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Why the heck does everyone keep telling you SEO is dead? AI Overviews, ChatGPT, zero-click searches, GEO, AEO, LLMO... search has definitely changed. But does that mean everything you've been doing is suddenly obsolete? In this Episode We're sorting through what's actually changing in search, what hasn't changed nearly as much as the headlines would have you believe, and what small business owners should be paying attention to before they panic and rebuild their entire website. What's actually changing about how people searchWhy SEO is bigger than keywords and rankingsWhat all those new AI-search acronyms mean, and how much you really need to careWhy your Google Business Profile and reviews still matterThe SEO tactics that are becoming obsoleteWhat to focus on instead of chasing every new search trend Research + Reading Neil Patel: SEO in the Age of AIBain & Company: Goodbye Clicks, Hello AI: Zero-Click Search Redefines MarketingSearch Engine Journal: Google’s Old Search Era Is Over. Here’s What 2026 SEO Will Really Look LikeEntrepreneur: Is SEO Dead? Here’s What I’m Telling Every Client Who Asks Me in 2026 Let's Connect: Instagram: @morecoffeelessdrama | @maplewildmarketingEmail: [email protected]: Maplewild MarketingNewsletter: Sign up for Now You Know

Hey, small business owner. I have some unfortunate news: you have to talk to people. We have websites, social media, email, Google, AI, and approximately 400 ways to market a business without putting on real pants and leaving the house. But somewhere along the way, digital marketing started becoming a way to avoid the relationship part of running a small business. In this episode, we're talking about what “showing up” actually looks like, why referrals and real conversations still matter, and why your marketing should help you build relationships, not give you an excuse to avoid them. In This Episode Why digital marketing can't do all of the relationship-building for youWhat “showing up” actually looks like without becoming an influencerThe referral opportunities small business owners often overlookHow conversations with customers can make your marketing betterWhen in-person marketing makes sense, and when it doesn'tWhy you might want to stop “networking” and start having conversations instead  Research + Reading LocaliQ: Small Business Marketing Trends Report 2026Invesp: Referral Marketing StatisticsSmall Business Expo: Why Local Reputation Still Matters for Small Businesses Resources Mentioned: Rising Tide Society BNI Let’s Connect Instagram: @morecoffeelessdrama | @maplewildmarketingEmail: [email protected]: Maplewild MarketingNewsletter: Sign up for Now You Know

What if some of the things we're working so hard to make easier are actually valuable because they require effort? In this episode, we're talking about the work that builds your skills, teaches you about your customers, strengthens relationships, and makes your small business feel human. Efficiency is great, but not everything worth doing needs to be optimized away. In This Episode When efficiency stops being the goalWhat we risk losing when we automate too muchWhy customer conversations are more than just another taskHow doing the work can actually build your expertiseWhy small businesses don't need to compete with big businesses at volumeHow to decide what should stay human Research + Reading Microsoft Research: The Impact of Generative AI on Critical ThinkingKPMG: Trust, Attitudes and Use of Artificial IntelligenceAmerican Psychological Association: How AI Is Reshaping Human Skills and ThinkingScience News: Is AI Making Us Dumber? Maybe Not, but Our Skills Are at Risk Let’s Connect Instagram: @morecoffeelessdrama | @maplewildmarketingEmail: [email protected]: Maplewild MarketingNewsletter: Sign up for Now You Know

When was the last time marketing actually felt simple? SEO is dead. You need AI. Post more. Be everywhere. And somehow, if you haven't figured it all out yet, you're already behind. In the first episode of Season 4, we're talking about why marketing has gotten so LOUD, what has actually changed, and what small business owners can confidently stop freaking out about. Why marketing advice feels so overwhelmingThe pressure to constantly create moreWhat's actually changing in marketingWhat hasn't changed nearly as much as we're toldWhy doing less might actually be the smarter strategy Research + Reading Buffer: How Often to Post on Social Media in 2026 HubSpot: How Often to Post on Social Media for Business Adweek: Saying No Is the New Power Move This Week's Challenge Unfollow or mute one marketing account that consistently makes you feel behind, guilty, or anxious about your strategy. Let's Connect Instagram: @morecoffeelessdrama | @maplewildmarketingEmail: [email protected]: Maplewild MarketingNewsletter: Sign up for Now You Know

AI was supposed to save us time. Somehow, we've turned it into another job. In this episode, we're cutting through the AI noise to talk about what has actually changed, where AI can genuinely make running a small business easier, and where we need to be a whole lot more careful. Because the question isn't “How much AI can I use?” It's “Does this actually make my business better?” How AI became another thing small business owners are expected to masterWhat has actually changedThe boring AI wins that can save you real timePrivacy, accuracy, security, and IP concernsWhen AI and automation can actually make things worseThe More Coffee. Less Drama. AI Test Research + Reading JPMorganChase Institute: Understanding the Use of AI Among Small Businesses Entrepreneur: Most Small Businesses Are Using AI. The Real Challenge Is Learning How to Use It Well NFIB: Using AI for Your Small Business: Benefits, Risks, and Best Practices Additional Resources Cybersecurity: @cybersecuritygirlTrademark + IP: @denvertrademarklaw Let's Connect Instagram: @morecoffeelessdrama | @maplewildmarketingEmail: [email protected]: Maplewild MarketingNewsletter: Sign up for Now You Know

Season 4 of More Coffee. Less Drama. is coming soon, with honest conversations to help small business owners make sense of modern marketing. Grab your coffee, sit down, and let’s chat. In the meantime, get relevant and timely tips about technology, social media, SEO, and more with my weekly newsletter: "Now You Know."

This is something you thought was going away. SIKE - it isn't. Find out more on today's episode. Want to watch this episode instead? Head to ⁠YouTube⁠ _____ Let's Connect! Instagram: ⁠⁠@morecoffeelessdrama⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠@maplewildmarketing⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠ ⁠ Website: ⁠⁠www.maplewildmarketing.com

In season one, we talked about how your website is one of the only things YOU control, with guest Melissa Bandera.  It’s been 2 years since that episode- let’s talk through some new statistics on websites in 2023. We’re specifically covering: ecommerce website requirements and how each platform differs, plug-in accessibility and availability, what platform might suit you best based on your business type, and the pros/cons of each platform. If you’re questioning which website platform might be best for you - here’s to you being well educated and informed on your decision! Resources:  www.wordpress.com www.shopify.com www.squarespace.com www.godaddy.com Listen to Previous Website Episode Read On My Blog  Want to watch this episode instead? Head to YouTube _____ Let's Connect! Instagram: ⁠@morecoffeelessdrama⁠ / ⁠@maplewildmarketing⁠ Email: ⁠[email protected] ⁠ Website: ⁠www.maplewildmarketing.com⁠

AI is taking over the planet. No, really - the marketing world has been HIT with a wave of chatbots, AI generated images, backgrounds, stickers, and captions. How do you navigate it all?  For that matter, what’s going to happen with AI in 2024?  If you want to know how to use it effectively for your small business - this is the episode for you! Resources Mentioned In Today’s Episode - Fraze.io - SEO Optimization - Jasper.ai & Copy.ai - Grammatically Correct Long Form Copy - Adcreative.ai - Optimizing Ad Creative and Copy  - Verloop.ai - 24/7 Digital Assistant - Pictory.ai - Turn Your Script into Video - Designs.ai - Create logos, videos, banners, mockups with A.I. in 2 minutes _____ Let's Connect! Instagram: ⁠@morecoffeelessdrama⁠ / ⁠@maplewildmarketing⁠ Email: ⁠[email protected] ⁠ Website: ⁠www.maplewildmarketing.com⁠

Your customer's journey is one of the most important processes that you can think about as a small business owner. I'm going to tell you all of that and more on today's episode, we're talking about client relationship management systems. We’re Chatting About: -What a CRM Involves -Why You Might Want to Consider One -Things You May Not Realize About CRMs -Your Customer Journey + How a CRM is Involved Links for Today’s Episode:  Dubsado.com Zoho.com Fareharbor.com Honeybook.com Buildbook.co Keap.com Mindbodyonline.com Let's Connect! Instagram: ⁠@morecoffeelessdrama⁠ / ⁠@maplewildmarketing⁠ Email: ⁠[email protected] ⁠ Website: ⁠www.maplewildmarketing.com⁠

This season is going to cover your customer's journey, a roadmap to diversifying your communication, why networking is so vital for your business, how to build a successful e-commerce site, and so much more. You're not going to want to miss our amazing guests. Real-time marketing news segments, and those ever-present suggestions on how to infuse simplicity into your day to day life as a small business owner.

No one is talking about them either. TikTok, Twitter, Facebook + Instagram are All Onboard with These New Changes, but have kept them massively on the down low. Why? Maybe because it would make all of us really uncomfortable if they were fully transparent. Let's Connect! Instagram: @morecoffeelessdrama / @maplewildmarketing Email: [email protected]  Website: www.maplewildmarketing.com

Yep. Instagram is testing this feature with a small batch of creators. What is it, and what will it allow you to do?  + This feature COULD save small businesses time and energy on the app. Find out more by listening to today's episode! Resources Mentioned:  https://www.storybeat.com https://inshot.com Want to Connect or Send Questions? @morecoffeelessdrama / [email protected]

Adam Mosseri, the CEO of Instagram announced a few changes coming to the app.  In today's episode we'll be talking about: - Product Tags - Enhanced Tags - Ranking for originality (where we'll spend most of our time today!) What the heck does it mean? How does it affect you? What are new "best practices" you should adhere to? Find out all that and more today in 8 minutes or less! Let's Connect! Instagram: @morecoffeelessdrama | @maplewildmarketing Via Email: [email protected] | [email protected]

The newest social app is capturing Gen Z in a way that Meta could only dream of.  'Be Real' is the newest social app as of Q1 2022, has been downloaded 7.41 Million times (up 315% in Q1). With Mark Zuckerberg saying that 'young people are the new north star' - we just HAVE to talk about this app and what it's all about. Make sure to subscribe, follow along and leave a review if you're loving this new format. Let's Connect! Instagram: @morecoffeelessdrama | @maplewildmarketing Via Email: [email protected] | [email protected]