In this reflective episode of Trades Secrets, Amanda and Devon review everything that 2025 taught us about marketing, research, agency life, and more. What worked? What didn’t work? And most importantly, why.

This is not just a look back. It’s a look forward - through the lens of curiosity, intentionality, and growth. The hosts also outline how they’re thinking about 2026: where to double down, what to release, and how to create work that aligns with your values.

Key Takeaways:

• AI is here to stay; however, the correct implementation and guardrails are the keys to success with AI in your business
• Brand Awareness is critical - make sure all of your branding is cohesive and easy for Google to understand what you do and where you do it
• Reviews are still king and will continue to be in 2026

Missed an episode? Catch up with our full playlist of Trades Secrets podcasts found here:

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-v2ElYWOqX8jZlaKuHz1krepsTZVY1As

Plus, explore MORE actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades here: https://tradessecretpodcast.com

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Read about the latest in the field: https://elevmarketing.com/blog/

Connect with us on social media:

• Facebook
• X
• Instagram (Elevation Digital Marketing)
• Instagram (Trades Secrets)
• LinkedIn

At Elevation Marketing, we have a tight team of experts in SEO or Search Engine Optimization, Google Ads, Google Local Service Ads, Google Display, Social Media Ads, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Content Marketing, and Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO). With a niche focus on Contractor Marketing and working for the Trades, we've been able to make a significant impact on our home services clients. We are more than an agency, we're your marketing partner. Elevating you elevates us. Email us at experts@elevmarketing.com to talk!

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Trades Secrets: Contractor Marketing is for home services contractors and who are looking for easy to implement marketing tips and strategies. This podcast is for you if you're looking for actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades. We'll keep you apprised of what's new, and what should be on your radar for all things digital marketing.

In this mind-bending episode, Amanda and Devon dive headfirst into the weird and wild world of AI hallucinations. What does it really mean when artificial intelligence "hallucinates"? Why do these systems sometimes get facts completely wrong with absolute confidence? And what can you do to stop it?

Check out the Truth Protocol below to help your AI assistant stop hallucinating and start helping!

The Truth Protocol: (Give this to your favorite chatbot)

1. Frame the claim. Specify the question/claim, audience, geography, and timeframe.

2. Sources & freshness (3–5). Prefer primary/official or first-party data; record title • publisher • date; prefer recent sources and note any “last major update.”

3. Reconcile & rank evidence. Resolve conflicts: primary > secondary; newer > older; consensus > outlier. Note disagreements.

4. Objectivity guard. Remove bias. If interpretation/opinion is requested, label it and tie it to cited evidence.

5. Show your work. For numbers: show calculations/assumptions. For qualitative claims: summarize the reasoning chain.

6. Cite transparently. Inline-cite every non-obvious claim (source name + date). No fabricated or AI-generated citations.

7. Uncertainty & final gate. State confidence (High/Med/Low) + known gaps. If key facts can’t be verified, say “I cannot confirm this” and don’t assert. Before posting, ask: “Are all claims verifiable, current, bias-free, and cited?” If not, revise. Add “Last checked: YYYY-MM-DD.”

Missed an episode? Catch up with our full playlist of Trades Secrets podcasts found here:

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-v2ElYWOqX8jZlaKuHz1krepsTZVY1As

Plus, explore MORE actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades here: https://tradessecretpodcast.com

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Connect with us on social media:

• Facebook
• X
• Instagram (Elevation Digital Marketing)
• Instagram (Trades Secrets)
• LinkedIn

At Elevation Marketing, we have a tight team of experts in SEO or Search Engine Optimization, Google Ads, Google Local Service Ads, Google Display, Social Media Ads, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Content Marketing, and Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO). With a niche focus on Contractor Marketing and working for the Trades, we've been able to make a significant impact on our home services clients. Email us at experts@elevmarketing.com to talk!

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Trades Secrets: Contractor Marketing is for home services contractors and who are looking for easy to implement marketing tips and strategies. This podcast is for you if you're looking for actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades. We'll keep you apprised of what's new, and what should be on your radar for all things digital marketing.

Everyone feels like a fraud sometimes. But what if that feeling isn’t a weakness, but a sign that you are growing into something bigger? In this episode of Trades Secrets, Devon and Amanda dive deep into imposter syndrome and reveal how it can actually become one of your greatest tools in business and marketing.

Whether you’re a contractor building a business or a marketer trying to prove your value, this episode will help you rethink your self-doubt and turn it into fuel.

Episode Highlights:

• What is Imposter Syndrome?
• How to use Imposter Syndrome to your advantage

Missed an episode? Catch up with our full playlist of Trades Secrets podcasts found here:

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-v2ElYWOqX8jZlaKuHz1krepsTZVY1As

Plus, explore MORE actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades here: https://tradessecretpodcast.com

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Read about the latest in the field: https://elevmarketing.com/blog/

Connect with us on social media:

• Facebook
• X
• Instagram (Elevation Digital Marketing)
• Instagram (Trades Secrets)
• LinkedIn

At Elevation Marketing, we have a tight team of experts in SEO or Search Engine Optimization, Google Ads, Google Local Service Ads, Google Display, Social Media Ads, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Content Marketing, and Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO). With a niche focus on Contractor Marketing and working for the Trades, we've been able to make a significant impact on our home services clients. We are more than an agency, we're your marketing partner. Elevating you elevates us. Email us at experts@elevmarketing.com to talk!

Find out how we can help you grow your business: https://elevmarketing.com/

Trades Secrets: Contractor Marketing is for home services contractors and who are looking for easy to implement marketing tips and strategies. This podcast is for you if you're looking for actionable marketing tactics that are not over your head, and apply to ALL trades. We'll keep you apprised of what's new, and what should be on your radar for all things digital marketing.