How do I get my business noticed online? How can I create an engaged social media audience? How do I convert website visitors and social media followers into customers? What hashtags should I be using? Are Google ads a good investment?

I'm Sydney Chakalos, a marketing nerd and small business owner 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 cover topics around social media, email, Google ads, branding, and websites. Building your brand is a marathon and I'm here to help you win the race.




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Marketing Your Local Business Online Podcast

Social Media

Branding

Entrepreneurship

Content Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Social Media

Ep. 54: 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: Using AI in your marketing 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:

Enrollment is OPEN for the Local Ads Accelerator! Great local businesses go unnoticed every day. When you’ve poured your heart and soul into building your business, it feels defeating when it seems like you’re not getting found by the people who need what you do the most.

That’s why I created the Local Ads Accelerator, a course designed specifically for local businesses to master Meta Ads so they can start getting found and go from being the best kept secret in town to the business people can’t stop talking about. If you’re struggling with getting your business visible in your community then investing in the Local Ads Accelerator is the right decision for you.

meet sydney

Strategist. coach. educator.

get to know me

Hi friends! My name is Sydney, founder of Marathon Marketing & Branding, and I’m so happy you’re here! As you might have guessed, I am an avid runner, which allows me to have more of that pinot and pasta in life. Running long-distance is all about training, endurance, and consistency. I realized that these same traits are directly applicable to social media marketing as well.