How do I get my local business noticed online? How can I create Facebook and Instagram ads that actually work? How do I drive more foot traffic to my brick-and-mortar location? What strategies will help me book out my services? How do I convert social media followers into paying customers?
I'm Sydney Chakalos, a marketing nerd and owner of Marathon Marketing & Branding with a passion for helping other small business owners grow their business using effective online marketing strategies on any budget.
Learn how to create and implement a marketing strategy that strengthens relationships with your audience and increases your bottom line. We'll dive deep into Facebook and Instagram advertising, social media strategies, email marketing, branding, and websites with a special focus on tactics that drive real-world results. Building your brand is a marathon and I'm here to help you win the race.
For the Local Business Owner Burnt Out from Social Media
Are you exhausted by the never-ending demands of social media? You're not alone.
In this episode, Sydney gets real about social media burnout and why local business owners have it especially hard. From the pressure to post daily to chasing trends, the content creation hamster wheel is real. But here's the thing: you don't have to stay on it.
Sydney breaks down a sustainable approach to social media that keeps your business visible without sacrificing your time or sanity. You'll learn why posting less can actually work in your favor, how the algorithm really affects your reach, and why Meta Ads are the secret weapon local businesses are sleeping on.
In this episode:
Why the "post every day" mindset is burning you out (and why it's wrong for local businesses)
How organic reach really works and what the numbers actually mean
Real client examples showing the power of a small ad budget
A simple framework to get consistent visible
How to get your business in front of the right local customers on a small ad budget
If you're ready to stop chasing virality and start getting found by the people in your community who actually need what you offer, this episode is your permission slip to do things differently.
Resource Mentioned
3 Common Ad Mistakes Local Businesses Make & How to Avoid Them (https://expert-knitter-4128.kit.com/ad-mistakes)
Local Ads Accelerator
23 May 2026
How to Use AI Without Deterring Customers
Is AI helping or hurting you in marketing your local business? In this episode, Sydney breaks down the fine line between using AI as a helpful tool to save time and over-relying on it in ways that can actually drive customers away. Using a relatable home-buying analogy, she explains why authenticity matters more than ever for local businesses and how to use AI thoughtfully and strategically without losing what makes your brand unique.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why local businesses are especially vulnerable to the pitfalls of AI-generated content
How to properly "brief" an AI writing tool so it actually captures your brand voice
How a local business went viral for the wrong reasons due to AI
Why you should never use AI-generated photos or videos for a local business (and what to do instead)
A breakdown of Meta Ads Manager's newest AI features and what's worth actually using
How Sydney uses Claude with her clients to create content that's on-brand, not generic
Key takeaway: AI can save you time, but it can't replace the human judgment and authentic visuals that make local businesses worth visiting. What customers see online should always match what they experience in person. Give the episode a listen to learn how to use AI responsibly!
Resources mentioned:
Local Ads Accelerator
22 May 2026
One Problem, One Story: The Marketing Shift That Changes Everything
Sydney recently flew to Nashville for a two-day live workshop called StoryBrand Your Business Live with Donald Miller, author of Building a StoryBrand, and she's bringing all the best insights straight to you. If you've ever felt like you know your business inside and out but still struggle to communicate it in a way that makes people say "yes, I need this," this episode is exactly what you need.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
What the StoryBrand Framework is and why it works
Why your customer (not you) should be the hero of your marketing story
The Cognitive Load Test and why a score of zero is your goal
Why brain-dumping everything you know actually drives customers away
How to focus on one core problem to pique curiosity and convert more clients
Practical tips for testing your messaging clarity before you publish
Key Takeaways
1. Stories Sell - The entire StoryBrand Framework is built on the idea that when people can see themselves in a story, they're far more likely to buy.
2. Your Customer Is the Hero - One of the most common mistakes business owners make is centering their marketing on themselves.
3. Aim for a Cognitive Load of Zero - Donald Miller introduced the "cognitive load test" at the workshop. Your messaging should be so clear that a brand-new reader can instantly understand: what problem you solve, how you solve it, and how to get started. If they have to work to figure it out then you've already lost them.
4. Stop the Brain Dump - Detail-oriented business owners (Sydney counts herself among them!) tend to want to share everything upfront. But overwhelming potential customers is one of the fastest ways to lose them. Instead, focus your initial messaging on one specific problem to spark curiosity.
5. Test Your Messaging - After writing your copy, read it through the eyes of your ideal customer. Better yet, ask a friend who isn't close to what you do: "What do I do and what problem do I help people solve?" If they struggle to answer, it's time to simplify.
Resources Mentioned
Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
Donald Miller's Website / StoryBrand Workshop (https://storybrand.com/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
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Guest appearances
Books guests
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Questions about Marketing Your Local Business Online
Who hosts Marketing Your Local Business Online?
Sydney host the show. Published by Sydney Chakalos.
How often do new episodes come out?
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