In part 2 of our series on how to keep your painting business operational during disasters, Michael and Chris discuss best practices during pandemics. They'll cover:

• The leadership mindset necessary to sustain your business during a crisis
• Practical steps for disaster preparedness
• How to balance realism and safety with a positive outlook

For more information on tools, techniques, and resources discussed in this episode, please visit:
https:/www.searchprimer.com/
https://www.eofire.com/

Natural disasters could impact your painting business. Are you prepared? In this episode, Michael and Chris discuss preparedness best practices that can help keep your painting company operational, including:

• How to prevent data loss
• How to keep working if your office is damaged
• How to protect your business assets
• How to maintain financial stability
• How to communicate with team members and client

For more information about the tools, techniques, and resources discussed in this episode, please visit:
https://www.searchprimer.com/
https://www.affinitytechpartners.com/

Google is the king of search engines, but there are other search platforms (like Bing and Yahoo), too. In this episode, Michael, Chris, and David discuss various tools and platforms, and where you should consider investing time, research, and dollars. We cover:

• Which search engines to optimize for
  
• What tools to use
  
• How voice search will impact marketing across platforms

For more information about the tools and techniques discuss in this episode, please visit:
https://www.searchprimer.com/
http://www.adavidcreation.com/

In this episode, Michael, Chris, and David discuss digital marketing:

• What are the preferred online marketing tools for painters?
• How does digital marketing help you connect with more qualified leads?
• How can digital take you from a "hunting" mindset to a "farming" approach with your leads?

For more information about the tools and resources discussed in this episode, please visit:
https://www.searchprimer.com/
https://www.adavidcreation.com/

Getting "bang for your buck" when hiring a marketing agency is important. But working toward marketing ROI is valuable, too.

In this episode, we discuss:
- Optimizing for safety and stability
- Optimizing for growth
- Addressing your needs clearly when talking with your marketing agency or team.

For more information about the tools and techniques discussed in this episode, please visit:
http://www.searchprimer.com/

You've probably heard "failure is not an option". But does failure have a place in growing your painting business? In this episode, we'll discuss:

- Learning from failure
- Maintaining the right kind of momentum
- Using risk as an asset for growth without being reckless

For more information about the tools and techniques discussed in this episode, please visit:
http://www.searchprimer.com/

Residential painters and commercial painting companies are asking: are paid leads or generated leads better for your painting business marketing?

In this episode, we'll discuss the pros and cons of lead aggregators vs. generating leads through marketing strategy, including:

• Which channels can generate more leads for your painting business?
• How and when should you use paid vs. generated leads in order to see results throughout the year?
• What are the benefits of lead generators?
• How do you measure success and plan next steps?

For more information on the tools and techniques discussed in this website, please visit:

https://www.searchprimer.com/ 
https://www.adavidcreation.com/ 
http://www.industrialclicks.com 

Correct lead attribution is essential for successful marketing for your residential or commercial painting business.
In this episode, we discuss:

• Gathering and understanding your lead sources
• How you can track leads better by source
• How to decide which channels to keep (and which to add)
• Pipeline management tips
• How to measure lead channel success, and how to use that knowledge to strengthen your marketing

For more information about the tools and techniques in this episode, please visit:

https://www.searchprimer.com/ 

https://www.adavidcreation.com/ 

http://www.thelocustproject.com/

The internet is looking and acting more and more like a smartphone. Is your website working great for mobile users? If so, you'll get more leads faster. If not, your Google rankings will suffer.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Mobile-first and why it's important
• How Google has changed what mobile-friendly means
• How to make your website more mobile-friendly
• Why page speed is so important for rankings and leads

For more information about the tools and techniques mentioned in this episode, please visit:
https://www.searchprimer.com/
https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/

There are still plenty of offline marketing tactics that can be used to boost your digital marketing efforts by helping build meaningful relationships with potential customers.

We'll discuss how to get more qualified referrals through offline techniques like:

• Door Hangers
• Professional Organizations
• Print/Mail
• Community Involvement/Networking

Plus you'll learn how to keep your offline marketing in-step with your digital efforts.

For more information about the tools and techniques recommended in this episode, please visit:

https://www.searchprimer.com/

https://www.adavidcreation.com/ 

http://www.proscoutleadgeneration.com/

https://www.bni.com/
http://www.meetup.com/
http://www.calendly.com/

Learn why websites go down— and what you can do to prevent it. In this episode, we discuss how you can manage and minimize risks to your website, and stop losing leads.

You'll learn how to protect:

• Domains
• Hosting
• Site Security
• Content Management 

And more, plus best practices to keep your site up-to-date and running smoothly across platforms.

In this episode, Michael and Chris interview Nathan Anderson, founder and CEO of Anderson Painting, a successful residential and commercial painting business serving Raleigh, North Carolina.

• Why Anderson Painting sought out consulting services and how they helped the company reach new heights.
• What an accountability structure looks like and why it matters.
• Why creating a business plan is vital to long-term success for a residential painting business or any kind of business.

For more information on Anderson Painting, visit: https://www.andersonpaintingnc.com/

• How to create a solid company culture and avoid the fluff
• Creating a Culture Deck
• Why culture makes  a difference in your painting business 
• Describing culture clearly and modeling it in leadership

In this episode, Michael and Chris break down four crucial factors of running a successful residential or commercial painting business, specifically aimed at building trust between customers, workers, and vendors.

In this episode, we cover:

The importance of setting expectations and getting details in writing when hiring.
How and why to define roles within an organization.
What traits make for the best hires?
The interplay between attitude and aptitude in determining one's role.
The importance of only working with vendors with a firm accountability structure (i.e. written contract or set of deliverables).
Avoiding qualitative language with vendors and others.
What does it mean for a commercial, industrial, or residential painting business to simultaneously "be steel" and "be cotton?"
How to set a good example for employees and build trust with vendors and customers.

For more information on the tools and resources mentioned in this episode, please visit:
SearchPrimer: https://www.searchprimer.com/

In this episode, Chris and Michael discuss the importance of implementing systems for answering phone calls and other inbound messages in a quick and effective manner to win more business.

In this episode, we cover:

Why failing to answer the phone is detrimental to business.
Common reasons businesses don't always pick up the phone (busy, not enough resources, anxiety, etc.)
How to manage newer forms of inbound contact (Facebook messenger for business, SMS, Instagram, etc.) to gain online sales leads.
How to disrupt the consumer's "scanning mode" to generate new leads.
The utility of trackable phone numbers.
Why call center services are still useful, and who should consider using them.
The advantages of using a call recorder system or service.
The importance of identifying credentials on the front end.

For more information on the tools and resources mentioned in this episode, please visit:
SearchPrimer: https://www.searchprimer.com/

In this episode, Michael and Chris expand upon E-A-T (expertise, authority, and trustworthiness) covered in the previous episode, focusing on the specific actions a company can take to increase these metrics, such as publishing content on a regular basis, understanding backlinks, and maintaining a strong social media presence.

In this episode, we cover:
How often should a company publish content?
The importance of relying on good writers for text-based content (blogs, service pages, etc.).
The pros and cons of "clickbait" vs. content that converts customers.
What are the benefits of backlinks?
How should a residential or commercial painting business approach links and backlink management?
The inherent value in social media sharing and mentions.
The ongoing importance of email marketing as a channel for direct communication.

For more information on the tools and resources mentioned in this episode, please visit:
SearchPrimer: https://www.searchprimer.com/

In this episode, Chris and Michael break down the acronym "E-A-T" (expertise, authority, and trustworthiness), digging deeper into what these three terms mean and how companies can leverage each one to increase customer trust and loyalty and improve their overall SEO.

In this episode, we cover:

What do expertise, authority, and trustworthiness mean in terms of Google's ranking algorithms and SEO?

How can brands achieve stronger web authority and customer trust?
What types of content contribute toward achieving E-A-T?
The importance of understanding customers' "pain points" or specific needs in building customer trust and loyalty and exhibiting expertise/authority.
The importance of conducting keyword research and/or teaming up with a local SEO expert to help.
The importance of creating a wide variety of content, both broad and specialized.
Why do in-house pictures (as opposed to stock photos) make a difference?
The power of testimonials and online reviews, both onsite and offsite.

For more information on the tools and resources mentioned in this episode, please visit:
SearchPrimer: https://www.searchprimer.com/

In this episode, Michael and Chris discuss what makes for great branding alongside Brad Henderson, a brand marketing expert at Bighowdy.com who has worked with the likes of Nike, Jack Daniels, Sherwin-Williams, and more.

In this episode, we cover:

What makes for a great brand? (being "memorable" and "likeable")
What priorities should a business have for their brand and brand strategy? (less is often more)
How can you set your brand apart from others in your market? (pricing, reliability, timely, family-owned, etc.)
How can you clearly communicate your value proposition through your brand identity?
The importance of context in creating a brand name and logo.
Rebranding (when or how often should a brand be updated?)

For more information on the tools and resources mentioned in this episode, please visit:
SearchPrimer: https://www.searchprimer.com/

In this episode, Michael and Chris discuss the importance of personalization in digital marketing and branding. Grow Your Painting Business is a free podcast from SearchPrimer.com.

What is personalization?
Why is it important? (96% of marketers believe personalization advances customer relationships)
Why does personalized marketing set a company apart? ("Dear Customer" vs "Dear Steve", getting the same generic emails over and over vs. getting an email about a page you just read, etc.)
How do you it?
How do you go beyond first names?
What is customer segmentation? (i.e. different approaches for reaching out to an industrial painting business audience vs. a residential painting business audience, etc.)
What are some software/tools that can help you personalize your brand and marketing strategy?
How much does it cost?
Can you do it yourself?

For more information on the tools and resources mentioned in this episode, please visit:
SearchPrimer: https://www.searchprimer.com/

In this episode, Michael and Chris talk about Video SEO. What is it, and how do you optimize your YouTube videos to be discovered by new customers? Grow Your Painting Business is a free podcast from SearchPrimer.com.

In this episode, we cover:
What is video SEO?
Why is video key to marketing your business?
What are some pitfalls to video SEO and how do you avoid them?
How do you brand your YouTube channel?
How do you craft your video content to your message?
What can you do to optimize every YouTube video?
What's the best way to promote video content?
For more information on the tools and resources mentioned in this episode, please visit:
SearchPrimer: https://www.searchprimer.com/

In this episode, Michael and Chris talk about how your website helps you market your painting or trade business. Learn the must-have elements for an effective website to keep people engaged and turn clicks into customers. Grow Your Painting Business is a free podcast from SearchPrimer.com.

In this episode, we cover:
Why does your website need to be fast for mobile users?
How can you better focus your lead capture forms?
Are your visuals strong enough to sell your work?
Can a smartphone user use your site easily?
What should go where on your homepage?
Is your website content something customers value?
For more information on the tools and resources mentioned in this episode, please visit:
SearchPrimer: https://www.searchprimer.com
Google Page Speed Insights:
https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/

In this episode, Michael and Chris talk with Bob Alesio talk about video advertising. Learn about pay-per-view (PPV) ads, and how to configure your campaign to get the best results for your painting or trade business. Grow Your Painting Business is a free podcast from SearchPrimer.com.

In this episode, we cover:
What is pay-per-view (PPV) advertising?
Why is PPV a good investment for customer engagement?
How does remarketing work with video ads?
How can you configure a video ad campaign for success?
How does video work with the rest of your advertising strategy?
Can you do video advertising on a budget?
How does video help you get the right customers?
For more information on the tools and resources mentioned in this episode, please visit:
SearchPrimer: https://www.searchprimer.com
Industrial Clicks: https://www.industrialclicks.com
How to Create Video Ads on YouTube— Google Ads https://ads.google.com/intl/en_us/home/campaigns/video-ads/

In this episode, Michael and Chris talk with Bob Alesio talk about paid search advertising, and how to use pay-per-click to build your painting business. Learn what makes it cost effective, and how PPC campaigns work. Grow Your Painting Business is a free podcast from SearchPrimer.com.

In this episode, we cover:
What's the difference between paid search and organic traffic?
What are the main Pay-Per-Click (PPC) format?
How does Pay-Per-Click (PPC) work? How does it show up on Google results?
How do agency experts build a PPC campaign?
Can you do PPC on your own?
How much should you budget for PPC?
How do Google and PPC agencies ensure PPC is fair and cost-effective?

For more information on the tools and resources mentioned in this episode, please visit:

SearchPrimer: https://www.searchprimer.com/

Industrial Clicks: https://www.industrialclicks.com/

Google Ads: https://www.ads.google.com/

A David Creation: https://www.adavidcreation.com

In this episode, Michael and Chris discuss blogging tips for painting companies that improve SEO, including: 

• Using products and services in your blogging strategy
• Generating topic ideas
• Structuring and format blogs for better SEO results
• Adding value for customers and potential clients
• Avoiding common mistakes

In this episode, Michael and Chris talk about online reviews and how localized business listings like Google My Business can help boost your rankings and improve the reputation and online ranking of your painting business.

Grow Your Painting Business is a free podcast from SearchPrimer.com

In this episode, we cover:

• What is Google My Business?
• Why does it matter for online reviews? How can it help your search rankings?
• How do you claim and optimize your listing?

For more information on the tools and resources mentioned in this episode, please visit:

https://www.searchprimer.com/

https://www.google.com/business/

Hubspot's Ultimate Guide to Google My Business https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/google-my-business

In this episode, Michael and Chris talk about how to decide if you really need a new website for your painting business. How do you make an informed choice? What are some good reasons to redesign your website and some poor reasons you shouldn't fall for.

Grow Your Painting Business is a free podcast from SearchPrimer.com

In this episode, Michael and Chris talk about how to decide if you really need a new website for your painting business. How do you make an informed choice? What are some good reasons to redesign your website and some poor reasons you shouldn't fall for.

Grow Your Painting Business is a free podcast from SearchPrimer.com

In this episode, Michael and Chris talk about how to decide if you really need a new website for your painting business. How do you make an informed choice? What are some good reasons to redesign your website and some poor reasons you shouldn't fall for.

Grow Your Painting Business is a free podcast from SearchPrimer.com

In this episode, Michael and Chris talk about what painting businesses and contractors should expect from a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) vendor. Learn what matters when hiring an SEO company, and how it can help your business.

Grow Your Painting Business is a free podcast from SearchPrimer.com

In this episode we cover:

• What is SEO?
• How does working with an SEO company helps your business?
• What insights can they give you?
• Myths and truths about what's important in an SEO company
• Realistic expectations for your working relationship— and your ROI

For more information on the tools and resources mentioned in this episode, please visit: SearchPrimer: https://www.searchprimer.com/

In this episode, Michael and Chris talk about what painting businesses and contractors should expect from a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) vendor. Learn what matters when hiring an SEO company, and how it can help your business.

Grow Your Painting Business is a free podcast from SearchPrimer.com

In this episode we cover:

• What is SEO?
• How does working with an SEO company helps your business?
• What insights can they give you?
• Myths and truths about what's important in an SEO company
• Realistic expectations for your working relationship— and your ROI

For more information on the tools and resources mentioned in this episode, please visit: SearchPrimer: https://www.searchprimer.com/

In this episode, Michael and Chris talk about the page loading speed: why is it so important for B2B sales? What changes has Google implemented regarding page speed that could affect how your business site performs? There are things you can do to test and improve pagespeed, starting right now.

Grow Your Painting Business is a free podcast from SearchPrimer.com.

• In this episode, we answer some important questions:
• What is Pagespeed?
• Why is it so important for B2B companies like painting and flooring contractors?
• What changes has Google made that could impact your site visibility?
• How can you identify page speed problems?
  What can you do to improve page speed and load times?

For more information on the tools and services referenced in this podcast, please visit:
SearchPrimer: https://www.searchprimer.com/
Google Page Speed Tester: https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/

In this episode, Michael and Chris talk again with David Chism from A David Creation, an expert marketer for commercial and residential painters about how to navigate the transition from residential to commercial painting. What are some of the pitfalls to avoid? What are some opportunities to grow your business and reputation?

Grow Your Painting Business is a free podcast from SearchPrimer.com.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

If you're considering adding commercial painting to your services, here are some things to think about:
- Billing/Payment Structure
- Staffing Needs/Infrastructure
- Timeframe/Expectations by Industry

When it comes to marketing as you expand your services:
-What do you want to be best at?
-How are you sharing what you can do across your marketing channels?
-How do the most successful painters navigate this transition? How do they do both well?

For more information on the tools and services referenced in this podcast, please visit:

Search Primer: https://www.searchprimer.com/

And a special thanks to our guest David Chism from A David Creation. https://www.adavidcreation.com/ 

In this episode, Michael and Chris talk with David Chism, of A David Creation, about the nuts and bolts of keeping sales leads coming in and keeping jobs lined up, even through the seasonal dips. We talk about what works both online and offline, not just making the phone ring with new jobs, but to nurture your current clients for repeat business and great referrals.   Grow Your Painting Business is a free podcast from SearchPrimer.com.

In part four of this four-part series, we cover offsite factors that impact your well your business appears in search engines results pages. Discover why reviews, inbound links, and social media and profiles help you grow your domain authority to rank higher than your competition.

• Respect-driven vs. action-oriented marketing
• Avoiding friction by marketing to humans (on desktop and mobile)
• How to avoid "burying the lead" so customers stay interested
• 3 Landing page best practices for engagement and lead generation

• https://www.searchprimer.com/
• https://www.nashpainting.com/
• https://www.adavidcreation.com/
• Robert Cialdini (Influence), https://tinyurl.com/r2lvtr5

Next in our four-part series on gaining more leads from search engines, now we look at website architecture. Here's what you need to know about how search engines see the structure of your website. Join us as we cover site structure, mobile friendliness, page load time, dwell time, readability, keyword-rich URLs, and your sitemap and robots.txt files.

Dig deeper into gaining more leads from search engines in the second of our four-part series. In this episode, Michael and Chris cover best practices in search engine marketing including images, image alt text and file names, meta descriptions, title tags, headings, retiring content, external links, and localization of your content and website. Grow Your Painting Business is a free podcast from SearchPrimer.com.

Learn how to get more leads from Google and other search engines. In this four-part series, Michael and Chris will dig into the best practices for marketing your painting business in local search results pages. In this episode we cover keyword research, content, titles, your first paragraph, and article length. Grow Your Painting Business is a free podcast from SearchPrimer.com.

• Google's algorithm and the evolution of search advertising
• How Google algorithm changes—and new priorities like voice search—impact your marketing
• Why continuing to learn about and try new SEO tactics is a good investment in the future of your business

• https://www.searchprimer.com/
• https://search.google.com/search-console/about

In part 3 of our series on increasing website conversions. Michael and Chris discuss how SEO tools and website launch strategy impact website conversion optimization. This episode covers:

- How CMS could affect conversions 
- How to build conversions into your SEO strategy
- What to do before and after website launch to get more conversions from the start
- Why website security matters for conversions

For more information on the tools and techniques in this episode, please visit:
https://www.searchprimer.com/
https://www.craftcms.com/
https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/
https://search.google.com/search-console/about

In part 2 of our series on increasing website conversions, we dive into technical standards proven to convert. Michael and Chris discuss:

• How to better design a website for conversion
• How to choose a hosting service that helps you convert
• Simple steps that help more mobile users convert

For more information on the tools and techniques discussed in this episode, please visit:

https://www.searchrprimer.com/

• Why page speed is so important
• Where to put CTA and other action-oriented tools on your website
• How live chat can help
• How to tie content and SEO into your conversion strategy

In this episode, Michael, Chris, and Beth discuss content marketing for your painting business:

• Why do you need a writer to help create content?
• Are you presenting your content in a way that connects with your target audience?
• How can an editorial schedule help you set a pace for content production?

For more information on the tools and techniques discussed in this episode, please visit http://www.searchprimer.com/.