Welcome to the "Designers Show" by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art—it's a profit center! In this episode, Dan Baumann and Renee are joined by Joleen Emery of Big Raven Media for a practical, straight-talking conversation about marketing for small design teams, remodelers, builders, and Chief Architect users. The episode focuses on what to do first when marketing feels overwhelming: build the foundation. Before chasing social media, AI tools, or complicated marketing tactics, small businesses need the basics working properly: a verified Google Business Profile, a clear website, steady review requests, lead tracking, follow-up workflows, and consistent visibility. This conversation is especially useful for designers and remodelers who rely heavily on referrals but want a more dependable way to stay visible, attract better-fit clients, and keep leads from falling through the cracks. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Start with your Google Business Profile before worrying about social media. Verify your profile, complete it, add photos, and post to it regularly. Reviews need a real workflow, not a “hope they remember” approach. Use a direct Google review link so clients do not have to search for where to leave feedback. Respond to every review, including negative ones. Social media is often brand awareness, not true lead generation. Referrals are valuable, but they are not a complete marketing strategy. Your website should explain who you are and what you do within seconds. Track where leads come from so you know what is actually working. Use AI only after the basics are in place. Consistency beats start-stop marketing every time. 📌 Chapters with timestamps: 00:00 — Welcome to the Designers Show 03:14 — Introducing Joleen Emery of Big Raven Media 04:03 — Upcoming Chief Architect training in Denver 05:29 — Pro Academy updates and ongoing Chief Architect education 07:19 — Marketing topics for small design businesses 08:15 — Why “bad marketing” is often upside-down marketing 08:34 — Start with your Google Business Profile 09:02 — Where AI fits into marketing 10:32 — Managing your Google Business Profile through Google Maps 13:09 — Why reviews need a strategy 15:55 — Responding to reviews, even negative ones 17:37 — Posting regularly to your Google profile 20:49 — Choosing customer-focused keywords and search terms 27:17 — Social media as brand awareness versus lead generation 33:52 — Referrals and relationship marketing 34:34 — Yelp, Google, and social proof 37:43 — Looking trustworthy online 40:48 — Posting content when you have limited time 41:48 — Managing tire kickers with clearer positioning 46:30 — Tracking where leads come from 46:57 — Google Analytics versus Google Business Profile 49:48 — Follow-up systems and workflows 53:31 — Why organized lead follow-up matters 57:29 — Website clarity in ten seconds 58:13 — Referrals alone are not enough 58:30 — Building a consistent marketing plan 60:30 — Why ongoing marketing matters when referrals slow down 📌 Upcoming Events: Chief Architect Training in Denver, Colorado A four-day training format with two days of beginner/intermediate training and two days of intermediate/advanced training. Chief Experts Pro Academy Live sessions are held on the first and third Wednesday of every month, with multiple sessions covering Chief Architect, design, workflows, and related topics. 🌟Guest Bio: Joleen Emery is with Big Raven Media and works with Chief Experts on marketing strategy, email content, business communication, and ongoing marketing execution. In this episode, she shares practical guidance for small businesses that need to market consistently without getting buried in unnecessary complexity. Her advice centers on doing the foundational work first: setting up Google Business Profile, asking for reviews, improving website clarity, tracking leads, and building repeatable workflows that small teams can actually maintain. ********************************************* 🖥 Dan's Website 💻 RSVP for The Designers Show 😊 Dan's Social Accounts → Facebook Page → Facebook Group → Instagram → Youtube → LinkedIn → Google Page About the Co-Hosts: John Schrader Kevin Transue Robin Rigby Fisher Rene Rabbit
