AVL Biz Weekly | Aug 20: Boost Your Local SEO + Brew, Laugh, Llama

Welcome to AVL BIZ Weekly—your local cheat sheet for what’s happening in Asheville’s small business + creative scenes.

Each week: hand-picked events, marketing ideas that actually work, and a little local flavor to keep things fun.

My name's Jason and I'm writing this (connect with me here).

📋 On Deck

• 🧠 Workshops & Socials for Local Entrepreneurs

• 🦙 Llama Encounters, Mini-Golf, & Outdoor Theater

• 🎸 Live Music Radar: AVL Sounds Worth Catching

• 📍 Marketing Tips to Boost Your Local SEO Fast

🙋 Want your biz featured in front of a few really smart AVL business owners? Email me for details

Hey there, AVL Fam!

The end of August tends to sneak up on you. One day you're mapping Q3 plans, the next you're on a llama farm wondering how you got there. Around here, we’re fans of both: serious strategy and weird fun.

This week’s edition is all about that blend: practical workshops to up your business game, chill socials where creative collisions happen, and smart marketing tips that don’t require a 4-hour YouTube rabbit hole. Oh, and did I mention there are llamas?

Let’s gooooo!

📅 Business Events

• 📅 Asheville Women in Tech: Social Night – Thu, Aug 21 · 6:30–8:30 PM EDT (Archetype Brewing Company, 265 Haywood Rd, Asheville)

  Social networking and community-building for women in tech. Meets every 3rd Thursday through Dec 2025.

• 📅 August Hendersonville Area Digital Nomads Social – Thu, Aug 21 · 5:30–7:30 PM EDT (Trailside Brewing, 873 Lennox Park Dr, Hendersonville)

  A relaxed social gathering for digital nomads. Enjoy drinks, food truck options, and trivia at 6:30 PM to spark connections.

• 📅 Asheville Toastmasters Club 436 – Thu, Aug 21 · 6:00–7:45 PM EDT (Ivy Building, 10 Genevieve Cir, Asheville)

  Weekly public speaking and leadership practice in a supportive environment. Meets every Thursday through June 30, 2026.

• 📅 Social Media Bootcamp at WNC Main Street – Tue, Aug 26 · 9 AM–3 PM EDT (Silver Spoon Saloon, 60 Legends Cir, Mill Spring)

  A hands-on, full-day workshop for small business owners and community leaders. Learn strategy, get templates, network, and receive personalized support.

• 📅 WomanUP August 2025 Workshop – Thu, Aug 28 · 8:00–10:30 AM EST (A-B Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Dr, Asheville, NC 28801)

  A dynamic workshop empowering women in business. Keynote speaker Erin Kienzle shares her framework for activating authentic influence and unlocking your next chapter. Light breakfast included.

Hosting something cool?

📬 Hit reply and tell me what you think. Or share an event!

💡 Marketing Quickies

• NAP Audit in Under 10 Minutes

  Search your business name + city on Google. Check if your Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP) are consistent across top listings (Google, Yelp, Facebook, Apple Maps, BBB). Inconsistencies confuse search engines and cost you rankings. Fix the big ones first—especially your Google Business Profile.

• “Near Me” Pages That Actually Work

  Create a landing page optimized for “[Your Service] Near Asheville” with real local flavor—include neighborhood names, landmarks, client testimonials, and photos. Google loves hyperlocal context. Even one well-crafted page can boost your map rankings.

• Ask for Reviews with Keywords

  When requesting Google reviews, give your customers a nudge: “Mention the service or product you loved most!” Reviews with keywords like “custom tattoos in Asheville” or “best sourdough bakery near RAD” help Google associate your listing with relevant local searches.

🎉 Fun Stuff Around AVL

• 📅 Ellaberry Llama Farm Tour ~ Come play with the llamas! – Thu, Aug 21 · 10:00–11:30 AM EDT (Ellaberry Llama Farm, 4178 Old Clear Creek Rd, Hendersonville) 🦙💕🦙

  Spend your morning up close with friendly llamas on a guided farm tour. It’s fun, interactive, and unforgettable.

• 📅 Watch a Play at Montford Park Amphitheater – Fri, Aug 22 · 7:00–10:00 PM EDT (Hazel Robinson Amphitheater, 4 Pearson Drive, Asheville)

  Join Asheville Introverts for an outdoor performance of Cyrano de Bergerac bring comfortable seating like chairs or blankets for stepped seating. Optional donations accepted in person or online; vendors typically present.

• 📅 Mini-Golf and Beer at Salt Face Mule Brewing – Sat, Aug 23 · 7:00–9:00 PM EDT (Salt Face Mule Brewing Co., 450 Weaverville Hwy, Asheville)

  Play a round of mini-golf and hang out over craft beers with a fun, social crew.

• 📅 Secret Saturday Late Nite Comedy – Sat, Aug 23 · 9:00–11:00 PM EDT (RAD Brewing Co., 13 Mystery St, Asheville)

  A night of laughter and surprise acts at The River Arts District Brewing Company. Expect local comedians and lots of energy.

• 📅 Shindig on the Green – Sat, Aug 23 · 7–10 PM (Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC)

  A free, open-air celebration of Southern Appalachian music and dance, featuring performances by The Stoney Creek Boys, bluegrass bands, clog dancers, ballad singers, and storytellers. Enjoy informal jam sessions and bring your instruments to join in.

🎧 Bands on the Horizon (Aug 21–Aug 27)

• Slice of Life Comedy – Aug 21 @ Pulp (standup contest series)

• High Heat – Aug 21 @ 27 Club (rock)

• Magoo with Suns of Stars – Aug 21 @ Asheville Music Hall (local psych-rock)

• Willa Mae / Aunt Ant – Aug 21 @ Fleetwood’s (roots/blues)

• String Pong – Aug 21 @ The One Stop (live music)

• BASK “The Turning” Album Release – Aug 22 @ The Orange Peel (album release; free show)

• Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience – Aug 22 @ Pisgah Brewing, Black Mountain (tribute band)

• Time Sawyer – Aug 22 @ Jack of the Wood Pub (Americana/folk)

• Aaron Lane – Aug 22 @ The One Stop (multi-genre)

• My Brother's Keeper – Aug 22 @ Jack of the Wood Pub (live music)

• Carls / Snake Snake Whale / Paprika – Aug 22 @ Fleetwood's (local indie acts)

• Tmasterp Quartet – Aug 22 @ Highland Brewing Co. (live music)

• Michael Reno Harrell & Josh Goforth – Aug 22 @ White Horse Black Mountain (multi-genre)

• Daft Disko – Aug 22 @ Asheville Music Hall (French house & disco party)

• Beth Stelling – Aug 23 @ The Orange Peel (comedy)

• Leanne Morgan: Just Getting Started – Aug 23 @ Harrah's Cherokee Center (comedy)

• Asheville Waits Band – Aug 23 @ Jack of the Wood Pub (live music)

• Deep River – Aug 23 @ Highland Brewing Co. (live music)

• The Sun Sippers – Aug 24 @ Highland Brewing Co. (indie rock)

• Reggae Sunday with Chalwa – Aug 24 @ French Broad River Brewery (live reggae)

• Aaron Gillespie & Friends – Aug 24 @ Eulogy (live music)

• Asheville Jazz Orchestra Big Band Night – Aug 24 @ White Horse Black Mountain (jazz)

• Sixpence None The Richer – Aug 25 @ The Orange Peel (alternative rock)

• Pulp presents Lurky Skunk – Aug 27 @ Pulp (indie rock)

• Pet Sounds Live! – Aug 27 @ The Grey Eagle (psychedelic rock)

Want your biz in front of smart AVL owners & creators? Reply with what you’re up to and we’ll see if it’s a fit.

Until next week,

Jason De Los Santos
Pixelated Stories Digital Marketing
(828) 585-4293

P.S. Update your Google Business Profile with a fresh photo today. It takes 60 seconds and helps a ton.