Joy Hawkins
joyhawkins.bsky.social
Joy Hawkins
@joyhawkins.bsky.social
Did you miss our webinar with Lars Lofgren last week?

You can rewatch the entire thing on demand!  If you have questions - just post them in the comments on YouTube and we'll get you an answer!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7DsxkyDuOI
November 18, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Jeremy shared what elements on a YouTube video are the most important for SEO/conversions during our webinar last month.

Check out his tips in order of importance to SEO 👇 and watch the entire webinar here: https://localu.org/watch-webinar-local-rank-with-youtube-october/
November 17, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Review frequency matters far FAR more than sheer volume when it comes to ranking well in Google, especially for "Near me" phrases....  Colan and I break it down for you 👇

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B2oxiJESoY
November 15, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Do you need a category page on your website for EVERY service you offer? 

Probably - but there might be an exception or two - I explain how to decide 👇
November 15, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Your average Google review rating has a direct correlation to how you perform in local search for "near me" queries.

Average rating is a very powerful ranking factor for sure...
November 12, 2025 at 2:04 PM
You need an address.  Service area businesses just don't perform well, and competitors near you with an address will dominate if you don't have one.

Colan and I explain why 👇
November 10, 2025 at 4:32 PM
What kind of content can be the "hook" that attracts people to your YouTube channel - Jeremy Vest describes how he finds topics and ideas for video content creators to use as they build out their channel...
November 6, 2025 at 2:02 PM
YouTube can add value to your business acquisition plans... even for a small business.

Jeremy Vest shared a few examples of businesses that enhanced their acquisition package with a solid YouTube channel

Watch the whole video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXh43m_fNN0
November 4, 2025 at 2:03 PM
We just finalized the lineup for LocalU Global in January and I am stoked for this linup

🎤 Emcee Darren Shaw
🧠 Dana DiTomaso
🧪 Kyle Roof
💡 Wil Reynolds 
📝 Steve Toth
⭐ Colan Nielsen
... and ME!

Early Bird Alert! Tickets are only $99 til mid-December - don't wait

https://localu.org/virtual-2026
November 3, 2025 at 5:04 PM
At 10:00am ET be sure to head over to the /r/localsearch subreddit for an AMA with Darren Shaw of Whitespark.  He'll be answering your Local SEO, GBP, Review or Citation questions until 3pm today!

https://www.reddit.com/r/localsearch/
November 3, 2025 at 2:01 PM
What happens when you (or GBP support) merge 2 listings with different addresses? 

Nothing good...  Highly advise against this!
November 1, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Next week Darren Shaw of Whitespark is taking over the /r/localsearch subreddit for an AMA - Join him on November 3rd at 10am ET and bring all of your Local SEO, GBP, Review or Citation questions - he'll be answering until 3pm on Monday.

https://www.reddit.com/r/localsearch/
October 31, 2025 at 6:01 PM
So excited to have Wil Reynolds, Kyle Roof, Dana DiTomaso and Darren Shaw confirmed for LocalU Global in January (so far - more to come!)

Pre-agenda tickets are just $99 - so get yours right away...

https://localu.org/etn/localu-global-january-28-2026/
October 30, 2025 at 5:30 PM
What do you do when you receive a negative review - and you're POSITIVE the reviewer wasn't a customer? 

Follow our steps to (hopefully) get that review removed!  

https://www.sterlingsky.ca/negative-google-review-from-non-customer/
October 29, 2025 at 1:02 PM
We see it fairly often in the GBP Community - a listing just disappears - and the frantic business owners are left with no phone calls or leads.

What can you do if this happens to you? 

https://www.sterlingsky.ca/my-google-business-profile-vanished/
October 27, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Video Verification can be confusing - and it's not uncommon to have to resubmit.  Our workflow for video verification may help!

https://www.sterlingsky.ca/google-business-profile-video-verification/
October 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Rebranding your business? Our 8-step checklist can help!

https://www.sterlingsky.ca/rebranding-your-business-checklist/
October 24, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Using virtual office space is going to make suspension and reinstatement of your GBP a nightmare. 

Even if you legitimately rent space full time, being associated with a virtual office space can bring your listing under extra scrutiny.
October 23, 2025 at 6:04 PM
'There's a big difference between being able to pass a [GBP] verification, and being able to get your appeal approved when you're suspended [in GBP]....

~Elizabeth Rule
October 23, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Did you miss the live suspension webinar I did last week with @ownyourserp? We went through all kinds of suspension cases and what we thought may have triggered them, and how we would fix (or did fix) them!

Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUMo6NPd5KE
October 22, 2025 at 2:30 PM
AI Powered local packs are replacing traditional local packs.... From 1 to... none....
October 20, 2025 at 8:02 PM
There IS a use case for having an answering service after hours

Google is rewarding businesses that are actually open when a query is made with better visibility....
October 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
The dreaded popup - yes - stupid annoying

Data doesn't care about my opinion

Popups CAN work.... Learn more tips to increase conversions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDOwBjlcQb8
October 16, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Stop listening to the 61 characters or less Title Tag recommendations...

Colan has opinions.... 😆
October 15, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Clean up your navigation - not every page needs a spot in your main menu.

By focusing the navigation on pages that actually convert - we're increasing traffic and conversions for clients

Learn how we did it 👇
October 14, 2025 at 6:04 PM