The Silent Killer of Progress in Business

Hey there,

Let’s be real: It’s way too easy to look around at other contractors and feel behind.

You see competitors posting big numbers, showing off their fleets, or winning local awards, and suddenly you're questioning everything—your growth, your systems, your brand, your progress.

But here’s the truth: none of that matters if you’re not showing up and getting 1% better in your business every single day.

In my upcoming book, The HOME Advantage, I write a lot about staying focused on what you can control:

• Your reputation.

• Your message.

• Your consistency.

• Your customer experience.

• Your community impact.

Not the guy across town who is bragging on Facebook about another “record month.”

The only competition that matters is who you were yesterday.

Instead of chasing someone else’s highlight reel, double down on your path:

• Dial in your brand so it reflects the trust you deliver.

• Build emotional connections with your customers, one story at a time.

• Invest in local visibility and relationships that actually move the needle.

• Execute your marketing with discipline, not comparison.

Remember: You don’t need to grow fast—you need to grow right.

So if you’re feeling that temptation to compare, take a deep breath, put your head down, and focus on doing the next right thing.

That’s how real, lasting businesses are built!

Until next time,

-ET

Tips From Around The Industry

Want to win at local SEO? Focus on reviews and customer sentiment

Written by Dayna Lucio

Search is changing fast. This year, we’ve seen more instances of search engine results sharing space with AI-powered features that are changing how people find information.

Along with the changes to how search engines display information, we’re also seeing users explore new methods to search for information. Google AI Mode, Gemini, ChatGPT, Perplexity – there are many large language models (LLMs) capturing users’ attention, providing new ways for users online to discover and make decisions about your brand.

Customer sentiment, shown through reviews and ratings, is becoming a key part of both local and branded search.

Get A FREE Copy Of My Book!

Going to any of these upcoming trade shows or conferences? Swing by the Rival Digital booth and snag a copy of my book.

@hvac.eric7 If you’re heading to any of those conferences, make sure to stop by the Rival Digital booth and grab a FREE copy of my book. It’s all about helping home service pros build real trust, stand out in their market, and actually connect with their customers. #free#homeservicefreedom#serviceworldexpo#clovermastermind#wemeanbusiness#PHCC#womeninHVACR♬ original sound - hvac.eric