When an expert says they don't use AI leave the meeting, here is why
Beyond the Algorithm: Supercharging Your Santa Clarita Business with AI & Strategic Digital Command
In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, success for local businesses in Santa Clarita – from real estate agents to plumbers, electricians, and beyond – hinges not merely on having an online presence, but on a strategic, intelligent, and proactive approach to digital command. The game has changed. What worked yesterday might not even register tomorrow. This isn't just about SEO anymore; it's about AI, content mastery, and establishing a dominant, trustworthy digital footprint that truly supercharges your business.
This isn't just theory; this is a blueprint.
The New Digital Divide: Google vs. Bing (and the AI Revolution)
For years, "getting found online" meant "getting found on Google." And while Google remains undeniably crucial, a significant shift is underway, creating a new digital divide that smart businesses in Santa Clarita cannot afford to ignore: the burgeoning power of Bing, driven by its deep integration with OpenAI's ChatGPT.
Google My Business: The Enduring Cornerstone (with New AI Layers)
Let's start with the familiar. Google My Business (GMB) remains the local business platform par excellence. Listing your business here is free, essential, and a non-negotiable first step. It provides your local physical address, phone number, hours, and crucially, a platform for reviews and consistent updates.
The verification process, while sometimes requiring a video walkthrough of your premises to prove ownership, is a small investment for the immense local visibility it provides. For real estate agents in Santa Clarita, especially those operating within larger brokerage offices, Google’s verification can be more stringent, demanding clear differentiation through video proof to ensure each agent is genuinely a unique, verifiable business entity. This focus on individual verification underscores Google's commitment to authentic local connections.
But Google isn't static. Its AI, particularly the Gemini platform, is increasingly sophisticated. Soon, when a potential client in Santa Clarita asks Siri (via Apple's platforms) for a local agent, plumber, or coffee shop, that query will likely tap into Google's vast data ecosystem. This means your GMB listing, your website content, and your overall digital presence need to be optimized not just for keywords, but for conversational AI queries. It's not just about what people type; it's about what they ask.
Bing & ChatGPT: The Untapped Frontier (800 Million Reasons to Pay Attention)
Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room that many "AI innovation software" vendors are conveniently ignoring: Bing. As of late 2025, Bing boasts an astonishing 800 million users. Let that sink in. This isn't a niche player; it's a massive audience. The real game-changer, however, is Bing's strategic alliance with OpenAI's ChatGPT.
When users in Santa Clarita, or anywhere else, turn to ChatGPT for a local business search – whether it’s "Find a reputable electrician near me," "Recommend a good hairdresser in Santa Clarita," or "Where's the best coffee shop for a meeting?" – the information ChatGPT pulls will be heavily reliant on Bing's search data. If your business isn't listed and optimized on Bing My Business, you are, quite simply, invisible to a colossal segment of the AI-driven search market.
This represents a colossal opportunity. While many focus solely on Google, savvy businesses in Santa Clarita will double down on Bing My Business, ensuring their local listing is complete, accurate, and regularly updated. Just like GMB, Bing offers a free business listing. However, you need to be cautious. The digital landscape is rife with clever marketers who create websites designed to look like official Bing My Business portals, only to charge you for a service that should be free. Always navigate directly to the official Bing for Business site to avoid these scams.
The future is conversational AI search. Whether it’s Google Gemini powering Siri or Microsoft's vast data fueling ChatGPT via Bing, your business needs to be discoverable on both major fronts. Missing one is akin to only advertising on half the billboards in town.
The Content Imperative: Quality, Niche, and Multi-Format Dominance
Simply having a listing isn't enough. In the age of AI, content is king, but strategic, valuable, and niche-specific content is emperor. Generic, keyword-stuffed articles are relics of a bygone era. Today, AI values relevance, authority, and genuine usefulness.
Google My Business Posts: Beyond the Basic Update
Many "AI solutions" providers will promise daily updates to your GMB for a monthly fee. While consistent posting is good, what you post is paramount. Google My Business currently allows a maximum of 1500 characters per entry (as of November 2025). These posts are not for direct self-promotion. Avoid embedding phone numbers, names, or overt sales pitches directly within the main text, as these often lead to rejection or limited visibility.
Instead, use these posts to provide valuable information to your local audience. Share industry insights, answer common questions, highlight unique aspects of your service, or discuss local community events you're involved in. Every post should ideally end with a clear, concise call to action button: "Learn More," "Call Now," "Book Now." This directs traffic to your website or encourages direct engagement, leveraging the post's content without violating GMB's promotional guidelines.
Example for a Santa Clarita Plumber: Instead of "Call Paul for plumbing services!", try "Did you know that older homes in Santa Clarita often have specific plumbing challenges? We dive into common issues with galvanized pipes and how to identify them before they cause major damage. [Learn More]". The "Learn More" button then links to a blog post on your website about galvanized pipes.
Bing and Beyond: Evergreen, Niche Content for AI Discovery
The same content principles apply to Bing and across your entire digital ecosystem. The goal is to create "evergreen" content – content that remains relevant and valuable over time. This includes blog posts, FAQs, and detailed service descriptions.
But to truly stand out, especially in highly saturated markets like real estate, locksmiths, attorneys, or insurance, you need to go niche. Don't just be "a plumber"; be "the Santa Clarita expert on identifying and replacing old Korean galvanized pipes." This hyper-focused approach allows you to build authority and attract highly specific, high-intent leads.
Connor's Insight: "If you’re a plumber, maybe there’s a new type of pipe. Maybe there’s some kind of old type of galvanized Korean pipe that you ran into the other day. And you want to talk about that. You’d be super. Probably how many people have that same type of pipe and not realizing that maybe it’s a problem because they haven’t had an issue for the last 40 years."
This is gold. This is the kind of specific, problem-solving content that AI systems will prioritize when matching users with solutions.
The Video Revolution: Short-Form, Long-Form, and Repurposing Mastery
Content isn't just text. In fact, video is increasingly becoming the most powerful medium for engagement and trust-building. And it's no longer a choice between short-form and long-form; you need both, and a strategy to leverage them together.
The Power of Long-Form Video: Building Trust and Authority
For too long, short attention spans have dominated the narrative. While short-form video is crucial for initial engagement, longer, in-depth video content is making a powerful comeback. Why? Because it builds trust. When you provide comprehensive, valuable information that genuinely helps someone, they will watch. They see your expertise, your passion, and your authenticity.
Connor's Observation: "People see you. They say, oh my god, that’s Connor. We got to watch him. We trust him. So if I carry on and on about a particular thing that’s going to help somebody, then they will watch that full form video."
This could be a detailed market update for Santa Clarita real estate agents, a step-by-step guide on home maintenance for a general contractor, or an explanatory video on new tax laws for an accountant. These videos establish you as an authority, fostering deep connections with your audience.
Short-Form Video: The Attention Grabber and AI Feed
From every long-form video, you should be extracting "nuggets" – compelling, bite-sized pieces of information that can be repurposed into multiple short-form videos for platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. These are your attention grabbers, your quick tips, your "aha!" moments.
These platforms are driven by AI algorithms that push relevant content to users. Consistent, engaging short-form videos keep your brand in front of new audiences and drive traffic back to your longer content or your website.
Tools for Repurposing: The good news is that AI tools are making this easier than ever. Platforms like CapCut (C-A-P-C-U-T) and Opus Clip are excellent for taking longer videos and intelligently generating multiple short, engaging clips. Many of these AI tools operate on a subscription model, often in the $20-30/month range, which is a small investment for the significant content leverage they provide.
Example: A 20-minute video about "Common Real Estate Mistakes in Santa Clarita" can yield:
A 30-second TikTok on "Don't Make This Mistake When Buying in Valencia!"
A 60-second Instagram Reel on "The #1 Reason Homes Sit on the Market in Santa Clarita"
A 90-second YouTube Short explaining "Property Tax Myths in Canyon Country"
Each of these short videos should still direct viewers to your main website or the full-length video for more information.
Your Digital Headquarters: The Indispensable Website & Domain
Every piece of content, every social media post, every video – they all need to lead somewhere. You need a digital headquarters, a central hub where potential clients can learn more, engage deeper, and ultimately convert. This is your website, and it starts with your domain name.
The Evolution of the Website: From Expensive Portal to Streamlined Funnel
The speaker recalls the early days of real estate (1998), where building a personal website with MLS and IDX feeds was a massive, costly undertaking. Today, the "price of admission" has dramatically decreased. AI tools can help you build sophisticated web apps and landing pages with minimal coding knowledge, often through conversational prompts.
While corporate websites serve a purpose, a dedicated landing page or a focused web app for your personal brand can be far more effective. People aren't trying to "out-Zillow Zillow"; they're looking for a trusted expert. Your personal digital hub should:
Showcase your unique value proposition.
Feature engaging videos of yourself or your services.
Provide clear calls to action.
Connect seamlessly to your social media profiles.
Most importantly, build trust.
The .COM Imperative: Your Digital Identity
While new domain extensions like ".ai" are trendy (and often bought up speculatively, much like the dot-com boom), the .COM extension remains the gold standard. It's the most recognized, trusted, and valuable.
Finding a good .com might be challenging, as many short, generic ones are taken. However, personalizing it with your name or a specific descriptor related to your niche can still yield excellent results.
Domain names are generally inexpensive initially ($10-12/year from registrars like GoDaddy or Namecheap). Be aware that renewal costs often double after the first year – a common industry practice. However, some specialized AI growth architects, like Connor, offer systems where the domain renewal price remains consistent, eliminating those hidden surprises. Owning your .com is a fundamental step in establishing your long-term digital identity.
Embracing the AI Revolution: Adapt or Be Left Behind
This isn't just about optimizing for search engines; it's about fundamentally changing how you operate your business. The AI revolution is not optional for those who wish to thrive.
Connor's Stern Reality: "This is a life changing thing. You might not like it, but the people building it are using it. And the people that are top in whatever market it is, they’re using it as well. So it’s important. Unfortunately, if you hate it, you’re going to have to swallow that bitter pill and move forward unless you want to move in with the Amish or the Mennonites or whatever different religions out there that don’t have anything to do with technology."
This powerful statement underscores the absolute necessity of integrating AI into your workflow. If you're not using it, your competitors are. AI is not just a fancy tool; it's an "extra IQ point" for your business, helping you:
Brainstorm Ideas: Overcome writer's block for content creation, marketing campaigns, or problem-solving.
Refine Strategies: Get AI's perspective on how to improve a business idea or a marketing plan.
Automate Tasks: Streamline routine operations, freeing up valuable time for strategic work.
Personalize Customer Interactions: Enhance customer service and engagement.
Generate Content: Produce outlines, draft articles, and even create video scripts efficiently.
Even if you're working diligently on your Google My Business updates, AI can ensure your 1500-character posts are impactful, compliant, and consistently published. It's about working smarter, not just harder.
The AI Vetting Process: Trust, But Verify
The surge in AI's popularity has naturally led to an influx of "AI innovation software" vendors. Some are genuine innovators, while others are simply selling snake oil. When considering an AI system or service that could cost you anywhere from $100 to $1,000 per month, due diligence is paramount. You need to "trust, but verify."
Here's how to apply AI to vet AI services:
Demand Transcripts (and Review Them with AI): If a vendor records your Zoom meeting, always ask for a transcript. Once you have it, plug key claims and proposed strategies into a large language model (like ChatGPT or Google Gemini). Ask the AI: "Is this strategy sound?", "Are these claims accurate?", "What are the potential downsides of this approach?", or "Can you debunk or validate these statements?" This allows you to leverage AI to check the validity of human claims.
Clarify Content Usage: If a vendor records your meeting or generates a transcript, explicitly ask about their policy on using that content for their own marketing. Send them an email stating your comfort level: "I am comfortable/uncomfortable with you using my side of the conversation for your future marketing and advertising purposes." This protects your privacy and intellectual property.
Cross-Reference and Research: Don't take a vendor's word as gospel. Take notes on their proposed solutions, technologies, and promised outcomes. Then, use AI-powered search engines and information retrieval tools to research their claims independently. Are their technologies recognized? Do independent reviews support their effectiveness? Are their strategies aligned with current best practices in AI and digital marketing?
Simulate Scenarios with AI: If a vendor proposes a specific AI-driven marketing funnel or content strategy, describe that strategy to another AI. Ask, "If I implement this exact marketing funnel, what are the most likely outcomes? What are the potential weaknesses or areas where it might fail?" This can give you an objective, data-driven perspective on the proposed solution.
This meticulous vetting process is not about distrusting everyone; it's about making informed decisions. If a system promises to hit "many home runs," you want to be sure it's not going to cost you two or three months of payments just to find out it strikes out. AI can be your impartial arbiter in navigating the complex world of AI solutions.
Santa Clarita Artificial Intelligence: Your Partner in AI Growth Architecture
Connor with Honor is at the forefront of this AI revolution, offering systems and insights to help businesses implement AI growth architecture. For those in Santa Clarita and beyond, SantaClaritaArtificialIntelligence.com is a hub for resources and contact information.
Connor hosts a weekly webinar every Monday morning at 10 AM Pacific Standard Time (with adjustments for holidays) specifically on "AI Growth Architecture for Businesses." These sessions are designed not as sales pitches, but as educational opportunities to empower business owners with the knowledge and tools to leverage AI for growth.
Connor's Mission: "It’s not a pitch about my business. It’s a pitch about what you can do in your business to get more business."
This commitment to education and empowerment is crucial in a landscape where many are simply trying to sell. Connor's approach emphasizes understanding the underlying mechanics of AI and digital strategy, enabling you to make informed decisions for your business's future.
The Path Forward: AI-Powered Dominance for Santa Clarita
The digital frontier for Santa Clarita businesses is dynamic, challenging, and filled with unprecedented opportunity. The path to dominance is clear:
Master the Dual Pillars of Search: Optimize rigorously for both Google My Business and Bing My Business, recognizing Bing's growing power through ChatGPT.
Embrace Niche, Evergreen Content: Create valuable, specific text and video content that solves problems and builds authority.
Command the Video Landscape: Leverage both long-form video for trust and short-form video for reach, using AI tools to streamline repurposing.
Secure Your Digital Headquarters: Own your .com domain and build a strong, trust-generating website or web app.
Integrate AI, Intelligently: Embrace AI as an essential tool for every aspect of your business, from content creation to strategic planning.
Verify All Claims: Use AI itself to vet potential AI solutions and ensure you're making sound investments.
This is not a future possibility; it is the present reality. For Santa Clarita businesses ready to move "Beyond the Algorithm" and embrace a strategic, AI-powered digital command, the rewards of top placement, increased trust, and accelerated growth await.
Connor with Honor, over and out.
