TCC Podcast #183: The Ins and Outs of SEO with Meg Casebolt

SEO Consultant (and reformed web designer) Meg Casebolt is our guest for the 183rd episode of The Copywriter Club Podcast. Since this is an area that we don't have real deep knowledge in, we asked Meg all about what copywriters need to know about SEO and what they should be trying to rank for. And we spent a lot of time talking about the 3-week challenge she put together last year and how it helped grow her list. Here's a pretty good list of what we covered: •  how she went from graphic design to SEO—it’s about grabbing opportunity •  what she did to learn SEO in the first place •  what she did to work through the pivot from design to SEO •  Meg’s advice for anyone working through their own pivot (or choosing a niche) •  how she ramped up her client acquisition after the first few referrals •  the best thing she’s done to grow her authority since her pivot •  the surprising thing that scared Meg as she was running her challenge •  how she ran her challenge and how she engaged her affiliates •  why her challenge took off (and why people joined in the middle) •  how she structured her challenge from start to finish •  the results that participants got as they went through the program •  how Meg kept people engaged in the Challenge from start to finish •  why adding a deadline helped people finish their Challenge assignments •  why she no longer does PPC as part of her services •  what a copywriter needs to know about SEO and getting online traffic •  why you shouldn’t try to rank for a term like “copywriter” •  the importance of putting great content on your own website •  how she has dealt with mindset issues around working with clients •  the end-product she provides clients after a consulting session •  why she decided to rebrand her services as she grew her team •  what her team looks like today and where Meg spends her time We covered a lot of ground in this one. To hear it, click the play button below, or scroll down for a full transcript. Or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher so you don't miss an episode.   The people and stuff we mentioned on the show: The Copywriter Accelerator Tanya Geisler SEOctober MemberVault Meg’s Website Kira’s website Rob’s website The Copywriter Club Facebook Group The Copywriter Underground   Full Transcript: Kira:  This episode is brought to you by The Copywriter Accelerator, the 12-week program for copywriters who want to learn the business skills they need to succeed. Learn more at thecopywriteraccelerator.com. Rob:   What if you could hang out with seriously talented copywriters and other experts, ask them about their successes and failures, their work processes and their habits, then steal an idea or two to inspire your own work? That's what Kira and I do every week at The Copywriter Club Podcast. Kira:  You're invited to join the club for Episode 183 as we chat with SEO strategist, Meg Casebolt about planning and writing search friendly content, why SEO needs to be a part of your marketing mix, what it takes to run a month-long challenge as well as the results she got and why has she rebranded and refocused her business solely on SEO. Welcome Meg. Rob:   Hey, Meg. Meg:  Hey, it's so nice to be here with you guys. Kira:  Yeah, it's great to have you here. I've been able to get to know you over the last nine months or so through Tanya Geisler and I'm excited to just dig into your business more and talk about a lot of the changes that you've made and challenges that you've taken on, so let's kick it off with your story. How did you get into SEO? Meg:  Okay, so my story is, I think a pretty common one, which is that I had been working in communications for many years. I worked in nonprofits. I worked at an architecture firm for a couple of years doing all of their marketing. I got married, I got pregnant, and I looked at the cost of childcare and I don't know if I can swear on this podcast, but I swore.