Big Fish Local

👋 Say Hello to Lauren!

We're excited to welcome Lauren Wilkins to the Big Fish Local crew as our newest Creative Specialist! With a Bachelor of Science in Video Game Art and Design, Lauren brings a sharp creative eye and a passion for bringing ideas to life. 🎨

When she's not busy creating, you'll find her at the Renaissance Fair or debating whether it's a Panera or Chipotle kind of day. 🥖🌯

👉 Drop a comment below to welcome Lauren to the team! 🎉

Here's the truth about your content: a scroll-stopping post isn't an accident; it's a formula.

If you want your posts to actually perform, keep these fundamentals in mind:

✅ Strong hook — The first thing people see decides whether they stop or keep scrolling. Make it count.
✅ Eye-catching — Give your audience a reason to stay engaged, whether that's a bold visual, a good story, or valuable info.
✅ Memorable — End on a note that sticks with your audience, not one that leaves them shrugging.
✅ Consistent layout — Using the same colors, fonts, and style across your posts helps your audience recognize your brand at a glance.

Small changes, big difference. Master these four, and your content does the heavy lifting for you.

Found this helpful? Like, comment, and share so more local businesses can navigate social media the right way!

👉 Ready to make your social content work harder for your business? Let's build a strategy that gets you seen.
https://www.bigfishlocal.org/services/social-media-management/

Our local Springfield client Brain Lumber is offering a clearance sale this weekend - be sure to check it out!

STARTING TOMORROW!! We start our extended hours! We will be open 9:00-4:00 Saturday, 10:00-2:00 Sunday, and 7:30-7:00 Monday - Friday for the entire month of August!! Not only that, but we are having a clearance sale, AND offering 10% off all purchases during extended hours. (Discount available on all purchases 12:00-4:00 Saturday, 10:00-2:00 Sunday, and from 5:00-7:00 Monday-Friday, and excludes clearance tables). Stop by and check us out! We would really appreciate a like, follow, and share. SUPPORT LOCAL!! 🫡

Every week with this group is a good one. We are grateful to be part of something this positive! 🐠

Never Give Up

There will be days when the numbers don't add up, the inbox feels endless, and the to-do list wins. But every breakthrough starts with someone who decided to show up one more time.

That's exactly why we keep showing up for Coffee with Champions. Every week, business owners, leaders, and professionals gather not just for coffee, but for the energy that comes from being around people who get it. People who have been there. People who know that success isn't a solo journey.

A huge thank you to today's Coffee with Champions sponsors for keeping the coffee flowing and the community strong:
- Ashley Himes State Farm Springfield
- Alzheimer's Association: Miami Valley Chapter
- Big Fish Local
- Brain Lumber
- PrimeLending - Springfield OH - Mary Mann
- The Family Secret Sourdough
- Admin Solutions Inc.

So never give up on the idea that brought you here. Never give up on the team counting on you. Never give up on the version of success that is uniquely yours.

The businesses that last aren't the ones that never struggled. They are the ones that refused to quit when things got hard. And the ones that found a community to lean on.

Keep going. Your next chapter is closer than you think. We'll see you at the next Coffee with Champions.

10 Website Design Features That Convert Visitors Into Customers

Here's the truth about your website: A pretty site isn't enough. If it doesn't guide visitors toward taking action, it's not doing its job.

Great website design turns browsers into buyers by focusing on what actually drives conversions:
✅ Intuitive navigation so visitors find what they need fast
✅ Mobile-friendly, lightning-fast pages that keep people from bouncing
✅ Clear calls to action that point customers to the next step
✅ Trust signals like reviews, testimonials, and certifications that build confidence
✅ SEO-friendly structure baked in from the very first step

Because your website is often your first impression, and you've only got a few seconds to make it count.

👉 Read our latest blog to discover the 10 website design features that turn visitors into loyal customers!
https://www.bigfishlocal.org/10-website-design-features-that-convert-visitors-into-customers/

It's official — voting for Best of Springfield 2026 is OPEN. 🎉

Last year, YOU made us your Best Marketing or Design Firm. This year, we'd love to earn that title all over again — but we can't do it without you.

If Big Fish Local has helped your business look sharper, show up bigger, or finally feel proud of your brand… a quick vote would mean the world to us. 🐟

👉 Vote here: www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/bestofspringfield/best-of-springfield-2026-voting-starts-today/article_8207fd37-c763-5643-a237-80e51219b580.html

(Psst — you can vote once every single day through Aug. 14!)

Best of Springfield 2026: Voting starts today! The readers choice awards for Springfield to vote for your favorite food, places and people that make Springfield and Clark County great.

Big Fish Local was at the table again this Friday! Coffee with Champions is one of our favorite ways to connect with motivated leaders in Springfield. Thank you The Greater Springfield Partnership for hosting — same time next week?

Another great Friday morning at Coffee with Champions!

A huge thank you to our Community Champions for making this weekly mastermind possible:

- Ashley Himes State Farm Springfield
- Big Fish Local

And thank you to our Community Supporters:

- Admin Solutions Inc.
- Alzheimer's Association: Miami Valley Chapter
- Brain Lumber
- PrimeLending - Springfield OH
- The Family Secret Sourdough

A big thank you to everyone who joined us this morning for great conversation and personal growth. There is nothing quite like starting your Friday with motivated leaders and fresh ideas.

Coffee with Champions happens every Friday at 8 AM in the GSP Board Room. Drop in and grow with us.

Some people know us by our work. Time you knew us by our moodboards. 🎨
We asked the team to build a vibe board — Swipe to meet the people behind the pixels.
Drop a comment with which slide feels most "you." Or if you were surprised by anyone!

Should Your Business Hire a Marketing Agency or Let AI Handle Your Strategy?

Here's something worth considering: Just because you can automate your entire marketing strategy with AI doesn't mean you should.

AI is fast, but it can't replace what an experienced marketing agency brings to the table:
✅ Real market insight that AI simply can't replicate
✅ Original, people-first content that Google actually rewards
✅ Human review that catches the errors and fake facts AI loves to invent
✅ A memorable brand voice instead of generic, forgettable copy
✅ Ongoing optimization tied directly to your business goals

The smartest businesses aren't choosing AI or a marketing team, they're using AI as a tool in expert hands, not a crutch.
👉 Read our latest blog to find out why partnering with a marketing agency beats letting AI run the show for your business!

https://www.bigfishlocal.org/should-your-london-oh-business-hire-a-marketing-agency-or-let-ai-handle-your-strategy/