The State of Small Business in 2026: Cautious Optimism and the Cost of Standing Still
Small businesses enter 2026 with more confidence than they’ve had in years, and more uncertainty about what to do with it. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index closed out 2025 at 99.5, sitting above its 52-year average for the first time in a while. A Citizens Financial Group survey found that 68% of middle-market companies […]
The Content Land Grab: Why Creating Content for AI Search Is Easier Now Than It Will Ever Be Again
I’ve been writing content consistently this year, on the Hill Media Group website and my personal site. For the first few months, nothing happened. I’d get the occasional response from someone who received my newsletter, but nothing from anyone who found me through search. That changed about 60 days ago. My content started appearing everywhere: […]
7 Steps to Rank Your Montana Business in Google Maps in 2026
When a homeowner in Kalispell searches for “plumber near me” or a driver in Missoula needs emergency auto repair, Google Maps determines which businesses they see first. If your Montana business doesn’t appear in those top three results, you’re invisible to the customers most ready to buy. The numbers tell the story: the top three […]
The State of Small Business Marketing in 2025: What You Need to Know to Stay Competitive
The world of small business marketing has fundamentally changed. What worked even two years ago may be costing you opportunities today. If you’re feeling like marketing has become more complex, more expensive, and less predictable, you’re not alone. The data confirms what many small business owners are experiencing firsthand. Let me walk you through what’s […]
What I Learned Analyzing 15 Auto Repair Websites in Flathead County
Last month, I spent several hours doing something that probably sounds incredibly boring to most people: I systematically analyzed every auto repair shop website I could find in Flathead County. Why would I do this? Two reasons. First, I’m always researching local marketing trends to better serve the businesses we work with at Hill Media […]
The Service Business Owner’s Guide to Winning the Holiday Season: 10 Strategies to Cut Through the Noise
How Local Service Businesses Can Leverage Black Friday Through New Year’s to Build Momentum That Lasts I just finished attending the Marketing Operators Digital Marketing Conference, where some of e-commerce’s sharpest minds, including leaders from ILIA Beauty, Tushy, Portland Leather, Grüns, Ministry of Supply, Obvi, birddogs, SET ACTIVE, and Hexclad, shared their battle-tested strategies for […]
How to Dominate AI Search Results: The New SEO Strategy Small Businesses Can’t Ignore
The way customers find businesses is fundamentally changing. While most business owners are still focused on traditional Google rankings, a small group of smart entrepreneurs has discovered something remarkable: according to a study by SEMRush, customers coming from AI recommendations are worth 4.4 times more than regular Google clicks. This isn’t just a minor shift […]
Why Your Website Traffic Is Declining (And What to Do About It)
If you’ve noticed your website getting fewer clicks lately, you’re not imagining things. Recent research reveals a dramatic shift in how people interact with search results, and it’s fundamentally changing the digital marketing landscape for small businesses. The Numbers Don’t Lie Multiple large-scale studies from 2025 paint a clear picture of what’s happening: Why This […]
The AI Search Revolution: How Local Businesses Can Dominate AI-Driven Discovery
The way customers discover local businesses is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Google’s aggressive push toward AI-driven search results, from AI Overviews to the new AI Mode, signals a seismic shift in how we need to think about local visibility. Meanwhile, ChatGPT’s browser mode and other AI platforms are creating new pathways for customer discovery that […]
5 Ways Local Service Businesses Can Use AI to Win More Customers (And Keep Them Coming Back)
After attending Search Marketing Expo Advanced earlier this month, I’ve been flooded with questions my clients about one topic: artificial intelligence. The feedback from my recap insights has been incredible, but the most common question I’m hearing is this: “How can my local business actually use AI without breaking the bank or becoming too technical?” […]