platforms AI engines use to verify credibility.
• A Predictable Review Engine: Train your team to ask for reviews in the “happiest moment” (e.g., immediately following a successful project walkthrough or completed appointment), and reply to 100% of reviews—especially 1-star complaints, where a calm, professional solution builds immense trust with future buyers.

2. Get Chosen: Pass the 10-Second Test

Once a prospect clicks through to your website, you have roughly 10 seconds before they decide to stay or bounce. Ensure your mobile site immediately clarifies:

1. What specific service you provide.
2. Who you serve.
3. Where your service area is located.
4. Why they should select you over the competitor.

Pair this clarity with genuine customer proof. An unpolished 60-second video testimonial shot on a smartphone that covers the problem, the solution, and the outcome converts far higher than high-budget corporate videos.

3. Get Remembered: Stop Renting, Start Owning

Acquiring a new client costs 5x to 25x more than retaining an existing one. Instead of relying solely on social algorithms that you do not own, build an owned communication pipeline:

• Leverage Your Customer List: Re-engage past clients with seasonal reminders, maintenance check-ins, or helpful educational tips via email and text.
• Give Social Media a Job: Pick one or two specific lanes—such as local community involvement and quick technical Q&As—and stay consistent. Authenticity and local presence always outperform generic marketing posts.

About the Speaker: Corey Gehrold

Corey Gehrold is the Vice President of Boost Creative, an agency focused on helping local businesses build authentic, sustainable marketing engines. Corey brings a no-nonsense, pragmatic approach to digital marketing, specializing in local search optimization, conversion design, brand positioning, and responsible AI implementation. His motto: “Don’t mistake activity for achievement. Focus on what moves the needle.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to Access the Webinar

• Format: Complimentary On-Demand Video Access
• Where to Watch: Stream instantly on the Boost Creative Digital Learning Hub
• To Stream Online: Click HERE to access the complete video training and download your 30-day implementation checklist.
• To Request Additional Resources: Email your team’s details to [email protected].

Make it easy for today’s fast-moving customers to choose you. Access the masterclass today.