Sonja Pototzki-Raymond

Diary of The Search Queen

Business EN ↓ 38 episodes

If you’re a salon owner ready to ditch the overwhelm and finally fill those empty chairs, this podcast is for you. Hosted by Google Ads and SEO expert Sonja Pototzki-Raymond, Diary of The Search Queen gives you real talk, proven marketing strategies, and raw behind-the-scenes stories to help you get found, trusted, and fully booked without burning out.

Author

Sonja Pototzki-Raymond

Category

Business

Podcast website

www.buzzsprout.com

Latest episode

Mar 11, 2026

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Episodes

Episode 38: Your Google Business Profile, The Most Powerful Free Tool You’re Ignoring 11.03.2026

 If you’ve ever said “I know I need to get my salon sorted on Google… but I have no idea where to start,” this episode is for you. In this episode of Diary of the Search Queen , I walk you through the exact 90-day Google growth framework that helps salon owners move from invisible online to consistently booked. Because here’s the truth most people won’t tell you: Google isn’t complicated. But most...

Episode 37: How to Turn Google Clicks Into Real Bookings (Without Lifting a Finger) 25.02.2026

More traffic doesn’t mean more clients. And this is where most salon owners are getting it wrong. In this episode of Diary of the Search Queen , I break down why driving Google traffic is only half the job, and why your website and booking system are the real make-or-break factor. You can show up in Google Ads. You can rank on SEO. You can appear in the Map Pack. But if your system doesn’t convert...

Episode 36: Why Your Competitors Are Showing Up on Google (And You’re Not) 18.02.2026

 Have you ever searched your own salon and thought… “Why am I nowhere to be found?” You’re not alone. In this episode of Diary of the Search Queen , I break down exactly why some salons consistently show up on Google, in the Map Pack, at the top of search, and in paid positions, while others stay invisible. And no, it’s not luck. It’s structure. Strategy. And consistency. Because here’s the truth:...

Episode 35: From Panic to Peace: How Michelle 2x’d Her Physio Clinic with Google 11.02.2026

There’s a lot of pressure on business owners to rely on referrals, word-of-mouth, or social media to keep bookings coming in, but what happens when those channels disappear overnight? In this episode of Diary of the Search Queen , I’m joined by Michelle Murphy , owner of Mercy Physio , & Baby Swim , for a grounded and honest conversation about visibility, resilience, and why Google became the...

Episode 34: How Glamour Empire 2.5x’d Their Revenue in 3 Months 04.02.2026

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by the inspiring Lisa from Glamour Empire in Tamworth, NSW, an incredible salon owner who, alongside her business partner Renee, has 2.5x’d her salon revenue in just three months. Yep, you read that right. And it’s not just the numbers that have changed, it’s the entire business. Lisa shares exactly what life looked like before working with us, why she finally sa...

Episode 33: Doubling Revenue in 2 Months, Gemma Urbank’s Salon Success Story 28.01.2026

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with the powerhouse behind Coast Hair Henley, Gemma Urbank, who proves what’s possible when courage meets strategy. When we first met, Gemma had her back against the wall. Revenue was tight, her apprentices were standing around with gaps in the books, and she'd been burned by past marketing agencies. Fast forward just two months, and Gemma has not only do...

Episode 32: From Gaps to Growth, How Rosemary Chalmers Doubled Her Salon in 18 Months 21.01.2026

In today’s episode, I’m joined by one of my all-time favourite clients, the incredible Rosemary Chalmers, owner of D'or Hairstylists in New Zealand. When Rosemary and I first met, her salon had inconsistent bookings and under-utilised stylists. Fast forward 18 months: not only is her team fully booked, but she’s doubled her team, doubled her revenue, and finally taken her first holiday in six...

Episode 31: The Most Powerful Free Google Tool You’re Ignoring (And It’s Costing You Bookings!) 14.01.2026

Still think your Google Business Profile is “just another listing”? In this episode of Diary of the Search Queen, I’m breaking down the most powerful free visibility tool in the entire salon industry,  the one that decides whether dream clients choose you or your competitor down the road. The truth? Your Google Business Profile is the #1 driver of local bookings, and most salons are neglecting it....

Episode 30: Google Ads 101 – Why It’s NOT “Too Expensive” for Your Salon 07.01.2026

Still think Google Ads is too expensive for your salon? In this episode of Diary of the Search Queen, I’m busting the biggest myth that’s keeping salon owners broke, burnt out, and believing that visibility is something only the big brands can afford. The truth? Google Ads isn’t an expense, it’s a profit generator when done right. In this episode, I share: Why most salon owners waste money on ads...

Episode 29: What Actually Gets You Found on Google (Hint: It’s Not Luck) 10.12.2025

What Actually Gets You Found on Google (And Why Most Salons Miss It) Think your salon will magically show up on Google just because you have a website? Think again. In this episode of Diary of the Search Queen, I break down the 3 most overlooked ways to get found on Google—and why most salons are leaving visibility (and money) on the table by skipping these steps. If you’ve ever wondered why your...

Episode 28: Sick Of Relying On IG For Your Leads? 03.12.2025

Tired of dancing on Reels, posting every day, and still staring at empty salon chairs? In this episode of Diary of the Search Queen, I’m breaking down the real reason so many salon owners are stuck in the scroll-and-hope cycle—and why relying solely on social media is burning you out without booking you out. If you’ve ever wondered whether to keep investing your time into Instagram or shift your s...

Episode 27: The UNFILTERED Truth About Purpose, Healing & Becoming Magnetic as a Leader 26.11.2025

🎙️ Episode 27: The UNFILTERED Truth About Purpose, Healing & Becoming Magnetic as a Leader What if your anxiety, your fear, and even your burnout weren’t signs to stop—but signs to come home to yourself? In this raw and expansive episode, I sit down with purpose-led business coach Emma Campbell, and we go deep. Emma shares her personal journey from high-achieving corporate burnout to a soulful...

Episode 26: The Hard Truth About Business Growth 19.11.2025

Episode 7: The hard truth about business growth What happens when your world is falling apart behind the scenes, but the business must go on? In this powerful episode of Diary of the Search Queen, I sit down with one of my dearest friends, Tracy Fryer, founder of Design Studio Perth and host of The Real Biz Life Chronicles. Tracy opens up about navigating divorce, grief, burnout, and betrayal whil...

Episode 25: She Stopped Discounting and Doubled Her Bookings 12.11.2025

Episode 25: She Stopped Discounting and Doubled Her Bookings: How Ceri Scaled Coastal Blondes with Google Ads & SEO What happens when you stop relying on discounts and Facebook ads and start showing up on Google where your dream clients are already searching? In this episode of Diary of the Search Queen, I sit down with salon owner Ceri Connors from Coastal Blondes to unpack how she transforme...

Episode 24: The Salon Owner Who Finally Cracked the Google Code 05.11.2025

From Burnout to Booked Out, How Iris Rebuilt Her Salon & Stopped Doing It All What happens when your socials are hacked, your ads flop, and your salon feels like it’s stuck on survival mode? In this episode of Diary of the Search Queen, I sit down with salon owner and coach Iris Van Ikkelberg to unpack how she went from overwhelmed and reactive… to leading a self-sustaining, fully booked salon...

Episode 23: The Google Ads Strategy Behind This Gym’s Massive Growth 29.10.2025

Running three businesses, raising two kids, and leading a community of 700+ members? It sounds like a lot, because it is. But today’s guest, Pumen from Champions Gym, shows us exactly what resilience, leadership, and heart really look like. From fighting in the ring as a teen to building one of WA’s most respected combat sports communities, Pumen’s journey is about way more than Muay Thai. It’s ab...

Episode 22: Google Ads or SEO? The Secret to Filling Salon Chairs Fast 💇‍♀️✨ 22.10.2025

Ever wondered if Google Ads or SEO is better for your salon? In this solo episode, I’m diving deep into the question I get asked the most, “Which one should I do first?” Here’s the truth: choosing the wrong strategy (at the wrong time) can waste your money and your momentum. But when you get it right? It’s the difference between empty chairs and a waitlist. Whether you’re a brand new salon or a se...

Episode 21: Get 50 Qualified Salon Leads in 90 Days 💇‍♀️🚀 15.10.2025

If you’ve ever had one week of fully booked appointments followed by a week of crickets — this episode is for you. I’m diving deep into the science of keeping your salon chairs full all year round. In this episode, I share why relying on social media and word of mouth alone keeps you stuck in the feast-or-famine cycle, and the proven systems I use to help salon owners build predictable lead flow,...

Episode 20: 3 Brutal Truths About Google Ads That Will Shock You 😱💥 07.10.2025

Discover the three brutal mistakes salon owners make with Google Ads and why they’re losing money. Many rely on organic social media or Meta ads, but Google Ads work on intent, bringing warmer, high-quality leads ready to book. This episode covers the importance of niche targeting, tracking conversions, and avoiding broad, wasted spending. Learn how to attract your dream clients, increase bookings...

Episode 19: Success Nearly Cost Me Everything: Until I Redefined It 17.09.2025

What happens when you build the empire of your dreams… only to realise you’ve lost yourself in the process? In this episode of Diary of the Search Queen , I sit down with powerhouse strategist Lezly Kaye. Lezly went from scaling a $60M business partnership that imploded, to building her own $20M company, to walking away from it all after realising success without alignment isn’t success at all. Le...

Episode 18: The Day I Fired the Wrong Clients 09.09.2025

What if the bravest business decision you could make… was to say no? In this episode of Diary of the Search Queen, I share the raw truth about one of the scariest (and most freeing) parts of running a business: firing clients who aren’t aligned. I take you behind the scenes of some of the hardest calls I’ve ever had to make, letting go of clients who didn’t share my values of trust, respect, loyal...

Episode 17: When Letting Go Becomes Your Greatest Leap 26.08.2025

What if the thing you thought you’d do forever… turned out not to be your destiny? In this episode of Diary of the Search Queen, I sit down with my dear friend and powerhouse coach Alicia Bode , a woman who walked away from the identity she thought she’d carry for life as a salon owner, and stepped into her calling as a mentor, leader, and guide for women creating freedom and impact. Alicia shares...

Episode 16: Just Because I Can Doesn’t Mean I Should 19.08.2025

What happens when you say yes to everything, and then realise the cost was higher than you imagined? In this reflective episode of Diary of the Search Queen, I look back on the last six months, a season filled with massive wins, sacred lessons, and a pace that nearly swallowed me whole. From launching my book and podcast, to being named a 40 Under 40 award winner, to raising two little girls along...

Episode 15: What it Truly Means To Be Seen 12.08.2025

What happens when your biggest wounds become your greatest work? In this powerful episode, I am joined by brand photographer and creative mentor Belle Verdiglione for a soul-stirring conversation about truth, trauma, and building a business that feels like home. Belle shares her personal story of birth trauma, resilience, navigating fear in foreign lands, and the moment she reclaimed her voice, no...

Episode 14: Google Isn’t Dead, But It Is Changing - The Future of Visibility in an AI-Powered World 05.08.2025

There’s a lot of noise out there about SEO being “dead” but that’s not the full story.... In this episode of Diary of the Search Queen , I’m breaking down what’s actually happening inside Google, why your clients are turning to AI for answers, and how to future-proof your brand for this new era of search. Because here’s the truth: Google isn’t going anywhere But the way we use it has changed And i...

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