The Move In Senior Living Marketing

In this special edition of With the Move, we’re proud to be part of the Shift the Narrative campaign, an initiative focused on redefining how people see and understand senior living. Larry sits down with Sarah Robertson (CEO of The Arbors & The Ivy), Bri LaChapelle (Digital Marketing Specialist), and Ally Montemagni (Founder of Free Tide Creative) to explore how authentic storytelling, data-driven marketing, and meaningful partnerships are changing the conversation around aging and care. From a chance meeting at a conference to a deeply intentional partnership, this episode dives into how The Arbors & Ivy is blending strategy and heart, leveraging SEO, paid media, and powerful resident stories to build trust with families at every stage of their journey. You’ll hear: How storytelling brings the senior living experience to life Why authenticity and empathy are critical in today’s marketing The role of education in supporting the “sandwich generation” How aligning marketing across channels creates real impact Why the industry must move beyond outdated perceptions of senior living At its core, this conversation is about more than marketing; it’s about connection, trust, and reshaping the future of senior care. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ally-montemagni-5485401b/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-robertson-5b876311a/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/briana-lachappelle-cdp-430b14105/ https://arborsassistedliving.com/ https://www.freetidecreative.com/

In this episode of The Move In Senior Living Podcast, Amy McKinley and Libby Lauer of Senior Source Consulting Group explore how small, often overlooked human moments can significantly impact occupancy rates and overall community success. The conversation emphasizes that blind spots are usually revealed by outside experts conducting mystery shopping, helping operators identify gaps in resident experience and communication that everyday internal reviews might miss. Amy and Libby highlight that the most effective improvements often stem from simple tweaks, such as enhancing website messaging, personalizing tours, and training staff to be more curious and engaged, that cost little but yield big results. We discuss the importance of data-driven insights transforming into meaningful conversations, especially in a sector where human connection is key. The episode offers practical strategies for senior living operators to uncover their blind spots, leverage customer journey audits, and use data to tailor experiences that resonate deeply with consumers. Amy and Libby also share their journey of building a consulting firm dedicated to helping communities showcase their strengths, emphasizing the power of humility, openness, and active listening in achieving operational excellence. https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-mckinley-72b33243/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/libby-l-lauer-ms-427b2a17/ https://www.seniorsourceconsulting.com/

In a world of AI, automation, and generic follow-ups, what actually builds trust in senior living sales? In this episode of The Move In, Larry Williams sits down with Christie Freeze of SalesMail to explore why the future of sales remains deeply human and how personalized video is helping teams build faster, stronger connections with prospects and families. Drawing from real engagement data, Larry and Christie unpack what “speed to trust” really means and why it matters more than ever. They discuss how personalized video follow-ups can increase close rates, how pre-tour reminder videos can reduce no-shows by up to 60%, and why intentional, human communication helps families feel more confident throughout the decision-making journey. The conversation also dives into the power of showing, not just telling. From day-in-the-life storytelling to virtual walkthroughs and post-tour recaps, Christie shares how video can help senior living operators shift the narrative, reduce fear, and create a more personal experience at every stage of the sales process. Whether you’re a sales counselor, marketer, or operator, this episode offers practical ideas for using video to build trust, improve follow-up, and create more meaningful connections with the families you serve. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why “speed to trust” may matter more than speed to lead How personalized video follow-ups can improve deposits and close rates Why pre-tour videos help reduce anxiety and lower no-show rates How to use video to show the senior living experience, not just describe it Simple ways sales teams can build confidence and consistency on camera https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiefreeze/ https://www.salesmail.com/ Connection Report

In this episode of The Move In, Maggie Seybold from WelcomeHome Software joins me to unpack the biggest takeaways from the 2025 Year in Review for senior living marketing. We dive into what’s really driving occupancy growth right now, and why the most successful operators are shifting from reactive tactics to intentional, data-informed sales and marketing strategies. Maggie shares insights on the growing importance of memory care, how digital search behavior continues to evolve (including the impact of AI-driven search), and why alignment between sales and operations is no longer optional; it’s essential. If you’re looking to sharpen your strategy, better leverage your data, and create a more seamless experience for prospects and families, this conversation is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately. https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-seybold-5bb415126/ http://www.welcomehomesoftware.com https://info.welcomehomesoftware.com/seniorcareinsights

As The Move-In heads into 2026, host Larry Williams hits pause to reflect on what last year’s conversations revealed, and how those insights are shaping the future of the podcast. In this reset episode, Larry shares why The Move-In is evolving from standalone conversations into a more intentional, series-based format, designed to help senior living marketing and sales professionals navigate what’s next with greater clarity and purpose. Drawing from the themes that consistently surfaced in 2025, he outlines the five core pillars that will guide the podcast in 2026: · Data insights · Trust · Empathy and value · Alignment · Shared learning Larry also explains the shift to a bi-weekly cadence, the rationale for prioritizing depth over volume, and how upcoming conversations will better connect marketing, sales, and operations across the full resident and family journey, from first touch through move-in and beyond. The episode closes with a preview of what’s ahead, including a level-set conversation featuring a first-person family experience navigating senior living, and the return of on-site conversations at the 2026 SMASH Conference. Whether you’ve been with The Move-In since the beginning or you’re just tuning in, this episode sets the stage for a more focused, intentional, and human-centered year of conversations. https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-move-in-senior-living-marketing

In this special year-end conversation, Guest host Greg Anderson interviews regular host Larry Williams as he reflects on the insights gained from hosting 50 episodes of the Move In Senior Living Marketing podcast. They discuss the evolving landscape of sales and marketing in senior living, emphasizing the importance of a unified approach, understanding the modern customer, leveraging AI and data, and the significance of authentic storytelling. They also examine the challenges presented by national lead aggregators and offer insights into future industry trends.

In this episode, Shonia Russelle shares her 35-year journey in senior living marketing, emphasizing the importance of embracing change, lifelong learning, and the evolving landscape of marketing strategies. She discusses the balance between traditional and digital marketing, the significance of the prospect's experience, and staying true to one's passion in the industry. https://otterbein.org/

In this insightful episode recorded at the SMASH conference, Pandel Ludwig, Director of Marketing at American Senior Communities, takes a deep dive into the evolving world of dynamic creative optimization. Pandel shares how her team is leveraging data, AI, and ever-changing ad formats to connect with audiences more meaningfully, from PPC and Google Gen Ads to Meta campaigns that adapt on the fly. She reveals why one-size-fits-all creative is no longer enough, how dynamic text and multiple ad variations can boost engagement, and why listening to call data offers unexpected marketing insights. The conversation also explores the human side of marketing in senior living: the power of storytelling through resident testimonials, the importance of community connection, and how digital campaigns ultimately drive in-person tours and move-ins. Key Topics: What dynamic creative optimization really means in senior living marketing How to build a “toolbox” of ads that adapt to audience intent Using AI for faster creative production and testing Leveraging call tracking data to improve ad performance Why resident stories and testimonials outperform traditional ads https://www.linkedin.com/in/pandel-ludwig-07212b105/

In this episode of The Move In, host Larry Williams sits down with Matt Paxton, one of the nation’s leading cleanout experts, star of Hoarders and Filthy Fortunes, and author of Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff. Matt shares how his decades of work helping families downsize, declutter, and transition into senior living have revealed a universal truth: it’s never about the stuff, it’s about the stories behind it. From the emotional challenges of letting go to the power of empathy in senior living sales, Matt offers a masterclass on understanding people’s attachments, their trauma, and the healing that can come through compassion and positivity. He opens up about starting Clutter Cleaner with little more than a borrowed car and a dream, how loss shaped his mission to help families, and why he believes positivity is the ultimate currency in business and in life. Whether you’re a senior living professional, a caregiver, or someone facing a major life transition, this conversation will remind you that helping others isn’t about selling—it’s about listening, validating, and meeting people where they are. https://www.linkedin.com/in/iammattpaxton/ https://cluttercleaner.com/ https://go.discovery.com/show/filthy-fortunes-discovery-atve-us Book: Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff

In this episode of The Move In, Carsten Ellsworth, Marketing Director at Avista Senior Living, discusses the importance of data in senior living marketing. He emphasizes the need to let data guide storytelling rather than forcing data to fit preconceived narratives. The conversation explores the emotional complexities of the sales cycle in senior living, the role of clean data in making informed marketing decisions, and the integration of technology and AI in marketing strategies. Carsten shares insights on testing hypotheses, maintaining clean data, and the importance of flexibility in marketing approaches. https://www.linkedin.com/in/carstenellsworth/ https://avistaseniorliving.com/

In this episode, Brooke Sellas explores how social media marketing is shifting from simple content posting to meaningful, two-way conversations. She introduces her CARE framework (Conversations, Acquisition, Retention, and Engagement) as a more innovative approach to measuring ROI and fostering lasting customer relationships. Brooke and Larry delve into why emotional connection and vulnerability are crucial for building authentic brands, and how marketers can leverage social platforms as 24/7 focus groups that foster genuine engagement and trust. Whether you’re leading strategy or managing daily content, this conversation will help you rethink what success looks like on social media and how to humanize your brand in the process. ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookebsellas/⁠ ⁠https://bsquared.media/⁠ ⁠Social Media CX Podcast

In this conversation, Maggie Cattell and Dr. Sam Fazio from the Alzheimer's Association discuss the importance of training and resources in dementia care. They emphasize the importance of person-centered care, the role of community engagement, and the significance of establishing trust with families. The discussion covers various programs and recommendations aimed at improving care quality, as well as the importance of leadership in implementing these practices. The conversation underscores the evolving nature of dementia care resources and the necessity for ongoing support and education for healthcare professionals. https://www.linkedin.com/in/macattell/ Alzheimer's Association websitedementia care practice recommendationsessentiALZcurriculum reviewProject ECHO dementia care provider roundtable