1.0BuzzStreamhttps://www.buzzstream.comVince Nerohttps://www.buzzstream.com/blog/author/vincenero/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="CEYFvjkUGI"><a href="https://www.buzzstream.com/blog/local-link-building-podcast/">Building Links in Local Markets: A Conversation with Chris Brencans</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.buzzstream.com/blog/local-link-building-podcast/embed/#?secret=CEYFvjkUGI" width="600" height="338" title="“Building Links in Local Markets: A Conversation with Chris Brencans” — BuzzStream" data-secret="CEYFvjkUGI" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); /* ]]> */ </script> https://www.buzzstream.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Chris-Brencans.png1280720Want to rank in local search? Start thinking like a brand, not just an SEO. I brought in Chris Brencans, CEO/founder of OntheMap.com, a local search digital marketing agency specializing in local SEO for industries like legal, medical, and home services. In this episode, Chris explains how smaller businesses can use digital PR to punch above their weight and why real-world brand recognition is the secret weapon in competitive local markets. From reactive PR to charity sponsorships, On The Map has created some awesome campaigns (shout out to Karla Fernandez, who leads their in-house digital PR efforts). This one’s packed with tactical insights for anyone trying to win locally. Ranking in the map pack requires reviews, brand trust, and local and authority links. Digital PR allows smaller businesses to compete with big advertisers by earning media coverage through storytelling. Data-driven campaigns work best when paired with a strong narrative and localized angles. Reactive PR and expert commentary allow for fast link wins by tying clients to trending news. Links from community events, local sponsorships, and giveaways are powerful and often overlooked. Directory link still matter, but are just the baseline for local search competition. Posts Mentioned in the Discussion: Here are a few of the campaigns that Chris mentioned in our conversation. https://www.fox21news.com/top-stories/data-fatal-crashes-increase-after-daylight-saving/ https://metro.co.uk/2024/02/13/pancake-day-warning-issued-leftover-batter-avoid-disaster-20269952/ https://wjon.com/ixp/136/p/deep-frying-the-turkey-dos-and-donts-this-holiday-in-wa/ https://www.newbeauty.com/sephora-makeup-tester-infection/ Below is the slightly edited transcription of our chat: Was local search impacted at all by any of these algorithms? Chris Brencans: So I’d say local search didn’t get impacted as much as other industries particularly. We still have local map rankings, and that’s what drives a lot of results in a local search. We’re competing not just only for the traditional listings. The bigger task is to rank in the map results, and that requires more multifaceted approach. That’s why SEO is such a complex game. […]