How Small Contractors Can Compete

Taylor gives a three-step playbook: claim profiles, solicit reviews on varied directories, and ensure NAP consistency.

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Episode notes

In this episode of To The Point Home Services, host Chris Yano sits down with Taylor Hulett, Director of Training & Development at RYNO Strategic Solutions, to break down how AI and ChatGPT are changing the game for contractors. Taylor reveals insights from RYNO’s Innovation Lab—where the team has been testing how large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT pull search results—and how contractors can take action right now to rank, get leads, and future-proof their businesses.

From SEO strategies that influence ChatGPT visibility to off-site reputation hacks that help smaller contractors compete with big names, this episode is packed with actionable advice and forward-looking insights.

🔑 Key Takeaways

AI is the new SEO frontier — Why ChatGPT results matter and how early adopters can win big.
Trust & proximity in AI search — How LLMs “recommend” contractors differently than Google.
The Innovation Lab — How RYNO is experimenting with content, reviews, and ranking factors.
Off-site SEO tips — Where ChatGPT actually pulls data from (and why reviews on Angi, BBB, and Thumbtack matter).
Small business advantage — How local contractors can compete with larger companies using smart AI strategies.
The future of AI marketing — What Taylor predicts about paid ChatGPT listings, Atlas, and the evolving AI search economy.

🕒 Timecodes

00:00 — Chris introduces the episode and guest, Taylor Hulett

02:00 — How Taylor and Chris first met & Taylor’s background

05:00 — Why AI is today’s “SEO moment” for contractors

07:00 — What RYNO’s Innovation Lab is discovering about ChatGPT rankings

10:00 — The “trust game” between Google and AI

14:00 — How AI search is reshaping local service discovery

20:00 — Writing content that ChatGPT (and your customers) love

25:00 — Off-site SEO: Which review sites matter most

30:00 — How small contractors can beat Goliaths with AI

35:00 — Proximity and local ranking in ChatGPT vs. Google

40:00 — Tracking leads from ChatGPT and measuring ROI

45:00 — What’s coming next: Paid search, Atlas, and monetized AI

49:00 — Taylor’s crystal ball predictions for 2026 and beyond

🔗 Resources Mentioned

AnswerThePublic.com - Find real customer questions to improve content.
Free Website Analysis - https://rynoss.com/podcast-free-ai-rankings-analysis/?utm_source=To+The+Point&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=free_ai_ranking_analysis&utm_content=episode_296
Thumbtack, Angi, BBB, ThreeBestRated - Review platforms ChatGPT pulls data from.
Prolific Brand Design - Email marketing partner mentioned for automating review requests.
RYNO Strategic Solutions - Learn more about RYNO’s digital marketing and AI innovation.