Jonathan Searle Google Professional & Multi Channel Marketing Professional

08/01/2025

Over the past few months, I moved my daily newsletter to LinkedIn.

It’s called The Marketing Edge Insights — real stories, clear strategy, and step by step guidance to help you grow from 0 to 100, even if your site is outdated or you’re just getting started.

Each week tackles a new theme based on real questions people ask me.

No pitch. Just practical insights that work.

If you see this post, take a minute to check out a few editions and I’d love your honest feedback. Let me know what hits or misses.

Persistence with the right plan still wins.

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-marketing-edge-insights-7327459269203714048

05/31/2025

Oops… we almost forgot to tell you.
We’ve officially launched a daily LinkedIn newsletter:

The Marketing Edge Insights — Monday through Friday.

Each day, we unpack what’s actually working in
SEO
GA4 and data strategy
Paid media
AI-powered marketing
…and everything in between.

This isn’t recycled advice or fluffy trends. It’s the real stuff we test, break, rebuild, and share with clients every day.

Want in?
Join the newsletter here:
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-marketing-edge-insights-7327459269203714048

We’d love for you to follow along, share what’s working for you, or even pitch us an idea.

What’s one thing in marketing you wish someone gave you real insights on — not just “best practices”?

Let’s crowdsource the next week of content.

Jonathan S. | Stay ahead in the digital marketing game with The Marketing Edge Your go-to source for actionable insights!

04/19/2025

Why the Future of Marketing Belongs to the Connectors

In a recent blog article, I explored how new opportunities in SEO consulting and multi-channel marketing are reshaping how businesses grow, especially in competitive B2B spaces.

It’s no longer enough to rank. You need to resonate.
It’s not just about running ads. It’s about connecting the dots across channels, content, and customer intent.

If you’re rethinking your strategy, this article breaks down where the real opportunities are and how to capture them.

👉 Read the full post:

There’s something uniquely grounding about the stillness of an early morning, especially when you're out on the water. On a recent fishing trip, as the first

03/07/2025

Lead Nurturing Done Right: How to Move Prospects Down the Funnel

Your Leads Are Not Cold. They Are Just Ignored.

Most companies focus all their energy on lead generation but neglect lead nurturing.

Just because someone does not convert immediately does not mean they are uninterested. It just means they are not ready yet. If you do not follow up with them strategically, you will leave revenue on the table.

Why Most Lead Nurturing Fails

1. Sending Generic Follow-Ups—When a prospect downloads your white paper, the only email they receive is a generic “Thanks for downloading!” That is not nurturing.

2. Ignoring the Buyer’s Journey – Not every lead is ready for a demo. If you push sales too soon, you will lose them.

3. Not Using Retargeting to Stay Top of Mind—If someone visits your site but does not convert, do not just hope they return. Instead, retarget them with relevant content.

4. No Personalization – If your emails sound like they were sent to 1,000 people simultaneously, your leads will ignore them.

5. Giving Up Too Soon—Most B2B leads need multiple touchpoints before they convert. You are wasting money if you stop following up after one or two emails.

How to Build a Lead Nurturing System That Works

👉 Segment Your Leads Based on Intent – A lead who downloaded a pricing guide differs significantly from someone who reads a blog post. Treat them accordingly.

👉 Use a Multi-Channel Approach – Combine email, retargeting ads, LinkedIn engagement, and direct outreach for a more substantial nurture sequence.

👉 Deliver Value Before Pushing for the Sale – Share case studies, customer success stories, or exclusive insights before asking for a call.

👉 Leverage Marketing Automation – Set up automated workflows that nurture leads based on their actions and engagement level.

👉 Track, Analyze, and Optimize – Monitor open, click-through, and conversion rates to see what works and adjust accordingly.

Lead nurturing is not about sending more emails.

It is about building relationships until the timing is right.

Are you nurturing your leads effectively, or are they just sitting in your CRM waiting for someone to follow up?
https://jonathansearle.com/multi-channel-marketing/

03/04/2025

Winning in 2025: The Framework for Growth, Engagement, and Retention

Most companies focus on increasing traffic, but the real game is turning traffic into engaged customers who stay.

As we approach 2025, the best marketing strategies are not just about awareness. They are about building trust, intent-driven engagement, and long-term loyalty.

Here’s the framework we see leading to more growth, retention, and conversions:

Who is your customer (ICP)?
>Are you speaking to actual pain points?
>Is your messaging adding value or just pushing a sales pitch?

Marketing Strategy & Ex*****on
>Are you using the proper channels and messaging to build authority and trust?
>Does your website excite and engage, or exist?

Website Performance & User Experience
>A slow site is a dead site. If your page takes over three seconds to load on mobile, forget about ranking on Google.
>Your website could be losing money without you even realizing it.

Analytics & Attribution
> If you don’t measure it, you can’t improve it.
> Over 95% of websites we reviewed had bad data in their CRM because their Google tracking wasn’t properly implemented.

CRM & Customer Loyalty
>Are you nurturing relationships or just chasing new leads?
>Long-term success comes from creating loyal fans who keep coming back.

In 2025, winning isn’t just about marketing. It is about building real connections, leveraging data correctly, and ensuring your digital presence works for you, not against you.

Let’s make 2025 the year of better marketing, more imaginative attribution, and stronger customer relationships.
https://jonathansearle.com/multi-channel-marketing/

03/04/2025

The Difference Between Good and Great Ads

Most Ads Get Ignored. Here’s How to Make Yours Stand Out.

If your ads aren’t getting results, the problem isn’t the platform. It’s your ad creative, messaging, or targeting.

Too many companies run generic, safe ads that blend in. And in a crowded digital landscape, blending in is the same as being invisible.

What Separates Great Ads from the Rest

1. They Speak to a Specific Pain Point – Generic messaging doesn’t work. If your ad doesn’t immediately resonate with a real challenge, it’s getting scrolled past.

2. They Focus on Outcomes, Not Features – Nobody cares that your software has 15 integrations. They care about how it makes their job easier.

3. They Have a Strong, Clear CTA – “Learn More” isn’t enough. Tell people exactly what they get when they click.

4. They Look Like Organic Content – The best ads don’t feel like ads. They feel like valuable insights that fit naturally into the feed.

5. They Target the Right Audience – If your ads aren’t personalized based on job title, industry, and seniority, you’re wasting budget on people who will never convert.

How to Make Your Ads Perform Better

➡️ Test Different Ad Formats – Single image ads work, but carousels, video, and document ads often perform better.

➡️ Use Retargeting to Re-Engage – Most people won’t convert on the first touch. Retarget visitors who engaged but didn’t take action.

➡️ Write Like a Human, Not a Marketing Robot – Overly polished corporate-speak doesn’t grab attention. Be conversational and direct.

➡️ Leverage Social Proof – Case studies, testimonials, and stats add credibility and make ads more compelling.

➡️ Optimize for Mobile First – The majority of users engage with ads on mobile. If your ad isn’t designed for small screens, you’re losing clicks.

Ads aren’t just about getting clicks. They are about getting in front of the right people with the right message at the right time.

Are your ads getting the attention they deserve, or are they just adding to the noise?

https://jonathansearle.com/multi-channel-marketing/

03/03/2025

Why Your Website Needs More than Just Traffic—It Needs Intent

More Traffic Doesn’t Always Mean More Revenue

Many businesses get excited about increasing website traffic, but if that traffic isn’t converting, it’s just a vanity metric.

The real question isn’t how many visitors you have. It’s how many of them are in-market for what you offer.

Why Intent Matters More than Traffic

1. High Traffic with Low Conversions Means the Wrong Audience. If people land on your site but don't take action, they weren’t the right visitors in the first place.

2. Search Intent Determines Buying Stage – Not all clicks are equal. Someone searching for “best marketing strategies” is in research mode. Someone searching for a “B2B marketing agency” is closer to deciding.

3. Quality Leads Come from Targeted Acquisition – It’s not just about getting more people to your site. It’s about getting the right people there with messaging that speaks to their needs.

4. Conversion Optimization Makes or Breaks Performance – Even with great intent, a confusing UX, slow load times, or weak CTAs will kill conversions.

5. Retargeting Captures Lost Opportunities—Most visitors won’t convert on the first visit. Without retargeting, potential revenue will be lost.

How to Focus on Intent, Not Just Traffic

🚩 Align Content with Buyer Stages – Create content for awareness, consideration, and decision-making to capture people at every phase of the journey.

🚩 Optimize for High-Intent Keywords – Focus on search terms that indicate buying intent, not just informational queries.

🚩 Refine Your Paid Media Targeting – Filter audiences based on firmographics, behavior, and engagement—not just broad demographics.

🚩 Fix On-Site Conversion Barriers – Audit landing pages, CTAs, and forms to remove friction points that prevent action.

🚩 Use Retargeting to Bring Back Engaged Visitors – If someone visits a high-intent page but doesn’t convert, retarget them with relevant offers.

More traffic won’t fix a bad strategy. Traffic with intent will.

Are you focusing on the right visitors or just chasing bigger numbers?

https://jonathansearle.com/

10/07/2024

Recently, while visiting my sweet mother, I was scanning through some old memories—some I recall vividly, others I’m collecting stories behind. In the few pictures I’m sharing today, you see the same photo of me: one with my eyes closed and the other with my eyes open, looking directly at the camera (solutions).

Many times in marketing, under the daily stress of decision-making, we often close our eyes and take our best shot or thought. After some time, we open our eyes and see the results, allowing us to adjust and improve for better performance.

Much like life, marketing presents daily challenges. Which website platform is best? Which agency can provide the “eyes wide open” approach after learning from months of testing, refining, and updating strategies?

Over the years, working with various companies, I’ve seen both approaches—and neither is inherently wrong. What may seem like a poor decision initially can transform once we learn what works and what doesn’t?
Included is a before-and-after example of an “eyes shut” vs. “eyes wide open” approach I helped a company achieve. At first, the rebranding and marketing for organic search felt rushed—an "eyes shut" approach.

After reviewing the metrics and strategizing, we mapped out an "eyes open" approach. The difference was clear: a structured, organized plan led to regained traffic and success.

If you're stuck in a dip or feeling like you're in an "eyes shut" mode, it’s time to gain insights, be proactive, and adopt an "eyes wide open" strategy.

How are your campaigns performing? Are you still operating with your eyes closed? If so, it’s time to open them, adjust what’s needed, and thrive in today’s fast-paced marketing world.

Let me know how you’re tackling your Q4 plans versus earlier quarters. I’d love to hear how you navigate marketing in this evolving landscape! 👁️

10/03/2024

I recently stopped by my local barber shop—yes, if you've seen my profile, you might be wondering why? Well, it's for one of my favorite monthly rituals: getting my beard trimmed.

The warm towel, the attention to detail, and, more than anything, the ambiance of this place are why I keep coming back. It’s located in an incredible spot—built from shipping containers right next to a local brewery, it shares that same authentic, laid-back vibe.

As I was leaving, I snapped a few photos and started reflecting on the insight, imagination, and skill it took to transform "old things" into something legendary. This little strip has become a local favorite, not just because of the services but also because of the experience.

This got me thinking. As marketers, CEOs, CMOs, and business leaders, we often believe we lack the skills, knowledge, or resources to create something extraordinary. But as I looked around, I realized the power of leveraging what we already have. The talent, the "right stuff," the details that make us unique—that’s where the magic is.

Over the last 25 years of working with companies, I’ve seen this repeatedly: the things we overlook often hold the key to creating something that keeps customers returning. It’s about using what’s already in your toolbox, tailoring it to your audience, and enhancing the experience.

So, here’s a challenge—take a step back. Look at your own strengths and your team’s skills, and imagine what could be. How would that make your customers feel? How could it reshape the way you do business?

I love helping companies tackle their toughest marketing challenges—refining strategy, attribution, or simply uncovering what makes you stand out. Let’s solve these problems together and create something memorable.

If you’re ever in my neck of the woods, reach out! I’d love to show you around one of my favorite local spots. Enjoy the photos!

09/30/2024

Looking back at our family trip to Kauai in 2019, I find peace and reflection. Since then, so much has changed in my personal and professional life, leading me to consider how I’ve grown as a person and a business leader.

In my years of experience, I’ve learned that true fulfillment comes from understanding my WHY. I love what I do, why I show up daily for my clients, and how that purpose drives me forward. But the bigger question is: What’s your WHY?

Discovering your clients' WHY is the key to providing real value. Whether you're a business owner, CMO, or marketing director, your goals—whether monthly, quarterly, or yearly—are deeply connected to the purpose behind what you’re striving for. When we take the time to truly listen and understand each person’s frustrations, challenges, and goals, we unlock the ability to solve those problems and help them achieve balance and success.

Suppose we can help our clients find their WHY and align it with solutions that make their daily work more meaningful. In that case, we create the opportunity for everyone to thrive, professionally and personally.

So, what’s your WHY? Finding that balance between work and life is the key to long-term success, and together we can make it happen.

09/27/2024

There's something special about the stillness of an early morning, especially out on the water. On one of my recent fishing trips, I took a moment to soak in the beauty of a new sunrise—reminding me how each day offers a fresh start.

In life and business, we’re given endless opportunities to explore new paths. Whether you’re navigating the challenges of a CEO, CMO, or business owner, remember that there's always room to learn and grow even after the "dental work" of hard decisions or missteps.

Let today be your moment to create new opportunities. Test new strategies. Forge a new path forward.

Here’s to making the most of today—find your sunrise and seize it!