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Author: Reece Smith

As a results-driven marketing and entrepreneurship professional, I’ve built my career at the intersection of creativity, strategy, and innovation. With a BA in Business Administration and a minor in Mass Communications, my journey began before I graduated by helping my mother grow her digital marketing agency, where I gained invaluable experience and discovered a passion for driving business success. Graduating in May of 2020 during an uncertain time taught me resilience and adaptability, qualities that have shaped my approach to leadership and problem-solving. Marketing and entrepreneurship are extraordinary forces that shape industries, create opportunities, and connect people in meaningful ways. They hold the power to turn ideas into action and generate measurable impact. What inspires me most is the ability to craft strategies and solutions that drive growth and improve lives. This passion led me to connect with gotcha! as a partner, where I was so inspired by the company’s vision and innovation that I joined the gotcha! family. Today, I am proud to contribute my expertise and leadership to an organization dedicated to reshaping the digital marketing landscape. Outside of work, I prioritize balance and personal growth. I enjoy spending time with my two Labrador retrievers, my cat, and my fiancé. Family is central to my life, whether it’s with my sisters, niece, brother-in-law, parents, or my fiancé’s family. My hobbies include golfing, boating, beach outings, working out, bowling, and cheering on the Florida Gators in football and basketball. Staying active and fostering meaningful relationships mirror my professional commitment to growth and connection.

Don’t Just Use AI. Customize It: How Smart Businesses Are Making AI Their Own

Posted on by Reece Smith

AI is no longer a future trend. It’s today’s reality. From content creation to customer service to internal operations, AI tools are reshaping how businesses work.

But here’s the catch: most companies are just scratching the surface.

They’re using AI, but they’re not owning it.
They’re adding tools to their workflow, but not building workflows around tools.
They’re automating tasks, but not tailoring systems that grow with their brand.

And that’s the difference between businesses that fall behind and the ones that build real momentum.

AI Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All, And That’s the Point

There’s no shortage of “AI-powered” products. But most are built for the masses. That means generic features, generic outputs, and if you’re not careful, generic results.

Think about it:

  • You’re a home service business posting ChatGPT articles that sound like every other contractor. 
  • You’re a med spa using the same AI replies as your competitors. 
  • You’re an accountant automating emails, but still writing them all manually. 

If that feels backwards, it’s because it is.

True AI leverage comes from alignment… when the tools you use actually understand your business.

The Rise of Custom AI

Smart businesses are making a shift.

They’re not asking, “What AI tools can I use?” They’re asking, “How do I train AI to work like me?”

This mindset flips the script. Instead of chasing hacks or templates, these businesses are:

  • Feeding AI tools their own tone, customer language, and brand voice 
  • Connecting AI with internal data, local SEO goals, and marketing calendars 
  • Automating more without losing control over quality or identity 

In other words, they’re building systems, not stacking tools.

Customization matters, especially for local service businesses like those in HVAC, legal, healthcare, or automotive industries, where time is limited and operations are already complex. You don’t need more tasks piling up. You need systems that function effectively while you stay focused on running your business. Off-the-shelf AI often leads to generic blog content that doesn’t rank, repetitive social posts that don’t engage, and AI chats that feel flat and untrustworthy. 

In contrast, custom AI delivers tone-matched, keyword-targeted content that drives qualified traffic, branded social posts that build credibility, and integrated workflows that save time and generate real leads. When aligned with your brand and goals, AI stops being a gimmick and starts becoming real ROI.

What Does Custom AI Actually Look Like?

Here are real ways businesses are customizing AI today:

1. Training AI on Brand Voice

Uploading previous blog posts, ads, or service pages to create a tone engine that reflects your voice… not ChatGPT’s.

2. Localizing Content Output

Feeding AI your service areas, target keywords, and competitors so your blog posts and SEO strategy actually rank.

3. Creating Repeatable Workflows

Building automation that doesn’t just write content but posts it, tracks it, and improves it based on real results.

4. Streamlining Customer Engagement

Using custom-trained AI chat tools that answer questions like a team member would, not like a script.

The Tools Are Ready. The Edge Is in the Setup.

Most business owners feel like they’re falling behind. They’re being told to “use AI,” but no one is showing them how to build with it.

That’s where smart platforms are stepping up, with fully managed, customizable AI that fits your goals.

From content systems that auto-post across your platforms to SEO workflows built around your keywords to chat tools trained on your service pages and FAQs, the new standard isn’t just automation. It’s alignment.

Start Thinking in Systems, Not Tools

Using AI isn’t enough anymore. Your competitors are doing that too.

If you want to:

  • Scale content marketing without hiring a team 
  • Rank locally with minimal effort 
  • Create daily visibility for your business 
  • Save time without sacrificing control 

Then it’s time to move beyond plug-and-play. Start building an AI system you control, because the future doesn’t belong to those who just use AI.

It belongs to those who make it their own.

Ready to See What It Feels Like When AI Actually Knows Your Business?

Start with g!Stream™. It’s a fully managed HI/AI content engine built to understand your voice, your services, your audience, and your goals, then work every day to grow your visibility without you lifting a finger. No prompts. No guesswork. Just smart, on-brand content that ranks, converts, and scales with you.

[Book a strategy session →] https://gotchamobi.com/strategy-session/

Why g!WebDev™ Matters for Performance, Conversions, and SEO

Posted on by Reece Smith

Let’s be honest. Your website might look great… but that doesn’t mean it’s doing its job.

Too many business owners are sitting on sites that are beautiful but broken. They load slowly. They’re hard to navigate. They aren’t built for SEO. And worst of all? They don’t convert.

A great website isn’t about aesthetics. It’s about performance.

Here’s what that means and why g!WebDev™ is designed to fix it.

1. Your Website Isn’t Just a Brochure

A lot of people think of their website as a digital business card. Something to make you look credible. Something to check the box.

But if it isn’t pulling in leads, guiding decisions, or turning visits into action? It’s not working.

Websites today need to do something. They need to be structured, strategic, and fast. They need to connect the dots between marketing and conversion.

That’s what we build.

2. Speed, Structure, and SEO Matter More Than Ever

This isn’t just about looking good anymore. Google (and your customers) expect more.

If your site takes forever to load, looks confusing on mobile, or doesn’t check the right SEO boxes?

You’re not getting found. And when people do land on your site? They bounce.

g!WebDev™ is built to fix that. It focuses on:

  • Clean structure that works for humans and search engines
  • Speed that keeps people on the page
  • SEO-friendly code and layouts that boost visibility

Because performance drives rankings. Not pretty.

3. Conversion Starts with Confidence

People buy when they trust. And trust comes from clarity, confidence, and good design.

We build sites that:

  • Work flawlessly on mobile (because that’s where most traffic lives)
  • Guide users to take action (with smart CTAs and flow)
  • Include trust signals like reviews, badges, case studies, and more

It’s not about over-designing. It’s about removing friction and helping people move.

And the truth? You probably don’t need a total redesign. You need a smarter strategy.

4. Most Sites Don’t Need to Be Rebuilt. They Need to Be Fixed.

When we run Web Dev Audits, we’re not looking to trash what you have. We’re looking to unlock what’s possible with better structure.

Sometimes it’s a few changes that make all the difference:

  • Homepage layout
  • Button placement
  • Copy clarity
  • Header structure
  • On-page SEO 
  • Off-page SEO 
  • CTA strategy

And sometimes it is worth rebuilding. But the only way to know is to take a look.

5. Want to Know What’s Holding Yours Back?

Start with a free Web Dev Audit. We’ll take a real look at what your site is doing well—and where it’s costing you traffic, trust, or conversions.

No pressure. No pitch. Just clarity.

Get a Free & Immediate Web Dev Audit or Book a Strategy Session

Before You Buy Ads, Fix This: The Real Reason Your Site Isn’t Bringing in Leads

Posted on by Reece Smith

If you’re running ads, posting on social, or doing SEO and still hearing crickets, you’re not alone. The problem might not be your traffic. It might be your website.

Stop Driving Traffic to a Site That’s Not Ready for It

Let me guess.

You’ve invested in Google Ads.
 You’re posting consistently on Instagram or LinkedIn.
 You’ve even dabbled in SEO or hired someone to help.

But at the end of the day, your inbox is still empty.
 And your calendar? Not exactly flooded with discovery calls.

Here’s the hard truth no one wants to say out loud:
 More traffic won’t fix a website that doesn’t convert.

And yet that’s where most businesses start—by trying to get more eyeballs instead of fixing what’s right in front of them.

Your Website Isn’t Broken. It’s Just Not Built to Convert

We’ve seen this over and over again. Founders, marketers, and teams pushing hard to get people to their website without ever thinking about what happens once they’re there.

So let me ask you a real question:

If 100 people landed on your homepage today, would even one know what you do, who it’s for, and what to do next?

If the answer isn’t a confident yes, there’s your issue.

These 5 Website Red Flags Are Probably Costing You Leads

Here’s what we see most often when we run client audits. These might seem small, but they add up to big missed opportunities.

1. Your Messaging Is Vague

People don’t buy what they don’t understand. If your headline could fit on a competitor’s site too, it’s not doing its job.

2. It Doesn’t Work Well on Mobile

You’re viewing it on desktop. But your customer? They’re on their phone. If your site isn’t mobile-first, it’s failing first impressions.

3. There’s No Clear Path

What’s the next step? Book a call? Fill out a form? Buy now? If you’re not telling them what to do, they won’t do anything at all.

4. It Loads Slow or Feels Clunky

Speed matters. If your site takes more than a few seconds to load or has weird formatting, people bounce. They don’t care why.

5. You’re Ranking for the Wrong Stuff

Yes, SEO matters. But ranking for keywords that don’t convert is like showing up to the wrong party in the wrong outfit. You’re there, but it’s awkward and no one’s buying.

So What Should You Do Instead?

This is the part where I don’t tell you to rebuild your entire website or spend more.

Instead, here’s what actually works:

Get a Free Web Dev Audit

We’ll take a real look at your site’s structure, speed, user experience, mobile readiness, and more.

Get a Free SEO Audit

Find out what keywords you’re showing up for and whether they’re even worth it.

Book a Strategy Session

We’ll break down what’s working, what’s not, and how to actually make your marketing do its job.

One Final Thought

If your site isn’t built to convert, no amount of content, ads, or organic traffic will save it.

You don’t need a new campaign.
 You need a new lens.

And we’d love to show you what that looks like.

Ready to see what your website’s really doing for you?

Start with a free Web Dev Audit, grab an SEO Audit, or book a Strategy Session now.

Why Your Website Isn’t Bringing in Leads — And How to Fix It Fast

Posted on by Reece Smith

Let’s be honest: you didn’t build a website just to have a digital business card or brochure. You built it because you want results. Leads. Clients. Growth.

So, when your site looks good but doesn’t actually do anything? That’s beyond frustrating… It’s confusing. And worse, it could be costing you thousands of dollars in missed opportunities.

We see this all the time, and the good news is that you’re not alone. Even better, it’s fixable.

Whether you’re running a local service business, a startup, or an established company trying to grow online, here are the real reasons your website might not be converting and how to fix it with tools like a free SEO audit and our brand-new platform, g!Stream™.

1. You’re Not Getting Found on Google (AKA: You Have an SEO Problem)

Here’s the thing: if people can’t find your business, they can’t hire you.

We always talk to business owners who assume their website will naturally start ranking on Google once it’s live. But in reality, search engines need direction. Without the right structure, content, technical optimization, and local relevance, your site is basically invisible.

And showing up on page 4 of Google? That’s the same as not showing up at all.

Real Fix: Start with a free SEO Audit. We’ll show you what’s working, what’s not, and where you’re missing major visibility opportunities.

2. Your Content Isn’t Doing Its Job

Think about the last time you searched for something. You didn’t want fluff. You wanted answers.

So does your audience.

If your website is filled with generic language, jargon, or content that sounds like it was written just to check a box, it won’t connect, and it definitely won’t convert. Today’s best-performing sites have content that educates, builds trust, and matches search intent.

This is where most businesses fall short. And this is exactly what g!Stream™ was built to fix.

Smarter Fix: g!Stream™ uses a blend of human intelligence and AI to learn your business, understand your customers, and generate strategic content that turns traffic into action. It’s not just copy. It’s conversion fuel.

3. You’re Focused on Pretty Instead of Performance

Listen, a clean, modern site is important, but good looks alone don’t generate leads.

Too often, websites are treated like a portfolio piece instead of a business tool. If your site isn’t built with clear calls to action, a strong user flow, and data-backed decisions behind the scenes, it might be turning people away without you even realizing it.

Real Fix: Book a strategy session with us, and we’ll map out how your site should work, not just how it should look.

4. You Don’t Have a System (You Have Scattered Tools)

Ever had a lead fill out a form, and you never saw it? Or checked your analytics and it made zero sense? Or realized your blog hasn’t been updated in 2 years?

This is what happens when your website, marketing, SEO, and reporting are all handled in separate places that don’t talk to each other.

With g!Stream™, we’re changing that.

Smarter Fix: g!Stream™ connects your strategy, content, SEO, and performance tracking into one system—so you’re not guessing. You’re growing.

5. You Haven’t Had a Real Audit

Here’s the truth: most business owners we talk to have never had a professional audit of their website or SEO. They’ve just been winging it, hoping things improve. And in 2024, hope is not a strategy.

A good audit can uncover:

  • Missed keywords that could drive real traffic
  • Broken links or slow load times that frustrate users
  • Thin or outdated content
  • Gaps in your local SEO presence

Quick Fix: Get a free SEO Audit. No pressure. No jargon. Just real insights on how to improve.

So, What’s Next?

You don’t need to burn your website down and start from scratch. But you do need a smarter approach.

  • Start with a free SEO Audit to see where you stand.
  • Explore g!Stream™ and see how AI + HI (human intelligence) is changing the game.

Your website should work harder for you. Let’s make that happen.

Not Sure What to Fix First? Try These 5 Marketing Moves Before You Spend Another Dollar

Posted on by Reece Smith

If you’re pouring time and money into marketing but not seeing results, you’re not alone.

Most business owners and marketing teams don’t have a marketing problem, they have a prioritization problem. The truth is, it’s not about doing more. It’s about fixing the right things in the right order.

Before you launch another campaign, boost another post, or redesign your entire website, take a step back. These five foundational marketing moves will help you find the gaps in your strategy, so you can stop guessing and start growing.

1. Audit Your Website Like a First-Time Visitor

If your website isn’t converting visitors into leads, sales, or inquiries, everything else you do will fall flat. Ads. SEO. Social media. All of it depends on your site being clear, fast, and persuasive.

Here’s what to look for:

  • Clarity: Within 5 seconds, can a new visitor understand what you offer, who it’s for, and what they should do next?

  • Calls-to-Action: Is it easy to take the next step, like scheduling a consultation, requesting a quote, or purchasing?

  • Mobile Optimization: Over 60% of website traffic is mobile. If your site isn’t responsive, you’re losing leads.

  • Speed: Slow websites kill conversions. Use tools like PageSpeed Insights to test your performance.

🛠️ Need help? Our g!WebDev™ Audit analyzes all of this for you and includes actionable fixes to improve conversions. Book a Strategy Session Today! 

2. Optimize Your Google Business Profile (It’s More Powerful Than You Think)

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is often the first impression potential customers get, especially for local businesses. Yet most businesses set it up once and forget it.

To optimize your GBP:

  • List all services and keep hours accurate

  • Add photos regularly (real ones, not stock!)

  • Post weekly updates or offers

  • Collect and respond to reviews consistently

  • Enable messaging so customers can contact you instantly

Why it matters: Google rewards active, optimized profiles with higher local rankings and better visibility in the map pack.

💡 Pro tip: Our g!LocalSEO™ and g!Reviews™ products handle this entire process, so you never have to log into your GBP again.

3. Set Up Proper Tracking So You Stop Marketing in the Dark

Would you drive cross-country without a map? Running marketing campaigns without tracking is no different.

You need to know:

  • Where your leads are coming from

  • Which landing pages are converting

  • Which campaigns are driving real ROI

At a minimum, you should have:

  • Google Analytics set up with conversion tracking

  • Call tracking numbers (if you take calls)

  • Form attribution tools so you know which page or ad drove the form fill

  • UTM links for any paid ads or email campaigns

Don’t stress if this sounds overwhelming. We help businesses set up smart, simple dashboards that connect all the dots, no tech skills required.

4. Take a Hard Look at Your Content Strategy (or Lack Thereof)

Content marketing is the engine behind long-term growth. But most businesses either don’t publish enough content, or they’re publishing the wrong content.

Ask yourself:

  • Is your content aligned with your customer’s pain points and search intent?

  • Are you creating SEO-optimized articles that target local or industry-specific keywords?

  • Do you have a consistent publishing schedule (weekly, biweekly, etc.)?

  • Are you using your content across email, social, and search?

If you answered “no” to any of the above, it’s time to revisit your strategy.

✅ Don’t have time to write? Our g!Stream™ product publishes 3 custom, SEO-optimized articles per day to your site, with internal linking, schema, and branded visuals. You don’t lift a finger.

5. Book a Free HI/AI Strategy Session (This Is Where We Connect the Dots)

You don’t need a complicated plan. You need clarity.

Our Strategy Sessions combine Human Intelligence with Artificial Intelligence to help you figure out exactly what’s holding your marketing back, and where to focus next.

During your free session, we’ll look at:

  • Your website performance

  • Your local SEO footprint

  • Your content effectiveness

  • Your campaign attribution

  • Your sales funnel alignment

And you’ll walk away with clear, prioritized next steps based on your goals and your budget.

No pushy sales pitch. Just a strategic conversation to help you move forward.

Book Your Free Strategy Session Now

Final Thought: It’s Not About Doing More. It’s About Doing the Right Things in the Right Order.

You don’t have to fix everything at once. But you do need to fix the foundation before you spend another dollar on paid ads, new software, or shiny marketing trends.

Start with what matters most:
 Your website.
 Your local presence.
 Your tracking.
 Your content.
 Your strategy.

Let’s figure it out together.

Need help fast? Get a free audit or strategy session and we’ll show you where to start.

How AI Is Changing Marketing and Why the Human Touch Still Matters

Posted on by Reece Smith

Introduction

When AI first started taking over conversations in the marketing world, I was skeptical.

Marketing, at its core, has always been about creativity, originality, and human connection.

How could a machine possibly replace the emotional intelligence and intuition that drive great storytelling and authentic brand building?

I worried that marketing would lose its soul. That campaigns would become cold, robotic, and forgettable.

That brands would all start sounding the same.

But over time, my perspective changed.

This is not because I lowered my standards for what great marketing should be, but because I realized that when used the right way, AI can make human creativity stronger.

At gotcha!, we call this blend HI/AI: Human Intelligence supported by Artificial Intelligence. And we believe it is the future of marketing.

The Rise of AI in Marketing

Over the past few years, AI has exploded across the marketing world.

Tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, and Midjourney have made it easier and faster than ever to create content, generate ideas, and automate repetitive tasks.

According to Salesforce, nearly 60% of marketers already use AI in their daily work, and over 80% plan to increase their use of AI tools in the next two years.

The benefits are obvious.

AI can help teams move faster, create more content at scale, and uncover insights buried in mountains of data.

But speed does not always equal strategy. And more content does not always mean better marketing.

Brands that chase efficiency without protecting creativity are making a critical mistake.

Why Human Creativity Matters More Than Ever

At its best, marketing is about making people feel something. It is about understanding the emotions, aspirations, and pain points that drive real human decisions.

Human creativity brings qualities that AI cannot replicate.

Intuition. Empathy. Emotional nuance.

The ability to pick up on subtle shifts in culture, language, and tone.

AI can recognize patterns based on data, but it cannot understand why something feels right or wrong.

It cannot see beyond what already exists.

Human marketers bring original thinking.

They create new ideas, craft emotional stories, and build brands that people believe in and connect with on a personal level.

When brands rely only on AI, they lose the ability to surprise, to inspire, and to truly stand out.

The Danger of Cookie-Cutter AI Marketing

One of the biggest risks with AI is sameness.

AI generates content by pulling from existing information, blending it together, and creating something that feels statistically average.

If you have been noticing that websites, ads, and blog posts are all starting to sound eerily similar, you are not imagining it.

This is what happens when companies over-rely on AI without human creativity leading the way.

The consequences are real.

Duplicate ideas. Generic branding. Forgettable messaging.

And worse, a slow erosion of customer trust.

Google is already taking action. Their recent updates focus on rewarding original, high-quality content created for people, not just search engines.

Brands that flood the internet with AI-generated filler will see their rankings drop and their credibility fade.

In a crowded digital world, originality is not optional.  It is your competitive edge.

The Solution: HI/AI (Human Intelligence + Artificial Intelligence)

At gotcha!, we believe the future is not about choosing between humans and AI. It is about bringing them together.

We call this approach HI/AI, Human Intelligence powered by Artificial Intelligence.

In practice, that means human creativity leads every project.

AI supports the process by helping us work faster, uncover insights, and expand our ideas.

AI is a tool, not the creator. It helps with research & planning, speeds up production, and sharpens execution. But it is the human mind that shapes strategy, tells powerful stories, and creates emotional connections.

HI/AI is not about automating creativity. It is about amplifying it.

Why the Future Belongs to HI/AI-Driven Brands

Brands that embrace HI/AI will have a massive advantage in the years ahead.

The future of marketing will not belong to companies that automate everything at the expense of originality.

It will belong to brands that use AI to work smarter while protecting and elevating their human creativity.

We believe the next wave of winning brands will be those that combine human intuition with AI-driven intelligence. The ones that move faster but never lose their voice. The ones that use technology to deepen relationships, not replace them.

Marketing is still, and will always be, about people.

And the brands that never forget that will build trust, loyalty, and growth that lasts.

Conclusion

When AI first entered the conversation, I resisted. Because I care deeply about creativity, human emotion, and originality. And I still do.

But I have learned that AI is not the enemy of creativity.

It is a tool that, when used wisely, can make human creativity even stronger.

The future of marketing is not about AI versus humans.

It is about humans using AI to become even more powerful creators, storytellers, and strategists.

At gotcha!, that is exactly what we do. We stay human-first, future-ready, and always original.

If you are ready for marketing that is powered by real connection and smart innovation, let’s talk.