What is Local Search Day you ask, and what does it have to do with the 2017 Rocks Digital Marketing Conference? Local Search Day is the day we all come together to celebrate the impact local search has had on us as business owners, brands, and as consumers! Now let’s talk about how local search has impacted us a bit more…
The Impact of Local Search on Business Owners
First and foremost, the rise of local search has made it possible for the mom-and-pop businesses to get found when consumers are searching for products and services online. No more trying to compete with the big chain restaurant when the best Mexican food in Dallas is right in the consumer’s back yard, and has been for the last 20+ years.
What about lawyers? No more do they have to pay a small fortune to lawyers dot com to get found in local search. They can have their own website, pay for a listing submissions company like Advice Local to optimize all their data online, and rank for “Dallas divorce attorney.”
The Way Local Search Has Increased Visibility for Brands
Local search makes it easy for each one of a brand’s locations to get equal exposure in search results, based on the best location for the consumer to visit – not based on the location with the biggest budget or most digital marketing know-how.
Local search has leveled the playing field for businesses and brands! While this might not always seems like a win, it is when you think about the bigger picture. With stores getting equal exposure in search they will get more traffic, and more stores will be able to stay in business and thrive.
How Local Search Has Made the Life of Consumers Better
Wow! Local search changed the world for consumers. We no longer have to drive 30 miles across town to find the best Mexican food in Dallas. With the click of a few buttons and taps on our smartphone or with a quick voice search we can find 5+ options to have Mexican food within a 5-mile radius. I don’t know about you, but I love my chips and salsa and when I have a craving I want it then, not after driving 30+ miles to get there. I want the closest location to me at that moment – not where I was earlier, or where I might be later.
Since 2012, Rocks Digital (formerly DFW Rocks Social Media) has been celebrating Social Media Day after I decided Social Media wasn’t getting the attention it deserved. Last year, Rocks Digital cofounder Bernadette Coleman and I decided we needed to do something big to celebrate local search, and Local Search Day was founded.
This year, we’re celebrating Local Search Day once again. Thanks to the help of the Mayor of Addison, Todd Meier, Local Search Day is officially June 29, 2017.
Here’s 5 Ways We’ll be ROCKING Local Search Day This Year
1. Bringing in the Best of the Best Speakers
Learn how businesses and brands can rank in local search results. From optimization of local business listings on directory sites to local business data in all the mapping solutions, plus creating local focused content and more, our expert speakers will be there to take attendees on a journey down the path to local success. Here’s just a few of the highlights.
- Keynote speaker and CEO of Navads, Lex ten Veen will be sharing on digital mapping.
- Greg Sterling, VP of Strategy & Insights at Local Search Association will present on the trends shaping the future of local search.
- Casey Markee of Mediawyse will present on hyperlocal marketing with BLE beacons. Not sure what a beacon is or how you would use one? You will be by the time the presentation is over.
- Damon Gochneaur of Aspiro Digital Marketing Agency will be presenting a Rocks Talk on the near me evolution.
These are just a few of the speakers that will be focusing hard and heavy on Local Search on June 29. Speakers from Hubspot, Thinknear by Telenav, Surefire Local, Spatially and countless others will be in the house dropping knowledge bombs.
2. It Isn’t a Celebration Without a Proclamation (and a Queen)
That’s right, you’ll have the chance to take a photo with the Local Search Day proclamation and the #QueenofLocalSEO, Bernadette Coleman. You know you have always wanted your picture with the queen! This will be your chance. I’ll make sure to get her crown, wand and cape ordered in time for this event. (Don’t tell Bernadette, she’ll be posing for this photo opp. Let’s keep it a secret until the event!)
3. We’ll have Break-outs, Link Building and Mobile Optimization
Yes, that is break-outs, not break dancing (at least not during the day)! Attendees will have a chance this day to select from 9 break-outs to attend. All the sessions will be focused around local, mobile and social. I know it’s sad you can’t be in three places at once. Don’t worry, our LIVE bloggers and LIVE tweeters will be in the house to capture what you miss. We might even have a video clip or two to share.
4. The Panel of All Panels
You can’t have a conference without a ROCKING panel and this year the Local Search Expert Panel will make its appearance to cover the hard-hitting topics on everyone’s mind. You can bet you’ll hear lots of words like Mobile, Local and ROI. With the #QueenofLocalSEO moderating you can bet she’ll bring her knowledge and that of all the panelists to the forefront. Be ready with your questions. The attendees will get a chance to ask a few.
5. We Couldn’t Do it Without Our Friends
This is the time when we give a special shout-out to our friends Local Search Association, BIA/Kelsey, the Town of Addison, and everyone else in the house supporting this awesome day!
I would like to thank you for sharing the word about “Local Search Day” with your friends! This is a day like no other and it comes only once a year. Join us and bring a friend!
Tell a friend – click to “Tweet” and click “Like” to share.
Attendees can register with the promo code LOCALROCKS and get $75 off their ticket purchase.
Are you ready to ROCK Local Search Day? We sure are. Register Now and Save!
