Building Momentum

AI detection tools are everywhere, but are they actually accurate? In this episode, we break down why popular AI detectors flag content written long before AI even existed, including the Bible , Shakespeare, and the U.S. Constitution. We discuss how these tools really work, why they often mislabel high-quality writing, and what this means for AEC marketers, construction owners, and content creator...

In Episode 21, Ryan Kovach and Perryn Olson dive into one of the biggest shifts underway: the rise of AI-powered e-commerce through tools like ChatGPT, and what it means for construction, trade contractors, and B2B companies. They explore how AI-driven purchasing experiences differ from traditional Google searches by offering cleaner results, real-time comparisons, availability, reviews, and short...

In Episode 20, Ryan Kovach and Perryn Olson unpack a surprising industry report showing that only 18 percent of small business leaders feel very confident in their marketing. Drawing from real client conversations, research data, and hands-on experience, they explore why confidence has dropped sharply and what is driving widespread frustration. The discussion examines unclear ROI, poor reporting,...

In episode 19, Ryan Kovach and Perryn Olson break down original research analyzing where the ENR Top 400 contractors are active across major social media platforms. The conversation starts with a simple but powerful question: what social channels are contractors actually using, and should everyone just follow the crowd? They walk through this exclusive data platform by platform, highlighting near-...

In this episode, Ryan and Perryn clarify the distinctions among a Fractional CMO, a Consultant, and an Interim Chief Marketing Officer. They explain why many consultant strategies never get implemented, how true fractional CMOs become part of your internal team, and what red flags to look for when hiring. They also discuss billing models, hiring and firing authority, execution support, and how to...

In this episode of the AltCMO podcast, we welcome AltCMO’s newest fractional CMO, Ben Roberts, to explore how marketing building materials (and construction services) is shifting from product-focused selling to experience-driven storytelling. The discussion covers why traditional sales-heavy approaches are no longer enough, how intentional content creates long-term impact, and where AI fits withou...

In this episode of Building Momentum , Ryan Kovach and Perryn Olson tackle an important, yet often overlooked question for mid-sized and large contractors: should your construction company have multiple websites or just one? They discuss when it makes sense to create multiple websites for specific services, locations, or campaigns, and how this decision impacts SEO, conversions, and user trust. Th...

In this Building Momentum episode, Ryan Kovach and Perryn Olson reveal insights from their latest research comparing $100 million regional contractors with the top 50 construction companies on ENR’s Top 400 Contractors list – it’s an honest David vs. Goliath battle for construction SEO. They explore where smaller construction companies have surprising advantages, how AI-driven search is reshaping...

In this episode of Building Momentum , Ryan Kovach and Perryn Olson break down the Top 10 reasons why construction executives get their websites completely wrong. From outdated mentalities to poor platforms and missing SEO fundamentals, they uncover why many contractors underestimate the power of a professional web presence and how it’s quietly costing them projects, talent, and credibility. Ryan...

In this episode of the Building Momentum podcast, hosts Ryan Kovach and Perryn Olson dive into the evolving world of SEO and its growing importance for contractors and construction businesses. They unpack why traditional SEO models are failing, revealing the common misconceptions and challenges companies face today. The discussion examines how AI is transforming SEO, the unique needs of different...

In this episode, Ryan Kovach and Perryn Olson dive into the real-world challenges contractors face when selling their companies. Many “old school” contractors with strong reputations are not getting the value they expect because their business heavily relies on their ability to bring in new work.  They discuss the power of digital marketing for small and mid-sized construction companies, particula...

In this episode, Ryan Kovach and Perryn Olson share a powerful contractor success story where a company received 84 qualified applicants in just two weeks without spending a single penny on ads. They actually pulled their ads from a major job website. They explain how website optimization, strong SEO, and AltCMO’s Authority Stack system helped transform a simple brochure-style website into a busin...

In this episode, Ryan Kovach and Perryn Olson dive deep into their latest exclusive SEO research for the construction industry, comparing ENR Top 400 contractors and Top 500 design firms to uncover who is winning in online visibility. They reveal new Construction SEO Benchmark data for 2025 and explore domain authority, backlinks, spam scores, and website speed performance.  Whether you are a mid-...

In Episode 10 of our construction marketing podcast, Ryan Kovach and Perryn Olson discuss why showcasing active projects, milestones, and project updates on your website is powerful for both SEO and AI search visibility. Too many construction companies, general contractors (GCs), and trade contractors only showcase completed projects, missing out on the opportunity to highlight in-progress work, g...

In Episode 9, Ryan Kovach and Perryn Olson discuss StoryBrand messaging and how it transforms the way businesses communicate with their audience, externally and internally. They cover: What StoryBrand is and why it works How StoryBrand ties into AltCMO’s Authority Stack content machine Using AI and streamlined workflows to build authentic, non-spammy thought leadership Real-world client examples o...

In Episode 8, Ryan Kovach and Perryn Olson delve into one of the most significant shifts in SEO and digital marketing: transitioning from keyword stuffing to establishing genuine topical authority. They explain why old SEO strategies, such as repeating “electrician in Pasadena,” no longer work, how AI and search engines now understand topics rather than exact phrases, and why companies need to thi...

In this episode of Building Momentum, Ryan Kovach and Perryn Olson delve into the future of marketing in a world increasingly dominated by AI. Learn how construction companies can leverage AI without sacrificing quality, build thought leadership, and create content that truly converts. They discuss: How AI search visitors are 4.4x more valuable than traditional search. The importance of human over...

Marketing is not just about getting clients; it’s also about attracting the right ones and learning to say ‘no’ to the wrong opportunities. In this episode, Ryan and Perryn discuss how construction companies can utilize SEO, digital marketing, and AI tools to target ideal clients while avoiding low-quality projects. Learn how to: Use marketing and SEO to attract high-value clients Identify your Id...

In this episode of Building Momentum , Ryan Kovach and Perryn Olson delve into one of the most crucial aspects of digital marketing: selecting the right keywords. They explain how keyword research impacts visibility, lead generation, and long-term growth for construction companies. From understanding buyer intent to balancing high volume and niche keywords, Ryan and Perryn share strategies to targ...

Is AI about to end recruiting as a career? In this episode, Ryan Kovach and Perryn Olson dive deep into the bold prediction that AI tools may replace recruiters within the next six months. They discuss how AI is transforming the hiring process, from sourcing candidates and scheduling interviews to enhancing the candidate experience and reducing hiring costs. The conversation examines the rise of A...

In this episode of the AltCMO podcast, Ryan Kovach and Perryn Olson dive into the top ways construction and trades companies can spot if their SEO and digital marketing agencies are truly delivering value. They discuss common pitfalls, such as paying for services that don't yield results, the importance of website speed, SSL certificates, effective Google Business Profile management, click fraud p...

Welcome to Episode 2 of our podcast, "Why Contractors Can't Afford to Ignore SEO." In this insightful conversation, Ryan Kovach and Perryn Olson delve into the critical role that SEO plays for contractors, particularly those in the trades and construction industries. Discover why many mid-level contractors are missing out on massive opportunities by neglecting SEO and online visibility. Hear real...

Welcome to the first episode of AltCMO’s new podcast, Building Momentum . Our hosts, Ryan Kovach and Perryn Olson, are fractional CMOs with decades of experience marketing construction companies. They discuss the transformative changes reshaping construction marketing today. This episode explores how AI, generative search, and innovative marketing strategies are revolutionizing the way constructio...