45| Get Found by AI: How Small Businesses Win When Customers Ask ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity with guest Rachael Barclay

Get Found by AI: How Small Businesses Win When Customers Ask ChatGPT, Gemini & Perplexity | Featuring Rachael Barclay

How are your customers finding businesses today?

More importantly...is your business showing up when someone asks ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, or Google for a recommendation?

In this episode of Conversations to Connect – Let's Get Real!, powered by Exceptional Connections®, host Cyndi O'Neill-Dady welcomes Rachael Barclay, founder of The Savvy Digital Co., to explore one of the biggest shifts in digital marketing, AI search, local SEO, and online business visibility.

With more consumers relying on AI-powered search engines instead of scrolling through pages of Google results, business owners need a new strategy for being discovered, trusted, and recommended. Rachael explains how artificial intelligence determines which businesses appear in AI-generated answers—and the practical steps every entrepreneur, consultant, coach, speaker, service provider, and small business owner can take to improve their online presence.

After spending 15 years in executive operations—including becoming the youngest executive at Seattle's prestigious Columbia Tower Club—Rachael traded the corporate world to build The Savvy Digital Co., where she now helps founders simplify marketing through strategic branding, automation, AI systems, and digital visibility. She is also the host of the You're Allowed* podcast and is passionate about helping business owners build brands that both people and AI trust.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why traditional SEO alone is no longer enough in an AI-first world.

• How ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Google AI generate business recommendations.

• The 60-second AI visibility check every business owner should perform today.

• Why your Google Business Profile may be your most valuable marketing asset.

• How online reviews influence AI recommendations and customer trust.

• Why answering real customer questions outperforms keyword stuffing.

• The importance of third-party credibility, citations, and trusted mentions.

• Practical ways to improve your AI search rankings without becoming a technical expert.

• How authentic relationships and community visibility strengthen your digital presence.

Whether you're a small business owner, entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, consultant, coach, author, speaker, or marketing professional, this conversation offers practical strategies you can implement immediately to increase your discoverability in today's rapidly changing AI landscape.

Connect with Rachael Barclay

- To learn more, go to: thesavvydigitalco.com

- Contact Rachael at: rachael@thesavvydigitalco.com

- Show me what AI says (free tool): www.thesavvydigitalco.com/audit

- To learn more about Vantage: https://www.joinvantage.co

- Take Assessment: https://www.joinvantage.co > Vantage Type > Find your Type > Begin Assessment

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Exceptional Connections® is a relationship-centered networking community where authentic conversations, intentional connections, and meaningful collaboration help professionals build trusted relationships, loyal advocates, thriving businesses, and stronger communities.

Founded by Cyndi O'Neill-Dady, Founder & Chief Champion Connector, Exceptional Connections has been helping entrepreneurs and business professionals cultivate authentic human connections since 2009.

Learn more at:
🌐 https://ExceptionalConnections.com

Connect with Cyndi O'Neill-Dady:
📧 cyndi@exceptionalconnections.com