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Embrace Powerful Women in the Workforce This International Women’s Day

Today, March 8, 2017, we celebrate International Women’s Day. This celebration started in 1909 to pay honor to the International Ladies Garment Workers’ Union strike of more than 20,000 workers fighting for fair pay and safe working conditions. Over the years, we have certainly reached many important accomplishments for women. When we acknowledge International Women’s Day, we’re paying tribute to women throughout history who have fought against a discriminatory majority. These women have set an example for their kids and have broken rules rather than break their values. Today, we celebrate mothers, writers, scientists, daughters, coders, students, activists, and sisters.

But we do more than just celebrate our female mentors and historical figures. We also acknowledge that we still have work to do. We still have rules to break and statistics to change in order to stand up for the things we value most. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, a typical woman working full-time all year in the United States in 2014 earned only 79 cents for every dollar earned by the average man working full-time all year. The pay gap becomes even greater for African American women who earned only 64 cents for every dollar earned by a white non-Hispanic man and only 56 cents for every Latina woman working full-time.

While the pay gap persists, women are also persisting at a rapid pace. This is especially true in the tech industry. By 2024, the National Center for Women and Information Technology predicts that there will be 1.1 million computer-related job openings expected in the United States. With 57 percent of 2014 female bachelor’s degree recipients and 56 percent of women in 2015 taking Advanced Placement (AP) tests, women are leaning in and hungry for more.

At Search Influence, we owe much of our success to the hardworking women on our team. Our staff is comprised of 70 percent women, and 66 percent of our senior management team is female. Additionally, the company’s co-founder and Chief Operations Officer, Angie Scott, remains a passionate advocate for women in the workforce.

“I truly enjoy being a working mom and want the other women that are out there that have the same feelings to be comfortable that they can do it all. We all know that moms are serious, playful, organized, and in charge—isn’t that who you want to be in the workforce with!” said Scott.

Since the company’s start in 2006, Angie Scott, in conjunction with co-founder and husband Will Scott, has fought to create a company culture built on equality and accommodation for working parents. The company offers a private breastfeeding room in the office for new mothers and allows for flexible working schedules when parental responsibilities come up.

“Search Influence supported me 100 percent through my transition to motherhood,” said Erica Salm Rench, Production Manager at Search Influence. “I was able to balance work and family during those first critical weeks and months that I transitioned back into working life. I also nursed my baby for 14 months and visited (still visit) him regularly at his school, which is just a few blocks away.”

Unfortunately, we still have more work to do in our industry and in our home state of Louisiana. The average overall for women working in the technology industry sits at only around the 20 percent mark. Additionally, according to a recent analysis from WalletHub, Louisiana was ranked 48th for working moms, based on key metrics like accessibility and cost of child care, percentage of families in poverty, female unemployment rate, average length of workweek, and more.

Still, we persist. We look to positive trends in the workforce that show signs of a changing environment, like a 2016 survey from Thumbtack Journal of 20,557 female entrepreneurs across the country that ranks Louisiana 7th in the country for women starting their own businesses. Moreover, the study found that women in the South are optimistic about their professional opportunities. 21 percent of women surveyed in Louisiana believe that the local government does enough to support small businesses owned and operated by women.

We also look internally, at our own powerful and passionate female co-workers, like Alison Zeringue and Paula Keller Scott, accomplishing great things. From becoming a new mother to building our sales team from the ground up, the women at Search Influence and in New Orleans are accomplishing important, meaningful work.

“You have to wake up each day believing it will all happen, it will be ok, and that you can take on anything, and then, just do it,” said Scott.

So, this International Women’s Day we hope to ignite both optimism and passion in our community. We remember that the juggling act of motherhood and career is not so much about balancing as it is about embracing. Embracing the mess, embracing the obstacles, and embracing each other. Scott has learned this firsthand during her career.

“I blend my balance—work comes home, family comes to work (literally…remember, I co-own this business with my husband), and I don’t cut off either one just because my environment is changed,” added Angie. “In other words, if my kids have to hear about something I am challenged with or am updating my husband on regarding work, then so be it. I think it will make them a better business person when they grow up!”

March 8, 2017
Meet Angie Scott, Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer, Search Influence

This blog is part of a series Search Influence is doing in anticipation of International Women’s Day on March 8th. We love to tout that 70% of our staff members are women and 66% of our senior management team are women, too. Far above the 20% average seen in the technology industry.

As the Chief Operations Officer and co-founder of Search Influence, Angie Scott can’t help but laugh at the idea of a typical day at the office. Each day brings a distinct set of challenges to tackle. Since the company’s founding 11 years ago, Angie has grown quite comfortable with a constantly changing schedule and to-do list.

“The thing I love about my day is that there is no such thing as a typical day,” explained Angie. “[It] could be anything from management of the company and teams in general, to negotiating with partners and vendors to overseeing Accounting and HR.” It’s not uncommon for her work days to extend into the p.m. as she works with her husband and Search Influence co-founder, Will Scott, to hash out new solutions to make the business run more efficiently.

As a working mom, it’s vital to Angie that these solutions include creating a workplace environment where employees don’t have to choose between a career and parenting. As a result, Search Influence offers added flexibility for parents when the inevitable challenges come up. From leaving early to pick up a sick kid from school to having a comfortable and private area to breastfeed for new moms, the culture at Search Influence was built around the realities of parenthood.

“I truly enjoy being a working mom and want the other women that are out there that have the same feelings to be comfortable that they can do it all. We all know that moms are serious, playful, organized, and in charge—isn’t that who you want to be in the workforce with!” said Angie.

A big part of cultivating this environment is Angie’s honest approach to the “balancing act” of juggling motherhood and business. With so many moving parts, she has learned that the best approach to reducing stress is to simply embrace the natural ebb and flow of life rather than focusing too much on the perfect balance.

“You have to wake up each day believing it will all happen, it will be ok, and that you can take on anything, and then, just do it. I blend my balance—work comes home, family comes to work (literally…remember, I co-own this business with my husband), and I don’t cut off either one just because my environment is changed,” explained Angie. “In other words, if my kids have to hear about something I am challenged with or am updating my husband on regarding work, then so be it. I think it will make them a better business person when they grow up!”

Angie credits much of her inspiration and growth to her father. Growing up, she watched him work his way up from climbing poles with the local phone company to becoming the manager at CenturyTel for the entire state of Alabama.

“My dad not only told me to work hard but also showed me what that meant from a very young age,” said Angie. “By that, I don’t mean 12-hour days, seven days a week. What I mean is that he taught me to never give up, never hold back, and to do whatever it takes to succeed—all while having a great attitude, because he held his values very close.”

These values remain a big part of Angie’s driving force, both professionally and personally. Keeping family close, she hopes to pass on these same ideals to her children. With this in mind, she always makes time for quality, uninterrupted family activities, from a bike ride outside to just hanging out at home with a board game.

She offers this same advice to any working woman: “Life brings a lot of changes, but your family doesn’t change, so look to them for help, support, mentorship, and friendship.”

March 6, 2017
Meet Paula Keller French, Director of Sales & Marketing, Search Influence

This blog is part of a series Search Influence is doing in anticipation of International Women’s Day on March 8th. We love to tout that 70% of our staff members are women and 66% of our senior management team are women, too. Far above the 20% average seen in the technology industry.

With a degree in marketing from E. J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University, Paula Keller French has always been big on planning ahead. Now, as the Director of Sales & Marketing with Search Influence and moving into her seventh year with the company, she eagerly stays focused on turning her plans into reality.

“Currently, my priority is creating our sales department from the ground up, including creating processes and training, coaching our new team, and hiring new sales executives,” said Paula. “My team’s goal is to play online marketing matchmaker by identifying the right marketing solutions to match business goals to help companies in almost any industry optimize their potential, with a heavy hand in medical, legal, tourism, manufacturing, and home services.”

Paula plays a key role in this transition. With her leadership, the sales team has experienced steady, strategic growth already this year. In the midst of this major project, she also just returned from speaking at two conferences on the West Coast.

“I love telling others about the great results you can achieve for clients with online marketing,” she explained.

Amidst all of these moving parts in her career, Paula still makes time for the important life moments. Another credit to her ability to plan ahead, she also relies on supportive friends and family to keep the scales balanced.

“When we have an invite on the table, I try to always say yes, even if that means I need to jet from the office at five every once and awhile,” she said. “If I plan ahead on my work, then those days are not usually a problem. I don’t mind doing some work on a free weekend if it means I get to take advantage of midweek fun!”

For Paula, fun usually consists of cooking and cocktails or getting out for a spin class or tennis game. Of course, as a newlywed, she also enjoys spending a free afternoon with her husband, Brent, most likely sipping white wine, eating boiled shrimp, and taking in views of Lake Pontchartrain. Family and friends always stay at the top of Paula’s priority list. In fact, she attributes a lot of her motivation and influence to her two sisters, Antonia and Alison, as well as her mom.

“Most prominently, they taught me to be positive and kind towards loved ones and strangers alike,” she said. “I’ll always remember my mom baking pies for the team at the tire repair shop for Christmas 2005, when she became a way-too-regular customer as a result of all the construction debris in the streets post-K. I was amazed at how much she went out of her way to thank them!”

Paula holds her relationships with her friends nearly as close. With a best friend she’s had since she was five years old, she remains thankful for the influx of supportive women in her life both personally and professionally. In fact, those relationships have had a tremendous impact on her identity today. So what would she tell a younger version of herself looking back?

“Keep up with your friends and don’t let anything come between you. I’ve had some fantastic friends over the years that I’ve lost touch with, from neighborhood buds to schoolmates. I would tell 8-year-old Paula to hold on to them and keep pushing to maintain that relationship.”

March 1, 2017
Meet Erica Salm Rench, Production Manager

This blog is part of a series Search Influence is doing in anticipation of International Women’s Day on March 8th. We love to tout that 70% of our staff members are women and 66% of our senior management team are women, too. Far above the 20% average seen in the technology industry.

After working in a full-time position, simultaneously earning an MBA from Tulane at night, and planning her wedding in the course of two years, it would be an understatement to say that Erica Salm Rench is a master of multitasking. Now, in her third year as the Production Manager for Search Influence and a working mom, she continues powering forward at rapid pace, both professionally and personally.

“Back then, I still felt like I had more ‘spare’ time than I do now as a working mom. Motherhood changes the game,” she explains, describing the time she gets to spend with her 2-year-old son, Ricky. “The time between picking up Ricky from school and before his bedtime is pretty sacred to me; then, I take the opportunity to catch up on work odds and ends post-Ricky’s bedtime when the need arises.”

Now pregnant with her second child, Erica can’t imagine a day leaving the house without her phone and diapers in hand. She is thankful to work in a supportive environment and that Search Influence allows her to reach her professional goals without sacrificing her commitment to family.

“Search Influence supported me 100 percent through my transition to motherhood. I was able to balance work and family during those first critical weeks and months that I transitioned back into working life. I also nursed my baby for 14 months and visited (still visit) him regularly at his school, which is just a few blocks away,” she said.

Along with supportive family, including her husband, Tyler, Erica also attributes her professional motivation to a true pioneer, Sheryl Sandberg.

“I love that [she] started such a relevant conversation about women in the workforce. She takes workforce equality a step further by encouraging women to take matters into their own hands by way of encouraging an understanding of why climbing the corporate ladder might look a little different for a woman, and empowering women to leverage the strengths of our gender,” reflected Erica.

In her role as Production Manager, Erica hopes to embody Sandberg’s message. As the department lead, she oversees more than 30 employees within the company, while also managing projects, setting production goals, and keeping the pulse on team initiatives. Every day brings a new set of challenges and engagements, which is what Erica enjoys most about her job.

With all of this on her plate, she always keeps a positive outlook, reflecting on some of the most simple yet powerful advice she’s received: “Envision what you want to achieve and where you want to be, then execute.”

When she’s not busy at work and being a mom, she still manages to sneak in the occasional downtime for hobbies, from running and spinning to painting and crafts. Remembering a time pre-pregnancy, she also can’t resist a good meal with friends and family—especially if it included sushi, wine, and soft cheeses! And of course, as a child of the ‘80s, it would all be topped off with the perfect Madonna track, “Vogue.”

February 23, 2017
Meet Alison Zeringue, Director of Account Management, Search Influence

This blog is part of a series Search Influence is doing in anticipation of International Women’s Day on March 8th. We love to tout that 70% of our staff members are women and 66% of our senior management team are women, too. Far above the 20% average seen in the technology industry.

Since her start in 2011, Alison Zeringue has played a key role within the Account Management department at Search Influence. Before her start at Search Influence, she earned her B.A. in Communication from LSU and worked at a nonprofit called Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana, a cause for which she remains a passionate advocate.

Now, as the Director of Account Management, she continues to provide vital support to her team and the growth of the company. Her days at the office start early with some peaceful preparation before she leads the department morning meetings.

“I’m typically at my most productive and creative in the mornings, so I use that uninterrupted time to work on large projects that require big picture thinking, strategic planning, etc.” she said.

Once her workday ends, she is usually dancing, baking, or crafting. She also loves spending time with friends and family, and she credits her dedication and drive to her biggest supporter—her mom.

“The person I admire most is my mom. She is an incredibly strong person who’s been through a lot in her life, but she remains the anchor, holding our family together! She had a successful career as a nurse, is the mother of five children, has demonstrated what a successful marriage looks like, and meanwhile, has been the caretaker for family members in need of care,” she said.

A new mom herself, Alison can see firsthand just how hard her mom worked. Along with her family, she is happy to have great inspiration at Search Influence, watching her co-workers master motherhood and careers.

“I anticipate it being challenging, but judging from the great examples set by my kickass coworkers who are also moms, I believe Search Influence will be supportive of my personal and professional goals—just as they are now!” said Alison.

To balance the work/life routine, while also juggling first-time pregnancy, Alison always tries to make time for some zen when she leaves the office. While she knows that the “perfect balance” isn’t always attainable, she relies on the support of family and co-workers to make it through the give and take.

“I balance work and life by fully unplugging when I can, rather than trying to stay connected 24/7,” she said. “In order to do that, you need a personal productivity method and to understand your own habits and traits, like when you are most productive, so that you can prioritize appropriately. It doesn’t always work out quite that seamlessly, of course, so I have a home office setup, which helps me to get some privacy and focus when I need to put in some extra hours from home.”

Of course, the occasional spa day always helps her unwind, too. Especially as the baby bump makes toe touches pretty much impossible, she’s eager to get one last pedicure in before the big arrival day. As she prepares for the next phase in her life, it’s the perfect time to reflect on her biggest life lessons thus far. So just what would she tell her 8-year-old-self today?

“Keep being yourself, girl! Don’t be afraid to try new things—mayo is really not all that bad and, believe it or not, someday you’ll love brussel sprouts,” Alison reflected with a laugh. “Take risks every once in awhile and get into some more trouble!”

Speaking of spa days, do you know a hardworking woman like Alison that deserves recognition? Search Influence is giving away a day at the spa to the hardest working New Orleans woman. If you know an amazing woman who either owns her own business or works 40+ hours making a difference at a New Orleans business, please click here and nominate her. A winner will be announced on March 8th, International Women’s Day.

February 22, 2017
Freelance Friday: 8 Tips for Boosting Productivity When Working From Home

This blog is part of our Freelance Friday series, where we discuss everything and anything related to freelancing. If you are a freelance writer and are looking for additional work, consider applying at Search Influence.

Workforce productivity is a key metric tracked by most businesses. In an office setting, you can use innumerable tools to track productivity and often have at least one manager (if not multiple) on your back making sure your numbers are high.

But what about freelancers? By design, we all know there are more distractions and temptations at home than in the office. Without the structure, supervision, and accountability of office life, freelancers are vulnerable to diversion, lulls, and even apathy. Freedom and flexibility are the great advantages of freelancing, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of productivity.

So, how can you ensure that your productivity is maximized, even while working from home? It all boils down to this: Treat freelancing as you would any other office job. You have to manage yourself and your schedule effectively.

The fact of the matter is that freelancing full-time is a real job. You may think you already know this from experience, but unless you structure your daily schedule to mirror a normal job, it never truly will be.

Freedom and flexibility are the great advantages of freelancing, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of productivity. Change your mindset–doing this will ensure maximum productivity.

Here are 8 easy tips to boost productivity when working from home.

1. Create a dedicated workspace.

Working from the couch is just a distraction waiting to happen. Create a space specifically dedicated to working in your home, preferably an office. It certainly doesn’t have to be a cubicle, but rather, a comfortable, stress-free area where you can get work done and where others know you are working so that they do not disturb you.

2. Maintain a regular sleep schedule and get started early.

Getting an adequate night’s rest is important for everyone, freelancers included. Starting early kicks off your day on the right foot and will help you get more work done. Just because you work from home doesn’t mean you should stop mid-afternoon for a power nap. Get to bed early, wake up well-rested, and stay refreshed.

3. Shower and get dressed.

Rolling out of bed in your pajamas is fine for the weekend, but not for a workday. For most, a shower helps to wake you up and getting dressed puts you in the right mindset. Getting ready for work at home should be no different than getting ready for work at an office—at least the commute is shorter.

4. Structure your day into attainable blocks.

We all like accomplishing things, especially small, work-related goals. If you structure your day into blocks dedicated to a specific task, you can move seamlessly from one to the next and still get a feeling of accomplishment after completing each step. This way you can also hold yourself accountable and monitor your progress more efficiently. Scheduling and organization are a must!

5. Take regular breaks, but limit them.

Regular breaks to stretch, clear your head, or eat lunch, can recharge you and promote better work afterward. There is a reason why companies are legally obligated to give their employees breaks. You—as a company of one—are entitled to those same mental and physical health benefits. But as both the employee and boss, you have to make sure that time is used effectively. Taking a nap or running errands for extended periods of time are not efficient breaks.

6. Avoid distractions.

Admittedly, this may be the toughest one to accomplish. Distractions are everywhere at home. From TV and social media to the dishes and laundry, there is a never-ending list of things that seem more important or fun than doing your work. This is where discipline and accountability play a major role. Unplug the TV, download an app that limits your social media usage, and know that household chores can be done at more appropriate times (but let’s be honest, you weren’t really going to do the dishes or fold the laundry, were you?).

7. Set a clear end time.

You may not officially work from 9–5, but quitting time is important nonetheless. When working from home, it is easy for your work life and personal to blend, but having a firm start and end time will go a long way in preventing this. Knowing that you are stopping at a certain time, will encourage you to get the work completed in time so that you are not forced to work “overtime” (without the time and half pay). Making plans after work is a great way to make sure you stick to this.

8. Communicate expectations with anyone who will be home with you.

Though freelancers may typically work alone, that doesn’t mean they live alone. Whether it is a roommate or a family member, make sure they are aware that you are working and should not be disturbed. Ultimately, it is on you to ensure that others respect your work schedule. To do this, you have to respect it first. Set aside your personal life when working from home and maintain your productivity.

January 27, 2017
Two Days of Local Brilliance at LocalU Advanced and MozCon Local Conference Today

Next month, a two-day event filled with local search marketing goodness is coming to Seattle: LocalU Advanced on Monday, February 27th, and MozCon Local on Tuesday, February 28th.

Online marketing experts from across the country will drop serious knowledge featuring tips and tricks to build your SEO success maximizing local search ranking factors. In addition to the knowledge, there will be fantastic networking opportunities throughout.

The Program

Through informative presentation and discussion, LocalU Advanced aims to help marketing professionals with tactical advice they can use on day one. LocalU conferences focus on adding skills to their attendees’ online marketing toolboxes, including advice on how to increase engagement and customer loyalty. The sessions will offer up-to-date information on local search best practices, tracking and reporting and managing business listings.

The Speakers

Some of the biggest names in Local Search, including Mike Blumenthal, Mary Bowling, Mike Ramsey and more will be sharing their vast knowledge. Search Influence’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Paula Keller French, will speak at Monday’s event, discussing the importance of content in SEO. Paula will also co-present a real-life competitive analysis sure to educate by example. LocalU Advanced will also include a representative from Google My Business to answer questions and to help resolve issues that businesses may be facing.

Sign Up Today

These events will provide ample opportunity to meet others in the industry, engage in valuable learning discussion, and unwind. With plenty of time for Q&A and advice on building your company’s online visibility from search marketing experts, these events are not to be missed!

Register to attend here.

January 24, 2017
Top 10 Search Influence Blogs of 2016

The year 2016 was filled with memes, the Olympics, superhero movies, and the election. You can bet, with over 46% of people now online worldwide, there were plenty of changes to online marketing, too. If you haven’t kept up, here are the top 10 blogs of 2016 to make sure your business is poised for the #bestyearever.

1. What Happened to Facebook’s 20% Text Grid Tool?

Our Internet Marketing Team Lead, Michelle Neuhoff Boyd, created this informative blog post that eased the confusion of Facebook’s 20% text grid tool. Find out how this new rule may affect your business.

2. An Update: How to Get Rich (Answers, That Is) with Google

Not rich with money, but with Google. Over the years, Google has changed their algorithm, and our team at Search Influence is making sure to stay on top of every change. Read this post from 2015 to learn more about rich answers.

3. Getting Hands on With the New Google My Business

Having a hard time understanding the new Google My Business? This engaging blog post can clear up any confusion on listings, editing, and more.

4. Three Top Picks for The Big Idea at New Orleans Entrepreneur Week

During New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, The Big Idea picked 10 entrepreneurs’ ideas in front of a large crowd, and everyone got to vote their favorite. See the top three picks that Paula Keller, our director of sales and marketing, enjoyed the most by reading this post.

5. Email Marketing for Small Business: 9 Things Not to Do

Find out how not to email your customers when just starting your business. Originally published in 2010 by a Search Influence Alumni, read all about effective email marketing.

6. A Dentist’s Guide for Choosing Target Audiences on Facebook

Ever wondered how to market your dentistry on Facebook? This guide will help you understand the most successful dental campaigns in the industry. You’ll know what age group and interests to target.

7. Should You Be Using Google’s URL Shortener in Your Social Media Campaigns?

Are you still unsure if you should use Google’s URL shortener? This blog post talks about the benefits of using their shortener, such as the URL analytics, redirects, ease-of-use, and more.

8. Barnacle SEO – Local Search Engine Optimization for the Sam’s Club Crowd

Will Scott, CEO and co-founder at Search Influence, published this post back in 2011. Learn more about the term Barnacle SEO and which sites to trust for small businesses.

9. Nix the Wix SEO Challenge: Tips & Tricks

This post from 2015 helps you make the most out of your Wix website by guiding you on the meta tags updates, sharing your site on social media, making your site visual, and more.

10. 10 SEO Blogs You Should Be Following

Do you want to read reliable SEO blogs? Here’s a list of the most informative SEO blogs that Monica Shariffskul put together. Many of these are on my top list, too.

Be sure to subscribe to our Search Influence blog, and you’ll be the first to know when a new blog has been posted. Also, Happy New Year!

January 3, 2017
Search Influence Year in Review: Our Top 10 SEO Blog Posts of 2016

With this year drawing to a close, now is the time to reflect on the year and prepare for a successful and productive 2017. In keeping with this, we’ve highlighted our top SEO blog posts of 2016 to get you extra pumped for your New Year’s re-SEO-lutions.

1. An Update: How to Get Rich (Answers, That Is) With Google

In 2016, it’s estimated that approximately 40 percent of queries on Google resulted in “Rich Answers.” So what are these Rich Answers, and how can your website get selected for a Rich Answer on Google’s search engine results page (SERP)? This updated post gives you all the details.

2. Barnacle SEO – Local Search Engine Optimization for the Sam’s Club Crowd

For small businesses with small budgets, the “Barnacle SEO” approach may have big payoffs. Learn how attaching yourself to the white whales of the SEO world can expose you to new markets and customers.

3. Nix the Wix SEO Challenge: Tips & Tricks

Sure, Wix is the uber-easy-to-use, code-free web developing platform for dummies, but just how well do Wix sites get along with search engine optimization? Thanks to these quick tips and tricks, it’s easier than you may think for Wix sites to play nice with SEO.

4. 10 SEO Blogs You Should Be Following

Fancy yourself a true SEO connoisseur? This list outlines all the insider blogs you should be reading to stay up to date on the constantly changing world of search engine optimization. Hey, even if you’re new to the game, resources like the Google Blog and MOZ Blog provide a plethora of information to get started.

5. These 10 Expert Tips Will Drive Traffic to Your Business’s Website

Driving traffic to your website means driving sales for your business. Our in-house experts share their insights when it comes to getting people in the online door. Hint: If you’re promoting on Facebook and publishing press releases, then you’re off to a good start.

6. 5 Tips to Improve Local Search Rankings Even If You Don’t Have a Physical Location

Many businesses are opting for prime real estate on the interweb instead of brick and mortar locations, but that doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice website optimization. Check out these five tips for increasing your ranking.

7. Google My Business for Doctors: Visibility, Authority, & SEO

Claiming or creating a Google My Business listing can have big search impacts for medical practices. Follow this step-by-step guide for single practitioner practices, multi-practitioner practices, and multi-location practices.

8. Local SEO: How to Clean up Citations for Better SERP Visibility

A citation is the presence of a business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) on any website. The consistency and accuracy of your NAP across sites will improve your local SEO rankings. Learn the four basic steps to complete an effective citation cleanup.

9. 12 Things You May Not Know About Online Marketing

Are you ready to be shocked and awed by the amazing (and hard to predict) world of online marketing? Here’s a list of some of the things that caught our Search Influence team members by surprise when they were rookies in the game.

10. The Importance of Content Marketing to Your SEO Strategy

Content marketing is the bread and butter of your SEO strategy and, in many ways, the success of your brand. Are you telling a relevant and compelling story about your business? Are you targeting the right audiences? This post will help you answer these important questions.

What better way to bring in the new year than with a new online marketing strategy? We hope these posts offer some helpful insights and maybe even a little motivation for a productive and optimized 2017.

December 21, 2016
Top 10 Search Influence Social Media Blogs of 2016

Everyone loves a good countdown list to finish up the year. We’ve had a lot to be proud of at Search Influence. Get cozy and check out our top 10 social media blogs from 2016!

#1. What Happened to Facebook’s 20% Text Grid Tool?

Originally published in March, this post is still holding on to its ranking as one of our most popular blogs ever! Learn how Facebook’s change to their text grid tool could affect the reach of your business’s ad campaign.

#2. A Dentist’s Guide for Choosing Target Audiences on Facebook

Facebook offers many different targeting options for campaigns. Did you know that one targeting parameter includes photo uploaders—Facebook users who have posted more than 50 photos in the last month? What better audience for a dentist to target than users making sure their pearly whites are perfect for their selfies?

#3. Should You Be Using Google’s URL Shortener in Your Social Media Campaigns?

This post from Shane Kretzmann continues to be one of our more popular blogs. He covers the benefits of using Google as your URL shortening service, like proper redirects and analytics data.

#4. These 10 Expert Tips Will Drive Traffic to Your Business’s Website

From schema markup to video syndication to press release publication, this post shares 10 valuable tips to help you increase your site’s traffic in no time.

#5. Should Each Franchise Location Have a Separate Facebook Page?

According to a study performed by Hubspot, 95% of Millennials expect brands to have a Facebook presence! Learn about questions a franchise should consider before deciding on its Facebook strategy, like varying components based on location, whether or not the majority of your consumers are on Facebook, and company culture.

#6. Learn How to Create a Snapchat On-Demand Geofilter to Boost Your Next Event

Back in February, Snapchat announced that users could create On-Demand Geofilters for any event for a fee as low as $5. This post covers the simple process of designing and setting up the filter for your next event or party.

#7. 4 Tips to Start Your Black Friday Social Media Strategy

These social media strategy tips can help businesses boost online and in-store sales all year long as well as during Black Friday. Check out some of the advice, like knowing when to start your messaging (hint: earlier is always better).

#8. Why Social Media is Critical for the Growth of Your Business

More small businesses are investing in social media, and for good reason—their customers are already savvy users. This interesting post covers topics like knowing exactly when to post. Thursdays and Fridays from 1 p.m.–4 p.m. result in 18% higher engagement!

#9. 5 Medical Practices Effectively Using Instagram

Doctors: is your social media strategy healthy? These 5 medical practices have been using Instagram to generate more traffic to their site and stimulate user engagement. Instagram is on the rise—users are nearly 60 times more likely to share an image than those on Facebook.

#10. 5 Things Healthcare Professionals Should Never Post on Social Media

New to social media at your practice? This post from February covers pitfalls to avoid, like doctor-patient confidentiality, misleading information, and the all-too-common Facebook rant or complaint.

December 20, 2016