Mike Forgie, Local Marketing Specialist

Digital Marketing Specialist

Next Step Connect

Next Step Connect has a sole purpose: connect you to your audience. 
We use paid and organic Ad Strategies to deliver you qualified prospects for easier sales.

Owner

Hey! If you need a marketing strategy for better search engine results or social media exposure, it is time we talk.

Need help getting your business exposure online? I can help you with SEO, Google/Facebook/Instagram ads, and more!

My main clients include:
Agencies that need SEO and social media strategies developed and performed.
Experiential markets such as yacht rentals, supercar/exotic auto drives, helicopter tours, and more. For many of these markets, I can provide photo and video services.
Any company that needs local clients such a wedding equipment (tent, chair, table, etc) rental, contractors, construction equipment rental, medical practices, and more.

Marketing Strategist

M studio Design & Marketing

M studio is an amazing branding, marketing, design and communications agency. Their assets such a Public Relatiosn assists perfectly in the target marketing needed for effective off-page SEO. As for on-page SEO, I work with designers and developers to create websites that will perform on both search engines and as lead generating vehicles

SEO Specialist

PCG Digital Marketing

I started as a Content Writer and quickly moved my way up the ranks at PCG resulting in a Digital Marketing Specialist position. 
One of my main duties at PCG was to create a user journey throughout our new website in order to capture leads. Each page on the site was optimized for specific keywords, whether general or long-tail.

Evolution

I managed the Public Relations/Marketing team of four to reach target markets, developed promotional campaigns to increase search engine optimization and social media awareness, and organized the creation of copyright materials such as press releases, blog posts, and print/online advertisements.

Public Relations/Marketing Manager

Artist Arena

My duties as a freelance apprentice were to administer fan club websites for top pop bands (e.g. Paramore, Fall Out Boy, Green Day), organize and disperse promotional material, and promote the fan clubs.

Freelance

EMI Music Publishing

For college credit I interned for EMI Group, mainly Virgin and Capitol Records, in New York. Here I learned how to read Nielson Soundscan reports, develop and analyze press packets for musicians like Katy Perry, and analyze albums to match with products and/or organizations.

Intern

Excess dB Entertainment

As a member of the street team I handed out promotion materials, performed stagehand work, was the liaison for guests and artists, catered to artists, and attended events at least once a week.

Street Team

Helping Local Service Businesses Get Found and Get Sales — Not Just Clicks. | Google Maps, SEO, & High-Intent Ads

“Why isn’t our business the top result when people search for what we do?”
If that’s something you’ve asked recently, I built this for you.

I’m Mike Forgie, founder of Next Step Connect, and I help service-based businesses stop guessing at what’s working—and finally show up where it counts.

In the last decade, I’ve worked with hundreds of teams across real estate, healthcare, legal, construction, and automotive to install one thing:

A predictable system that drives qualified local leads from search.

Whether your business is getting buried in Google Maps, wasting ad spend on low-quality traffic, or just not seeing ROI from your current marketing…
You don’t need another agency.
You need a system built on buyer intent, trackable results, and total clarity.

What We Deliver:
✅ Google Maps + Organic Search Rankings – for the exact terms your buyers are already searching
✅ High-Intent Google Ads – tracked to real calls, form fills, and appointments
✅ Clarity – with real-time dashboards and reporting you don’t need to decode

Our clients don’t wonder where their leads are coming from. They know.
And they don’t lie awake at night hoping the phone rings. It already is.

📩 DM me or email mike@nextstepconnect.com
📊 Or grab your Free Local Growth Audit at nextstepconnect.com

I analyzed 3 popular n8n workflows for SEO blogging.
Only ONE of these will help you rank.
Let's break them down.

Workflow 1: The Full Stack
Starts with layout blueprint (search intent, internal links, CTAs)
AI drafts, but pulls context from your existing site content
SEO validation (keywords, readability, schema)
Auto-generates images
Publishes to CMS

Workflow 2: The Automation Machine
Fetches topic from Google Sheets
AI generates article + title
Creates and uploads featured image
Adds SEO meta tags
Publishes to WordPress
Logs everything back to Sheets

Workflow 3: The Weekly Publisher
CRON scheduled (every Monday 6am)
Researches trending topics with Perplexity
GPT writes 1000-1500 word article
Leonardo AI creates cinematic image
Publishes to WordPress with tracking

So which one actually helps you rank long term?
Only Workflow 1.

Here's why:
Workflow 1 is the only one that checks your existing site content before writing.
That one step changes everything.

Google's algorithm loves "information gain."
Translation: Did you add something NEW to the internet that didn't exist before?

If your AI workflow doesn't check what you've already published, it will:
Create duplicate content (you vs. you)
Repeat what competitors already said
Miss opportunities to add unique insights

Workflows 2 and 3 are impressive automation.
But they're generating content in a vacuum.

No context about:
What you've already covered
Your brand voice and existing content style
Internal linking opportunities
Topic gaps worth filling

They're optimized for speed, not rankings.

Here's what "context-aware" content does differently:
✓ Checks existing articles to avoid duplication 
✓ Identifies internal linking opportunities 
✓ Matches your established tone and depth 
✓ Fills actual content gaps in your site architecture

This is the difference between: "Generate an article about SEO"
vs.
"Generate an article about SEO that adds new information our site doesn't cover, links to our existing pillar content, and matches the depth of our top-performing posts."

One creates generic content. One creates strategic content.

Most people are automating content creation.
Smart ones are automating strategic content creation.

AI can write fast.
But it needs context to write intelligently.
Workflow 1 builds that context into the process.
Workflows 2 and 3 skip it entirely.
That's why one will help you rank and two will, but not long term.

If you're building content automation:
Speed is easy. Strategy requires context.

Make sure your workflow checks what already exists before creating what's next.

What content automation are you using? Does it check your existing content first?

Mike Forgie

I Help Local Businesses Get Found and Get Sales — Not Just Clicks. Google Maps/Search Engine/AI Optimization & High-Intent Ads

Generate & Publish SEO Articles with Claude AI, Webflow & Image Generation

Auto-Generate SEO Blog Posts with Perplexity, GPT, Leonardo & WordPress



Automate SEO-Optimized WordPress Posts with AI & Google Sheets

Black Friday—buy a damn reusable mug.

Seriously. No marketing post today.

Just go splurge on a mug you actually like.

Walk into a store, test them out in person, find the one that connects with you, and buy it there.

Then take it to a cafe and use it.
Use it 100 times.

That's the real economy. That's the community you're actually part of.

No algorithms. No optimization. 

Just you supporting a business that's probably run by someone doing exactly what you're doing...showing up and making it work.

Forget Black Friday marketing noise.
I bet YETI or Stanley 1913 are on sale somewhere. 

Go buy a mug.

My fiancé and I won Best Dressed at the Bartender's Ball.
A lesson in showing up...

This was her night.
She works weekends while everyone else is off.

So when the industry throws an event on a Tuesday, when most bartenders are finally off, we go all in.

Not halfway...
...All in.

We didn't just show up.
We showed up with intention.
And it paid off.


How you show up matters.
In life. In business. Everywhere.

Most people show up halfway:
Half-effort websites
Generic LinkedIn profiles
Copy-paste marketing

Then wonder why they don't stand out.

Showing up isn't enough.
Showing up with intention is what wins.

Whether it's:
A networking event
Your website design
A client pitch
Your social media presence
An industry celebration

The businesses that stand out are the ones that put in the effort to stand out.

Most local businesses show up to Google like it's casual Friday.
The ones winning look like they're dressed for the ball.

This is why I love working with local businesses.

They understand community.
They show up for their industry.
They support each other.

The Bartender's Ball wasn't just an event.
It was the hospitality industry celebrating the people who work while everyone else is out.

That's the kind of community local businesses build.
And that's worth showing up for.

How are you showing up in your business? 
Casual Friday or Best Dressed?

Don't be distracted like every other business owner...
Here's what you can accomplish in the next 30 days:

December is the most underrated month for building your 2026 foundation.
Everyone's winding down. That's exactly why you should be building.

WEEK 1:
→ Run a free website scan (https://lnkd.in/exURC7Wb)
→ Hand results to your dev with a fix timeline
→ Audit who has access to your assets (Google Analytics/Search Console/Business Profile, Ads accounts). Make sure YOU'RE the admin!

WEEK 2:
→ Request a topical authority map from your SEO or via AI
→ Start gathering case study information from your best clients
→ Collect 5-10 contacts for reviews. People are busy with holiday right now, but if you finished a service, ask for a review immediately!

WEEK 3:
→ Write a press release announcing a new feature, service, or case study. 
→ Publish that case study on your site
→ Create 2-3 content pieces around it

WEEK 4:
→ Review everything you built
→ Plan January strategy based on what actually worked
→ Send that press release to local media

This isn't chaos. It's strategic foundation-building while everyone else is checking out.

Ready to get ahead in December?

PS - I am relly having fun with Gemini lately. Image creation is fun!

I've been analyzing n8n workflows for SEO automation.
And there's 1 thing I'm happy I DON'T see

Hundreds exist: 
Content generation 
Keyword research 
Meta tags 
Social scheduling 
SEO audits

But what is missing?
Automated link building!

And that tells you everything about 2025 SEO.
If this was 2015, n8n would have: 
PBN automation 
Web 2.0 link farming 
Directory submissions 
Comment spam bots 
Link exchanges

Today?
Cold outreach templates 
Guest post pitching 
Relationship tracking

Notice the shift?
2015: Automate the links 
2025: Automate the outreach

The links themselves can't be automated anymore.
The links that matter require: 
Real relationships 
Editorial approval 
Value exchange 
Human conversation

You can't automate a local news feature.
You can't bot an industry publication placement.
You can't script a podcast mention.

Google got smarter.
They detect: 
Automated link patterns 
Content existing just to link 
Link farm domains 
Unnatural velocity

The algorithm evaluates: 
Source authority 
Editorial context 
Traffic quality 
Brand mentions

This is why n8n focuses on outreach, not links.

You can automate: 
Finding prospects 
Tracking conversations 
Follow-ups 
Relationship management

You can't automate: 
Editorial trust 
Link-worthy content 
Genuine authority 
Real citations

Link automation missing from n8n isn't a gap.
It's proof the game elevated.

If you're still thinking 2015: 
"I need 100 backlinks this month"

You're playing the wrong game.
The new game: 
"How do I get featured in local news?" 
"What value can I provide publications?" 
"Who should I build relationships with?"

One high-authority mention beats 100 directory links.
One news feature beats 1,000 comment backlinks.
One guest post beats an entire PBN.

I focus clients on:
Press releases (real coverage) 
Guest posts (editorial placements) 
Local partnerships (authentic collaborations) 
Case studies (content worth citing) 
Community involvement (events worth mentioning)

These create: 
High-authority backlinks 
Brand mentions 
Traffic 
Trust signals

None can be automated.
If it could be automated, it wouldn't be valuable.

Google rewards what's hard to fake: 
Real authority 
Real relationships 
Real value

The SEO community moving from automation isn't a problem.
It's proof we're playing the right game.

Shortcuts disappeared because they stopped working.
What's left requires strategy, relationships, and effort.
That's why it works.

Looking for automated link building means chasing 2015 tactics in 2025.
The links that matter can't be automated.
They must be earned.

Are you chasing volume or building authority?

It took a long time to get here.
Not to this building. To this moment.

This is me and my dog in the lobby of one of my favorite clients.

The path:
1. Started as an employee at an agency.
2. Then went freelance (not by choice - I got really sick with CFS and couldn't drive anymore).
3. Became a SEO whitelabeler (doing the work while other agencies took the credit).
4. Now I run my own agency, client-facing, building real relationships.

The journey brought me here.
To this apartment building.
To this client who gave me focus.

I own a rental home.
One day, I want to own a small multifamily property.

I didn't grow up with money.
I didn't have connections.
I had necessity.
And I had time to learn.

When you're sleeping 12 hours a day because your body shuts down, you get really good at focusing on what matters during the hours you're awake.

I learned SEO.

Then I learned everything else that comes with running an agency: 
Operations (figured it out) 
Client management (still learning) 
Sales (admittedly, still trying to figure this one out)

But sitting in this lobby with my dog, working with a client who owns what I'm trying to build?

It reminds me: you can make whatever you want happen...
It just takes longer than you think...
And looks messier than anyone shows on LinkedIn.

This is why I love working with local businesses.
Not e-commerce brands.
Not faceless online entities.
Local businesses.

I get to sit in their lobbies.
Walk their properties.
Meet their teams.
See and feel what I'm helping them build.

When I optimize a local apartment building's website, I know exactly who benefits.
The property manager I just spoke with.
The tenants who found this place by searching "apartments near me."
The owner who's building something real.

That connection matters to me.

Maybe because I'm trying to build the same thing.
Maybe because I didn't come from wealth, and I respect anyone grinding to create assets.

Maybe because after years of working for agencies, whitelabeling for others, and doing invisible work...

...I finally get to build relationships with the people I'm actually helping.

I don't have this all figured out.
I'm still learning sales.
Still learning how to scale without burning out.
Still navigating what it means to run an agency.

But I'm here.
In this lobby.
With my dog.
Working with a client I respect.
Building toward something I want.
And that's enough for today.

If you're in the messy middle of building something:
The path isn't linear.
The journey will look different than everyone else's.
You'll take detours you didn't plan for.
But you'll end up in places you didn't know you needed to be.

Keep going.

The book that changed my life:
The ONE Thing by Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan.

The Big Problem:
We think success requires doing more.
More clients. More services. More marketing channels. More hours.
But spreading yourself thin doesn't create success. It creates burnout.

The book's perspective: 
Success is sequential, not simultaneous.

What's the ONE thing you can do such that by doing it, everything else becomes easier or unnecessary?

That question changed everything.

Top 3 Takeaways:

1. The Focusing Question

"What's the ONE thing I can do such that by doing it everything else becomes easier or unnecessary?"

This identifies the domino that knocks down all the others.

Example:
Client had 10 service pages. All struggling.
The ONE thing: Optimize one service page completely.

Result: That page now gets more clicks than the next 3 pages combined.

Actionable step:
Write down your to-do list.

Ask: "Which ONE task makes the rest easier or unnecessary?"

Do that first.

2. Multitasking Is a Lie

Your brain switches between tasks rapidly.
Each switch costs time and mental energy.
You're busy but not productive.

Example from my life:
I have CFS. I get 4-6 focused hours per day.
If I try to do everything, I accomplish nothing.

So I ask: What's the ONE thing today?
I'm more productive in 4 focused hours than I ever was in 12 scattered ones.

Actionable step:
Time-block ONE task for 90 minutes.
Phone off. Email closed.
You'll accomplish more than an entire day of multitasking.

3. Success Is Built Sequentially

You don't build 10 things at once.
You build ONE thing. Then the next. Then the next.

Example:
Don't try to rank for all your services at once.
Pick ONE service. Dominate it. Then move to service #2.
One service optimized beats ten services half-done.

Actionable step:
List your revenue streams.
Pick the ONE with highest ROI.
Double down for 90 days before touching anything else.

Why This Book Matters to Me:
When I got sick, I couldn't grind anymore.
Every hour mattered because I didn't have many.

"The ONE Thing" gave me permission to stop trying to do everything.
Now when clients say "We need to rank for everything":
I ask: "What's the ONE service that drives the most revenue?"

When I'm stressed about my to-do list:
I ask: "What's the ONE thing that makes everything else easier?"

When I'm building my agency:
I ask: "What's the ONE client type I serve best?"

This question cuts through noise.
It eliminates decision fatigue.
It creates focus.
And focus creates results.

If you're overwhelmed, burned out, or stuck:
Read "The ONE Thing."

Then ask yourself:
What's the ONE thing I can do right now such that by doing it, everything else becomes easier or unnecessary?

Answer that question.
Then do that thing.

What's YOUR one thing right now?

I stopped spending 20 minutes on blog images.
Now I spend 30 seconds.
Same quality. Zero design skills needed.
Here's what changed...

I used to overthink it:
Stock photos (generic, everyone uses them)...
Canva designs (time-consuming, requires design sense)...
Text overlays (cluttered, hard to read on mobile)...
...And I thought every image had equal value

Then I discovered Nano Banana by Gemini.

The process:
Give it your blog title
Add: "Create an image to represent this. No words."

Done.
That's it.

Why "no words" matters:
AI-generated text on images looks terrible:
Wrong fonts
Misspellings
Awkward layouts
Doesn't scale across platforms
Clean visuals beat busy graphics every time.

What I get: 
✓ Unique images (not stock photos everyone uses) 
✓ Clean and professional 
✓ 30 seconds per image 
✓ No design skills required 
✓ Perfect for blog headers

The tool is free through Gemini.
Just navigate to "Imagen 3" or use the Nano Banana interface.

Most people overcomplicate blog images.

You don't need:
Expensive stock photo subscriptions
Canva Pro
A designer on retainer
Hours of editing

You need:
Clear blog title
AI image generator
One rule: no words
Simple. Fast. Professional.

Note: these are headers or additions to text. These are not for infographics, marketing purposes, or the main purpose of the blog. They allow you to add some visual appeal, break up content, and a place for alt texts. The better you get, the more these images will become more than just filler. 

What blog are you writing this week?
I challenge you to show me images for your next blogs.

"I am starting to get more calls off the web! Finally! These tend to be the best calls."
Got this text from a client. 

And honestly, the site still needs work.
SEO takes time.
But we're getting results because we focused on what actually moves the needle.

Here's what we did...

Fixed the fundamentals first:
Site speed (was killing mobile experience)
Indexability issues (Google couldn't even crawl half the pages)

Then we got strategic:
Picked ONE service to dominate.
Not "all our services." Not "we do everything." 
One service. One page. Full focus.

The playbook:
1. Optimized that one service page 
- Rewrote it for buyer intent, not SEO fluff.
2.301 redirected cannibalizing pages.
- Any pages competing for the same keyword. Consolidated them.
3. Wrote supporting blog posts.
- Each one links back to the main service page.
4. Built external links through guest posts.
- Got featured on industry sites.
5.  Published a press release.
- Brand recognition + high-authority backlink.

The result:
That one page is now the top-clicked page on the entire site.
It has more clicks than the next 3 pages combined.
Including the homepage.

If I add a 4th page to that group, those 4 pages COMBINED only have 2 more clicks than our optimized service page.

One page is doing the work of their entire website used to do.

Here's what most businesses get wrong:
They try to rank for everything.
10 services. 20 location pages. 50 blog posts about random topics.
Zero focus. Zero momentum.

We did the opposite.
One service. One page. All our effort.

And now that page is:
Ranking for high-intent keywords
Driving qualified calls
Converting better than any other page

This is why I love working with local businesses.

When you optimize one service page well, you can see the impact immediately.
The phone rings.

The owner texts you: "I'm getting calls off the web!"
That's not vanity metrics.
That's revenue.

Most SEO agencies spread effort thin across every page.

We concentrated fire on one page until it dominated.
Then we'll move to the next service.
One at a time.
With intention.

Here's the lesson:
If you're trying to rank for everything, you'll rank for nothing.
Pick one service.
Optimize the hell out of it. 
Support it with blogs and backlinks. 
Watch it become your top revenue driver.
Then move to service #2.

Focus beats volume every time.

What's the ONE service page you should be focusing all your SEO effort on right now?

Search bar = buyers
Stop being scared of AI search platforms.

I see the fear—"SEO is dead, AI is changing everything, how do I compete?"

Here's the truth: ChatGPT, Perplexity, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, Google...

They all have search bars.

And search is search.

Many skills that worked for Google still work for Claude. Still work for Instagram. Still work for wherever people are searching.

Buyer intent is buyer intent. Information searches are information searches. Solution searches are solution searches.

The platform changes. The human need doesn't.

So stop trying to "crack the code" of AI search.

Just optimize for search—everywhere.

SEO, AI optimization, social search optimization—call it what you want.

It's just Search Everywhere Optimization.

There's a search bar? There's a way to optimize for it.

Don't care what platform you're on.

Where are you sleeping on search optimization right now?

My client got recommended by ChatGPT. And landed a new client from it.
Here's exactly what we did:

We didn't "optimize for ChatGPT."

We built an unstoppable service page.

STEP 1: Focus on ONE service
Not 10 things. One thing done better than anyone else.

STEP 2: Own that page
Optimize it like your life depends on it. Structure, keywords, clarity.

STEP 3: Build content around it
Case studies proving it works. Blog posts answering questions. FAQs. Features. Real proof.

STEP 4: Get backlinks
From relevant, authoritative sources. Proves you're legitimate.

STEP 5: Tell people about it
Press releases. Social posts. Direct outreach.

But here's the real secret: We aligned their goal with reality.

We made sure the content was AUTHENTIC.
Real case studies. Real results. Real people.

Then we built the brand story around it.

ChatGPT didn't recommend them because of a secret algorithm hack.

It recommended them because when someone asked for that service, the most authentic, proven, well-documented answer was their page.

Stop chasing platforms.

Build something worth recommending.

What service could you absolutely own right now?

Google's voice search algorithm is the blueprint for AI search.

And most people missed it.

Here's why this matters:

When voice search launched, Google had to solve a problem:

People don't speak like they type.

Typed search: "plumber near me"
Voice search: "Hey Google, who's a good plumber in my area that can come today?"

Google had to understand:
Natural language
Context
Intent
Conversational queries

Sound familiar?

That's exactly what AI search does now.

ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Claude...

They all process queries the same way voice search does.

Here's the pattern:

Voice search taught Google:
"What's the weather" = user wants current local weather
"How do I fix a leaky faucet" = user wants step-by-step instructions
"Best pizza place open now" = user wants immediate recommendation with hours

AI search uses the same logic:
Question-based queries
Context awareness
Conversational understanding
Intent matching

This is why voice search optimization = AI search optimization.

How to optimize for both:

1. Write like people speak

Don't write: "Our plumbing services provide residential and commercial solutions."

Write: "We fix leaky faucets, clogged drains, and burst pipes for homes and businesses."

Natural language. Conversational tone.

2. Answer questions directly

Structure content as Q&A:

"How much does it cost to fix a leaky faucet?"
"Most repairs cost between $150-300 depending on severity."

Both voice search and AI can extract this clearly.

3. Use long-tail, conversational keywords

Old keyword: "plumber"
Voice/AI keyword: "emergency plumber available today"

Old: "lawyer"
Voice/AI: "do I need a lawyer for a car accident"

4. Focus on local + immediate intent

Voice search users want:
"Near me"
"Open now"
"Available today"

AI search users want the same immediate, local answers.

Optimize for urgency and location.

5. Create content that answers "why" and "how"

Voice queries are often:
"Why is my sink draining slowly?"
"How do I unclog a toilet?"

AI search queries are similar:
"Why do I need SEO for my local business?"
"How does AI search work?"

Answer these thoroughly.

The businesses that prepared for voice search in 2018?

They're ahead for AI search in 2025.

Because they already optimized for:
Natural language
Question-based content
Conversational tone
Intent matching

Everyone else is scrambling to catch up.

The pattern was there.

Most people just didn't see it.

If you optimized for voice search, you're already optimized for AI search.

If you didn't, start now.

Same principles. Same strategy.

Are you still optimizing for typed keywords or conversational queries?

Major cheat code for local SEO: Case studies.
Not a review. Full case studies.

They solve many SEO problems at once:

Unique content ✓ 
Nobody else has your client's story. AI can't replicate it.  Google rewards originality.

EEAT signals ✓ 
Experience (you did the work) 
Expertise (you know what works) 
Authoritativeness (proven results) 
Trustworthiness (real client, real outcome)

Information gain ✓ 
Google's ranking factor. Case studies add NEW information to the internet that didn't exist before.

Internal linking gold ✓ 
Reference the case study from: 
Service pages ("See how we helped [similar business]") 
Blog posts ("We used this exact strategy for...") 
Location pages ("Local business in [city] grew by...")
Social media content ✓ 
One case study becomes: 
LinkedIn post with results 
Instagram story with quote 
Twitter thread breakdown 
Facebook testimonial 
YouTube video walkthrough

Most businesses write: "We offer great service and have happy clients."
Cool. So does everyone.

Case studies show: 
Client started here → We did this → They ended here → Measurable result
That's proof, not promises.

Here's why this matters right now:
Google's algorithm updates are killing generic content.
AI-generated blog posts? Content is just spun. 
Thin service pages? Ignored. 
Copied competitor content? Buried.

But case studies?
Can't be AI-generated (they're your real clients) 
Can't be thin (they're detailed stories) 
Can't be copied (they're unique to you)

This is the content Google and AI search are begging for.
Real human experience. Documented results. Original stories.

One case study per quarter = 4 per year.
Each one: Ranks for long-tail keywords 
Gets cited by AI search 
Drives internal link equity 
Provides social content 
Builds trust with prospects

The SEO value compounds.

Each case study strengthens: 
Your expertise positioning 
Your content authority 
Your internal link structure 
Your AI search presence

Want to know the best part?
Your clients WANT you to write about them.
They're proud of their results.
Ask permission. Document the process. Publish the story. And link to each other!

If you don't have case studies yet, start now:
Pick your best client result from the last 6 months 
Interview the client (10 minutes) 
Write the story (problem → solution → result) 
Publish it on your site

One case study this month.
Then one per quarter.
In a year, you'll have content that competitors can't match.

What client win could you turn into a case study this week?

Listen, I know it is hard, and I need to take my own advice. 
Recently, I got started by asking if I could do a quick interview via Zoom/Meet. 
That is an easy way to get quotes and content.

I have 247 PDFs saved in my downloads folder.
I've read maybe 10 of them.

And I'm guessing you have the same problem.

We collect knowledge like it's rare.
But knowledge isn't rare anymore.
Implementation is.

Here's what changed:
2015: Information was scarce.
Download every PDF.
Hoard knowledge.
Maybe read it later.

2025: Information is abundant.
AI can answer anything.
Knowledge is free.
The bottleneck is execution.

So here's what I do with PDFs now:
I don't read them.
I turn them into systems.

The process:
1. Download the PDF
2. Feed it to Claude or ChatGPT
3. Ask: "Turn this into an executable workflow"
4. Create a Custom GPT or n8n automation
5. Now it DOES the thing instead of just explaining it

Example:
Old: "47-page guide to local SEO"
New: Custom GPT that audits your site and gives you specific action steps

That's the shift.
From knowledge → to implementation.

Here's what this means for content creators:
If you're still offering informational PDFs as lead magnets, you're competing in 2015.
You're giving people more information they won't use.

Give them:
Guides
Ready-to-run workflows
Custom GPTs they can use immediately
Prompts that execute the strategy
Templates they can fill in

Don't just give knowledge.
Give implementation.

Because here's the truth:
Nobody has a knowledge problem anymore.
We all have an execution problem.
I can Google "how to do local SEO" and get 10,000 results.

I can ask ChatGPT and get a complete strategy in 60 seconds.
The information exists.

What's missing?
The system that helps me DO it.
AI solved knowledge access.
Now the value is in systems that execute the work.

Your PDF graveyard proves it.
You downloaded all that information.
But you didn't implement any of it.

Not because you're lazy.
Because turning knowledge into action takes effort.

And that's where AI changes everything.

Now you can:
Take any PDF
Turn it into a workflow
Build a system that executes
Actually implement the strategy

Knowledge was the currency in 2015.
Implementation is the currency in 2025.

Stop hoarding PDFs.
Start building systems.

How many unread PDFs are sitting in your downloads folder right now?

Knowledge is not a lead magnet.
Implementation is.

Where to spend your marketing dollars right now. 

Zachary Geleott and I had a chat about services to offer and what to charge. This is a gold nugget from that conversation. 

Also, I may need to just buy Descript because this was the easiest editing I have ever done.

I'm grateful we're all burning out on AI.
Yeah, you read that right, that's my Thanksgiving statement.

Is it annoying to see the same thing posted 100 times? Absolutely.

Does it prove we're all trying to figure this out together? Yes.

Does it prove people care enough to share what they're learning in public? Also yes.

We're in a universal shift. Everyone's learning something new. Some people are sharing their breakthroughs. Some people are sharing their mistakes.

That's how you learn as a community.

So I'm grateful for the noise. For the repetition. For everyone taking the risk to share instead of hoarding.

Let people share their experience. Let them figure it out loud.

We all had to start somewhere.

Show you are grateful. 
Tag someone in the comments who is posting about AI!
Especially, those posting about AI and SEO...I love it!

"What should I spend my marketing budget on?"
Most owners know they need to show up. 
They just don't know the smart way.

I ask two questions:

#1: Do you need money now or later?
Money later = You're doing well, want to scale. Build brand & reputation first. Organic optimization, SEO, AI optimization. These compound.

Money now = You need an immediate return. Run ads. Money out = money in. Bigger spend, bigger payoff.

#2: How much?
Here's where math saves you: "What's your profit margin on your top service? How many new clients can you service monthly?"

I worked with a general contractor charging $15K per bathroom remodel. Five jobs/month at $2,500/month in my services? That's a steal. ROI is obvious.

So here's what I'm curious about: 
Which one are you—money now or money later? 
More importantly, which one should you actually be?

We have ~25 working days left in 2025.
And your business is going to suffer.

Thanksgiving. Black Friday. Christmas. New Year's.

And right now, one of two things is happening:
1. You're letting the year run out.
Thinking: "I'll restart in January when I'm recharged."
2. Or you're scrambling.
Trying to make magic happen before December 31st.
Either to hit your numbers or justify next year's marketing budget.

Here's the reality:
You can't create 6 months of SEO momentum in 25 days.
You can't significantly fix your AI search visibility by Christmas.
You can't build authority by New Year's Eve.

But you CAN make strategic moves that set you up for Q1.

Here's what actually works right now:

Option 1: Hire now. Don't expect magic.
If you hire an agency or consultant today, you're not getting results by January 1st.

That's not how organic optimization works.
Google takes time.
ChatGPT takes consistency.
AI search rewards sustained effort.

But if you hire NOW, you get:
Strategy built in December
Execution starting in January
Momentum by March
Results by Q2

You're not buying holiday miracles.
You're buying a Q1 head start.

Option 2: Pay for consulting clarity.
If you're not ready to hire, get strategic direction.

Pay someone to answer:
Do you need SEO, AIO, or GEO?
Should you be on TikTok, LinkedIn, or X?
Where is your marketing budget best spent?
The easy answer: Where is your ideal customer hanging out?

But most businesses guess rather than seek clarity.

Spend $500-1,000 on consulting now.
Get a roadmap for Q1.
Stop wasting budget on platforms that don't matter.

Here's what NOT to do:
Don't expect an agency to deliver results in 3 weeks.
Don't blow your entire Q4 budget on paid ads hoping for a miracle 
(well, if you are failing, hyperfocus those ads - I can consult on that)
Don't start a massive project on December 20th that dies in January.

Make strategic moves:
Hire for Q1 execution (not holiday miracles)
Get consulting clarity (so you're not guessing in January)
Plan your Q1 campaigns now (so you hit the ground running)

Most businesses will coast through December.
Then panic in January wondering why they're behind.

You have 25 working days.

Use them strategically.

Not to create magic.

To set up momentum.

What's your plan for Q1? Are you hiring now or scrambling in January?

PS - If you want to meet with me about how to show up in Google, ChatGPT, AI overviews, etc - DM me. 

I have consulting hours specifically set aside to get you set up in 2026.

Most businesses coast in December. Then panic in January. Don't be most.

Most local businesses compete on price and proximity.
Here's how to compete on value instead...and get a ton of SEO, AIO, GEO value

Build a free tool for your target customer.
(yes, I will tell you how to to EASILY do it)

Not a PDF.
Not a checklist.
An actual tool they can use.

Here's why this works:
People remember businesses that help them.

A contractor offering a "Cost Calculator for Home Renovations"?
I'm bookmarking that.

A landscaper with a "Exact Plants For Your Sunlight Analysis"?
I'm coming back to that.

An accountant with a "Tax Deduction Estimator for Small Business"?
I'm using that.

You become the business people return to.
Not because you're cheap.
Because you're useful.

Here's how to build one:

Step 1: Find the question your customer is asking
Ask ChatGPT: "What questions do homeowners ask before hiring a plumber?"
Or: "What's trending on Reddit in r/homeimprovement related to plumbing?"

You'll find:
"How much does it cost to..."
"How do I calculate..."
"What's the average price for..."

Tip - most people want to save money or make the best decision.

Step 2: Brainstorm tool ideas with AI
Prompt: "My target customer wants to know [question]. What simple online tool could answer this?"

AI will suggest:
Calculators
Estimators
Comparison tools
Decision trees
Assessment quizzes

Step 3: Build the tool (no coding required)
Use platforms like:
Replit (AI-powered code generation)
bolt.new (build apps with prompts)

Feed your idea to these tools and they'll build it for you.

Step 4: Gate it with lead capture
Require:
Name
Email
Phone number

Or use Google sign-in for easier access.

Now every person who uses your tool becomes a lead.

Step 5: Promote the tool
Add it to your website homepage
Share it on social media
Run local ads to it
Get featured in local news ("Local plumber creates free tool for homeowners")

What this does for your business:

Drives traffic (people share useful tools)
Builds authority (you're the expert who made this)
Captures leads (name, email, phone)
Creates return visits (they come back to use it again)
Differentiates you (competitors are just listing services)


Most local businesses say: "Here's what we offer."
Smart ones say: "Here's a solution to your problem."

One hopes for a transaction.
The other creates a relationship.

You don't need to be a developer.
You just need to identify the question your customer is asking.

Then build a tool that answers it.

What question is your target customer asking that you could turn into a free tool?

1 Free Tool =

↓

Goodwill
(People remember you)

+

Lead Capture
(Name, email, phone)

+

SEO Value
(Rankable content + backlinks)

+

Social Media Content
(Shareable, useful posts)

+

Easy As Hell to Create
(AI builds it for you)

I got bored. I prompted. This is the insane result.

I was a little stuck on what I wanted to post today.
Rarely will you see me post true infographics, because I don't like designing them.

But that was my ah-ha moment.

Gemini 3 and Nano Banana are popping off right now in AI forums, so I took an old topic like blog post layout (saw this in the forum too), and applied it to a webpage (because I love service pages).

Then I simply said "Create an infographic based on the above information. Use  a web page as the image and layout where each element should go. deliver in 9:16"

But, you could replate these directions to just say "use relevant visuals,
appropriate for.." and fill in your audience.

And BOOM!
This isn't so bad. Not my style, but good information.

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