The Marketing Specialist

05/22/2026

Today’s the day! Cami’s graduating high school. We are so proud of everything she’s accomplished and can’t wait to see her thrive at Sonoma State University! XOXO 💕

05/20/2026

Are you using Edits to edit your videos? If it's new to you, Edits is the app that Instagram created a while back to compete with CapCut.

It's a stand alone app that also integrates with Instagram. You can fully create your Reels within Edits including text overlays, stickers, music, templates and more. The best part is that you can download Reels to your phone without any watermarks for use on any social media platform!

Here are the new features that just dropped:
✨ More premium fonts
✨ AI customizable fonts
✨ Better templates
✨ Ability to search more easily for other Reels and accounts

Stay tuned for more updates...and the release of Instagram for Dummies, 3rd edition this Winter!

05/06/2026

I'm getting A LOT of questions from my clients about showing up on search. One client just asked me about Google ads...

Why? People are searching other places now. ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, the list goes on. And even when they do search Google, an AI-assisted answer usually appears ABOVE any Google ads.

Why? People are searching other places now. ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, the list goes on. And even when they do search Google, and AI-assisted answer usually appears ABOVE any Google ads.

I've developed an AI Visibility Audit that goes through your entire website. I deliver a report in 24 hours that shows:

1️⃣ Your AI Visibility Score
2️⃣ Areas of Weakness
3️⃣ Exactly How to Improve
4️⃣ 30-Day Action Plan to break it into steps you can do yourself or hire someone to help you

▶▶✨Comment GEO if you want more info!✨

If GEO is new to you, it stands for Generative Engine Optimization!

04/20/2026

Millions of people are skipping Google and asking ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity to recommend businesses for them.

“Who’s the best realtor in Sacramento?”

“Find me a top divorce attorney in Portland.”

“Who specializes in hair extensions in Boise?”

The AI answers instantly — and it’s recommending specific businesses by name.

The businesses showing up? They’ve (usually accidentally) optimized their websites for AI search, something called GEO, Generative Engine Optimization.

The ones not showing up? They have no idea this is happening.

Get a custom GEO Audit for your business, delivered as a done-for-you PDF report, and find out exactly where you stand and WHAT TO FIX.

Delivered to your email within 24 hours.

Get your GEO AUDIT HERE:

Get found on AI searches!

11/21/2025

Something I don't talk about much until this time of year is my Etsy shop! It's my non-work creative outlet, and I have a ton of fun adding new designs all year.

I love following pop culture trends and creating items that make people laugh, or think, "Oh my gosh, I never thought I'd find this!"

Please check out this small sampling of items from my shop (there's now well over 100). And, if there is something you'd like specially designed to be put on a candle, mug, blanket, etc., I can definitely do that!

Thank you for your support. 🩷

Here's the link: https://mktingspecialist.etsy.com

11/10/2025

Want to start 2026 from a place of strength in your business?
Build your email list!

Join me this Thursday at 1 pm Pacific for a free webinar:

Growing Your Email List: Tips and Insights for Audience Growth

Learn how to grow your email list effectively
through a variety of tools and best practices.

Join me for tips, tricks, giveaways, and strategies
to make the most out of your list.

Don't miss out on this opportunity
to boost your business in 2026 through email marketing!

Register here:

Learn how to boost your small business by growing your email list at our online event, where we'll share our best tips and strategies.

10/24/2025

WHY "CLOSING THE LOOP" HELPS YOUR ANXIETY

I recently read an article that said most of your anxiety comes
from "unclosed loops."

What the heck does that mean?
An unclosed loop is something on your to-do list
that you haven't done yet.

🔹 Call your mom back = unclosed loop
🔹 Schedule your dental appt you've already rescheduled twice = unclosed loop
🔹 Take your car in to fix that rattle = unclosed loop

These are all things you have left to do, and until you "close the loop" on doing them, they will nag you and cause some level of anxiety.

While I can't call your mom, make your dentist appointment, or take your car in for you, I can close the loop on your marketing projects.

What have you been meaning to do all year to market your business, but keep pushing to the side? Stop. Think about it for a second. Does that make you feel anxious just thinking about it?

DM me for help.
Let's close those loops together.

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👋 Hi, I'm Corey Walker.
Co-author of Instagram for Dummies and Instagram for Business for Dummies
20-year owner of The Marketing Specialist marketing agency
www.themarketingspecialist.com

10/23/2025

In the inbox jungle, your email is one of hundreds. So how do you get people to stop scrolling and actually click? The answer lies in psychology, the art and science of understanding what makes people feel, react, and act.

Scroll through for some of my best tips for email subject lines that get emails opened!

Want a free audit of your last email marketing campaign? DM me and I'll shoot you over a link to my calendar!

-----------------
Corey Walker
Mailchimp Pro Partner

10/10/2025

Reels are taking over Instagram, and for good reason! Dive into our latest blog post to learn how to create engaging Reels that stand out from the crowd! Check it out here:

If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram lately, you’ve probably noticed one thing: Reels are everywhere! They’re fun, fast, and packed with personality. But here’s the real question: How do you make Instagram Reels that actually engage your audience and help your business grow? I’m here...

10/06/2025

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of speaking with Melissa Snow on her Powerful Women Rising podcast.

Inside our conversation, you’ll learn:

- How to use Instagram as a full funnel: from visibility to connection to conversion

- The role of Reels, feed posts, Stories, and Lives (and how to stop overthinking each one)

- What carousels and drip campaigns have in common - and why they convert

- Why showing your face on camera (even awkwardly) beats perfect production every time

- The easiest way to batch content using questions you already get asked all the time

This is your permission to stop chasing trends and start using Instagram in a way that supports your business goals and your sanity.

Listen here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2139824/episodes/17808880