Getting people to talk about your business is like starting a campfire. You don't just throw a match at a giant log. You start with small twigs and blow on the flames until the whole neighborhood sees the glow. Most business owners wait for the phone to ring. But winners create "noise" that the world cannot ignore. When you get mentioned on a news site or a popular blog, Google sees that "link" as a vote of confidence. The more votes you have, the higher you climb.
Key Takeaways
Be the Helper: Solve a local problem to get the media’s attention.
Data is King: Share interesting facts about your industry to become an expert.
Engage the "Big Fish": Partner with local leaders to spread your message.
Consistency Wins: One post is a spark; daily action is a wildfire.
The Hero’s Journey: From Invisible to Iconic
Meet Maria. She owns a small landscaping company. No one was visiting her website. She decided to stop acting like a salesperson and started acting like a neighbor. She spent one Saturday cleaning up a local park that had been neglected. She took a 30-second video of the "Before and After" and sent it to a local reporter with a short note: "Just wanted to make our town a little prettier for the kids."
The reporter didn't just write a story; they linked to Maria's website. Then, the local "Moms of the Neighborhood" Facebook group shared it. Because Maria did something worth talking about, she earned mentions that would have cost $5,000 in advertising. Now, when people search for "Landscaping near me," Maria is the first name they see.
How to Get Your Name in Lights: The Action Plan
To get mentioned in more places, you have to provide what I call "Social Currency." This is information so good that people feel smarter or kinder for sharing it.
1. The "Local Hero" Strategy
Reporters are always looking for "feel-good" stories. Don't email them asking for an ad. Email them about an event.
Example: A local pet shop hosts a "Cooling Station" for dogs during a heatwave.
The Result: The local TV station stops by for a 10-second clip. That clip lives on their website forever, giving you a powerful backlink.
2. Become the "Knowledge Source"
Google loves E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust). You can build this by sharing data.
Example: If you are a plumber, write a short report on "Why Our Town’s Hard Water is Ruining Your Dishwasher."
The Result: Local homeowners share it to warn their friends. You are no longer just a plumber; you are the town expert.
3. The "Help a Reporter Out" Trick
There are websites where journalists literally scream, "I need an expert to talk to!" By answering their questions, you can get mentioned in huge magazines like Forbes or your city's main newspaper.
How can I make my business show up in Google AI search results?
To show up in AI results, you must answer specific questions clearly on your website. Use simple headings like "How to..." or "What is..." and provide a direct answer in 50 words or less. AI engines like Gemini and ChatGPT look for clear, factual statements from trusted local experts.
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Statistics That Matter
Trust Factor: 70% of people will visit a business based on a recommendation from someone they don't even know (like an online review or news mention).
SEO Power: Businesses with a strong "backlink profile" (other sites talking about them) rank 3x higher than those without.
Social Proof: Content shared by employees or fans gets 8 times more engagement than content shared by the brand itself.
“Content is fire, social media is gasoline.” Jay Baer
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a backlink? A backlink is when another website has a clickable link that sends people to your website. Google sees this as a "referral." It tells Google you are a trusted source.
Do I need a PR agent to get mentioned? No. Most local news outlets prefer hearing directly from the business owner. A personal, honest email often works better than a fancy press release.
What if I get a bad mention or review? Don't panic. Respond kindly and solve the problem. A business that handles a mistake well actually builds more trust than a business that looks perfect.
Take Your Place at the Top
You don't have to be a giant corporation to have a giant voice. By using storytelling and being helpful, you can "earn" the attention of your entire city. Imagine your business being the one that everyone recommends because you were the one who stepped up. It’s time to stop being the best-kept secret and start being the brand that everyone knows.
I hope you enjoy reading this blog post. If you want to be our next success story, have my team do your marketing. Click here to book a call!
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