Talk Of The Trades

💪 How contractors win on social media without faking it is the focus of this episode of Talk Of The Trades, as Dennis Ayotte sits down with Jen McKee of Kee Hart Marketing to unpack what actually works for home service businesses. They cover authenticity, video strategy, consistency, profile optimization, and why contractors need to stop overthinking content and start showing up as themselves. 💯...

🌐 Google Business Profile is your AI‑ready business card—use this 2026 checklist to boost local visibility, conversions, and trust. Hosts Aaron Watters & Dennis Ayotte explain what to fill, how Instagram posts and events/schema feed Google and where GBP can outshine your website. Subscribe for more Talk Of The Trades!       💡 Chapters0:00 Cold open & rapid‑fire agenda1:06 Meet the hosts...

💪 💼 Building killer sales teams takes more than motivation — it takes coaching, culture and trust. In this episode of Talk Of The Trades, hosts Aaron Watters and Dennis Ayotte sit down with sales veteran Rob McCann, founder of McCann Sales Consulting, to break down what actually works when it comes to hiring, training and leading high-performing sales teams. With over 25 years of experience and...

Google review scams are on the rise — and contractors are the top targets. In this episode of  Talk Of The Trades , Aaron Watters and Dennis Ayotte expose the latest fraud tactics hurting home service businesses — from fake 1-star reviews to review extortion schemes — and share the exact steps to protect your reputation online. Aaron also discusses long-term planning, including the importance of a...

👻 Audio was a bit spooky on this one but our studio is almost finished! 🥳😬 Google’s latest Search Console update left SEOs panicking — but Aaron and Dennis break down what really happened and what home service pros should do next. They also dig into GBP suspensions, AI-driven search and the importance of simplifying your marketing. ✅ 0:00 – Welcome to Talk Of The Trades 1:00 – Pantheon Recap:...

🤖 AI booking agents for home services—Dennis Ayotte and Aaron Watters compare bots vs humans, when to hand off and the KPIs that prove what’s working. Subscribe for industry wins and watch more episodes. ▶️ Chapters 0:00 – Cold open & welcome 0:44 – What’s new this week (quick host banter) 4:23 – Today’s agenda: AI agents + local SEO updates 5:55 – What AI booking agents can do right now in h...

Google Business Profile suspensions are rising—and AI isn’t helping. In this episode, Aaron and Dennis break down the chaos around GBP verification, GLS review merges, and their hands-on experience with Gemini Ultra. Whether you’re a home service pro or agency marketer, this one’s full of local SEO gold (and a few AI rants). 👉 Subscribe for more episodes and marketing insights! 🎥 Watch next: Ful...

Data doesn’t lie and Jerold Hall proves it! In this episode of  Talk Of The Trades , we dive into how transparent marketing and a data-driven mindset help home service businesses close more deals and build lasting trust. Jerold, VP of Sales & Dealer Development at AmCoat (makers of Rhino Shield), shares how their dealers thrive using long-form content, lead quality tracking, and performance-fi...

Transform your home service business with Contractor Commerce’s cutting-edge e-commerce platform and AI-powered buying journeys. In this episode, Paul Redman, VP of Sales & Customer Success at Contractor Commerce, reveals how contractors are boosting sales, improving customer loyalty and embracing digital transformation to scale their businesses. 🚀 Ready to grow your trades business? Watch ti...

The secret to 90% booking rates isn’t better scripts — it’s emotional intelligence. In this powerful episode, Brigham Dickinson, founder of Power Selling Pros, shares how empathy, listening, and leadership are the real KPIs in your call center. If you want your CSRs to book more calls, serve more customers, and create lasting loyalty, this episode is a must-watch. 🎯 Subscribe for more game-changi...

In this episode, we dive into the transformative world of spirit animal readings with intuitive energy reader Julie Marvin, founder of AnimalSpiritReadings.com. The Leadhub team chats with Julie about the emotional and cultural impact these readings have had on their lives, from onboarding rituals to deep personal revelations. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 💡How spirit animal readings reveal...

Stop losing leads — your CRM follow-up system might be broken. In this episode of Talk Of The Trades, Aaron and Dennis break down real-life tactics that help contractors reclaim millions in lost revenue. From optimizing intake processes to running drip campaigns that actually convert, they share what’s working now. Plus: ServiceTitan’s new study, AI in SEO and what the Air Pros bankruptcy means fo...

Managing employees in the trades can be a challenge. From hiring and firing to compliance and culture, HR mistakes can cost contractors big time. In this episode,  Ian Schotanus , founder of  Big Picture Consulting , joins us to break down  the most critical HR strategies for the trades —so you can build a strong team and avoid legal headaches! 🚧  In this episode, we cover: ✅ How to communicate...

Google’s latest Google Business Profile (GBP) update is changing the way businesses appear in search results! 📢 In this episode, we break down what’s happening with GBP, how it could impact rankings and what home service businesses need to do next. We also dive into: ✅ The Google Reviews glitch and what actually happened ✅ How Yelp is evolving in the home service industry ✅ New Google Local Se...

On this episode of Talk Of The Trades, Aaron and Dennis explore: DeepSeek Privacy Concerns: Is your data safe? [00:00:52]   Google Updates: New chat features and the JavaScript requirement for searches. [00:11:42]   AI in Advertising: The potential of AI-generated ads in the Super Bowl. [00:05:15]   Super Bowl Predictions: Who will win? [00:10:42]   And More: Labor shortages, AI in content creatio...

In this bonus episode of Talk of the Trades, Aaron interviews MaidThis Cleaning business owner Dan Blaker about zero-click search and its growing impact on SEO and digital marketing in 2025. They explore how businesses can adapt to this trend, optimize content for instant answers and stay competitive in a shifting online landscape. Packed with actionable tips for marketers, business owners and tra...

🔥 Are you ready for 2025 marketing trends? In this episode of Talk of the Trades, we explore how AI, Google Gemini, local marketing, and SEO shifts are changing the game for home service businesses. ✅ AI & Google Gemini: How AI is reshaping operations & marketing ✅ SEO & Search Everywhere Optimization: Why ranking on Google isn't enough ✅ Hyperlocal Marketing & Community Engage...

In this episode of the Lead IN Podcast, Austin welcomes Josh Schultz for a thought-provoking discussion on the nuances of business operations. Josh shares his perspective on establishing an operational cadence, emphasizing its importance for driving success as businesses grow. Listeners will gain valuable insights into how to manage various aspects of business operations, from pipeline reviews to...

In this episode of Lead IN Podcast, Austin welcomes back Dennis Ayotte. Based out of Dallas, Texas, Dennis is a partner at Lead Hub, a home services agency specializing in a range of offerings from branding to SEO. Together, they explore the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, the importance of balance in leadership, and how to foster genuine connections within a team. Dennis reflects on his journe...

In this episode of the Lead IN Podcast, Austin welcomes Jason Balara, a veterinary surgeon and real estate investor, to discuss his unique journey bridging two worlds. Jason shares insights from his experiences and the lessons he's learned in both fields. Episode Highlights: - Dual Identity: Jason introduces himself as both a veterinary surgeon and a real estate investor, explaining how he balance...

In this episode of the Lead IN Podcast, Austin welcomes J.D Beck, a former military service member who has transformed his career from commercial elevators to running a thriving plumbing and heating business. J.D shares his unique approach to scaling operations and the lessons he's learned along the way. Episode Highlights: - Background Check: J.D dives into his journey from Alabama to the militar...

In this episode of the Lead IN Podcast, Austin welcomes Ryan Lock, a dynamic entrepreneur from Dallas, Texas, who runs a thriving roofing and solar company. Ryan shares his experiences transitioning from an independent consultant to a business partner and discusses the rapid growth his company has achieved in just a year and a half. The conversation dives into the nuances of the roofing and solar...

In this episode of Lead IN Podcast, Austin welcomes back Matty Marshall to dive into the dynamics of leadership and how to foster relationships in the workplace. Matty shares some humorous and relatable parenting stories, reflecting on the challenges and surprises of running a business while raising kids. The two discuss the importance of finding the right balance between being a respected leader...

In this solo episode of the Lead IN Podcast, Austin shares an in-depth update on his journey as a business owner of an HVAC, plumbing, and electric company. Having purchased the business 18 months ago, Austin reflects on the challenges he faced and the dramatic improvements made since collaborating with Lead Hub, a marketing agency dedicated to helping businesses grow. Austin recounts how the comp...

In this episode of Lead IN Podcast, Austin welcomes Neel Parekh, the founder of Made This Franchise, a successful remote cleaning business specializing in Airbnb and short-term rentals. Neel shares his journey from a private equity job to starting his own business that allows him to travel and enjoy life on his terms. They discuss the misconceptions around franchising, the freedom it can offer, an...