By Mike McKenna
In our ever-changing digital world it’s easy to get overlooked.
The simple days of the Yellow Pages are gone. How businesses and nonprofits of all sizes connect and communicate is not very simple anymore.
“It’s become a more sophisticated world,” Ty Ybaben said. “The world is shifting and small businesses are going to be the last to know. But they don’t have to be.”
Thankfully, Ty and his company, Lost River Digital, are here to help small businesses and nonprofits navigate the complexities of modern marketing and communications.
“We help people see what you want them to see and know about you,” Ty said, adding, “making sure that the signals you are giving are consistent, clear and trustworthy.”
With the heavy infusion of AI and things like ChatGPT and virtual assistance like Siri, how people get information is drastically changing. How these sources get their information is constantly evolving—although that doesn’t always make the information accurate. Simple steps like popping up a website and having some basic SEO (Search Engine Optimization) aren’t enough in the current industry.
“You can’t set it and forget it anymore,” Ty said. “Regular review helps ensure your business is clearly understood and shows up appropriately online.”
Ty and his family moved to the Wood River Valley from Ojai, California, a few years ago to be closer to their Idaho family. Ty and his wife really enjoy raising their son and daughter here, from the great education options to the endless outdoor activities, especially snowboarding and fly fishing.
“We really like it. It’s lovely here, living in the mountains and being in this community,” Ty said.
Ty’s background is in marketing analysis and digital marketing, primarily for large companies. But after living here for a while he realized there was an opportunity to help fulfill a regional need. He now helps clients from the Magic Valley up to Sun Valley.
“Visibility is variable. It’s impacted by your market and your community,” Ty said. “You may be doing things right for your customers, but that doesn’t always translate clearly to search engines. It’s a world that few people understand but that we can help with.”
Lost River Digital starts with an audit that helps businesses understand their local, regional or even national industry and where they fit into it, and how their business is currently being interpreted across search, maps, and reviews. But it’s not just about being found or visible, it’s also about making sure that what’s seen is accurate, trustworthy and reliable.
“We’re here to help people understand where to focus and how to tweak their signals as needed,” Ty said.
The modern world of communication and marketing can be awfully intimidating for small or even medium-size businesses and nonprofits nowadays. That’s why it’s great to have local companies like Lost River Digital and people like Ty to help.
“We help people hone in on the primary factors they need to have a good, accurate online presence,” Ty said. “We can help them be visible and set up for success.”
Find out more at LostRiverDigital.com or call 208-720-8262.
