The Hidden Costs of “Free” AI Help: What Small Business Owners Need to Know
Sometimes you are not the right person for the job, and need to advise the client to hire another professional to attain the goals they desire. I learned that lesson back in high school when I took on hand-lettering 45 campaign posters and realized, by poster number five, that my candidate client needed a printing company, not a teenager with a Marks-A-Lot. Today, I'm seeing small business owners [...]
5 Critical Steps to Seamlessly Transition from Gmail to Your New Professional Email
This is especially geared toward real estate professionals, but this applies to anyone transitioning to a professional email. Think about professional organizations and directories you are listed in, including your local chamber of commerce. They all need to be updated. Here are some preliminary steps you can do. Before you pull the plug on any free email or outdated system, be sure you have exported your contacts from [...]
Why Your Local SEO Strategy Is Probably Wrong Guest: Darren Shaw
Local SEO just got a reality check. Darren Shaw, founder of Whitespark, joins Rooted in Revenue to debunk some widely held myths while sharing what actually drives results for small businesses trying to dominate local search. If you're a real estate agent sharing office space with ten competitors, a service provider working from home, or any brick-and-mortar business wondering why your Google rankings aren't improving despite "doing everything [...]
Why 10 Real Estate Agents in One Office Will Never Rank on Google
The Local SEO Wake-Up Call: What I Learned from Whitespark's Darren Shaw As someone who's been helping small businesses with their digital marketing strategy for years, I thought I had local SEO figured out. I've been that person nagging clients about NAP consistency, insisting they get their citations cleaned up across hundreds of directories, and preaching the gospel of "more reviews equals better rankings." Then I sat [...]
The Vibe Coding Advantages: Build Faster, Earn More Guest: Aaron Grando
I heard Aaron Grando drop the term "pretotypes" on Leader Generation this morning and had to hit pause. Three minutes in, I realized I'd been vibe coding for months without knowing there was a name for it. But pretotypes? That's when I knew I had to get him on the show immediately. We're talking about taking your stream-of-consciousness ideas and building working drafts before you've even figured out [...]
CEO & Consultant Relationships: Who Owns What?
Lany and Susan dive into the sometimes murky waters of consultant-client relationships. Drawing from years of experience sitting on every side of the boardroom table, they tackle the age-old question: "Who is responsible for doing the tasks at hand?" Let's face it—consultants don't come with magic wands, and CEOs don't get to toss the keys and walk away. Whether you've ever wondered "Why isn't this working?" or "I [...]
How to Interview the Human, Not Their AI
After reading a recently pubished article by the Marketing AI Institute about "The AI Cheating Crisis in Higher Education Is Worse Than Anyone Expected," I was left wondering about our future leaders and the skills they will not possess unless companies change their hiring and discernment tactics. The article mentions that employers now face a challenge where candidates might use AI tools during remote interviews, and there's a [...]
Your Email Is Your First Impression – Why Branded Email Matters
In this episode, Susan Finch and Lany Sullivan revisit a topic we can’t stress enough: branded email addresses. Using Gmail, Yahoo, or even AOL for business? You’re losing trust before the conversation starts. We dig into real examples, onboarding requirements, offboarding protocols, and the risk of letting your team operate with inconsistent or unprotected emails. Your email isn’t just a communication tool—it’s your brand's handshake. Related Reading: [...]
Checklist: Branded Email Setup & Team Use Policy
This goes back to the most recent episode of Rooted in Revenue. It also goes with the previous two pages: https://susanfinch.com/domain-email-website-evaluation-your-brand/ and https://susanfinch.com/why-branded-email-matters-quick-reminder/ From the episode with Lany, here's the checklist for you to take action: Step-by-Step Action Plan to Implement Your Branded Email: Evaluate your current email situation. Are you or your team using Gmail, Yahoo, MSN, etc.? Is your email domain aligned with your website? Choose [...]
Why Branded Email Matters (Quick Reminder)
Did you know that 78% of clients say they're more likely to trust a professional with a branded email address? Yet many are still using free email services that could be: Damaging your professional credibility Creating potential compliance vulnerabilities Missing opportunities to reinforce your brand Costing you more in the long run The Professional Email Setup You Need (Without the Tech Headache) I help professionals like you [...]
Data That Matters: Creating Impactful Real Estate Marketing Visuals
Struggling to make your real estate data stand out in a sea of generic market reports? In this episode of Rooted in Revenue, I share practical insights from my recent workshop with NRBA professionals Kelley Kesterson and Angelica Suarez, who are looking to elevate their marketing with meaningful data visualization. Discover how to transform complex market statistics into compelling visual stories that build trust and position you as the go-to [...]
Human at the Helm: A Content Creator’s Journey with AI Tools Guest: Karen Mares
Susan sits down with former team member Karen Mares, Content Creator at Event Builder, who serves as her company's "marketing anchor" as she navigates the evolving landscape of AI tools. Karen shares her journey from initial concerns about AI replacing her writing role to developing a strategic workflow where she remains firmly in control. You'll discover how she has combined multiple AI platforms—each serving distinct purposes in her [...]