Internal review Foundation mostly done Net-new = lists Updated 2026-07-24

Brandastic AI Visibility & Mention Strategy

Team truth (Justin 07-24): Most of the easy foundation is already done. This is not a “build directories and get reviews” plan. It’s the short map of what’s left that still moves AI visibility.

Already done (don’t re-plan this):
• Core directories claimed: Clutch · DesignRush · GBP · HubSpot · GoodFirms · Upcity
• Reviews already strong: ~42
• Owned motion already running: Medium weekly + site + audit.brandastic.com + course/teach
• Brand entity exists — not a cold-start problem
What’s actually left (priority order):
1) Best-of / AI agency list inclusions — main net-new wedge vs Directive
2) Light profile polish — same blurb/categories across the 6 dirs (optional, short)
3) Keep owned public record disciplined — Medium, live blog URLs, entity consistency
4) Optional later: citable checklist asset, then editorial/podcasts
5) Skip: cold backlink begging, junk directories, review blitz, more core-dir signups

1. Honest scoreboard

Workstream Status Notes
Claim Clutch ✅ Done Profile exists
Claim DesignRush ✅ Done Strong presence
Claim GBP ✅ Done Exists
Claim HubSpot ecosystem ✅ Done Exists
Claim GoodFirms ✅ Done Exists
Claim Upcity ✅ Done Exists
Get reviews ✅ Done enough ~42 reviews — no blitz
Medium / public record ✅ In motion Keep weekly discipline
Profile polish (AI/AEO copy + categories) 🟡 Light lift Consistency pass only
Best-of AI/agency list inclusions 🔴 Main gap Siege, FPS, Thrive, SEO.com, TheCMO, Column Five
Citable flagship asset ⚪ Optional Helps list + editorial pitches
Editorial / podcasts ⚪ Later Harder; after lists
Cold backlink outreach ⛔ Skip Hard, low yield

Context only: Directive AS45 / ~5.2k ref domains vs Brandastic AS29 / ~1.7k. We don’t need volume — we need the missing high-signal list mentions.

2. The real gap vs Directive

Directive isn’t winning because Brandastic forgot Clutch. They’re on more AI SEO / best-agency roundups and get cited as a category answer. That’s the gap worth working.

P1 list target Example page Ask
siegemedia.com Best AI SEO agencies List inclusion
firstpagesage.com Top SEO agencies for AI companies List inclusion
thriveagency.com Best AI SEO agencies List inclusion
thecmo.com Best PPC agencies List inclusion
seo.com Best SEO companies USA List inclusion
columnfivemedia.com Content / SEO / thought-leadership agencies List inclusion

Language = “include Brandastic on the list” + proof pack. Never “please give us a backlink.” Drafts staged; send only on Justin GO.

3. Small polish pass (optional)

Not a project. One short pass across the six claimed profiles:

  • Same one-liner: AI-aware digital marketing / SEO + AEO for growth brands
  • Site + audit.brandastic.com where fields allow
  • OC / LA / Austin geo
  • Categories: digital, SEO, paid, content
  • 2–4 live portfolio links
Do not open a multi-week directory program. Claim work is done. Reviews are done enough. Polish is optional hygiene before list pitches.

4. Keep running (already owned)

  • Medium 1×/week max → audit CTA
  • Blog: live URLs only
  • Entity consistency on site / LinkedIn / GBP
  • course.brandastic.com/teach as methodology proof

5. Later / only if lists work

  • One citable “AI Visibility Checklist” asset
  • 2 podcast pitches
  • SEJ/SEL expert quotes
  • Light Tier-2 dirs only if obviously missing

6. Simple 30-day focus

Week Focus Done looks like
1 Decide GO on list pitches Yes/no + client-name rules
1–2 Optional 60-min profile polish Six dirs use same blurb
2–3 Send 6 best-of list pitches All six submitted + logged
3–4 Follow-ups + Medium cadence Replies handled · weekly post shipped

7. Decisions

  • ☑ Core directories claimed
  • ☑ ~42 reviews — no blitz
  • ☑ Foundation mostly done
  • ☐ GO on 6 best-of list pitches?
  • ☐ Any client names/metrics allowed in pitches?
  • ☐ 60-min profile polish before pitches: yes/no?
  • ☐ Checklist asset now, later, or never?
Recommended default: Treat directories/reviews as complete. Spend effort on best-of list inclusions + keep Medium. Optional short polish pass. No cold backlink campaign.

Prepared by Chip · Brandastic internal · Link-only · noindex