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Alex Genadinik

Most effective strategies to promote a local business. Stop wasting your time on strategies that don't work and begin getting clients.

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WHY I MADE THIS COURSE

Small business owners usually struggle with promoting their business. The first thing people usually think of for promotion are Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, fliers and business cards to promote their businesses. Those are fine, but there are so many other marketing strategies for local businesses that are more effective.  This course shows you those much more effective strategies.

Read more

Most effective strategies to promote a local business. Stop wasting your time on strategies that don't work and begin getting clients.

*  

WHY I MADE THIS COURSE

Small business owners usually struggle with promoting their business. The first thing people usually think of for promotion are Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, fliers and business cards to promote their businesses. Those are fine, but there are so many other marketing strategies for local businesses that are more effective.  This course shows you those much more effective strategies.

In addition to the course lectures, you get my help and advice. Students are able to start discussions and message me with private questions. I answer 99% of questions within 24 hours. I love helping students who take my courses and I look forward to helping you. 

BONUSES INCLUDED

* Lots of extra freebies, downloadable worksheets, and exercises to make the course more interactive and valuable

* My list of 50 business-success skills after you complete the course

* Be entered to get chosen for my student of the month status and have your business featured

 I answer 99% of student questions within 24 hours. Many students tell me that other instructors don't respond. Well, I do because

1) I care about my students.

2) I feel a responsibility to make sure that students get their money's worth from the course.

MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE

The local SEO course comes with an unconditional, Udemy-backed, 30-day money-back guarantee. This is not just a guarantee, it's my personal promise to you that I will go out of my way to help you succeed with local marketing just like I've done for thousands of my other students. 

Invest in your future. Enroll now.

Enroll now

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What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to your local marketing journey
Watch this first: Let's ease into what we are going to do
Google local search result template that we will dominate your competition
Read more
Google My Business Profile and the local 3-pack Google map rankings
Beginning to fill out your Google Business profile details
Private address in your Google My Business account
Filling out your Google My Business profile
Three pack ranking signals
Adding your first post to Google My Business
Town name in the Google business listing title
How to get reviews for your Google Business listing
Adding photos and videos to your Google Business profile
Answering reviews can help rankings and customer engagement
Adding your services and products
Social media and brand activity impacting your ranking
Student case study example of local business growth success
Analytics and what to do if you are not getting the calls
Running Google local ads and 3-pack ads
Advanced case study of the map ranking signals
Local SEO exercise
Local SEO exercise - answer
How to set up your local small business website
Local SEO and website creation introduction

In this section, I explain how to create a website for your local small business. In order to have a website, you need to choose a good domain name, so in this lecture, I explain how to find a good domain name for your business.

In this section I discuss how to create a WordPress website for your local small business by hiring freelancers from UpWork, or how to build your WordPress website on your own. Almost all small businesses need a website, and in this tutorial I explain how to get your own website in a few days cheaply or for free.

15 item checklist for increasing website conversion and visitor engagement
Example of a perfect local business website with all high conversion elements
First part of SEO: SEO introduction and keyword research
SEO section introduction
Google Keyword Research Tool
Keyword research example & getting you more comfortable exploring SEO keywords
Short tail keywords vs. long tail keywords
Local business keyword research example to get many more keywords
Voice SEO - latest trend in SEO and how it impacts keyword research
Latest SEO research for top ranking factors - links are extremely important
Second part of SEO: On-page SEO
On-page SEO introduction
WordPress Yoast plugin
Setting the title and description meta tags for your on-page SEO
Starting with creating backlinks for SEO (third part of SEO)
How to interlink your website's pages for SEO boost
Advanced on-page interlinking strategy to boost your SEO
Citations to start the process of ranking your site higher on Google search
Citations and brand mentions
Finding industry specific sites to get citations
Off page SEO and link-building
What makes a good backlink for SEO
Link-begging introduction. The brute-force approach that will never stop working
Getting links from friends and industry contacts
How to promote your business on the radio
How to rank (almost) any page in Google top 10
HARO for links and publicity
Webmaster tools to check search performance and crawling & indexing status
Disclaimer to this section in case you don't have a website
Setting up your Google Search Console, formerly known as Webmaster Tools
Creating your sitemap.xml
Submitting new URLs and checking for page status and indexing
What if your page doesn't get indexed by Google
Where your pages are ranking and page/query performance
Google Analytics 4
Introduction to Google Analytics 4
Diving a little deeper into Google Analytics 4
Setting up Google Analytics 4
How To Connect GA4 To Your Website Data Stream
Demo of Google Analytics 4 for a Google website and custom reports
How to use the Google Search Console and Google Analytics together
Creating your own promotional merchandise that also sells on Amazon and Etsy
Full Yelp setup and the model for working with other local directories
Local directory and Yelp section introduction
Yelp disclaimer
Registering your business on Yelp for business
Creating a great listing
Review management on Yelp - the way to rank organically on page 1
Finishing up your Yelp listing
How to get a lot of free ads
Setting up your Yelp ads
YouTube for local businesses

I might re-film this lecture in the near future to make it more practical. But for now, in this lecture I discuss the power of YouTube for local business marketing. I already covered this partially earlier in the course.

Did you realize that you can also rank YouTube videos in Google search? In fact, it is often much easier to get a video about your business to rank in Google search than it is for your website. In this tutorial I explain how to make a YouTube video rank in Google and do SEO for it on YouTube and Google SEO. A video can really boost your local small business marketing because videos can be very highly converting and easier to get views for that web pages.

Social media marketing for your local small business

We are starting a new section in our local business marketing course. This section is all about promoting your business on social media. Let's get started.

How to get higher social media post click-throughs by writing better headlines
Headline exercise
New Facebook feature: Now you can sell to local groups
How to start using local groups and Facebook marketplace
Joining a Facebook marketplace group
Why the next couple of videos look older
How to post your products
Sales results from my posting
Twitter marketing
Twitter marketing section introduction
Branding your Twitter page like a professional
What to do on Twitter on day 1
Twitter posting formula
Hashtag tutorial and an advanced hashtag marketing strategy
Make your own business hashtag
Business card marketing & business networking for your local business
Short pitch under 30 seconds

In this lecture I explain some proper and effective body language techniques for effective in person business networking to help you appear friendly and confident when you are out promoting your local business.

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Local Marketing 2025: Google My Business, SEO, Social Media with these activities:
Review SEO Fundamentals
Refresh your understanding of SEO principles to better grasp the local SEO strategies taught in the course.
Browse courses on Local SEO
Show steps
  • Read articles or watch videos explaining basic SEO concepts.
  • Take a short online quiz to test your knowledge.
  • Identify any knowledge gaps and focus on those areas.
Keyword Research Practice
Improve your keyword research skills by practicing with different local business niches.
Show steps
  • Select a local business niche.
  • Use keyword research tools to identify relevant keywords.
  • Analyze the keywords and prioritize them based on search volume and competition.
  • Repeat the process with different niches to improve your skills.
Read 'Local SEO Secrets' by Greg Gifford
Gain a deeper understanding of local SEO strategies and best practices.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Local SEO Secrets'.
  • Read the book, taking notes on key concepts and strategies.
  • Apply the book's recommendations to your own local marketing efforts.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Optimize a Google My Business Profile
Apply the course's teachings by optimizing a real Google My Business profile for a local business.
Show steps
  • Identify a local business that needs GMB optimization.
  • Claim or create a Google My Business profile for the business.
  • Optimize the profile based on the course's recommendations.
  • Track the profile's performance and make adjustments as needed.
Write a Blog Post on Local SEO
Solidify your understanding of local SEO by writing a blog post explaining key concepts and strategies.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific local SEO topic to focus on.
  • Research the topic and gather relevant information.
  • Write a clear and concise blog post explaining the topic.
  • Publish the blog post on your website or a relevant platform.
Read 'The Art of SEO' by Enge, Spencer, Stricchiola
Expand your knowledge of SEO beyond local strategies.
View The Art of SEO on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Art of SEO'.
  • Read the book, focusing on chapters relevant to local SEO.
  • Apply the book's recommendations to your local marketing efforts.
Local SEO Audit Report
Assess a local business's online presence and identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
  • Choose a local business to audit.
  • Analyze the business's website, Google My Business profile, and online citations.
  • Identify areas where the business can improve its local SEO.
  • Create a report summarizing your findings and recommendations.

Career center

Learners who complete Local Marketing 2025: Google My Business, SEO, Social Media will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Small Business Owner
As a Small Business Owner, you are responsible for all aspects of your business, including marketing. This course is tailored to Small Business Owners who want to promote their business effectively without wasting time on ineffective strategies. The course provides practical guidance on optimizing Google My Business, improving local SEO, and leveraging social media. It teaches you how to build a website, conduct keyword research, and manage your online reputation. This course gives small business owners the tools and knowledge to take control of their local marketing efforts and grow their business.
Local SEO Specialist
A Local SEO Specialist concentrates on optimizing online presence for businesses within a specific geographic area. This course directly addresses the core strategies needed for this role. The curriculum covers critical aspects of local SEO, such as dominating Google local search results, optimizing Google My Business profiles, and understanding local three pack ranking signals. Furthermore, the course helps Local SEO Specialists by examining how to get reviews for your Google Business listing and adding photos and videos, which enhances customer engagement. Learning to set up a local small business website, including choosing a domain name and building a WordPress site are also valuable skills taught by this course.
Google My Business Manager
The Google My Business Manager is responsible for optimizing and managing a business's profile on Google My Business. This course is particularly helpful for Google My Business Managers, as it provides specific guidance on optimizing Google My Business profiles to dominate the local three pack Google map rankings. You'll understand how to fill out business profile details, add posts, and manage reviews to enhance customer engagement. The course also covers adding services and products to the profile and the impact of social media activity on rankings. This course is a must for anyone looking to master Google My Business.
Digital Marketing Consultant
A Digital Marketing Consultant advises businesses on how to effectively use digital channels to reach their target audience. This course is valuable for Digital Marketing Consultants because it covers essential strategies for promoting local businesses online. It emphasizes effective marketing strategies beyond traditional methods like Instagram and Facebook. The course helps consultants provide better advice through its coverage of Google My Business optimization, SEO, social media marketing, and website development. The insights into local search result templates, keyword research, and website conversion optimization are particularly useful for crafting effective digital marketing strategies.
Social Media Manager
The Social Media Manager is responsible for creating and managing a company's social media presence. Social Media Managers should take this course so they may learn to integrate social media strategies with local SEO efforts. The course provides insights into how social media and brand activity impact local search rankings. You'll learn how to write better headlines to get higher social media post click throughs, how to use local groups and Facebook Marketplace, and how to implement Twitter marketing strategies. Specifically, modules on writing headlines for social media and leveraging platforms like Facebook and Twitter are invaluable tools for enhancing a local business’s visibility.
Online Reputation Manager
An Online Reputation Manager focuses on monitoring and influencing the public perception of a business online. This course may be highly pertinent to Online Reputation Managers, especially its sections on managing reviews on platforms like Google and Yelp. The course explains how answering reviews can help rankings and customer engagement, and provides guidance on creating a great Yelp listing and managing reviews to rank organically. The course’s emphasis on building a positive online presence through various channels would help Online Reputation Managers effectively manage and improve a business's reputation.
Local Business Consultant
The Local Business Consultant advises local businesses on various aspects of their operations, including marketing and business strategy. This course arms the Local Business Consultant with effective strategies to promote local businesses. The curriculum emphasizes Google My Business optimization, local SEO, and social media marketing. The Local Business Consultant can also learn about creating high conversion websites. By understanding these strategies, the Local Business Consultant can offer small businesses relevant advice.
Marketing Director
A Marketing Director oversees the planning and execution of marketing strategies for an organization. Taking this course makes them better equipped to guide their teams in local marketing efforts. This course provides valuable insights into local SEO strategies, Google My Business optimization, and social media marketing. It helps in setting website conversion goals, keyword selection, and link building. The case studies included are very helpful. The course arms marketing directors with the knowledge needed to develop and implement effective, locally focused marketing campaigns.
Freelance Marketer
A Freelance Marketer provides marketing services to clients on a contract basis. This course may be useful for Freelance Marketers as it offers strategies in the areas of local SEO, Google My Business, and social media marketing. The course's emphasis on practical, actionable strategies and its coverage of website creation and SEO make it a strong asset for freelance marketers looking to deliver results for local business clients. The course is directly applicable to the daily tasks of a Freelance Marketer helping local businesses grow.
SEO Copywriter
An SEO Copywriter specializes in writing website content that is optimized for search engines to improve organic search rankings. SEO Copywriters can take this course to delve more deeply into optimizing content for local businesses. The course covers keyword research, on-page SEO techniques, and how to write effective title and description meta tags. Learning how to create citations and backlinks for local businesses are also valuable skills this course teaches. This course would help SEO copywriters create more effective content that drives local search traffic.
Content Marketing Specialist
A Content Marketing Specialist focuses on creating and distributing valuable content to attract and engage a target audience. This course may be useful for Content Marketing Specialists by enhancing their understanding of local SEO strategies and the types of content that resonate with local audiences. The course’s sections on adding posts to Google My Business, creating engaging social media content, and optimizing website content for local keywords are particularly relevant. The course provides a solid understanding of how to tailor content to attract local customers and improve search engine rankings.
Paid Advertising Specialist
A Paid Advertising Specialist manages and optimizes paid advertising campaigns across various platforms. This course may be valuable for Paid Advertising Specialists because it addresses running Google local ads and three pack ads. The course’s content on Google Analytics 4 can help improve their skill at tracking campaign performance and making data-driven decisions. This course equips Paid Advertising Specialists with expertise in local advertising strategies, allowing them to create more targeted and effective campaigns.
Web Content Manager
A Web Content Manager oversees the creation, organization, and maintenance of content on a website. This course may be useful for Web Content Managers by enhancing their understanding of local SEO and website optimization techniques. The course offers help in the form of tutorials on setting up local small business websites, increasing website conversion, and conducting keyword research. The Web Content Manager will be better equipped to manage and optimize website content for local search.
Community Manager
The Community Manager is responsible for building and managing a company’s online community. This course may appeal to Community Managers interested in leveraging local strategies to enhance community engagement. The course’s section on social media marketing provides insights into how to use platforms like Facebook and Twitter to connect with local audiences. The Community Manager will learn the importance of local groups and discussions taught in this course. This makes the Community Manager able to build and nurture a thriving local online community.
Local Sales Representative
A Local Sales Representative focuses on selling products or services to customers within a specific geographic area. Taking this course enhances their ability to understand the local market and connect with potential customers online. The course’s content on local SEO, Google My Business, and social media marketing provides insights into how local businesses can improve their online presence and attract more customers. The Local Sales Representative may find modules, for example, on business networking, to be of particular use.

Featured in The Course Notes

This course is mentioned in our blog, The Course Notes. Read one article that features Local Marketing 2025: Google My Business, SEO, Social Media:

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Local Marketing 2025: Google My Business, SEO, Social Media.
Provides in-depth knowledge of local SEO strategies, covering topics like Google My Business optimization, citation building, and review management. It serves as a valuable reference for understanding the nuances of ranking in local search results. The book offers practical tips and real-world examples that complement the course material. It is commonly used by industry professionals.
Provides a comprehensive overview of SEO, covering topics like keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and technical SEO. It serves as a valuable reference for understanding the broader context of local SEO. While not specifically focused on local, it provides a strong foundation. It is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.

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