The Simple and Smart SEO Show

In this episode of Follow Through Fridays on the Simple and Smart SEO Show, I review actionable SEO and blogging strategies shared in the podcast with Steven Schneider of Trio SEO. I discuss my experiences applying these tips on my new Wix website and Shopify store to enhance user experience and optimization. My key takeaways are:simplifying navigation, optimizing for search intent, using professional photography, and boosting user trust with reviews and detailed "about" sections. I also cover social SEO, optimizing owned assets, and creating bottom-of-funnel content. Join my SEO Squad for weekly SEO implementation, accountability and feedback!Text me your questions or comments!Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.Support the showWant to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!Join the SEO SquadApply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line! AFFILIATE LINKS:Start your Shopify Store!Get SurferSEO! Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!) Note: If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, I chat with Steven Schneider from TrioSEO, an agency that specializes in organic SEO services. We discuss the importance of understanding the power of SEO and the transformation it can bring to a brand. Steven shares his journey into SEO, starting from blogging in college to building a successful SEO agency. Key points include:1. The evolution of affiliate marketing and its current challenges. 2. The importance of high-quality, human-written content. 3. How AI tools can assist but not replace humans in SEO. 4. Practical strategies for small businesses to enhance their SEO. We also explore the differences between top, middle, and bottom funnel content, and the significance of user experience and search intent. Want to connect with Steven? Find him on LinkedIn.Text me your questions or comments!Hey creative entrepreneur—does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by CrystalGPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.Crystal GPT walks you through what matters most for your website. Head to SEOin7days.com (with a 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore. Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.Support the showWant to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!Join the SEO SquadApply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line! AFFILIATE LINKS:Start your Shopify Store!Get SurferSEO! Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!) Note: If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Join me as I walk through the practical steps I took after my conversation with Erika Varangouli, an expert in content marketing, SEO, and branding at Riverside.fm.Key Takeaways:Integrating SEO with Branding:Erika emphasized the importance of aligning SEO with branding. Inspired by her advice, I started using customer reviews in ChatGPT to create better product descriptions.Customer-Centric Content:One new idea is to include a section in my thank-you emails that addresses potential issues, like delayed deliveries, to reassure customers and reduce their stress.SEO Strategy Evaluation:Erika’s suggestion to regularly evaluate and adjust SEO strategies led me to create a monthly data day for the SEO Squad. Keyword Gap Analysis:After Erika mentioned the importance of competitor analysis, I used Ubersuggest to identify keyword gaps between my website and competitors. Data-Driven Adjustments:I’m now more committed to making data-driven decisions, regularly searching for new keywords and staying open to refining my strategy.Listener Action Items:Use customer feedback to enhance your product descriptions and align them with your brand’s voice.Set aside time each month to review your SEO data and make strategic adjustments.Perform a keyword gap analysis to discover new opportunities to rank in search results.Connect with Me:Website: Simple and Smart SEO ShowEmail: hello@simpleandsmartseo.comText me your questions or comments!Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.Support the showWant to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!Join the SEO SquadApply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line! AFFILIATE LINKS:Start your Shopify Store!Get SurferSEO! Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!) Note: If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, I interview Erika Varangouli about SEO and its intersection with brand building. We discuss key insights into conversion rate optimization, the historic division between SEO and paid landing pages, and the holistic approach required to build trust and relevance for small businesses. Erika shares her journey from working at Semrush to heading SEO and branded content at Riverside FM, emphasizing the importance of user experience and community engagement in SEO strategies. We also touch on the impact of genuine, useful content over traditional ranking strategies, and highlight the need for small businesses to evaluate their SEO efforts periodically while focusing on delivering value to their audience.Erika also shares insights on evaluating and adjusting SEO strategies, the value of answering customer questions, and leveraging platforms like LinkedIn and Reddit for organic growth. Our conversation discussed the need for relevant traffic over mere rankings and underscores the critical role of customer connection in successful SEO campaigns.Connect with Erika VarangouliLinkedin00:00 Introduction and Early Questions00:40 Welcome to the Simple and Smart SEO Show01:02 Meet Erika Varangouli01:37 Erika's Journey in SEO and Branding02:31 The Intersection of SEO and Branding03:40 The Importance of Consistency in Marketing07:06 Personal Stories and Business Insights16:09 Creating Effective SEO Strategies18:17 Building Trust and Gathering Reviews18:28 Understanding Your Audience's Search Intent18:59 Leveraging Competitor Insights19:26 Engaging Your Community and Encouraging Word of Mouth21:08 The Google and Reddit Relationship24:48 SEO'Text me your questions or comments!Hey creative entrepreneur—does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by CrystalGPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.Crystal GPT walks you through what matters most for your website. Head to SEOin7days.com (with a 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore. Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.Support the showWant to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!Join the SEO SquadApply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line! AFFILIATE LINKS:Start your Shopify Store!Get SurferSEO! Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!) Note: If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this Follow Through Friday episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, I'm discussing the concept of owned asset optimization, inspired by a conversation with Jonas Sickler from Terakeet. This episode highlights practical SEO strategies and the importance of creating and distributing owned assets that align with business objectives, particularly:The importance of aligning social media strategies with business goals, rather than merely following platform guidelines. The Mach-6 framework of owned, managed, and leveraged assets, focusing on how brands can optimize their digital properties for better marketing outcomes. I also reflects on the benefits of controlling one's website content and the limitations of relying on third-party platforms like Amazon. 00:00 Introduction to Follow Through Fridays00:24 Understanding Owned Asset Optimization00:46 Social Media Strategies for Business Goals02:40 Pinterest Best Practices and Business Perspective04:23 The Importance of Owned Assets05:46 Implementing the Terakeet Mach-6 Framework08:16 Leveraging Amazon for Product Distribution09:49 Exploring the Managed and Leveraged Levels11:19 Analyzing Search Engine Results for Your Brand14:49 Conclusion and Invitation to Join the SEO SquadCheck out the Mach-6 Framework on Terakeet's website!Text me your questions or comments!Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.Support the showWant to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!Join the SEO SquadApply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line! AFFILIATE LINKS:Start your Shopify Store!Get SurferSEO! Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!) Note: If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, I spoke with Jonas Sickler, a digital marketing analyst from Terakeet. We explored the importance of SEO evolving with AI advancements, emphasizing Owned Asset Optimization (OAO) as a strategy. 1. Businesses should control their narrative across all digital platforms to improve the accuracy of AI tools.2. Meet the MACH-6 model: An upgrade to a traditional marketing model.Contrasts with the PESO model, emphasizing the importance of building equity in owned assets.Integrate SEO with other channels like social media and email for a cohesive strategy.3. AI and SEO are evolving. How your business can keep up:Businesses must tell accurate and updated stories across all digital platforms for more accurate AI-generated content. Optimize for both search engines and user experience. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:09 Building a Positive Work Culture02:57 The Importance of Passion in Work02:57 Coaching and Leadership Insights06:17 SEO and Business Integration07:41 The Value of Owned Assets10:03 Leveraging Multiple Channels12:26 The Mach-6 Framework14:24 Collaboration Across Departments19:05 Optimizing Your Digital Assets19:37 The Importance of Social Profiles19:45 Revisiting Neglected Accounts20:07 Controlling Your Search Results20:24 Understanding the PESO Model21:48 Owned Asset Optimization Explained23:46 Real-Life Examples of Brand Stories27:32 Leveraging Technology for Customer Optimization28:59 SEO vs. Owned Asset Optimization31:55 Connecting with Your AudienceConnect With Jonas SicklerLinkedinText me your questions or comments!Hey creative entrepreneur—does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by CrystalGPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.Crystal GPT walks you through what matters most for your website. Head to SEOin7days.com (with a 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore. Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.Support the showWant to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!Join the SEO SquadApply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line! AFFILIATE LINKS:Start your Shopify Store!Get SurferSEO! Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!) Note: If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show Follow Through Fridays, I share how I integrated tips from Katlyn Paskorz to improve product descriptions and resolve long-standing issues with my Google Ads account. Key Takeaways:Integrating Customer Feedback:I realized the importance of using customer language in my website content. By incorporating feedback, such as a client’s comment about getting a "mom win" from a photo collage, I improved my product descriptions using Chat GPT and client reviews.Google Business Profile Optimization:I took the time to review and update my Google Business Profile, removing outdated posts and focusing on what I want my business to be known for: senior night photo collages and giant senior photo props. Leveraging Google Ads and Tools:One of the most significant actions I took was resolving an issue with my Google Ads account that had prevented me from running ads. Community Feedback:I share a success story from a member of the SEO Squad who applied advice from our guest speakers to improve her website. This reinforces the value of taking actionable steps based on expert insights.Connect with Me:Website: Simple and Smart SEO ShowEmail: hello@simpleandsmartseo.comClosing Thoughts: I encourage you to focus on one actionable tip at a time and keep moving forward. Whether it's updating your website or fixing a technical issue, small steps can lead to significant growth.Text me your questions or comments!Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.Support the showWant to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!Join the SEO SquadApply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line! AFFILIATE LINKS:Start your Shopify Store!Get SurferSEO! Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!) Note: If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show Podcast, I interview Katlyn Paskorz, the owner of KatydidPGH. We discuss her journey from an unfulfilling career in banking to becoming a WordPress designer and SEO expert for small business owners. Key points include Katlyn's transition to SEO, the importance of talking to customers for creating effective strategies, and leveraging tools like Google Business Profile and Google Ads for optimizing web presence. Katlyn also shares practical tips like using Google Tag Manager with Google Analytics and creating local-customized content for better traffic conversion. We finish by highlighting the importance of gradually implementing SEO principles into everyday business processes and making SEO accessible and straightforward for everyone.Connect with Katlyn:LinkedInInstagramFree Website GuideFree Meta Description Guide0:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:17 Katlyn's Pittsburgh Connection01:27 Katlyn's Journey to Starting Her Agency03:05 The Creative Side of SEO04:10 Client Strategies and Packages04:54 Importance of Customer Interaction06:57 Leveraging Google Business Profile and Ads14:45 Using Google Tools for SEO17:51 Understanding Google Analytics for Small Businesses18:18 Setting Up and Tracking Key Metrics18:50 The Importance of Quality Traffic20:27 Optimizing Blog Content for Conversions22:22 Creating Conversion-Focused Content23:42 Leveraging Text me your questions or comments!Hey creative entrepreneur—does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by CrystalGPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.Crystal GPT walks you through what matters most for your website. Head to SEOin7days.com (with a 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore. Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.Support the showWant to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!Join the SEO SquadApply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line! AFFILIATE LINKS:Start your Shopify Store!Get SurferSEO! Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!) Note: If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Today I'll share insights from my interview with Josh Peacock from SEO for Hire and my personal experiences in the SEO job search.Key Takeaways:1. Job Search ProcessDefine what you want in a role and understand top performers' traits. This helps target positions that align with your strengths.Be honest on your resume and be prepared for practical tests to demonstrate your skills.Continuously learn and adapt. Embrace opportunities to update your skills and stay current with industry trends.Clearly communicate SEO's impact on business goals. Avoid jargon and focus on business outcomes.Leverage AI tools and focus on strategy to stay in demand as the SEO landscape evolves.Personal Experience I applied for an in-house SEO job and received valuable feedback from SEO for Hire and the hiring manager. This helped me understand my strengths and areas for improvement.SPECIAL OFFER FROM SEO FOR HIRE:- Use code CRYSTAL50 for 50% off SEO for Hire's leadership playbook to enhance your management skills.THE SEO SQUAD IS OPEN FOR A LIMITED TIME TO NEW MEMBERS!Join my SEO Squad for Small Business Owners for $48/month. We meet every Wednesday at 10 a.m. EST to discuss and optimize your website. Access past challenge videos and audios inside the group.Text me your questions or comments!Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.Support the showWant to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!Join the SEO SquadApply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line! AFFILIATE LINKS:Start your Shopify Store!Get SurferSEO! Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!) Note: If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, I interview Josh Peacock, CEO of SEO for Hire. I get to ask him all sorts of questions about SEO recruitment, so you get an inside look at what the recruiting process looks like!Want to know the expectations of different SEO jobs and how much they make? (ME TOO!)We also talk about how the changes in technology and search may impact availability of SEO roles in the future. SEO Recruitment Tips For Businesses:Map out the recruitment process for SEO roles. Identify the traits of top performers. Utilize DISC assessments (if legal in your country) to determine compatibility with existing team members. Develop a thorough vetting process to sniff out SEO experience bluffs.Avoid rushing recruitment; this results in bad hires at a high cost.SEO Recruitment Tips For Job Searchers:A growth mindset is essential for success in the industry.There's no fixed hierarchy in SEO roles. Titles and responsibilities varying widely between companies. SEO for travel is one in-demand industry.Salary ranges for SEO roles is all over the place.More Insights For SEO Job Searchers:A senior SEO director role is highly valued, with salaries up to 300K.Josh suggested that the future of SEO roles lies in strategy and growth advising, rather than technical tasks. Build your communication skills to talk with C-suite executives.Connect with Josh PeacockLinkedInWebsiteUse Code CRYSTAL50 to save 50% on SEO For Hire's SEO Leadership Playbook!Text me your questions or comments!Hey creative entrepreneur—does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by CrystalGPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.Crystal GPT walks you through what matters most for your website. Head to SEOin7days.com (with a 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore. Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.Support the showWant to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!Join the SEO SquadApply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line! AFFILIATE LINKS:Start your Shopify Store!Get SurferSEO! Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!) Note: If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money. But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!