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Smarter Marketing @ Cedar Creek Lake

Connecting Local Businesses with People Planning Lake Life

Own a vacation rental at Cedar Creek Lake? 2026 listings are now open.

Learn more about how to have your rental featured on our Vacation Rental page — one of the most visited sections of the site every summer.

Things To Do @ Cedar Creek Lake connects local businesses with residents, visitors, and weekenders who are actively planning:

  • Where to eat

  • What to do this weekend

  • Local events and live music

  • Short-term stays

  • Services around the lake

We’re not a generic directory.

We’re a trusted, locally managed platform — designed and operated by a consulting firm with deep experience in lean digital strategy and agile delivery. Everything we do is focused on real visibility and conversions, not vanity metrics or wasted clicks.

Our Approach to Growth

We optimize what customers see first, set a clear direction, and only then invest in paid ads to maximize return.

  • Websites (Built for Owners)

    Websites (Built for Owners)

    Your website should be more than a digital brochure — it should be a tool that supports your business goals.

    That’s why we build and refresh sites that are SEO‑optimized, mobile‑friendly, and aligned with your mission, vision, and workflow.

    Using agile and lean methodologies, we make sure your site fits how you use it, with clear calls to action and updates you can manage yourself. No contracts, no lock‑ins — just a site you own and control.

    Already have a website. We can modernize it without starting over, keeping what works and upgrading what doesn’t.

  • Platform Optimization

    Platform Optimization

    Strong ads start with strong foundations.

    Before running a campaign, we make sure your free platforms are ready to perform — because sending clicks to broken booking links or outdated profiles is the fastest way to blow your ad budget.

    Our smarter marketing strategy at CCL begins with optimization: we tighten Google Business Profiles, booking paths, directories, and social pages so your business shows up clearly in search and converts smoothly once people click.

    This two‑step approach not only makes you more visible but also lowers your ad costs, ensuring every dollar works harder for your goals.

  • Paid Ads

    Paid Ads

    Our strategy starts with an “optimize first” model: we make sure your platforms are optimized, then we track what gains traction organically and invest in paid reach only where it delivers results. This approach consistently lowers costs and improves performance.

    With over 200K organic monthly views on Facebook, our ads reach farther and engage stronger than a standard ad campiang.

    Placement on the Things To Do @ CCL platform amplifies that reach, connecting you directly with locals and visitors already planning where to eat, stay, and explore — giving your business a powerful advantage in the Cedar Creek Lake market.

  • Training & Workshops

    Training & Workshops

    Our workshops are built to solve real business challenges and give you tools you can use immediately.

    Whether it’s improving workflow, reducing operational costs, tightening your business plan, or drafting a full marketing campaign, we guide you step by step with strategies that fit your goals.

    Each session is hands‑on, practical, and led by a PMP‑ and DASM‑certified facilitator who has worked with organizations like Yale University, Hyatt, Dunkin Donuts, Boston Consulting Group, Restaurant Magic, and MGM Grand Hotels.

    You’ll learn how to manage platforms with confidence, focus time where you get the highest ROI, and move forward with clarity — all without jargon or overwhelm.

  • Ongoing Management

    Ongoing Management

    Keeping your business visible online takes consistency, and we make that process simple by managing updates for you.

    From Google Business Profiles to social media and fresh content, we ensure your platforms stay current so customers always see your best side.

    What makes this different is that it’s not run by a big ad agency — it’s local support with strong ties to the Cedar Creek Lake community.

    We act as a partner in your marketing journey, meeting with you regularly to review what worked well and to plan for the next month, six months, or year.

    This rhythm keeps your strategy focused, your messaging aligned, and your time free to run your business while knowing your online presence is moving forward.

  • Short-Term Rental Listings

    Short-Term Rental Listings

    If you own a short‑term rental at Cedar Creek Lake, we make it easy to get noticed by the right guests.

    Your property is featured with up to five photos, a clear description, and a booking link to the platform of your choice — so travelers can connect directly without extra steps.

    Because this is run locally, not by a big agency, your listing is part of a trusted community resource where people are actively planning their stay.

    It’s a simple, effective way to showcase your rental and turn visibility into bookings, while keeping full control over how you manage reservations.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions *

  • No. Our services are flexible and designed to fit your needs.

    While contracts are available if you choose ongoing maintenance, our goal is to untie business owners’ hands and empower you to manage your own digital presence.

    We offer training so you can do this successfully, or we can step in when needed — but everything is project‑by‑project, never a long‑term obligation.

  • Yes. We build on user‑friendly platforms and direct you to video tutorials so you can make updates on your own schedule, in your own way.

    You’ll never be stuck waiting on someone else or paying extra for small changes.

    The site is yours to manage, with the confidence that you’re in control.

  • We can refresh or redesign your existing site on any platform.

    The process is collaborative: we keep what’s working, upgrade what isn’t, and ensure the final product is aligned with your goals.

    Whether it’s a full overhaul or a targeted update, you’ll end up with a site that is optimized for search results and is easy to manage.

  • Instead of rushing into paid campaigns, we use an optimize first approach and only invest in paid reach where it truly delivers.

    With 200K+ organic social media views each month, our reach is already established — and it’s local.

    Your campaigns tap into that audience and gain credibility by being featured on Things To Do @ CCL website, where people are actively deciding where to eat, shop, and stay.

    It’s not just visibility; it’s placement in front of a community we’ve been part of for 30 years, making your message both trusted and effective.

  • No. As a business consultant, I bring decades of experience in project management, staff development, and workflow optimization.

    My resume includes work with Yale University, Hyatt, Dunkin Donuts, Boston Consulting Group, MGM Grand Hotels, and more.

    Locally, I’ve supported Cedar Creek Lake businesses across hospitality, retail, wellness, and real estate — always with the goal of helping owners streamline operations and grow with confidence.

  • We’ve partnered with restaurants, boutiques, fitness and wellness providers, real estate agents, and short‑term rental owners right here at Cedar Creek Lake.

    Each project is customized to fit the owner’s vision, with the added benefit of being promoted through our local platforms that reach thousands of residents and visitors every month.

  • My career spans over 25 years of consulting and project management with organizations like Yale University, Hyatt, Dunkin Donuts, Boston Consulting Group, Restaurant Magic, and MGM Grand Hotels.

    That experience allows me to bring enterprise‑level strategies to small businesses — adapted for the realities of local ownership.

  • Yes. I’ve lived in the Cedar Creek Lake area for over 30 years.

    This isn’t a big ad agency parachuting in — it’s local support, rooted in community ties, with a deep understanding of what works for Cedar Creek Lake businesses.

    Every service we offer is designed to strengthen local businesses and keep our community thriving.

Connect With Your Local Digital Marketing Team

Let’s Connect — Your First Step Starts Here Whether you’d like to meet locally, hop on a quick call, or send a text — this form is the best way to get started.

📱 Email or Text Sandy McDonald, Consultant → Send a direct text to start the conversation. Want to meet in person? Just mention it in your message.

☎️ Call Us Directly → Prefer a quick call? Leave a message if I’m with another business owner, and I’ll get back to you promptly.

🗓️ Meet Locally I’ve lived here for 30 years and love connecting face-to-face. To schedule a local meeting, fill out the form and let me know your goals — or text me and ask to meet locally.

Our Clients

Trusted Experience. Applied Locally.

We support a wide range of organizations — starting with enterprise work and applying that same discipline locally.

Professional Experience Includes:

Full Resume on LinkedIn 👉 View Sandy McDonald’s LinkedIn Profile

I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most respected organizations in the country, contributing to projects that demanded precision, agility, and a deep understanding of how people, processes, and technology come together.

From hospitality and retail to consulting and higher education, these roles shaped the strategic, operational, and digital expertise I now bring to every local partnership.

In a competitive market, this breadth of experience sets me apart — offering Cedar Creek Lake businesses enterprise‑level insight with the personal attention of a neighbor.

  • Yale University - Agile Project Management (School of Medicine, HR, One Finance & Investment Office)

  • Boston Consulting Group – IT Project Manager - Project Managed Tiger Teams to resolve top network issues, reducing downtime by 40%. Developed Agile Ops Playbook and customized Jira workflows for operations.

  • Hyatt Hotels – IT Project Manager - Managed IT/AV installations for new Hyatt Place openings nationwide. Coordinated vendors, reviewed technical blueprints, and trained staff on systems. Developed IT PM training program and supported live hotel openings.

  • Dunkin Donuts – IT Project Manager - Organized training teams for major software upgrades. Standardized call auditing for quality control and improved service desk performance.

Local Partnerships Include:

I’ve had the honor of partnering with Cedar Creek Lake businesses on projects of all sizes — from streamlining operations to amplifying digital presence. Each collaboration reflects my commitment to helping local entrepreneurs thrive in a competitive landscape.

With 30 years rooted in this community and decades of national consulting experience, I bring enterprise‑level expertise home to Cedar Creek Lake, setting myself apart by delivering solutions that are both practical and personal.

Built on Relationships—Not Algorithms

You’re not just a listing here. You’re part of the lake life we actually live and share.

Meet Your Digital Marketing Team

Sandy McDonald Founder

I’m Sandy McDonald — dog lover, community builder, and the founder of Digitally Driven Solutions. If you’ve spent any time around Cedar Creek Lake, you’ve probably seen me, or my dog Milo (he’s the one who thinks every patio is his).

I lead several local clubs designed to bring people together, support local businesses, and make life at the lake more fun and connected:

  • Tool Bark Club (for dog lovers)

  • Lake Ladies Connect: Your After‑5 Circle @ CCL

  • Cedar Creek Paddle Club (we launch weekly in the summer)

  • The Social Scene at Cedar Creek Lake (Meetup group for making friends around the lake)

  • Smarter Marketing @ CCL (Facebook community for business owners)

I’m also the CEO of: Digitally Driven Solutions & Things To Do at Cedar Creek Lake. In addition, I support the lake’s short‑term rental community through:

  • Lakeside Staycation Rentals (mentoring + advertising support)

  • Sandy’s Lake Escape (my personal vacation rental + paddle club launch spot)

With PMP and DASM certifications, I bring structure, strategy, and heart to everything I do — whether it’s helping a business grow, organizing a paddle day, or creating spaces where locals can connect.

If you’re new here, want to get involved, or just want a friendly place to land, you’re in the right spot. There’s always room at the table — or on the water — for one more.