Find Out Where Your Business Is Being Talked About Online (And Where You’re Missing Opportunities!)
Why This Matters: AI search tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s AI are recommending businesses based on how often they’re mentioned online – even without links! The more quality mentions you have, the more likely AI will recommend YOUR business.
Time to Complete: 30-60 minutes
Update Frequency: Monthly
✅ THE CHECKLIST
📰 NEWS & MEDIA
Where to look: Google News, local newspapers, community blogs
- [ ] Local newspaper articles
- [ ] Local news websites
- [ ] Community blogs
- [ ] Business journals
- [ ] Industry trade publications
- [ ] Press releases you’ve published
Quick Search: Google "[Your Business Name]" + news
🎙️ PODCASTS & VIDEOS
Where to look: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts
- [ ] Podcast guest appearances
- [ ] YouTube mentions/features
- [ ] Local business videos
- [ ] Customer testimonial videos
- [ ] How-to videos featuring you
Quick Search: YouTube "[Your Business Name]"
🗣️ SPEAKING & EVENTS
Where to look: Chamber websites, event pages, LinkedIn
- [ ] Chamber of Commerce events
- [ ] Business networking events
- [ ] Community presentations
- [ ] Workshop/seminar speaking
- [ ] Panel discussions
Quick Search: "[Your Business Name]" + speaker OR event
✍️ ARTICLES & BLOGS
Where to look: Industry sites, local blogs, your own guest posts
- [ ] Guest blog posts
- [ ] Industry website features
- [ ] “Best of” roundup articles
- [ ] Expert advice articles
- [ ] Local business guides
Quick Search: "by [Your Name]" OR "[Your Business] owner"
💬 REVIEWS & Q&A SITES
Where to look: Google, Yelp, Facebook, industry-specific sites
- [ ] Google Business Profile reviews
- [ ] Yelp reviews
- [ ] Facebook reviews/recommendations
- [ ] Industry-specific review sites
- [ ] Better Business Bureau
- [ ] Nextdoor recommendations
Quick Check: Search your business name on each platform
📱 SOCIAL MEDIA MENTIONS
Where to look: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X
- [ ] LinkedIn posts mentioning you
- [ ] Facebook posts/tags
- [ ] Instagram mentions/tags
- [ ] Twitter/X mentions
- [ ] TikTok mentions (if relevant)
- [ ] Customer posts about you
Quick Search: Search "[Your Business Name]" on each platform
🏆 AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Where to look: Chamber sites, local awards, industry awards
- [ ] “Best of” awards (Best of [City])
- [ ] Chamber of Commerce recognition
- [ ] Industry-specific awards
- [ ] Community service awards
- [ ] Customer choice awards
Quick Search: "[Your Business Name]" + award OR winner
📍 LOCAL DIRECTORIES
Where to look: Online business directories
- [ ] Google Business Profile
- [ ] Bing Places
- [ ] Apple Maps
- [ ] Yelp listing
- [ ] Yellow Pages
- [ ] Chamber directory
- [ ] Local business associations
- [ ] Industry-specific directories
- [ ] Nextdoor business page
Action: Check each directory for your listing
🤝 COMMUNITY & PARTNERSHIPS
Where to look: Non-profit sites, school pages, sponsor lists
- [ ] Non-profit sponsor mentions
- [ ] School/sports team sponsorships
- [ ] Community event sponsors
- [ ] Charity involvement
- [ ] Local organization partnerships
Quick Search: "[Your Business Name]" + sponsor OR partner
📋 FORUMS & DISCUSSIONS
Where to look: Reddit, Facebook groups, Nextdoor, Quora
- [ ] Reddit posts/comments
- [ ] Facebook group discussions
- [ ] Nextdoor recommendations
- [ ] Quora answers
- [ ] Industry forums
- [ ] Local community forums
Quick Search: site:reddit.com "[Your Business Name]"
📊 RATE YOUR MENTIONS
For each mention you find, check:
✅ Quality Checklist:
- [ ] High Authority Source? (Major news, .gov, established sites)
- [ ] Recent? (Within last 6 months = best)
- [ ] Positive Context? (Award, recommendation, feature vs just listed)
- [ ] Includes Link? (Bonus but not required)
- [ ] Detailed Mention? (Full description vs just name)
🎯 YOUR BRAND MENTION SCORE
Count your mentions:
- News/Media: _____ × 3 = _____
- Podcasts/Video: _____ × 3 = _____
- Speaking/Events: _____ × 2 = _____
- Articles/Blogs: _____ × 2 = _____
- Reviews: _____ × 1 = _____
- Social Media: _____ × 1 = _____
- Awards: _____ × 2 = _____
- Directories: _____ × 1 = _____
- Community/Partners: _____ × 2 = _____
- Forums: _____ × 1 = _____
TOTAL SCORE: _____
What Your Score Means:
- 0-25: Low visibility – Start building mentions now!
- 26-75: Getting started – Keep going!
- 76-150: Good visibility – You’re on the right track
- 151-300: Strong presence – Well done!
- 300+: Exceptional – You’re a local authority!
🚨 WHERE ARE YOU MISSING?
Check the categories where you have ZERO mentions:
- [ ] News articles
- [ ] Podcasts
- [ ] Speaking events
- [ ] Guest articles
- [ ] Video content
- [ ] Online reviews
- [ ] Social media
- [ ] Awards
- [ ] Directories
- [ ] Community involvement
Pick Your Top 3 Gaps to Fill This Month:
⚡ QUICK WINS (Do These This Week!)
- [ ] Claim all directory listings (Google, Bing, Yelp, Apple Maps)
- [ ] Ask 5 happy customers for reviews (Google, Facebook, Yelp)
- [ ] Post 3 times on social media (tag location, use hashtags)
- [ ] Update your Google Business Profile (add photos, posts, services)
- [ ] Join local Facebook groups (participate, help, don’t spam)
- [ ] Set up Google Alerts for your business name
📅 MONTHLY MENTION-BUILDING PLAN
Every Month, Do:
Week 1: Monitor
- [ ] Check Google Alerts
- [ ] Search social media for mentions
- [ ] Review new reviews
- [ ] Update your tracking
Week 2: Create
- [ ] Post on social media (3-5 times)
- [ ] Share customer success story
- [ ] Update Google Business Profile
- [ ] Comment in local groups
Week 3: Reach Out
- [ ] Pitch 1 local media story
- [ ] Contact 1 podcast for interview
- [ ] Ask for 5 customer reviews
- [ ] Join/sponsor 1 community event
Week 4: Analyze
- [ ] Count new mentions this month
- [ ] Update your score
- [ ] Plan next month’s strategy
- [ ] Celebrate wins!
🛠️ FREE TOOLS TO TRACK MENTIONS
Google Alerts
- Go to: google.com/alerts
- Set up:
"Your Business Name" - Get: Daily or weekly email updates
Social Media Searches
- Facebook: Search your business name
- Instagram: Search tags and mentions
- LinkedIn: Search your company page
- Twitter: Search
"Your Business Name"
Review Monitoring
- Google Business Profile app (get instant review notifications)
- Yelp app (review alerts)
- Facebook page (turn on notifications)
Manual Monthly Checks
- Google your business name
- Search Google News for your business
- Check YouTube for your business
- Search local news sites
💡 PRO TIPS
1. Make It Easy to Mention You
- Keep your business name consistent everywhere
- Use the same photos and logo everywhere
- Make your website and contact info easy to find
2. Ask for Mentions
- Ask happy customers to review you online
- Request to be featured in local articles
- Pitch yourself as a podcast guest
- Volunteer to speak at events
3. Create Mention-Worthy Moments
- Do something newsworthy (charity, milestone, innovation)
- Share interesting data or insights
- Take a stand on local issues (professionally)
- Host events or workshops
4. Respond & Engage
- Reply to all reviews (good and bad)
- Comment when mentioned on social media
- Thank people who mention you
- Share mentions to your own social media
5. Track Everything
- Screenshot all mentions
- Keep a spreadsheet
- Note the date and source
- Calculate your score monthly
📈 WHY THIS MATTERS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
AI Search Is Growing Fast:
- 21% of people now use ChatGPT to research businesses
- 60% of Google searches show AI summaries
- AI recommendations are based on brand mentions
The Formula: More Mentions + Higher Quality = AI Recommends You = More Customers
Real Impact:
- Businesses with 100+ quality mentions see 2-3x more AI visibility
- Local businesses dominating brand mentions get recommended first
- Every positive mention builds trust with both AI and humans
✅ YOUR ACTION PLAN
Today:
- [ ] Do this 30-minute audit
- [ ] Calculate your current score
- [ ] Set up Google Alerts
This Week:
- [ ] Complete the “Quick Wins” section
- [ ] Ask 5 customers for reviews
- [ ] Post 3 times on social media
This Month:
- [ ] Fill your top 3 gaps
- [ ] Get 10 new mentions (any source)
- [ ] Improve your score by 20 points
Every Month:
- [ ] Re-audit (30 minutes)
- [ ] Track new mentions
- [ ] Build 10+ new mentions
- [ ] Update your score
🎁 BONUS: GETTING YOUR FIRST MENTIONS
No Mentions Yet? Start Here:
Day 1-3: Directories
- Claim Google Business Profile
- List on Yelp, Bing, Apple Maps
- Join Chamber of Commerce
- Add to industry directories
Day 4-7: Reviews
- Ask 10 recent customers for Google reviews
- Request Facebook recommendations
- Get Yelp reviews
Day 8-14: Social
- Post daily on social media
- Join 3 local Facebook groups
- Engage with community posts
- Share valuable tips
Day 15-21: Media
- Send a pitch to local news
- Comment on local news articles
- Share expertise in groups
- Respond to local reporter requests
Day 22-30: Community
- Sponsor a local event
- Volunteer at community event
- Join local business association
- Participate in charity
📞 QUESTIONS?
Want help building brand mentions?
Comment below or DM me – I help local businesses get visible in AI search!
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