Local Marketing Vault Review (2025 Update): A Look Inside Jason & James’ Two Page Sites

TLDR – What’s The Verdict On Local Marketing Vault, James Bonadies and Jim McKim?

I know some there are some of you who just want a quick Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down on Local Marketing Vault.  My gut feeling is that it’s not the best choice, but not for the reasons you’re probably thinking about. 

First, let’s get one thing straight – James Bonadies and Jason Mckim, the guys behind Local Marketing Vault, are good stand-up guys. They’re not trying to scam anyone. 

You can actually make some decent money by following their training. But here’s the catch: the cost of joining Local Marketing Vault is pretty high, especially when you think about what you’re actually getting which could be a problem if you’re thinking about running a full-service agency someday.

Now let’s say you own a local business. You don’t just need someone who’s a genius at Google and Facebook ads. You need someone who’s good at a lot of other things well, like a laptop computer.

Think about it. A laptop is a word processor, a movie player, a web surfer, and a video conferencing tool. It’s like having an office, a cinema, and a meeting room, all in one portable device.

Local Marketing Vault, on the other hand, is more like an electric typewriter. It does one or two things really well, but that’s it.

Imagine you’re back in college writing a term paper. Using an electric typewriter has some huge drawbacks. You can’t easily research online, so you’re stuck going to the library. No quick video chats with classmates, and editing takes forever. A laptop is way more efficient.

That’s kind of what it’s like with Local Marketing Vault. If you only want to get really good at Facebook and Google ads and maybe prospecting a few high-paying clients, then yeah, this program could work for you. You’ll do okay, but nothing to write home about. 

I think you’d be better off putting your money into a program that teaches you a wider range of skills. Why? Because then you can offer more services to your clients and charge them more money. 

It’s a win-win situation. You bring more value to the table, and your bank account will be happier too.

I even have a suggestion for a different program that I personally like a lot.

The main takeaway here is that you need to know what you’re getting into with Local Marketing Vault. It’s not for everyone. You have to really think about who will benefit from this program and who should probably look for something else.

Who Should Look At Local Marketing Vault And Who Should Pass?

OK, let’s get right to it. Local Marketing Vault teaches you how to help local businesses get more customers. So, who should try this program?

• If you’re new to Local Lead Generation, have a small side hustle and want to learn how to generation leads and get more customers quickly.
• If you have a lot of money to burn and want to learn how to start a social media marketing agency this will get you pointed in the right direction. Just understand that you might not be in the Black right away.
• If you’re already good at selling High-Ticket item and just want to learn how to start a local lead generation business to help other small business owners in your area.
• This BBB user thinks LMV is the best coaching program he’s ever tried. It helped him get more customers for local businesses by giving him ready-to-use plans.

But some people might not find this helpful. If any of these sound like you, maybe you should look for something else:

• This Trustpilot user said he started his digital marketing career with the program, but it didn’t help him build his own business. He liked the well-organized content and the Facebook group, however, he was frustrated with the unclear pricing. He ended up paying over $5,000, which was more than he expected.
• This Reddit user said he signed up for a course that cost $4,500, or about $350 a month. The person who got him into the course said he’d make the money back in 90 days. He tried for 4 months and talked to lots of businesses but didn’t make any money. In the end, he stopped paying and learned that you can find the same information for free on Google.

James, Jason and Local Marketing Vault: 1,000 FT View

So let’s start unpacking this…

The Lead Generation Business Model

Lead generation is like being a matchmaker for businesses and customers. It’s about finding people who are interested in what a business sells.

Local Marketing Vault is a special kind of matchmaker that focuses on helping local businesses, like your neighborhood bakery or gym, find more customers.

This program teaches you how to create and manage ads, mostly on Facebook and Google, to help these local businesses. James and Jason, the guys who run the program, really care about helping real businesses in real communities.

Now, creating ads isn’t some secret skill. There are lots of other courses that teach it. But this one is special because you’re helping businesses in your own town or city.

It’s not like other online money-making ideas, like affiliate marketing (check out this Affiliate Marketing Mastery review) or selling stuff on Amazon (Is Sophie Howard a scam?), because you’re making a difference right where you live.

Just know that this course costs a good amount of money. And you’re only learning about ads and a little bit on prospecting and copywriting. There are other courses that teach you more stuff for about the same price.

So, if you’re thinking about spending your money, maybe look for a course that offers you more for what you pay.

How You Make Money In Local Lead Generation

First off, you need know that this isn’t going to happen over night. You’re building a real business here.

You start by creating what’s called “digital real estate assets.” These are like online magnets that pull in people who are looking for local services.

After you’ve got a lead, you can then send them over to a local business that’ll pay you a percentage or a flat fee.

The great part is that you can make this a steady semi-passive income stream. We’re talking about money that keeps coming in every month.

Once you learn how to generate leads, you don’t have to chase after clients or mess around with ads that don’t work. Instead, you focus on building these assets that keep the leads, and the money, coming in.

Jason McKim and James Bonadies Review

James Bonadies and Jason McKim are the brains behind Local Marketing Vault. James started his journey wanting to make passive income and found success in local lead generation. He met Jason, another student of Dan Klein, and they teamed up to create this course.

Both have their own reasons for doing Lead Generation; James wanted financial freedom, and Jason wanted to focus on his health.

James initially learned how to build small websites and rank them in Google. He would then pass these leads to small business owners for a cut.

Jason started with Facebook Ads and local websites. He wanted quick money and took his health seriously, which he couldn’t do with a 9-5 job.

How Much Does Local Marketing Vault Cost?

From what I could find regarding the Local Marketing Vault cost, it’s about $5,000 to if you pay it all at once. You can also choose to pay in smaller monthly payments. Just know that you’ll end up paying a bit more if you go that route.

On top of that, they have what’s called Agency Toolbox. You get a 30-day free trial, and then it’s $97 per month. This Toolbox helps you with website design and marketing.

James and Jason, say you don’t absolutely need it, but they don’t really talk about other options. So, you’ll probably want to budget for it.

Local Marketing Vault Scam or Legit?

The “Local Marketing Vault Scam or Legit” question comes up every so often, so here’s what I think.

Sure, the internet is full of training programs that aren’t worth your time or money, but Local Marketing Vault isn’t one of those. It’s a legit way to learn about online marketing.

To be totally honest, we’ve taken a close look at what’s inside the Local Marketing Vault training. While it may not be overflowing with content and strategies, it’s far from being worthless.

When you stack it up against other expensive coaching services that promise to help you make money while you sleep, Local Marketing Vault stands out as a program that won’t rip you off. So, if you’re thinking about diving in, you can do so with confidence that it’s a legitimate option.

How Is Local Marketing Vault Different From Other Programs?

Local Marketing Vault is different from other lead generation courses in a few ways.

First, it focuses on paid methods like Facebook and Google ads to get leads. This is different from courses that teach you to get leads organically, meaning without paying for ads, but here’s the catch: Local Marketing Vault is ranked #4 because it doesn’t teach organic methods.

Organic methods are less risky because you’re not at the mercy of ad platforms like Google and Facebook, which can suspend your account if you break their rules.

Another reason it’s ranked #4 is that it can get expensive. You might have to spend a lot on ads every month, on top of what you paid for the course.

So, while it’s a good program, it might not be the best fit for everyone. If you’re looking for a safer, less expensive way to get leads, you might want to look at other options.

My Personal Opinion About Local Marketing Vault

Let’s stick a pin Local Marketing Vault so I can give you an honest breakdown.

I’ve checked out the course and know a bit about how to market on Google and Facebook. Before you buy any online course, there are two big things you should think about.

• Reviews Can Be Misleading: If you search for “James Bonadies review” or “Local Marketing Vault Scam”, you’ll find lots of opinions, but most reviews are from people who didn’t like the course. People who are making good money usually keep quiet, except for a few who share their success stories.
• Your Attitude Counts: Before you even think of buying, ask yourself what you’re hoping for. If you think you’ll be a great gardener just by reading a gardening book, that’s like buying a violin and expecting to play a concert without ever practicing. You need to get your hands dirty.

Now, what do I look for in a course like Local Marketing Vault?

1. Are the Teachers Experts? Do the people teaching the course really know their stuff? Have they actually done this in real life, or are they just good at selling courses?
2. Extra Help: Is there a way to get more guidance? Does the course have a special Facebook group or a community where you can ask questions and get advice?
3. Course Quality: Are you learning things you can actually use, or is it just a bunch of useless info? You want a course that gives you real tools.
4. Updates: The internet changes all the time. Does the course keep up with the times? You want to learn information that works now, not that’s outdated.

Would I Recommend Local Marketing Vault?

If you put your mind to it, work really hard, and don’t quit, you could make this program a success. There’s even a special Facebook group where you can talk to people for extra help, but might take some time to earn back the money you spent on the course.

Learning how to run Facebook ads isn’t too tough, and if this course was free, I’d say go for it, no question!

• This Trustpilot user thinks the training is really good, especially the live Q&A sessions. But he’s finding it hard to get his first client. He’s excited about the next version of the program and hopes it’ll help him finally “take off”. He’s committed to move forward, just frustrated that it’s taking so long.

Here’s why I would be hesitant in recommending the program:

• This Trustpilot user thinks LMV is a good system for people who are good at sales. But if you’re more into tech stuff and a bit shy, it can feel overwhelming. The creators made it based on their own experiences, so that makes sense.

In my view, a good deal means you get a lot for the money you spend. Paying $3,000 to $5,000 for a course that only teaches you about Facebook and Google ads, Client Prospecting and Copywriting doesn’t seem like a great deal to me.

What’s Inside Local Marketing Vault?

Let’s take a quick look at what’s inside the box:

Agency Setup Training: This is where you learn the basics. How to start your paid ads agency, handle money stuff, and even how to get paid by clients.

Prospecting Vault: This part teaches you how to find clients. They show you different ways, like using Upwork or even just walking up to business owners and giving your best pitch.

LMV Genesis Training: This is the main course. It gives you a big-picture view of the whole business. You’ll learn what services you can offer, how to sell them, and how to grow your agency.

Local Facebook Mastery and Local PPC Mastery: These are special trainings for Facebook Ads and Google Ads. They teach you how to set up and run campaigns that actually make money.

Pre-Made Funnels: They even give you ready-to-use ads and funnels. It’s like having a shortcut to success!

Private Facebook Group: This is a community where everyone helps each other out. You can ask questions and share your wins, which is super motivating.

My Conclusion: Should You Join Local Marketing Vault?

When it comes to a Lead Generation Course, this one is a little bit above average, but I believe there are better courses that offer more for the same price.

It’s simply not my #1 pick.

What Is My #1 Pick For Making Money Online in 2025?

I have spent years researching, reviewing, and vetting dozens of business models and thousands of programs.

While there may be no “perfect business”, the research IS conclusive:

Digital Leasing is the #1 online business model for those just starting out.

Whether you’ve never made a dollar online, or you’ve been in this space for a while but never really “made it,” Digital Leasing is for you.

Why?

1) It’s Flexible: got an hour a day? You can do this. Ready to drop everything else and dive in full time? You can do this. Yes, the more time you put in, the faster you see results. But even with a little time each day, you can move the needle in a Digital Leasing business.

And because this system is so flexible, you don’t have to constantly be working to make more money. It’s called PASSIVE INCOME because if you stop working, the money doesn’t. 

Imagine taking 3 months off to just tour around Europe, rent a cabin in the woods to write a book, hike the Appalachian Trail, or live on the beach and surf all day. 

This is only possible if you have an income stream that’s not tied to your time.

2) You Own & Control EVERYTHING: Unlike other lead generation models where the success of your business hinges on paid advertising, Digital Leasing gives you full ownership over every single asset, which means you have all the power and all the control.

Let’s say you’re making decent money every month. You could be using Google or Facebook ads, it doesn’t matter. 

Then, either one of those platforms decides that your ads don’t meet their newly revised standards, and either increases the cost to run those ads, stops your ads from running until you fix them, or bans your account altogether.

But with Digital Leasing, you own the websites that makes you money, so you get to call the shots.

Now, picture this: You’re renting out one of your websites to a small business owner, but then they decide they don’t want to pay you anymore. They think they’re doing just fine without you. So, what can you do? You’ve got two choices:

• You can stop sending them new customers from your website. Then they’ll see how much you were actually helping them. They’ll probably call you up real quick, and beg you to turn it back on.
• Or, you can go to one of their competitors. Show that business owner how effective you are at bringing in new customers. Chances are, you can charge that person even more money for renting your website than you did with the first guy.

3) Little Startup Costs: It’s possible to build a Digital Rental Property for very little upfront investment. Because, using the strategies outlined in this program, you can get a client to pay you BEFORE spending a penny out of your own pocket…even before you do any work. 

Even without getting paid in advance, you can have your first Digital Rental Property up, running, and generating profits for less than $100.

Plus, when you want to get a new customer, you can give them some free leads first. This shows them you’re worth their money, and it doesn’t cost you much.

The Local Marketing Vault teaches you how to get leads, but here’s the problem. If you’re new and don’t have a track record, it’s hard to get people to trust you with their money. So, you’ll have to spend some of your own money on ads to get leads for them first.

4) Easy To Duplicate: Ok, here’s the best part: once you have your first Digital Rental Property up and running, it’s very simple to copy it and create a second with just a few clicks. Why is that important? Well, the more you create, the easier it is to create the next which allows you to scale your income quickly.

Remember: each Digital Rental Property can be worth a few hundred to $2,000+ a month in semi-passive income (over 90% profit). Every time you decide to create another one and increase your income, it gets easier.

Because you have more knowledge, more experience, more results, and more momentum. 

5) Make Money Helping Real People: This part is what makes it all worth it. With Digital Leasing, you’re actually helping people by solving your clients’ biggest problem:

Local business owners need more people who need their services. Digital Leasing can help bring in a lot of happy customers who are ready to spend money.

For example, my friend (who is also into Digital Leasing) helped a small tree trimming business that was on the verge of closing up shop. In just three months, they got so many new customers that they had to hire two more employees!

The best part is, you earn money by helping these shops make money too.

In a way, it’s like you’re Robin Hood. You’re taking business that would normally be going to some faceless corporation and sending to the little Mom & Pop shop down the street. 

With your help, they’re able to feed their family, save for their kids’ college, or help a sick family member.

Once you see how Digital Leasing makes a real impact in the lives of real people, you’ll sleep like a baby with a big smile on your face.

Now, the choice is yours. 

You could continue browsing, looking at opportunities like what Local Marketing Vault teaches which could one day make you money.

You could continue researching, never making a decision. 

OR, you could take a look inside, consider what you really want, and join a program that makes your dreams a reality. At the same time, joining a community of over 2,000 successful students that are living life on their own terms thanks to Digital Leasing.

A consistent, reliable, semi-passive stream of income that doesn’t depend on you or your time to keep producing profits. 

All while genuinely helping real people who are grateful and happy to pay for it. 

If this sounds more like what you want out of life (or if you just want some nice side income), click here to learn more about Digital Leasing.