Insider Insights with Canada's Virtual Assistant
Here’s the thing — delegation isn’t about “less work.” It’s about better work. It’s about creating space for the parts of your business (and life) that actually matter.
Hey there 👋 I’m Megan, the Owner of Canada’s Virtual Assistant — where we help busy executives, consultants, and founders get out of their inbox and back into their zone of genius.
After nearly 20 years in admin and a decade supporting C-suite leaders, I’ve learned one big truth: most people aren’t drowning because they’re bad at what they do… they’re drowning because they’re doing too much of it themselves.
Quick story — I bought my first dog when I was 10 years old with my birthday money. I was so proud… until I realized feeding, walking, and cleaning up after a dog is a full-time gig. 🙃 That’s the same thing that happens in business. You start out excited. Then one day, you look around and realize you’re walking 12 metaphorical dogs.
5 Simple Ways to Start Delegating Like a Leader
Here are 5 simple but powerful ways to get ready to delegate like a leader — without adding chaos to your calendar:
1. Document the Repetitive Stuff.
Start with the tasks you do weekly or daily. These are your “easy wins” for delegation.
2. Decide What Only You Can Do.
Your time is a premium resource. Everything else should be systemized or delegated.
3. Pick One Communication Hub.
Fragmented tools = fragmented focus. A single source of truth saves hours every week.
4. Set Success Metrics.
If your team doesn’t know what “done well” looks like, you’ll always be stuck managing instead of leading.
5. Start Small, Then Scale.
Delegation doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Offload one task, then build momentum.
Your Challenge:
Pick one task you do repeatedly — something you could hand off with a clear set of instructions — and create a simple SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) for it today.
🎯 Try it out this week and see how it feels to free up even 30 minutes of your time. DM me on Instagram @canadas.virtual.assistant or connect on LinkedIn to tell me what you delegated!
Starting Working Better
Here’s the thing — delegation isn’t about “less work.” It’s about better work. It’s about creating space for the parts of your business (and life) that actually matter.
At Canada’s Virtual Assistant, my team and I help leaders stop being the bottleneck in their own business. We build systems that give you your time — and your energy — back.
If you’re ready to stop walking all those metaphorical dogs 🐕, visit www.canadasvirtualassistant.com to book a call.
Insider Insights with Jamie Cornish
The truth is, if you want clients coming to you instead of you chasing them, you need to show up where they’re already looking: the top 3 spots in Google’s Map Pack.
5 Google Map Pack Secrets Every Local Business Needs to Know
Hey friends! Let’s be real… running a local business is hard enough without having to out-ad, out-post, or out-discount every competitor in your city. And don’t even get me started on Groupon leads (you know the ones).
But why should you listen to me?
I’m Jamie Cornish, co-founder of TGIM Local with my husband Brendon. For almost 5 years, we’ve been obsessed with helping local businesses grow – taking many to multi-6 and even 7 figures. Staying on top of the best ways to market your business and attract new clients has been our full-time job. And after everything we’ve tested, I can tell you this new service we built – Limitless Local – is the game-changer.
The truth is, if you want clients coming to you instead of you chasing them, you need to show up where they’re already looking: the top 3 spots in Google’s Map Pack.
Good news? It’s not rocket science. Google actually tells us what they want – you just need to play the game. So, let me spill the five biggest things you can do right now to boost your local visibility (without losing your sanity).
And here’s something REALLY cool:
We worked with the former CEO of Google’s GBP (formerly GMB) – the guy who analyzed over 10,000 business profiles that consistently ranked in the top 3. He found there are just five key things Google looks for. And yep, I’m about to share them.
The first one should NOT shock you…. Everyone knows…
1. Fresh Reviews Win Every Time
But the biggest lesson here is that Google runs on 90-day cycles. That means your 5 stars from last year? Basically invisible now.
Pro tip: Automate review requests or set up a QR code at checkout so new reviews roll in like clockwork.
Getting that review when the dopamine from working with you is at its highest is they key to getting more of those shiny 5 star reviews!
The second one actually falls under the same category… but HOW can you super charge your reivews so Google can confidently put your business in front of those looking for you??
2. Reviews With Keywords = Gold
So… not all 5-star reviews are created equal.
❌ “Great service!” = nice, but meh. ( or even just the stars but words)
✅ “Working with the content creation team at Etched in Marketing in Edmonton has been such a relief. They make the entire process smooth, professional, and honestly fun. Instead of stressing over what to post, I now have high-quality, on-brand content that actually connects with my audience. They make it so easy to get the best results – from brainstorming ideas to final delivery, everything is clear and seamless. Having a team that understands both strategy and creativity has saved me so much time, and the content truly reflects my business. Highly recommend for any local business that wants professional, consistent video content without the overwhelm!”
Why This Matters
Google doesn’t just count reviews -it reads them. The words inside those reviews tell Google what you do, where you are, and who you’re for. That’s why “Great service!” is nice but weak, while the example above is algorithm GOLD.
The more often your reviews include natural mentions of your services + location, the more signals you’re sending to Google that you’re the right choice for someone searching “Content Creation near me” or “video marketing near me.”
How TGIM’s AI Solves This
Here’s the problem: most clients don’t know what to write. They want to help, but they usually leave short, generic reviews that don’t move the needle.
That’s where our AI-powered review helper comes in. After their appointment, the system automatically sends them a simple prompt that helps them structure a review – without scripting it or making it weird.
Example:
Instead of leaving “Loved it here!” your client sees a quick, friendly suggestion like:
“What service did you get?” or
“What did you love most?”
With a list for them to choose from.
The AI then organizes those answers into a natural-sounding review they can simply copy/paste into Google. It still sounds 100% like them, but now it includes the service + city keywords that Google cares about.
Clients feel supported and it’s effortless for them.
Reviews stay authentic – no awkward scripts.
Google gets the exact signals it needs to boost you in search.
It’s one of those small tweaks that makes a huge impact, and it’s built right into Limitless Local.
If you want to try this yourself – you can simply ask them to mention the service they got and the location you are in, in the review to help boost your biz in Googles eyes!
Next, we have an often overlooked section of your GBP, photos, but not just any photos!
3. Photos That Prove You’re Alive
Google wants to know you’re active. That means uploading real photos weekly.
❌ Canva flyers = okay but blah.
✅Behind-the-scenes, candid shots, before and afters, branding photos of you and your business, geotagged and properly named (ex: “Botox Boise” not “IMG_3746”).
With Limitless Local, you don’t have to stress about naming, tagging, or uploading photos – our AI, Luna, does it all for you.
Luna uses over 1,000 data points to know exactly when to upload fresh content so your profile always looks active in Google’s eyes.
She automatically renames your files with keyword-rich names your dream clients are already searching for.
She geotags photos for the areas that need help most, so you don’t just show up in the top 3 spots in one neighbourhood – you show up across your entire service area.
It’s one of the simplest ways to multiply your visibility without adding more work to your plate.
Next up we have one that most people think they have NO control over… Q & A
4. Q&A Isn’t Just for Clients
Most business owners don’t even realize their Google Business Profile has a Q&A section. OR they think that Google will dock them points if they ask and answer their own questions, NOT ture. Here’s the thing: anyone can ask a question about your business. But here’s the secret – you can ask and answer your own FAQs (and you should).
Why it matters:
Every Q&A you post gives Google more context about what you do.
When you include keywords + location naturally, it boosts your visibility.
You’re also giving potential customers instant answers when they’re comparing you to competitors.
Example:
❓ Do you offer evening appointments?
💬 Yes, we’re open until 8pm Monday–Thursday, making it easy for our local clients to book after work.
❓ Where are you located?
💬 We’re located in downtown Springfield on Main Street, right across from Central Park.
Just like that, you’ve dropped in keywords like “downtown Springfield” and “appointments,” while also helping your customers.
Aim to post 3–5 questions and answers every 90 days, and you’ll give both Google and your future clients more reasons to choose you.
Here’s where most businesses get stuck: thinking up questions, writing answers that sound natural and keyword-rich, and remembering to actually stay consistent and post them every 90 days.
That’s where Luna (our AI inside Limitless Local) steps in:
Suggests the right questions based on what real customers in your area are searching for.
Writes keyword-rich, location-specific answers that still sound natural and authentic.
Schedules and posts Q&As for you on the right cadence (every 90 days) so you’re always feeding Google fresh, relevant content.
Result? Your profile stays active, helpful, and optimized without you lifting a finger – and Google sees you as the obvious choice across your service area.
Last but certainly not least, we have posts.
5. Post Like You Mean It
Your Google Business Profile is like Instagram’s quieter cousin – it still wants love and attention. Posting regularly shows both Google and potential clients that you’re active, relevant, and trustworthy.
Aim to post at least twice per week. TIP – use your instagram posts on google too! Double dip for maximum impact.
Use your posts to highlight services, promotions, events, or FAQs.
Sprinkle in keywords naturally (e.g., “lip filler in Boise” or “Springfield HVAC tune-up”).
Keep posts short, helpful, and include a call-to-action (like “Book now” or “Call today”).
The catch? Google evaluates these posts in 90-day cycles, so if you’re not consistent, your profile starts to look stale again.
Here’s where Luna (our AI in Limitless Local) makes life easy:
Tracks 1,000+ data points to know when your profile needs fresh posts.
Writes keyword-rich, locally-optimized posts that sound natural and on-brand.
Publishes on schedule, so you never miss a 90-day cycle.
Keeps your profile fresh for both Google’s algorithm and AI-powered search tools (like voice search and chat recommendations).
Instead of stressing about what to post or when, Luna handles it automatically – so your business looks alive and optimized in less than 20 minutes a month.
The Bottom Line
We built Limitless Local, our AI-powered system that takes care of all these Google “must-dos” in the background so you stay optimized and visible — without adding a bunch of extra work to your plate. No more out-ad, out-post, or out-discount games.
Insider Insights with Etched In Marketing
Video content is essential to growing your online presence, but creating videos that truly connect with your audience requires more than just hitting record.
Have you ever struggled through recreating a seemingly easy Reel or TikTok trend, only for it to not turn out the way you'd hoped? Creating, editing, and planning video content is deceptively difficult, and nobody is more aware of this than us– the professionals. But the good news is while working to support the marketing and social media efforts of local Edmonton businesses, we've learned a few things (or more) along the way.
10 Tips for Better Video Content:
Here are our top 10 tips to take your video content from passable to professional:
1. If you are filming using your phone use the front camera (not selfie ) when recording better quality videos, and adjust your video settings for better quality video (4K and 30fps).
2. Consider whether you will use landscape or portrait orientation. Most creators opt to use portrait orientation since they'll be posting their video as TikToks and Reels. Normally you won’t use landscape orientation unless you are filming a video for a platform like YouTube or your website.
3. Lighting makes all the difference. Try filming in the morning or evening, instead of midday, using natural light. This allows for softer, more flattering light. If you’re filming indoors, avoid pointing light sources towards the camera.
4. When filming a static shot, use a tripod to avoid shaky footage. Shaky footage leads to an unprofessional and unpolished feel. Don’t own a tripod? They don’t have to be expensive and can even be found in discount stores, or you can simply find a way to prop your phone up using what you have around the house (water bottles, books, etc.)
5. Ensure that there are no distractions in the background. A messy workspace, a box of cereal, or yesterday’s dishes might not distract you, but they will remove focus from the subject.
6. Be mindful of the foreground of your shot. We suggest you avoid wearing or displaying the logos of other brands, as these can again pull focus away from the focus of your video.
7. Watch for unwanted reflections. If you are standing in front of a mirror or other reflective surface, you may want to consider changing locations or adjusting your angle to avoid showing the camera or other unwanted content.
8. Record more footage than you think you’ll need. Especially if you’re new to video creation, try recording from different angles, using different props and lighting. B-roll, or filler footage, can be useful not only for a video about behind-the-scenes footage but can often result in footage that is better than expected!
9. Clear audio is an underrated facet of video creation. Ensure that your phone’s microphones are not obstructed. Avoid competing background noise such as fans, TVs, or music. Purchasing a small microphone to use is a great idea, especially if you frequently record voiceovers or speech-heavy videos.
10. Avoid excessive filtering or special effects. They can definitely be fun, but when overused, have the effect of making your videos look less professional.
Video content is essential to growing your online presence, but creating videos that truly connect with your audience requires more than just hitting record. If you need some support, we are here to help! Check out our Video Content Creation services to learn more about how we can work together to help you stand out online!
