I’m introducing an exclusive (and free) offer for Marketing By One subscribers. It happens next month, but you can register today. Just scroll down to the Marketing Minute.

I’d love it if you could forward this email to a friend who's in business and interested in content to help their marketing. I would appreciate it. And if you’re that friend? Subscribe today.

— Ann Gynn

🟩 ATTRACT → 🟧 convert → ⬜ retain → ⬛ amplify

I keep hearing I need to claim my Google Business Profile, but isn’t that for restaurants and retail shops with brick-and-mortar locations? Since I usually work from home, do I really need it?

Claim it if you can. Google puts parameters around eligible businesses. While the profiles aren’t limited to retail outlets, they are designed for businesses that have in-person contact.

So, if you ever meet clients at their sites, you will likely qualify. Google calls this a service-area business — you serve customers at their locations rather than your own. If you never meet clients in person, you’re considered an online-only business and won’t qualify.

You may be able to get around the requirements, but be careful. If Google determines your business is ineligible, it can suspend your profile — and you'll lose your reviews along with it. 

More info: Google’s Business and Ownership Guidelines

As a service-area business, you don’t need to post a street address publicly. You must provide your home address for verification. Then, list the cities or regions you serve.

Go to this Google page to add or claim your business. Fill out each item completely. Pay particular attention to your description. It’s the chance to position your business for people who may be searching for someone to help address their pain points. Also, include your typical business hours and add a phone number to the contact info along with any other ways to reach you. Make it as easy as possible to get in touch with you.

To present a professional appearance and to limit spam call disruptions, I added a second line to my cell phone plan. While my clients know to call or text my primary line, prospects can call the publicly promoted business line. They’ll hear my business-only voice mail message and their message will give me context that makes my follow-up call more targeted.

Business profiles include not only the information you provide but Google reviews provided by your customers. So, ask clients for reviews and share the direct link. Reviews can do a lot more for your brand’s credibility than any well-written description.

A caveat to review requests: If a client gives a review, respond to it and note it in your database, so you don’t ask them again.

More info: Let Customers Do the Selling (the No. 2 tip with helpful resources)

One more thing: Don’t publish your profile and forget it. Take advantage of Google’s update feature. Post short updates to your profile — a tip, a webinar announcement, a template, etc. Each one is publicly visible and shows a timestamp, indicating to viewers that yours is an active business. 

Well, one more thing: Darren Shaw reports that Google is rolling out a feature that lets business owners use Gemini to help create their business page.

Got a question you’d like me to answer in a future edition of The Hotline? Call or text Marketing By One Hotline: +1.440.661.3984.

This week: If you meet clients in person, claim your Google Business Profile this week. Set it up completely. Then send one past client the direct link to leave a review.

I wanted to test the Beautiful AI slide deck tool. The annual cost was higher than I wanted to pay (what isn’t?!). My Capital One add-on for discount searches didn’t turn anything up. So I did an AI search for codes and found one for 59% off the annual price. I’ll let you know how the AI slide tool does in the coming weeks.

Have any AI tricks of your own? Hit reply, call, or text the Marketing By One Hotline: +1.440.661.3984.

Want help creating or updating your marketing strategy? Join me at noon on Tuesday, July 14. In 60 minutes, I’ll walk you through the steps to create a one-page roadmap that simplifies your marketing and amplifies your limited resources. Limited seats available. Register today!

🤝 Gathering place: LinkedIn opened a creator marketplace for brands and creators to connect. Lindsey Gamble says creators who opt in can showcase up to eight posts, specify how brands can reach them, and control permissions for how their content is used in Thought Leader Ads. 

🚫 Zero clicks: A Sparktoro analysis finds 68% of Google searches end without a click. What’s your marketing plan for a world without search referral traffic?

🧩 Mix it up: Instagram now lets users reconfigure their nine-tile walls. Make sure to prioritize your best and most engaging posts.

Not a subscriber? Join the Marketing By One community today. Sign up for the free weekly newsletter!

Got a question you’d like me to answer in The Hotline? Email me or DM me on LinkedIn. Even better: Text or leave a message on the Marketing By One Hotline: +1.440.661.3984.