Episode 39: Are you Ignoring the Most Powerful Free Tool for Local Visibility?

In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Geoff Schalow to demystify the Google Business Profile (GBP) and reveal how local business owners—whether brick-and-mortar or home-based—can optimize their presence on Google Maps and search results to attract more clients and outrank big-box competitors.From avoiding profile ownership mistakes to simple habits that boost visibility, this is your go-to episode if you’ve been guilty of the “set it and forget it” strategy.Geoff breaks down GBP best practices and how consistency (not complexity!) is what really moves the needle.Top Takeaways & Actionable Tips✅ Always be the primary owner of your GBP Never give primary ownership to employees or agencies—retain control of your digital real estate.📸 Work toward 100 images Start with photos of your business exterior, signage, and team. Then add behind-the-scenes, events, and even networking shots over time.🔁 Post weekly updates Like social media—but more informative than promotional. Don’t add your phone number or website in posts—Google could penalize you.⭐ Ask for reviews consistently Recency and frequency matter more than volume. Ask when the client is already expressing gratitude.🎥 Use short videos Videos under 30 seconds showing your space, staff culture, or behind-the-scenes help humanize your brand and improve engagement.Meet our Guest: Geoff Schalow is a digital marketing consultant specializing in Google Business Profile optimization, verification, and maintenance. Before founding Horizon Business Strategies, he was a Sales & Marketing manager for a large local franchisee. He used online marketing forensics to discover where the franchise's competition was winning market share and developed an SEO plan that helped the franchise break sales records year after year. Geoff uses that same passion for supporting local companies across West Michigan. When he is not working, Geoff loves to spend time with friends and family, walking Lake Michigan's beaches, downhill skiing, and golfing. https://www.horizonseogr.com/Connect with Geoff: https://calendly.com/geoff-hbs/consultationAbout the Host: Jennifer Kok has been a business owner for over 25 years and now is a business coach.She turned her first business into a franchise and successfully sold it 20 years later.  She was passionate about building a business and a family at the same time.And if you’re ready to go beyond visibility and truly grow your business, I invite you to check out the Earn More Stress Less Growth System. It’s designed to help creative business owners like you increase revenue, improve profits, and finally pay yourself more—without burning out.You have three options to join, depending on where you're at in your journey—and all of them are built around real-world strategies that work.The time is now. No more waiting, no more guessing. Let’s build a business that not only grows, but gives you more freedom and fulfillment.3 Keys to Growing a Profitable Business Free Masterclass Replay And how to fix them so their business can actually support their lifeCurious about the Earn More…Stress Less Program? Here’s the breakdown: 💻 Learn more: Program Info🎧 Prefer to listen? Podcast episode here📞 Want to talk it through? Book a callMy name is Jennifer Kok, and I’m a profit and growth advisor for service-based women entrepreneurs. I help women business owners make smarter, more strategic decisions so they can grow profitably, pay themselves consistently, and avoid burnout.Because the truth is, business owners make decisions all day long, but the ones that really matter are often the hardest ones. Should I hire? Raise my prices? Invest in marketing? Let go of a draining client? Expand, or simplify?Those decisions carry weight, and they can impact your time, your profit, your energy, and your long-term growth.That’s why I created the Focused Growth Collective, a virtual mastermind for women business owners who want support making the kinds of decisions that move a business forward. Yes, we talk strategy, but we also look at the bigger picture like mental load, health, profit, and long-term sustainability.My goal is to help women build businesses that pay them well, support their lives, and still feel worth leading 10 years from now.Connect with me:Website:Facebook:Instagram:LinkedIn:YouTube: