On the drive back to Wales after visiting a client in Stratford-upon-Avon, I saw something on a motorway bridge that made me do a proper double-take.

A gold-wrapped Transit van. Gold. Shiny. Blinding in the sun. It wasn’t moving, just sat up there like a mobile speed camera.

Naturally, every car around me slowed right down. Everyone does the same thing, don’t they? That little moment of panic: “Am I doing 72 or 82?”

But here’s where it got interesting… The van was actually a promo for a business called Knights Bullion – they buy and sell gold. But someone, almost definitely a mate of the owner, had gone a step further and tagged it on Google Maps as a mobile speed camera. Which means, when you drive past, your phone pings up with a little warning:

“Mobile speed camera in area – is it still here?”

Marketing genius. You look. You clock the gold van. You remember the name.

And it got me thinking, in a world of banner blindness and endless scrolls, attention is everything.
Even if it’s a slightly confusing or unexpected experience, if it sticks in your mind, it’s working.

Which brings me to a tip that every local business should be using:
Your Google Business Profile.

You know, the map listing that shows up in local search results.
The one with reviews, opening hours, and sometimes photos or posts.

What most businesses don’t realise is:

  • It’s completely free
  • You can post updates, offers, and events, just like a mini social feed
  • And hardly anyone is doing it

Seriously, 90% of local businesses have never posted anything on their Google Business Profile. No updates. No offers. Nada.

Here are a few simple things you can post:

  • “We’re open over the bank holiday!”
  • “Free consultation slots this week”
  • A behind-the-scenes photo from today’s project
  • A quick win or client result
  • A special deal just for this month

It takes 30 seconds. And Google likes seeing that kind of activity. So do potential customers.

Also, while you’re at it, ask a couple of your happy customers for a review.

You don’t need hundreds. You just need more than your competitors to get into that magical Top 3 local results (where the clicks happen). It’s usually a difference of just a few reviews.

The best time to ask is when they’ve just said something nice – send them a quick message with a link and say it would mean the world.

So yeah, shoutout to the mysterious Knights Bullion crew. You made me smile. You made me look. And you reminded me that clever marketing doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to be seen.