5th Gear Marketing

05/31/2026

Are you using data to up your marketing game? You’ve come to the right place!

Real-time data can be a powerful tool when used correctly in a digital marketing strategy. By understanding and utilizing the data available, you can improve the accuracy of your marketing efforts, create a more personalized user experience, and gain insights into buyer behavior and trends.

The first step in leveraging real-time data is to understand the data you have available. This includes data from your website, social media, and analytics tools. By tracking and analyzing this data, you can gain insights on user behavior, such as what content they are viewing and how they are engaging with it. You can then use this data to create tailored content that speaks to the needs and interests of your target audience.

Another way to leverage real-time data is to use location based advertising. By understanding user behavior and interests, you can create targeted campaigns that reach the right people at the right time. This will help you reach more potential customers and increase the effectiveness of your campaigns.

11/17/2025

In a recent study from AirOps they found that Listicles Drive 9 in 10 Third-Party Mentions in AI Search

Listicles are the “10 Best X Restaurants”

👉 Nearly 90% of third-party brand mentions came from listicles, comparisons, or reviews.
👉 In those mentions, 80% of brands showed up in the first three positions within the article.

In other words:
AI models are heavily leaning on external validation and especially on who’s ranked near the top of “best X” style content.

Why this matters for your brand:
👉 If you’re not included in key listicles for your category, you’re probably underrepresented in AI answers too.
👉 If you are included but buried halfway down the page, your odds of being surfaced drop.
👉 AI visibility is becoming a distribution problem: PR, partnerships, and content placement now directly influence whether you’re named in AI results.

We’ve spent years optimizing our Google Business Profile.
Now we need to think just as strategically about where and how we’re mentioned in the content AI systems trust.

09/11/2025

This is so painful to watch. Please don't make this mistake!

04/22/2025

We’ll be in Vegas. But we’re not gambling.

ICSC 2025 is around the corner—and 5th Gear is showing up the same way we run campaigns:

📍 Placer.ai maps in hand
🎯 Geofenced ads dialed in
🤖 AI tools working overtime
🧠 Focused on one thing: moving people to your properties

If you're an owner/operator, REIT, or franchise brand who’s tired of "brand awareness" campaigns that don't drive foot traffic, let’s talk while we’re in town.

We empower companies to build business. See you in Vegas.

04/21/2025

🚨 Hard truth about social media marketing: Posting alone won't drive sales🚨

Your content should do more than just exist—it should speak **directly to where your audience is** in their buying journey:

✅ Awareness
✅ Consideration
✅ Decision

If you're posting generic messages without aligning them to these stages, you're missing out on a massive opportunity to influence behavior.

Matching your message to the decision-making mindset doesn’t just boost conversions—it also fuels retention and long-term trust.

💡 Pro tip: Use social media to nurture, educate, and strategically guide—not just sell.

🔄 Now over to you:
What’s the biggest mistake you see in social media marketing today?

👇 Let’s talk about it in the comments.

03/10/2025

Boycott Amazon? What do you say?

A boycott of Amazon is a boycott of small businesses. When I saw the news of this new 7-day Amazon boycott, I had to speak up. This boycott movement completely misses who actually gets hurt. Thousands of small businesses like mine that depend on the platform to survive. Many sellers I know are alrea...

05/31/2024

🤖 Worried about AI taking your job? You're not alone. According to Gallup, 22% of workers share that concern. But here's the thing it doesn't have to be so scary.

The fear of AI isn't just about losing a job; it's also about feeling unprepared for what's to come. Nobody wants to be left behind in the AI era.

So, what's the solution? It's all about preparation and adaptation. Companies can help ease this transition by providing training and resources for employees to learn AI tools. And if necessary, they can support reskilling and upskilling into new roles.

Investing in employee development is always a smart move. It not only prepares workers for the changes ahead but also ensures that your company stays ahead of the curve.

05/29/2024

"At 5th Gear Marketing, we're big fans of QR codes because they seamlessly bridge the physical and digital worlds! 🛍️💻

Strategically placing QR codes in brick-and-mortar businesses is like having a window into customer behavior. For example, when we’re looking to increase online reviews, placing a QR code in-store not only encourages customers to leave digital feedback but also allows us to track the scan’s origin.

This means we can monitor the success of specific campaigns and even gain insights into customer behaviors. How do you utilize QR codes?

05/28/2024

Some people said that shopping malls are dying out. The data disagrees.

Year over year since the pandemic, indoor malls, outlet malls, and especially grocery anchored strip centers are increasing their visits. According to Placer.ai,, “the pre-pandemic visit gap has been steadily narrowing over the past four years across all shopping center formats.”

Instead of quitting malls, many shoppers are instead incorporating them into their larger shopping plans. They’re visiting the mall, going to a restaurant, and individually stopping by individual stores– all in one day. Commercial real estate and shopping centers aren’t going anywhere, and 5th Gear Marketing is equipped to help your center grow and thrive. 🚀

05/27/2024

Today, we honor the legacy of our heroes. Memorial Day is a reminder of the courage and dedication of those who served. Join us in remembering and honoring their sacrifices. 🇺🇸