Grow Your Church With a Google Business Profile | Bart Blair

do you remember the first time you heard do you remember the first time you heard someone say that your front door of your someone say that your front door of your someone say that your front door of your physical location is no longer the front physical location is no longer the front physical location is no longer the front door of your church but that your Church door of your church but that your Church door of your church but that your Church website is the new front door of your website is the new front door of your website is the new front door of your church it only seems like a few years church it only seems like a few years church it only seems like a few years ago that I actually started using that ago that I actually started using that ago that I actually started using that language maybe four or five years ago language maybe four or five years ago language maybe four or five years ago and for a time I believe that to be true and for a time I believe that to be true and for a time I believe that to be true but I'm going to tell you that today I but I'm going to tell you that today I but I'm going to tell you that today I don't think that your Church website is don't think that your Church website is don't think that your Church website is the front door of your church I actually the front door of your church I actually the front door of your church I actually think that the new front door of your think that the new front door of your think that the new front door of your church is actually your Google business church is actually your Google business church is actually your Google business profile okay maybe it's not the front profile okay maybe it's not the front profile okay maybe it's not the front door but it's the at the very least it door but it's the at the very least it door but it's the at the very least it is the window through which people are is the window through which people are is the window through which people are peaking before they actually approach peaking before they actually approach peaking before they actually approach your front door and so what I want to do your front door and so what I want to do your front door and so what I want to do today in this episode of the missional today in this episode of the missional today in this episode of the missional marketing podcast is I want to talk to marketing podcast is I want to talk to marketing podcast is I want to talk to you about some best practices for you about some best practices for you about some best practices for utilizing your Google business profile utilizing your Google business profile utilizing your Google business profile to make sure that you're taking to make sure that you're taking to make sure that you're taking advantage of this tool that Google advantage of this tool that Google advantage of this tool that Google offers all churches so that you can offers all churches so that you can offers all churches so that you can reach more people my name is Bart Blair reach more people my name is Bart Blair reach more people my name is Bart Blair and I am the co-host of the missional and I am the co-host of the missional and I am the co-host of the missional marketing podcast flying solo today uh marketing podcast flying solo today uh marketing podcast flying solo today uh this is season four episode two of the this is season four episode two of the this is season four episode two of the missional marketing podcast and uh we missional marketing podcast and uh we missional marketing podcast and uh we produce this podcast to help your church produce this podcast to help your church produce this podcast to help your church grow by leveraging digital marketing and grow by leveraging digital marketing and grow by leveraging digital marketing and effective Communications and uh in this effective Communications and uh in this effective Communications and uh in this day and age utilizing your Google day and age utilizing your Google day and age utilizing your Google business profile is a significant uh business profile is a significant uh business profile is a significant uh element to increasing your digital element to increasing your digital element to increasing your digital footprint in your community and reaching footprint in your community and reaching footprint in your community and reaching more people online now why should you be more people online now why should you be more people online now why should you be investing time and energy into your investing time and energy into your investing time and energy into your Google business profile for starters Google business profile for starters Google business profile for starters people are checking you out online and people are checking you out online and people are checking you out online and that is often a place that they see you that is often a place that they see you that is often a place that they see you first and when you are investing time

first and when you are investing time first and when you are investing time and energy and resources into your and energy and resources into your and energy and resources into your Google business profile you're creating Google business profile you're creating Google business profile you're creating a strong first impression for people who a strong first impression for people who a strong first impression for people who first discover You by searching you in first discover You by searching you in first discover You by searching you in Google Google Maps or Google local Google Google Maps or Google local Google Google Maps or Google local finder okay those are places that people finder okay those are places that people finder okay those are places that people can find you and you want them to have a can find you and you want them to have a can find you and you want them to have a strong first impression and your Google strong first impression and your Google strong first impression and your Google business profile is often the place that business profile is often the place that business profile is often the place that they're getting that first impression they're getting that first impression they're getting that first impression second really when you are actively second really when you are actively second really when you are actively using your Google business profile using your Google business profile using your Google business profile Google will reward you with more local Google will reward you with more local Google will reward you with more local SEO juice one is local SEO local SEO is SEO juice one is local SEO local SEO is SEO juice one is local SEO local SEO is basically the way that people find a basically the way that people find a basically the way that people find a brick and mortar location online so if brick and mortar location online so if brick and mortar location online so if you're searching for a physical location you're searching for a physical location you're searching for a physical location church near me Chinese restaurant near church near me Chinese restaurant near church near me Chinese restaurant near me chiropractor near me whatever it is me chiropractor near me whatever it is me chiropractor near me whatever it is that you're searching Google uses a that you're searching Google uses a that you're searching Google uses a certain type of criteria to rank those certain type of criteria to rank those certain type of criteria to rank those businesses in what we call the local businesses in what we call the local businesses in what we call the local pack in the local finder and in Google pack in the local finder and in Google pack in the local finder and in Google Maps now we have lots of content on our Maps now we have lots of content on our Maps now we have lots of content on our website blog content on local SEO we website blog content on local SEO we website blog content on local SEO we have other podcast episodes that we have have other podcast episodes that we have have other podcast episodes that we have done about local SEO and we have some done about local SEO and we have some done about local SEO and we have some training videos on our YouTube channel training videos on our YouTube channel training videos on our YouTube channel all related to local SEO so if you'd all related to local SEO so if you'd all related to local SEO so if you'd like to learn more just dive in there like to learn more just dive in there like to learn more just dive in there you can email me at missionalmarketing b you can email me at missionalmarketing b you can email me at missionalmarketing b Blair missionalmarketing.com you can go Blair missionalmarketing.com you can go Blair missionalmarketing.com you can go to missionmarketing.com go to our to missionmarketing.com go to our to missionmarketing.com go to our contacts page and you can actually set contacts page and you can actually set contacts page and you can actually set up an appointment with someone on our up an appointment with someone on our up an appointment with someone on our team who can actually walk you through team who can actually walk you through team who can actually walk you through how to improve your own local SEO how to improve your own local SEO how to improve your own local SEO profile we have some services that we profile we have some services that we profile we have some services that we offer churches to help them rank higher offer churches to help them rank higher offer churches to help them rank higher in local SEO but that is not what this in local SEO but that is not what this in local SEO but that is not what this podcast episode is about that being said

podcast episode is about that being said podcast episode is about that being said utilizing your Google business profile utilizing your Google business profile utilizing your Google business profile will actually help increase your local will actually help increase your local will actually help increase your local search rankings so I hope that is good search rankings so I hope that is good search rankings so I hope that is good motivation for you to want to do some of motivation for you to want to do some of motivation for you to want to do some of the things if not all the things that the things if not all the things that the things if not all the things that I'm going to be sharing with you today I'm going to be sharing with you today I'm going to be sharing with you today all right here's the first thing that all right here's the first thing that all right here's the first thing that you need to be doing in your Google you need to be doing in your Google you need to be doing in your Google business profile on a regular basis business profile on a regular basis business profile on a regular basis weekly at least monthly no less often weekly at least monthly no less often weekly at least monthly no less often than quarterly okay and that is that you than quarterly okay and that is that you than quarterly okay and that is that you need to be updating photos and videos on need to be updating photos and videos on need to be updating photos and videos on your Google business profile check out your Google business profile check out your Google business profile check out your photos are they up to date are they your photos are they up to date are they your photos are they up to date are they telling the story that you want to tell telling the story that you want to tell telling the story that you want to tell you have the ability to upload photos to you have the ability to upload photos to you have the ability to upload photos to delete and remove photos and one of the delete and remove photos and one of the delete and remove photos and one of the things that's very common is that people things that's very common is that people things that's very common is that people in your church will often either upload in your church will often either upload in your church will often either upload photos themselves or Google will Geo tag photos themselves or Google will Geo tag photos themselves or Google will Geo tag photos that they have taken at your photos that they have taken at your photos that they have taken at your location and add them to your Google location and add them to your Google location and add them to your Google business profile and sometimes those business profile and sometimes those business profile and sometimes those photos are less flattering than you photos are less flattering than you photos are less flattering than you would like them to be sometimes they would like them to be sometimes they would like them to be sometimes they don't adequately tell the story that you don't adequately tell the story that you don't adequately tell the story that you want to tell I have talked to churches want to tell I have talked to churches want to tell I have talked to churches that have other in their in their that have other in their in their that have other in their in their General geographic area General geographic area General geographic area they have other landmarks that people they have other landmarks that people they have other landmarks that people are taking photos of and sometimes those are taking photos of and sometimes those are taking photos of and sometimes those photos end up getting geotagged to their photos end up getting geotagged to their photos end up getting geotagged to their Google business profile even though the Google business profile even though the Google business profile even though the photos have nothing to do with their photos have nothing to do with their photos have nothing to do with their church and you need to go into your church and you need to go into your church and you need to go into your Google business profile and you need to Google business profile and you need to Google business profile and you need to check those photos and any photos that check those photos and any photos that check those photos and any photos that you don't want showing up in your Google you don't want showing up in your Google you don't want showing up in your Google business profile you hit the little flag business profile you hit the little flag business profile you hit the little flag button in the upper right hand corner button in the upper right hand corner button in the upper right hand corner and you give a reason why you want that and you give a reason why you want that and you give a reason why you want that photo removed maybe it's inappropriate photo removed maybe it's inappropriate photo removed maybe it's inappropriate maybe there's a copyright issue maybe

maybe there's a copyright issue maybe maybe there's a copyright issue maybe you don't have permission uh maybe it's you don't have permission uh maybe it's you don't have permission uh maybe it's not an accurate photo maybe it's a poor not an accurate photo maybe it's a poor not an accurate photo maybe it's a poor quality photo those are all the quality photo those are all the quality photo those are all the different options that you have different options that you have different options that you have um use that as a way of getting some of um use that as a way of getting some of um use that as a way of getting some of those photos removed that aren't telling those photos removed that aren't telling those photos removed that aren't telling the story that you want to tell another the story that you want to tell another the story that you want to tell another thing that a lot of people don't realize thing that a lot of people don't realize thing that a lot of people don't realize is that you can actually upload videos is that you can actually upload videos is that you can actually upload videos to your Google business profile you can to your Google business profile you can to your Google business profile you can shoot a short shoot a short shoot a short a welcome video and give a little a welcome video and give a little a welcome video and give a little introduction and post that on your introduction and post that on your introduction and post that on your Google business profile many churches Google business profile many churches Google business profile many churches are creating content from their Sunday are creating content from their Sunday are creating content from their Sunday sermons creating short clips posting sermons creating short clips posting sermons creating short clips posting them on Instagram reels and Tick Tock them on Instagram reels and Tick Tock them on Instagram reels and Tick Tock and maybe on your Facebook account you and maybe on your Facebook account you and maybe on your Facebook account you can actually post some of those short can actually post some of those short can actually post some of those short videos on your Google business profile videos on your Google business profile videos on your Google business profile again this gives people a really good again this gives people a really good again this gives people a really good look into your church so that people look into your church so that people look into your church so that people know what your church is all about and know what your church is all about and know what your church is all about and what to expect and hopefully it leaves what to expect and hopefully it leaves what to expect and hopefully it leaves them either hitting the direction them either hitting the direction them either hitting the direction requests or at least clicking over to requests or at least clicking over to requests or at least clicking over to your website to dig in a little bit more your website to dig in a little bit more your website to dig in a little bit more about who you are and what you have to about who you are and what you have to about who you are and what you have to offer them as they're searching for offer them as they're searching for offer them as they're searching for maybe spiritual uh answers to spiritual maybe spiritual uh answers to spiritual maybe spiritual uh answers to spiritual questions or felt need Ministries or questions or felt need Ministries or questions or felt need Ministries or just a new community to get to know just a new community to get to know just a new community to get to know Jesus and to grow in their faith with Jesus and to grow in their faith with Jesus and to grow in their faith with him all right so first thing that you him all right so first thing that you him all right so first thing that you need to be doing in your Google business need to be doing in your Google business need to be doing in your Google business profile on a regular basis is checking profile on a regular basis is checking profile on a regular basis is checking your photos and videos and updating your photos and videos and updating your photos and videos and updating those to make sure that they're telling those to make sure that they're telling those to make sure that they're telling the story that you want to tell the the story that you want to tell the the story that you want to tell the second thing that you need to be doing second thing that you need to be doing second thing that you need to be doing in your Google business profile on a in your Google business profile on a in your Google business profile on a regular basis is asking for reviews I regular basis is asking for reviews I regular basis is asking for reviews I actually did a an entire podcast episode actually did a an entire podcast episode actually did a an entire podcast episode on the topic of of reviews and whether

on the topic of of reviews and whether on the topic of of reviews and whether or not having reviews on your Google or not having reviews on your Google or not having reviews on your Google business profile help your church reach business profile help your church reach business profile help your church reach more people the answer to the question more people the answer to the question more people the answer to the question is they do okay and so if you click is they do okay and so if you click is they do okay and so if you click right up here I'm posting a link to that right up here I'm posting a link to that right up here I'm posting a link to that previous episode I'll also put it in the previous episode I'll also put it in the previous episode I'll also put it in the show notes below show notes below show notes below um make sure that you check out that um make sure that you check out that um make sure that you check out that episode I'm not going to get into the episode I'm not going to get into the episode I'm not going to get into the details of that today just a quick details of that today just a quick details of that today just a quick overview of reviews you need to be overview of reviews you need to be overview of reviews you need to be asking people for reviews and in that asking people for reviews and in that asking people for reviews and in that previous podcast episode I think it's a previous podcast episode I think it's a previous podcast episode I think it's a podcast episode or it might just be one podcast episode or it might just be one podcast episode or it might just be one of our training videos of our training videos of our training videos um anyway it's it's linked right there um anyway it's it's linked right there um anyway it's it's linked right there there I put it there again you can click there I put it there again you can click there I put it there again you can click on that right now and you can go watch on that right now and you can go watch on that right now and you can go watch that video if you want to it's also in that video if you want to it's also in that video if you want to it's also in the show notes below okay uh it'll walk the show notes below okay uh it'll walk the show notes below okay uh it'll walk you through exactly how to get a short you through exactly how to get a short you through exactly how to get a short link so that you can ask people to give link so that you can ask people to give link so that you can ask people to give you reviews you know I I kind of go with you reviews you know I I kind of go with you reviews you know I I kind of go with this adage when people are new in your this adage when people are new in your this adage when people are new in your church and maybe they've been visiting church and maybe they've been visiting church and maybe they've been visiting for a few weeks they're really excited for a few weeks they're really excited for a few weeks they're really excited about what they're experiencing they're about what they're experiencing they're about what they're experiencing they're they're joining the children's ministry they're joining the children's ministry they're joining the children's ministry their kids are getting a lot out of it their kids are getting a lot out of it their kids are getting a lot out of it they're excited about the teaching maybe they're excited about the teaching maybe they're excited about the teaching maybe about the music maybe about the about the music maybe about the about the music maybe about the relationships new connections that relationships new connections that relationships new connections that they're making with people they're they're making with people they're they're making with people they're excited about you as a church it's in excited about you as a church it's in excited about you as a church it's in someone's really their first few visits someone's really their first few visits someone's really their first few visits that they're most likely to leave you a that they're most likely to leave you a that they're most likely to leave you a review so somewhere in your assimilation review so somewhere in your assimilation review so somewhere in your assimilation strategy maybe it's your follow-up strategy maybe it's your follow-up strategy maybe it's your follow-up emails from your children's ministry emails from your children's ministry emails from your children's ministry after families have have just started after families have have just started after families have have just started checking kids into the children's checking kids into the children's checking kids into the children's ministry maybe uh it's uh in your ministry maybe uh it's uh in your ministry maybe uh it's uh in your welcome follow-up after someone has welcome follow-up after someone has welcome follow-up after someone has given for the first time maybe it's an given for the first time maybe it's an given for the first time maybe it's an orientation class that you do you should orientation class that you do you should orientation class that you do you should ask people to leave reviews now I know ask people to leave reviews now I know ask people to leave reviews now I know it sounds a little weird to do that and it sounds a little weird to do that and it sounds a little weird to do that and again I talk about that in that previous

again I talk about that in that previous again I talk about that in that previous video but here's the language that I use video but here's the language that I use video but here's the language that I use tell people that they can be digital tell people that they can be digital tell people that they can be digital missionaries and help your church reach missionaries and help your church reach missionaries and help your church reach more people by leaving a Google review more people by leaving a Google review more people by leaving a Google review if you love missional church you can if you love missional church you can if you love missional church you can help more people find missional Church help more people find missional Church help more people find missional Church by leaving us a five-star review on by leaving us a five-star review on by leaving us a five-star review on Google okay really really important that Google okay really really important that Google okay really really important that you're adding new reviews on a regular you're adding new reviews on a regular you're adding new reviews on a regular basis because people are reading your basis because people are reading your basis because people are reading your reviews now anytime someone leaves you a reviews now anytime someone leaves you a reviews now anytime someone leaves you a content Rich review and content Rich content Rich review and content Rich content Rich review and content Rich means they didn't just click the four means they didn't just click the four means they didn't just click the four star or the five star they actually star or the five star they actually star or the five star they actually wrote something you're looking for a wrote something you're looking for a wrote something you're looking for a reason to respond to those and a link reason to respond to those and a link reason to respond to those and a link that you can provide to the website that you can provide to the website that you can provide to the website that's related to what they actually that's related to what they actually that's related to what they actually talked about maybe they talked about the talked about maybe they talked about the talked about maybe they talked about the preaching maybe they talked about the preaching maybe they talked about the preaching maybe they talked about the children's ministry maybe they talked children's ministry maybe they talked children's ministry maybe they talked about the foreign missions maybe they about the foreign missions maybe they about the foreign missions maybe they talked about small groups whatever it is talked about small groups whatever it is talked about small groups whatever it is that they mentioned in the review you that they mentioned in the review you that they mentioned in the review you want to provide a link in your response want to provide a link in your response want to provide a link in your response to their review right to that page on to their review right to that page on to their review right to that page on your website why do you want to do that your website why do you want to do that your website why do you want to do that because the person who's reading the because the person who's reading the because the person who's reading the review that says we love the student review that says we love the student review that says we love the student Ministry our teenage kids totally love Ministry our teenage kids totally love Ministry our teenage kids totally love being involved in this church and I'm a being involved in this church and I'm a being involved in this church and I'm a parent of a teenager and this sounds parent of a teenager and this sounds parent of a teenager and this sounds like the right church for me and when like the right church for me and when like the right church for me and when I'm reading your response to that review I'm reading your response to that review I'm reading your response to that review I see that you've linked right to the I see that you've linked right to the I see that you've linked right to the student Ministry page on your website student Ministry page on your website student Ministry page on your website boom I clicked that link I go right to boom I clicked that link I go right to boom I clicked that link I go right to your website now I can get more your website now I can get more your website now I can get more information about your student Ministry information about your student Ministry information about your student Ministry it was relevant to me in that moment and it was relevant to me in that moment and it was relevant to me in that moment and that's why I clicked on it so make sure that's why I clicked on it so make sure that's why I clicked on it so make sure that you are responding to content Rich that you are responding to content Rich that you are responding to content Rich reviews you need to be getting reviews reviews you need to be getting reviews reviews you need to be getting reviews on a consistent basis you need to be

on a consistent basis you need to be on a consistent basis you need to be responding to reviews on a consistent responding to reviews on a consistent responding to reviews on a consistent basis now from time to time I get a basis now from time to time I get a basis now from time to time I get a phone call or an email from a church phone call or an email from a church phone call or an email from a church that's gotten some bad reviews this type that's gotten some bad reviews this type that's gotten some bad reviews this type of thing happens all the time and it's of thing happens all the time and it's of thing happens all the time and it's unfortunate that often there isn't much unfortunate that often there isn't much unfortunate that often there isn't much that you can do to get rid of bad that you can do to get rid of bad that you can do to get rid of bad reviews if they're legitimate they're reviews if they're legitimate they're reviews if they're legitimate they're probably going to stay if they are not probably going to stay if they are not probably going to stay if they are not legitimate you can flag them you can legitimate you can flag them you can legitimate you can flag them you can have multiple people flag them and have multiple people flag them and have multiple people flag them and Google will consider removing them I Google will consider removing them I Google will consider removing them I have seen instances where there has been have seen instances where there has been have seen instances where there has been some sort of Scandal or something that some sort of Scandal or something that some sort of Scandal or something that has happened in the church or some has happened in the church or some has happened in the church or some individual person got upset about individual person got upset about individual person got upset about something and they went and got a bunch something and they went and got a bunch something and they went and got a bunch of their friends to come and write of their friends to come and write of their friends to come and write reviews people who aren't affiliated reviews people who aren't affiliated reviews people who aren't affiliated with the church if that actually happens with the church if that actually happens with the church if that actually happens I've actually seen churches go in and I've actually seen churches go in and I've actually seen churches go in and have multiple people flag those and say have multiple people flag those and say have multiple people flag those and say this isn't helpful or it's not a this isn't helpful or it's not a this isn't helpful or it's not a legitimate review and Google has removed legitimate review and Google has removed legitimate review and Google has removed those if you can't get them removed the those if you can't get them removed the those if you can't get them removed the only way to deal with bad reviews is to only way to deal with bad reviews is to only way to deal with bad reviews is to bury them with more good reviews so if bury them with more good reviews so if bury them with more good reviews so if you get a bad review the best way to you get a bad review the best way to you get a bad review the best way to tackle that if you can't get it removed tackle that if you can't get it removed tackle that if you can't get it removed is to just go and get more reviews bury is to just go and get more reviews bury is to just go and get more reviews bury it uh you know one one star review or it uh you know one one star review or it uh you know one one star review or five one star reviews because you've got five one star reviews because you've got five one star reviews because you've got a disgruntled person or an upset family a disgruntled person or an upset family a disgruntled person or an upset family or something weird happens that causes a or something weird happens that causes a or something weird happens that causes a bunch of bad reviews sometimes there's bunch of bad reviews sometimes there's bunch of bad reviews sometimes there's not much you can do so go and get 10 or not much you can do so go and get 10 or not much you can do so go and get 10 or 15 or 20 new five-star reviews I once 15 or 20 new five-star reviews I once 15 or 20 new five-star reviews I once had a pastor ask me if Google would flag had a pastor ask me if Google would flag had a pastor ask me if Google would flag it if there were a whole bunch of good it if there were a whole bunch of good it if there were a whole bunch of good reviews that came in at one time uh in reviews that came in at one time uh in reviews that came in at one time uh in my experience no I've never seen Google my experience no I've never seen Google my experience no I've never seen Google raise a red flag over like 10 people in

raise a red flag over like 10 people in raise a red flag over like 10 people in one day leaving positive reviews Yelp on one day leaving positive reviews Yelp on one day leaving positive reviews Yelp on the other hand I have heard I don't know the other hand I have heard I don't know the other hand I have heard I don't know if this is actually true uh Yelp I have if this is actually true uh Yelp I have if this is actually true uh Yelp I have heard get suspicious if multiple reviews heard get suspicious if multiple reviews heard get suspicious if multiple reviews are coming in in a very short period of are coming in in a very short period of are coming in in a very short period of time so if you're asking people to leave time so if you're asking people to leave time so if you're asking people to leave you reviews on Yelp which by the way you reviews on Yelp which by the way you reviews on Yelp which by the way Yelp reviews are important because Yelp Yelp reviews are important because Yelp Yelp reviews are important because Yelp reviews get shared in Apple Maps that's reviews get shared in Apple Maps that's reviews get shared in Apple Maps that's free of charge has nothing to do with free of charge has nothing to do with free of charge has nothing to do with this particular podcast episode but when this particular podcast episode but when this particular podcast episode but when people are using Apple Maps they see the people are using Apple Maps they see the people are using Apple Maps they see the reviews in Apple Maps those are coming reviews in Apple Maps those are coming reviews in Apple Maps those are coming from Yelp but most people are using from Yelp but most people are using from Yelp but most people are using Google Maps so we're going to focus on Google Maps so we're going to focus on Google Maps so we're going to focus on the Google business profile and Google the Google business profile and Google the Google business profile and Google Maps uh just very bad reviews with more Maps uh just very bad reviews with more Maps uh just very bad reviews with more good reviews all right that's the second good reviews all right that's the second good reviews all right that's the second thing that you need to be doing on a thing that you need to be doing on a thing that you need to be doing on a regular basis now next thing that you regular basis now next thing that you regular basis now next thing that you need to be doing is you need to be need to be doing is you need to be need to be doing is you need to be creating posts on your Google business creating posts on your Google business creating posts on your Google business profile did you know that you could profile did you know that you could profile did you know that you could create posts yes you can create posts create posts yes you can create posts create posts yes you can create posts just like you create posts on social just like you create posts on social just like you create posts on social media so I'm going to share my screen media so I'm going to share my screen media so I'm going to share my screen right now and walk through what it looks right now and walk through what it looks right now and walk through what it looks like to actually create a post on a like to actually create a post on a like to actually create a post on a Google business profile account so if Google business profile account so if Google business profile account so if you are logged into your Google business you are logged into your Google business you are logged into your Google business profile account you'll actually see a profile account you'll actually see a profile account you'll actually see a panel on the left hand side that looks panel on the left hand side that looks panel on the left hand side that looks well it just doesn't look like a Google well it just doesn't look like a Google well it just doesn't look like a Google search return uh it says right here down search return uh it says right here down search return uh it says right here down at the bottom only managers of this at the bottom only managers of this at the bottom only managers of this profile can see this so if you own the profile can see this so if you own the profile can see this so if you own the Google business profile and you are Google business profile and you are Google business profile and you are logged into your Gmail account or your logged into your Gmail account or your logged into your Gmail account or your Google account that is assigned to Google account that is assigned to Google account that is assigned to manage that you simply do that by making manage that you simply do that by making manage that you simply do that by making sure that you're logged into your Google sure that you're logged into your Google sure that you're logged into your Google account and then you search for your account and then you search for your account and then you search for your Church's business profile just do a

Church's business profile just do a Church's business profile just do a search for your church and it will come search for your church and it will come search for your church and it will come up if it doesn't you can actually go to up if it doesn't you can actually go to up if it doesn't you can actually go to I think it's I think it's I think it's business.google.com and you can actually business.google.com and you can actually business.google.com and you can actually log into your Google business profile log into your Google business profile log into your Google business profile here that's yeah business.google.com here that's yeah business.google.com here that's yeah business.google.com um if that's not right Google it uh um if that's not right Google it uh um if that's not right Google it uh you'll find you'll find it but when you'll find you'll find it but when you'll find you'll find it but when you're in this uh when you're logged you're in this uh when you're logged you're in this uh when you're logged into your account you've got this panel into your account you've got this panel into your account you've got this panel over here and you can see you've got a over here and you can see you've got a over here and you can see you've got a spot where you can read reviews uh where spot where you can read reviews uh where spot where you can read reviews uh where you can uh actually get more reviews you can uh actually get more reviews you can uh actually get more reviews there's a little button right here that there's a little button right here that there's a little button right here that says ask for reviews there's a little says ask for reviews there's a little says ask for reviews there's a little card here I just pass it up it says get card here I just pass it up it says get card here I just pass it up it says get more reviews that's what you click on to more reviews that's what you click on to more reviews that's what you click on to actually get the short link that you can actually get the short link that you can actually get the short link that you can share you can share it in email you can share you can share it in email you can share you can share it in email you can share it on social you can create a QR share it on social you can create a QR share it on social you can create a QR code for it and you can ask people to code for it and you can ask people to code for it and you can ask people to leave your reviews but what I want to leave your reviews but what I want to leave your reviews but what I want to talk about are posts now posts talk about are posts now posts talk about are posts now posts show up kind of at the bottom of your show up kind of at the bottom of your show up kind of at the bottom of your Google business profile there's a Google business profile there's a Google business profile there's a section down here you can see that this section down here you can see that this section down here you can see that this church has this is an event and I know church has this is an event and I know church has this is an event and I know it's an event because it actually has a it's an event because it actually has a it's an event because it actually has a bold title and then a date and then the bold title and then a date and then the bold title and then a date and then the name of the event this is actually just name of the event this is actually just name of the event this is actually just a post and it's basically just a a post and it's basically just a a post and it's basically just a mirrored social media post if I click on mirrored social media post if I click on mirrored social media post if I click on it I can actually see that it has just a it I can actually see that it has just a it I can actually see that it has just a little bit of information about it is an little bit of information about it is an little bit of information about it is an event it's a Class A new Believers class event it's a Class A new Believers class event it's a Class A new Believers class and then there's a little button here and then there's a little button here and then there's a little button here that says learn more if I click on that that says learn more if I click on that that says learn more if I click on that it's actually going to take me to either it's actually going to take me to either it's actually going to take me to either a registration page or a page on the a registration page or a page on the a registration page or a page on the church's website now you can create church's website now you can create church's website now you can create posts by clicking the button here that posts by clicking the button here that posts by clicking the button here that says add update Okay add update I click

says add update Okay add update I click says add update Okay add update I click on that and it gives me three different on that and it gives me three different on that and it gives me three different options I can add an update I can add an options I can add an update I can add an options I can add an update I can add an offer and I can add an event I have not offer and I can add an event I have not offer and I can add an event I have not yet figured out how a church can utilize yet figured out how a church can utilize yet figured out how a church can utilize the ad offer unless maybe you're selling the ad offer unless maybe you're selling the ad offer unless maybe you're selling something but you want to add an update something but you want to add an update something but you want to add an update if you click on this little arrow here if you click on this little arrow here if you click on this little arrow here it brings a little window up where you it brings a little window up where you it brings a little window up where you can add photos you can add multiple can add photos you can add multiple can add photos you can add multiple photos you put your description in just photos you put your description in just photos you put your description in just like you would in a social media post like you would in a social media post like you would in a social media post and then you can also add a button you and then you can also add a button you and then you can also add a button you don't have to but you can add a button don't have to but you can add a button don't have to but you can add a button and you can see you've got different and you can see you've got different and you can see you've got different options you can book an appointment you options you can book an appointment you options you can book an appointment you can order online you can buy you can can order online you can buy you can can order online you can buy you can learn more sign up or call now and you learn more sign up or call now and you learn more sign up or call now and you can use I typically use either learn can use I typically use either learn can use I typically use either learn more or call now unless it's an event more or call now unless it's an event more or call now unless it's an event that I want people to register to and that I want people to register to and that I want people to register to and you can hit let's say sign up and you you can hit let's say sign up and you you can hit let's say sign up and you can see that if I hit the sign up button can see that if I hit the sign up button can see that if I hit the sign up button it asks me for the link that will take it asks me for the link that will take it asks me for the link that will take them to the actual registration page so them to the actual registration page so them to the actual registration page so that's how you add an update to your that's how you add an update to your that's how you add an update to your Google business profile I'm going to Google business profile I'm going to Google business profile I'm going to discard those changes because I'm not discard those changes because I'm not discard those changes because I'm not going to do anything else there and going to do anything else there and going to do anything else there and that's a quick and easy way for you to that's a quick and easy way for you to that's a quick and easy way for you to add an update so how often should you add an update so how often should you add an update so how often should you add an update or I post to your Google add an update or I post to your Google add an update or I post to your Google business profile I would say at least business profile I would say at least business profile I would say at least once a month uh you could do it once a once a month uh you could do it once a once a month uh you could do it once a week uh one of the the best practices week uh one of the the best practices week uh one of the the best practices that I've seen churches do is uh if you that I've seen churches do is uh if you that I've seen churches do is uh if you have a specific post that has trended have a specific post that has trended have a specific post that has trended well on your social media accounts well on your social media accounts well on your social media accounts gotten a lot of Engagement Facebook and gotten a lot of Engagement Facebook and gotten a lot of Engagement Facebook and Instagram just take that post and Instagram just take that post and Instagram just take that post and repurpose it over to your Google repurpose it over to your Google repurpose it over to your Google business profile I don't think you need business profile I don't think you need business profile I don't think you need to be posting as regularly as you would to be posting as regularly as you would to be posting as regularly as you would on your regular social media accounts on your regular social media accounts on your regular social media accounts but I do think that when you're engaged but I do think that when you're engaged but I do think that when you're engaged and using your Google business profile

and using your Google business profile and using your Google business profile it gives fresh content for people to see it gives fresh content for people to see it gives fresh content for people to see and it also demonstrates for Google that and it also demonstrates for Google that and it also demonstrates for Google that you're willing to play in their sandbox you're willing to play in their sandbox you're willing to play in their sandbox um and you're going to be rewarded with um and you're going to be rewarded with um and you're going to be rewarded with more local SEO juice and also obviously more local SEO juice and also obviously more local SEO juice and also obviously if you are creating more posts you're if you are creating more posts you're if you are creating more posts you're also giving those links and more also giving those links and more also giving those links and more opportunities for people to click over opportunities for people to click over opportunities for people to click over to your website if they're interested in to your website if they're interested in to your website if they're interested in the events or activities or the things the events or activities or the things the events or activities or the things that you are sharing in those posts now that you are sharing in those posts now that you are sharing in those posts now the other thing that I briefly mentioned the other thing that I briefly mentioned the other thing that I briefly mentioned there just a second ago I'm going to there just a second ago I'm going to there just a second ago I'm going to share my screen again is creating events share my screen again is creating events share my screen again is creating events so creating posts is some something that so creating posts is some something that so creating posts is some something that you need to be doing on a regular basis you need to be doing on a regular basis you need to be doing on a regular basis basis and the last thing I'm going to basis and the last thing I'm going to basis and the last thing I'm going to talk about here is actually creating talk about here is actually creating talk about here is actually creating events not too different than creating a events not too different than creating a events not too different than creating a post or adding a post so again I'm going post or adding a post so again I'm going post or adding a post so again I'm going to share my screen and in here you can to share my screen and in here you can to share my screen and in here you can see if I go back to that same spot that see if I go back to that same spot that see if I go back to that same spot that says add an update says add an update says add an update I can add an event I might get to the I can add an event I might get to the I can add an event I might get to the add event window it gives me the add event window it gives me the add event window it gives me the opportunity to add photos event title opportunity to add photos event title opportunity to add photos event title start date start time and date and time start date start time and date and time start date start time and date and time and then event details and then I can and then event details and then I can and then event details and then I can also add a button I can do a learn more also add a button I can do a learn more also add a button I can do a learn more which maybe can take to a landing page which maybe can take to a landing page which maybe can take to a landing page on a website I can add the uh call now on a website I can add the uh call now on a website I can add the uh call now if I want them to just call the church if I want them to just call the church if I want them to just call the church office to get more information or I can office to get more information or I can office to get more information or I can do none but I would recommend that if do none but I would recommend that if do none but I would recommend that if you're going to have an event you should you're going to have an event you should you're going to have an event you should have a landing page some way for people have a landing page some way for people have a landing page some way for people to sign up and uh this is going to be to sign up and uh this is going to be to sign up and uh this is going to be instrumental again in helping more instrumental again in helping more instrumental again in helping more people learn about who you are and what people learn about who you are and what people learn about who you are and what you have to offer now here's another you have to offer now here's another you have to offer now here's another thing that a lot of people are unaware thing that a lot of people are unaware thing that a lot of people are unaware of when you're creating events in your

of when you're creating events in your of when you're creating events in your Google business profile those events Google business profile those events Google business profile those events become searchable in Google so let's become searchable in Google so let's become searchable in Google so let's look at this if I searched family events look at this if I searched family events look at this if I searched family events near me near me near me in Google Google gives me a little the in Google Google gives me a little the in Google Google gives me a little the equivalent of like a local pack in local equivalent of like a local pack in local equivalent of like a local pack in local search I get three events by date and search I get three events by date and search I get three events by date and then I have this little button right then I have this little button right then I have this little button right here that says search more events when I here that says search more events when I here that says search more events when I click that I get an entire calendar of click that I get an entire calendar of click that I get an entire calendar of events events events that are in my area in my general area that are in my area in my general area that are in my area in my general area and now I can see I've got all these and now I can see I've got all these and now I can see I've got all these family events near me one of the ways family events near me one of the ways family events near me one of the ways that you can actually get your events to that you can actually get your events to that you can actually get your events to show up in these types of searches is by show up in these types of searches is by show up in these types of searches is by posting these events in your Google posting these events in your Google posting these events in your Google business profile so if maybe it's a business profile so if maybe it's a business profile so if maybe it's a music event a Christmas event an easter music event a Christmas event an easter music event a Christmas event an easter event a family event a kids event event a family event a kids event event a family event a kids event you can add those events and into your you can add those events and into your you can add those events and into your Google business profile and there's a Google business profile and there's a Google business profile and there's a better chance that they will get found better chance that they will get found better chance that they will get found in these searches when people are in these searches when people are in these searches when people are searching for this type of topic a searching for this type of topic a searching for this type of topic a little side note here little side note here little side note here I'm also a huge advocate of using I'm also a huge advocate of using I'm also a huge advocate of using um um um uh Eventbrite and all events okay uh uh Eventbrite and all events okay uh uh Eventbrite and all events okay uh those those platforms Eventbrite and all those those platforms Eventbrite and all those those platforms Eventbrite and all events when you create free events on events when you create free events on events when you create free events on those platforms it costs you nothing but those platforms it costs you nothing but those platforms it costs you nothing but when you create those events each of when you create those events each of when you create those events each of those pages gets local schema markup those pages gets local schema markup those pages gets local schema markup added to that page which makes those added to that page which makes those added to that page which makes those events searchable events searchable events searchable so you can actually promote your events so you can actually promote your events so you can actually promote your events free in all events and Eventbrite as free in all events and Eventbrite as free in all events and Eventbrite as long as it's a free event in fact if you

long as it's a free event in fact if you long as it's a free event in fact if you are a person if if you look at the map are a person if if you look at the map are a person if if you look at the map that I'm looking at here and I kind of that I'm looking at here and I kind of that I'm looking at here and I kind of start scrolling through some of these start scrolling through some of these start scrolling through some of these events you'll see I just kicked on events you'll see I just kicked on events you'll see I just kicked on clicked on this one and it shows that it clicked on this one and it shows that it clicked on this one and it shows that it is listed on all events I can come down is listed on all events I can come down is listed on all events I can come down here and I can see a few of these are here and I can see a few of these are here and I can see a few of these are probably probably probably well well well of course because I'm trying to of course because I'm trying to of course because I'm trying to demonstrate it I'm not I'm not getting demonstrate it I'm not I'm not getting demonstrate it I'm not I'm not getting the results that I would like uh I don't the results that I would like uh I don't the results that I would like uh I don't know what's going on here know what's going on here know what's going on here anyway all that being said if you post anyway all that being said if you post anyway all that being said if you post your events here there's another one on your events here there's another one on your events here there's another one on all events all events all events all events and Eventbrite that's another all events and Eventbrite that's another all events and Eventbrite that's another way for you to get your events to show way for you to get your events to show way for you to get your events to show up in these localized searches okay so up in these localized searches okay so up in these localized searches okay so I'm gonna wrap this podcast episode up I'm gonna wrap this podcast episode up I'm gonna wrap this podcast episode up I'm going to give you just a quick I'm going to give you just a quick I'm going to give you just a quick little recap of the things that we little recap of the things that we little recap of the things that we talked about today the things that you talked about today the things that you talked about today the things that you need to be doing in your Google business need to be doing in your Google business need to be doing in your Google business profile on a regular basis one updating profile on a regular basis one updating profile on a regular basis one updating photos and videos two asking for reviews photos and videos two asking for reviews photos and videos two asking for reviews three responding to new reviews for three responding to new reviews for three responding to new reviews for creating posts five creating events hope creating posts five creating events hope creating posts five creating events hope that is helpful if you have any that is helpful if you have any that is helpful if you have any questions and shoot me an email reach questions and shoot me an email reach questions and shoot me an email reach out to us leave a comment uh on our out to us leave a comment uh on our out to us leave a comment uh on our YouTube channel if you happen to be YouTube channel if you happen to be YouTube channel if you happen to be watching this on YouTube uh and would watching this on YouTube uh and would watching this on YouTube uh and would love to engage with you there if you love to engage with you there if you love to engage with you there if you haven't subscribed wherever you're haven't subscribed wherever you're haven't subscribed wherever you're listening to the podcast make sure that listening to the podcast make sure that listening to the podcast make sure that you do that again this is the beginning you do that again this is the beginning you do that again this is the beginning of our fourth season uh we have I don't of our fourth season uh we have I don't of our fourth season uh we have I don't know 130 140 episodes under our belts at know 130 140 episodes under our belts at know 130 140 episodes under our belts at this point uh so you can go back and this point uh so you can go back and this point uh so you can go back and check out our archives either on our check out our archives either on our check out our archives either on our YouTube channel on whatever your your YouTube channel on whatever your your YouTube channel on whatever your your podcast favorite podcasting platform is podcast favorite podcasting platform is podcast favorite podcasting platform is uh so that you can hear and learn some uh so that you can hear and learn some uh so that you can hear and learn some of the previous things that we've talked of the previous things that we've talked of the previous things that we've talked about some of the guests that we've had about some of the guests that we've had about some of the guests that we've had on the show I've got a few great guests

on the show I've got a few great guests on the show I've got a few great guests coming up in the upcoming weeks uh we're coming up in the upcoming weeks uh we're coming up in the upcoming weeks uh we're going to be talking about storytelling going to be talking about storytelling going to be talking about storytelling in church uh leadership in church lots in church uh leadership in church lots in church uh leadership in church lots of different things that we hope will of different things that we hope will of different things that we hope will move the needle uh in helping your move the needle uh in helping your move the needle uh in helping your church reach more people online helping church reach more people online helping church reach more people online helping your church grow But ultimately helping your church grow But ultimately helping your church grow But ultimately helping God's kingdom grow as we introduce more God's kingdom grow as we introduce more God's kingdom grow as we introduce more and more people to Jesus thanks again and more people to Jesus thanks again and more people to Jesus thanks again for tuning in I'm Bart Blair and I'm out for tuning in I'm Bart Blair and I'm out for tuning in I'm Bart Blair and I'm out of here of here of here [Applause] thank you thank you [Music]