The podcast where local SEO meets expert insight! Join host Joy Hawkins, CEO and owner of Sterling Sky, renowned local SEO specialist and a member of the Google Product Experts Program, as she dives deep with guests into the world of local search engine optimization, digital marketing, and SEO. In each episode, Joy will interview experts and share her wealth of knowledge, backed by rigorous testing and research conducted at Sterling Sky. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this podcast offers invaluable tips, strategies, and the latest industry updates to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of local SEO. Tune in and get ready to elevate your local SEO game!
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The podcast where local SEO meets expert insight! Join host Joy Hawkins, CEO and owner of Sterling Sky, renowned local SEO specialist and a member of the Google Product Experts Program, as she dives deep with guests into the world of local search engine optimization, digital marketing, and SEO. In each episode, Joy will interview experts and share her wealth of knowledge, backed by rigorous testing and research conducted at Sterling Sky. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this podcast offers invaluable tips, strategies, and the latest industry updates to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of local SEO. Tune in and get ready to elevate your local SEO game!
From $0 to $220M: Local SEO Strategies That Built a Home Services Empire
Local SEO - The Expert’s Guide
1 hour 4 minutes
7 months ago
From $0 to $220M: Local SEO Strategies That Built a Home Services Empire
Date & Time: May 28,2025 - 1:00 PM ETDuration: 1 HourSpeaker: Tommy Mello & Joy HawkinsIn this exclusive interview, we sit down with Tommy Mello, founder of A1 Garage Doors, a $220 million powerhouse in the home services space. While marketers often focus on rankings and ROI, the truth is that SEO can’t fix a broken business. Tommy’s journey proves that the results are unstoppable when operational excellence meets smart marketing.We’ll unpack the real reasons some businesses thrive while others cancel—even when the SEO is solid. Get behind-the-scenes insights into how Tommy uses video, reviews, social media, and lightning-fast lead response to dominate the home services industry. If you’re a business owner, marketer, or agency working with local service companies, this conversation is packed with practical, brutally honest insights you won’t hear anywhere else.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction: Why SEO Fails If Your Business is Broken00:28 - Tommy Mello’s Story & A-1 Garage Doors Growth Overview01:07 - Key Business KPIs: Cost Per Lead, Contact Center, Conversion & Average Ticket03:43 - Achieving a 90% Booking Rate: Technology, Training & Scripts07:00 - Importance of 24/7 Customer Service & After-Hours Call Centers08:48 - Overcoming Objections and Performance Pay for CSRs11:53 - Optimizing Contact Centers for Better Customer Experience13:55 - Handling Missed Calls & Automations to Recover Leads15:10 - Managing Hold Times and Overstaffing Strategy16:04 - Biggest Scaling Drivers: SOPs, Incentives & Technology17:46 - Average Ticket Price & Offering Client Options18:58 - Tracking Calls from Local Pack vs Ads19:27 - Google My Business Ranking Strategies & Location Page Tips22:50 - Branding and Its Impact on Customer Attraction & Retention24:21 - Handling Sticker Shock in Home Remodeling Sales26:50 - Must-Have Elements for Service & Location Pages29:05 - Review Strategies: Incentivizing Employees & Managing Feedback35:32 - Dealing with Negative Reviews & Turning Them Around39:10 - Managing Online Reputation: Reddit & Social Platforms41:35 - AMA’s and Reddit Strategies for SEO & Branding44:27 - AI’s Impact on SEO & Future Search Engines49:12 - Tracking Leads from ChatGPT and Other AI Tools53:53 - Hiring Talent & Staying Ahead in the AI Era56:16 - Upcoming Webinars & SEO for Law Firms56:57 - YouTube Local Content Strategy & Consistency59:15 - Rapid Fire: ChatGPT Leads & Top Marketing Channels in 202501:00:52 - Is SEO Dead? The Importance of Online Reviews & Employer Ratings01:02:15 - How to Learn More & Connect with Tommy Mello#LocalSEO #HomeServiceMarketing #CustomerExperience
Local SEO - The Expert’s Guide
The podcast where local SEO meets expert insight! Join host Joy Hawkins, CEO and owner of Sterling Sky, renowned local SEO specialist and a member of the Google Product Experts Program, as she dives deep with guests into the world of local search engine optimization, digital marketing, and SEO. In each episode, Joy will interview experts and share her wealth of knowledge, backed by rigorous testing and research conducted at Sterling Sky. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this podcast offers invaluable tips, strategies, and the latest industry updates to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of local SEO. Tune in and get ready to elevate your local SEO game!
