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

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 […]

Content Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Social Media

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Ep. 52: The Social Media ‘Catch 22’ & How to Escape It

You have a running list in your phone or in your head of all the content ideas. Things you want to post, things you want to share, customer success stories you want to tell. The ideas are there. You know what you want to say. But here’s the thing. You’re struggling to actually implement it […]

Content Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Facebook and Instagram Ads, Marketing, Social Media

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Ep. 50: The Riskiest Thing A Local Business Owner Can Do Right Now

In this episode, Sydney makes the case for why going quiet on your marketing is actually the riskiest thing you can do as a local business owner, and what to do instead.

Entrepreneurship, Facebook and Instagram Ads, Marketing, Social Media

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Ep. 34 6 Marketing Predictions for 2026

Get prepared for what’s to come in the world of marketing. In this episode, Sydney shares her 6 key marketing predictions for 2026. These are the shifts that will help you strengthen your brand and its visibility, connect more deeply with your audience, and stay competitive in a constantly evolving digital landscape. From how quickly […]

Content Marketing, Email Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Social Media

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Why A Mixed Social Strategy Is Your Secret Weapon in 2026

Ready to rethink your social media playbook in 2026? In this episode, Sydney explains why a mixed social media strategy isn’t just smart, it’s the competitive edge every local business should be using in 2026. If you’re tired of chasing the latest trends or burning out trying to “be everywhere,” this episode will give you […]

Content Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Facebook and Instagram Ads, Marketing, Social Media

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Ep. 30: The Reasons Your Social Media Isn’t Driving Foot Traffic

Welcome back! After some time away, Sydney is back behind the mic with a game-changing episode that every local business owner needs to hear especially if they want to increase foot traffic. If you’ve been feeling frustrated with your social media reach lately, you’re not imagining things. Sydney breaks down exactly what’s happening with the […]

The Reasons Your Social Media Isn't Driving Foot Traffic. Photo of Sydney holding a phone.

Content Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Social Media

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Ep. 27: Make 2023 Your Most Successful Marketing Year Yet

I can’t believe I’m even saying this, but…. Welcome to the first podcast episode of 2023! Today, we are going to discuss how to hit the ground running with a strong marketing strategy to make the new year a success. Before we talk about strategy, let’s make an important distinction between marketing strategy and marketing […]

Content Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Marketing

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Understand Your Customers Better & Make More Sales

On a scale of 1-10, how well do you know your customers? If your answer isn’t 10, grab a notebook and a pen, because we’re going to get you there. This episode is all about my unique approach to market research and how you can use it to get to know your ideal customer and […]

Content Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Marketing

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Ep. 19: Build Your Marketing Strategy

Have you ever gone to start working on building your marketing strategy and then you had no idea where to start? There are seven pillars that make up your marketing strategy and defining them first allows you to build the foundation to then fully build out a marketing strategy for your local business that helps […]

Content Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Social Media

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Elevate Your Brand with Brand Photography

In my years of experience working with small business owners, I’ve noticed that we tend to put getting professionally branded photos done on the back burner. Whether it’s because we don’t feel ready to have our photo taken or because our iPhone cameras seem to do the trick, hiring a professional photographer often isn’t a […]

Branding, Content Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Podcast Guests, Website

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