Monica is a website builder by trade…you’ve probably figured that out by now.  But a website that can’t be found is about as useful as a screen door on a submarine.  Which makes her a student of SEO…FOREVER. Because it changes faster than a Nascar pit crew.  And it’s not one dimensional either, Search Engine Optimizations (SEO) is mutli-faceted. The MayeCreate team’s responsibility is to build a website Google can be friends with. Which is a huge part of the SEO pie. But what about all the other things? That’s where Nina Gibson comes in. She’s done SEO for some big brands…Yankee Candle, Caboodles, Orvis, National Geographic to name a few. Monica got to pick her brain in this episode and ask questions like: How does SEO work?What common mistakes do we need to avoid?What changes is Google making right now that we need to know about?How is AI affecting SEO? She took a lot of notes from this episode…so grab a pen and paper (or just download the transcript) and let’s get to some SEO business! Get the full transcript and episode summary on our website: https://mayecreate.com/blog/seo-fundamentals-2024-forecast-with-guest-nina-gibson/

Domain Hosting Website   Sooooo intangible…yet so important for your business. We talk about these things everyday but for normal humans they’re a question factory… What even is a domain? How do you get one? How do you connect it to everything?And what the heck is hosting? Do you need it?How do you know which one you need? So if you’re up to your neck in questions, this episode is for you. Together we'll unravel the role of domain name and domain registrars then move on to decode hosting for you—shared, VPS, dedicated—so you can know which is right for you. Let's get to business! Read the fully formatted blog post to accompany this episode on our website: https://mayecreate.com/blog/whats-the-difference-between-domain-hosting-and-website/

The latest episode of Marketing with Purpose, features none other than Chris West, President of West Contracting. ️ Chris and his team spent the past year in a cycle of change, reevaluating their internal structure, figuring out what works and what doesn't, and charting their course for the future.  As part of their marketing team, it's been awesome to be a part of the journey! Today we’ll dig into: How they are continuing to strengthen company culture through recent changes but keeping what works, including their employees, who have an average tenure of over 10 years!What it's like working in a family business (Chris is the 3rd generation to manage West Contracting) and how they transitioned from each generation to keep the company strong.Tap into Chris's never-give-up attitude. Even if you're a steadfast procrastinator like him, he's got some wisdom to share on how to still get things done and find success. We've been lucky enough to get to work with Chris for many years now and are proud to share his story through the West Contracting marketing. Now, we're excited to get to share it with you in this episode!  Get the full transcript and episode summary on our website: https://mayecreate.com/blog/paving-the-way-insights-from-three-generations-of-success-with-guest-chris-west/

In this week’s Marketing with Purpose episode we're tackling a topic that hits close to home for many of us - quite literally. Working from home with your spouse and managing to: Not go nutsGet your work done AND stay married Tyler and Christi Ernst have been remote working from the same ROOM for the past 4 years…and they still like each other!   So we had to know their secret. Tyler is our lead developer and co-art director at MayeCreate, and luckily he and his wife, Christi, share an office - because we regularly consult Christi for a second opinion! In this episode Tyler and Christi delve into: The communication patterns that allow them to harmoniously work and live in the same spaceChallenges to expect when working from home with your spouse and how they overcame themTheir secret test to tell if a couple can work the same space And, of course, like any other normal episode, we discussed powerlifting and sourdough baking ️ ! Get the full transcript and episode summary on our website: https://mayecreate.com/blog/how-work-from-home-with-your-spouse-and-not-go-nuts-with-guests-tyler-christi-ernst/

You know how Monica LOVES to geek out about podcasting? OK, not quite as much as she loves geeking out about websites…but close ! And recently, on the Marketing with Purpose podcast, Monica had the pleasure of geeking out WITH another podcasting veteran with over 300 episodes under his belt, Khalil Benalioulhaj. He likes podcasting so much he started a business to help people run their podcasts. Now, that’s taking it to a whole new level… Here's a sneak peek of what they covered in the episode: Remote recording benefits and production efficiencyUnderstanding podcast analytics and measuring successLeveraging podcasts as a sales and marketing toolPlus, expert tech solutions to make your life easier! Get the full transcript and episode summary on our website: http://mayecreate.com/blog/podcasting-lessons-from-khalil-compelling-content-guest-tips-roi-more/

When MayeCreate opened the new Camdenton office, Stacy and Monica needed a spot to meet up in between. They lucked into a relatively new co-working space, Jefferson and High that rekindled Monica’s belief that customer service is your number one marketing tool as a small business. So Monica invited owner, Chris Galloway, to give us a rundown of the seamless tech integrations, onboarding process and snacks that keep his customers coming back time and time again. If you’re craving customer service inspiration, there’s a thing or two to learn about this growing co-working space. (Warning…this episode may result in a craving for Cheetos .) Get the full transcript and episode summary on our website: http://mayecreate.com/blog/how-one-co-working-space-markets-through-great-customer-service-with-owner-chris-galloway/

How are you at saying, “No”? Monica always says, "it took birthing two kids and attempting to run a business at the same time" for her to get her head on straight and master her ‘no’ game.  See, ‘yes’ can be a dangerous game for a busy human. Each yes has to align with your priorities. ‘Yes’ is about putting your energy where it matters most. ‘No’ is about protecting that energy for the next opportunity to say ‘yes’. So really…No is it’s buddy Yes’s superhero!  In this episode, Stacy, a self-proclaimed yes-gal, and Monica turn the tables on the guilt of ‘no’. Talking through their internal dialogue, and how they reason their way to the answer that uses their energy where it counts. Giving tips on: The consequences of yesThe art of saying no nicelyStrategies for feeling OK about saying noDealing with negative feedback from your decision to say no Read the fully formatted blog post to accompany this episode on our website: https://mayecreate.com/blog/saying-no-in-a-nice-way-and-feeling-ok-about-it/

Over the past 18 years change is the one of the only things that has remained constant as in our business. And some people love it…other people…not so much.  That’s why we talk about it so much on the Marketing with Purpose podcast. Because to make marketing and business decisions with purpose we have to be able to embrace the idea that things WILL change and then figure out WHAT the heck needs to change and make a plan to pull it all together. In our latest episode, Monica sat down with Paden Squires, CPA & CFP at WR Tax Planners, who while helping our company evolve…has changed his company just as much. They covered everything from: Paden quitting a cushy job to do taxes in his living room. How Paden’s the only tax accountant we know who wears a hoodie in his website photos.The importance of self-awareness in business.Struggles with delegation and perfectionism.And our favorite…transitioning from the warrior to king stages of success. Get the episode highlights and full transcript at: https://mayecreate.com/blog/the-power-of-persistence-from-tax-consulting-to-triumph-with-guest-paden-squires/

If you’ve been following along this last year, you know that MayeCreate is on a full on journey to operate in a way that meets our values, both as a team and as individuals. We transitioned to a four day workweek after testing it out in May and that amazing feat was years in the making. To work less and not get paid less meant we had to reevaluate nearly everything we did. We started by streamlining all our administrative tasks. Then moved on to revamp the way our designers and developers build websites. We changed how we bill, schedule and estimate work… But we were still stuck in the office 5 days a week.  So we took a step back to the one thing we held onto like a lifeline though it all. Something we had nursed like a baby and developed through 18 years of hard work. Our account service process. I remember sitting in my office and looking at Stacy and shaking my head saying, “It’s the only thing left, so it has to be wrong, I don’t know how to fix it but we can’t leave it like it is. It just doesn’t work.” And after many discussions we birthed a whole new brainchild that’s even better than the last, one that creates better websites, faster, with less mistakes, that meets our current version of success… And that, friend is what this episode is all about - knowing when to let go and celebrating the courage it took on the other side. Come join the party!   Read the fully formatted blog post to accompany this episode at: https://mayecreate.com/blog/we-totally-revamped-our-18-year-process-and-it-rocks/

My 9 year old daughter, Aveleen, decided she wants to be a Chamber of Commerce director when she grows up, after meeting K.C. Cloke, our local Chamber director and guest for this week’s episode. I think that Aveleen will make an amazing Chamber director one day. That girl’s got what it takes to make stuff happen and a sunshine spirit to back it up…and she’s going to need it! I’ve been part of large Chambers of Commerce and small.  Been on committees - ones that just act important and those that really are important. Gotten business and gotten squat. And from experience I can say: They’re all different.Your involvement drives your outcomes.It’s more of a marathon than a sprint. So if you’re on the fence about joining your local Chamber or just want to know what a Chamber does, this episode is for you! Join K.C. and I as she fields questions and explains all things Chamber of Commerce. Her enthusiasm for business and candid can-do attitude will win you over…just ask Aveleen!   Read the fully formatted blog post to accompany this episode at: https://mayecreate.com/blog/what-does-the-chamber-of-commerce-do-and-why-join-with-guest-k-c-cloke/

In the third and final episode of our small business tech stack series, Travis, Stacy, and I geek out about the thrilling world of business management tools.  Brace yourself for the drama because, truth be told, we're so attached to these tools that they're pretty much our besties. We all agree… If we won a big, fancy business award – our heartfelt shoutouts go to our… …CRM,  …Project Management, and (drum roll please!) our …Financial Management tools  Our ride-or-die companions. Couldn't have done it without them. Alright, enough drama. Let’s get to business…business management tools!   Read the fully formatted blog post to accompany this episode at: https://mayecreate.com/blog/small-business-tech-stack-3-business-management-tools/

Remember when the dinosaurs roamed the earth and we used to go to computer labs to write papers ️? And you had to bring a floppy disk that wasn’t actually floppy to save your work.  (It didn’t just auto save itself to the cloud, you actually had to press SAVE.) And what about that time when you forgot your disk in the lab.  Couldn’t find it and had to start allllll over again… …only to have one of our classmates turn in your paper as their own . Wait, that wasn’t you. That was Travis!  (My brother and co-owner of Tranquility Internet Services) And the fuel for his mission to keep businesses safe from hackers.  Pair that fuel with the spark Stacy and I have to market with purpose and that’s all you need to know this 2nd installment of the small business tech stack series will be just inspiration (or kick in the pants) you need to get going on tech-ifying your business.    Join my two favorite geeks ❤️❤️ and I as we dive into our favorite: Online Marketing ToolsThe tools we love to save time and streamline marketing.Analytics and Data InsightsFree solutions to track website performance and make data-driven decisions.Cyber Security and Data ProtectionWhat you need to protect against hackers and keep your data safe. Let’s tech-ify! P.S. Need more small business tech? Check out episode 1 of this series dedicated to communication and efficiency tools and stay tuned for episode 3 about business management solutions.   Read the fully formatted blog post to accompany this episode at: https://mayecreate.com/blog/small-business-tech-stack-2-online-marketing-cyber-security-tools/

Tech is NOT the enemy. It’s more than just a subscription service. It’s a member of your team. Allowing you to more efficiently and effectively deliver on our clients expectations AND create time for ourselves.  Let’s rephrase that - The right tech makes people happy, makes money and gives you the ability to walk away from your business and back into your life. Hang out with our host, Monica,  Stacy Brockmeier, MayeCreate’s chief wearer of many hats, and Travis Schumacher, co-owner of Tranquility Internet Services, as they team up in a three part series outlining the essential small business tech stack.  This episode outlines: Where to start  (how to know what you need…) Communication and collaboration tools⏰ Efficiency tools Stay tuned over the next two weeks for two more small business tech stack episodes: Episode 2: Marketing and CybersecurityEpisode 3: Business Management Tools Can't wait to share the tech love with you!   Read the fully formatted blog post to accompany this episode at:https://mayecreate.com/blog/small-business-tech-stack-1-communication-efficiency-tools/

You know, freshening up your website is a lot like renovating a house.  Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint is all you need, but other times, you've got to rip out a wall and burn all the furniture.  We’ve all had those moments at the end of a long weekend with the kids cooped up inside, when we look around our house and think “it would honestly be easier to burn this thing down than to clean it.”  Aaaand we end up cleaning it because somehow it seems more fun than going to jail for arson… Arson and kid tornadoes aside, when it comes to your website sometimes starting over is the best option.  But how do you KNOW which path to take?!? In this episode, my chief wearer of many hats, Stacy and I will guide you through the decision making process so you know if you need to update, re-template or just start over fresh. In today's episode, we're diving deep into the age-old question, "Should I refresh my website or completely redo it?" You know, it's a lot like renovating a house. Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint is all you need, but other times, you've got to rip out a wall and burn all the furniture.  We’ve all had those moments at the end of a long weekend with the kids cooped up inside, when we look around our house and think “it would honestly be easier to burn this thing down than to clean it.”  And because we don’t want to go to jail for arson we clean it… Good news is though rebuilding your website is not nearly as hard as building a new house. And sometimes starting over is the best option.  In this episode, I’ve paired up with my chief wearer of many hats, Stacy. We'll be your digital contractors, guiding you through the decision making process. We’ll explore the signs that tell you it's time for an update and when you need a full-blown overhaul. We'll discuss everything from how to handle small cosmetic fixes, like rearranging the furniture in your online home, to  the telltale signs that your website might have sprung a few leaks or even time-traveled from the '90s. Let's get to business! Read the fully formatted blog post to accompany this episode at: https://mayecreate.com/blog/website-refresh-vs-redesign-when-to-walk-away-from-your-website/

People make a lot of mistakes in web design.  Some are tiny. Others blow up your whole site.  We’ve fought a lot of web fires over the past 18 years.  From accidentally deleting your admin user to expired domain names captured by pirates.  Some we’ve learned the hard way…others we just had to fix.  Sometimes your secret to success is knowing what you don’t know.  And that’s what this episode is ALL about!  I invited my wearer of many hats, Stacy, to reminisce about some of simple and creative ways we’ve seen people nuke their sites so you can learn from the mistakes of others and can keep your website not just running but thriving. Read the fully formatted blog post to accompany this episode at: https://mayecreate.com/blog/mistakes-in-web-design-11-sure-fire-ways-to-break-your-site/

I LOVE WORDPRESS (in case you didn’t know).  Like as in want to marry it, did marry it, and won’t cheat on it… I don’t build sites in anything else. But there are A LOT of choices out there. And I don’t always advise people to use WordPress…so how do YOU know if WordPress is right for you? In this episode I called in Stacy, my chief wearer of many hats, to help figure it out. We've got a checklist to help you decide. Starting with your goals and tech ability all the way down to automating your business practices. Should you use wordpress? Let's find out!Read the lovely formatted blog post accompanying this episode on our website:https://mayecreate.com/blog/who-should-use-wordpress/

My kids 12 and 9 don’t have phones…yet. And to get them to stop watching so much TV this summer…I switched our Netfilx account to Spanish ONLY. OK, so I’m a bit unconventional. But I think we’re all feeling the push and pull of digital wellness. I feel like we’re all grappling with the delicate dance between the tug of technology and the importance of maintaining our digital well-being.   So this week, I’m excited to invite back Teah Hopper, a Social Media Expert who's on a mission to help us find that perfect balance.  Inspired by her own journey during maternity leave, she's become a digital wellness advocate, offering invaluable insights into managing technology use for business while preserving our sanity.  In this episode, Teah and I dive deep into the realm of digital wellness. We explore: the impact of social media on our lives, share tips for maintaining a healthy relationship with our phones, and discuss strategies for managing social media addiction. tackle the challenges of balancing screen time for our childrenoffer practical advice for decluttering our digital lives Let’s open this discussion about the importance of digital health, setting boundaries, and creating a healthy online-offline balance. Grab your headphones and get ready to discover the secrets to digital wellness and social media management with Teah Hopper! Read the shownotes and full transcription for this episode at:https://mayecreate.com/blog/digital-wellness-balance-mindful-tech-usage-with-guest-teah-hopper/

After publishing our episode, Virtual Assistants – A Unicorn Solution for Marketing Tasks, I got an email from our client Sarah.  I know from experience she is super, mega organized and smart. And as it turns out she works with virtual assistants on the regular. Sarah offered to share how to streamline the hiring, onboarding and management process for a Virtual Assistant. And I thought, “Who wouldn’t want to hear that!?!” Hear Sarah’s tips on: Reliable hiring sources, how she structures pay and lessons learned along the way.Tasks her VA’s commonly handle plus how she uses her virtual assistant as a task "closer" and integral part of her workflow. Streamlining communication and how she uses a project management onboard her employees and keep it all straight. Get the full transcript and epsidode summary on our website:https://mayecreate.com/blog/advice-on-hiring-a-virtual-assistant-with-guest-sarah-luebbert/ P.S. If you’re hiring you might also like our Two Weird Yet Must Ask Interview Questions Episode!

Shout out to Liz for asking me to tackle this subject…she asked me to breakdown how mindset shapes our messaging (and how to improve your mindset in messaging). Like, do you feel like you’re writing to friends and fans or like your messages are an intrusion? I’d like to say I’m always a glass-half-full girl but let's be real, this whole marketing thing can feel like a rollercoaster of doubts and challenges. And when my mindset starts falling it seeps into everything I do. See, there’s an intricate connection between mindset and marketing magic. Every design, social post or email is colored by mindset and it’s not easy to be “on” all the time. So how do I keep my glass full and keep from excessively apologizing to people about bothering them?  I love my purposeDo my homeworkI consider you, my audience, a friendShow up as a problem solverTrash the negative tapesAnd consider communication an expectation And I’m breaking down each of those in this week’s episode - join me for a mental leg up! Get the episode highlights and full transcript at: https://mayecreate.com/blog/how-to-improve-your-mindset-in-marketing/

I had the pleasure of chatting with the incredible Kimber Zatkovich on my latest podcast episode. We dived deep into the world of business coaching, what it is, what to expect…who needs it Ever felt like you're spinning your wheels, trying to balance work, life, and the unexpected challenges that pop up?  Yeah, been there too.  (And a big thank you to the lovely consultants, coaches and trainers who have helped me out of those situations!) Kimber shares some golden nuggets on how a business coach can be the secret sauce to make everything click. Join Kimber and I as we break it all down!   Get the full transcript and eposide summary on our website:https://mayecreate.com/blog/business-coaching-what-is-it-and-why-you-need-it-with-guest-kimber-zatkovich/