Kristin Lawton joined us earlier this year for an episode of The Simple & Smart SEO Show and we couldn’t miss the chance to ask her to go deeper on one specific task she shared. How to have a 6-week business planning retreat with yourself! This is a 2-hour task (maybe 4 hr total if you’ve never done this before). Here’s how Kristin breaks it down: Make it feel like a treat: get out to a coffee shop or take yourself to dinner Plan for a quarter and treat the 6-week planning session like a che...
Oct 13, 2023•10 min
We talked about domain authority, internal linking for websites, and utilizing various platforms for visibility in part 2 of our conversation with business coach Celi Arias. 1. Celi flipped the format of the Simple and Smart SEO Show Podcast and began asking US SEO-related questions. We emphasized the importance of domain authority. A high domain authority score improves visibility in search engines. Improve your DA through internal linking or high-value external links. a high domain authority s...
Oct 11, 2023•31 min•Season 2Ep. 73
So… you decide to launch an online business. Yay! 🎉 And you start hearing everyone and their nephew talking about how important it is to show up on this social platform and that one. Create videos, write blogs, record audio! Maybe you decide to start a YouTube channel or *cough* a podcast. Now what? What recording equipment do you need? Well, friend—we got you! We asked our videographer friend, Alex Minor to dish the deets. Check out these Camera, Microphone, & Lighting recommendations from...
Oct 06, 2023•14 min
Join us as we discuss the impact and importance of SEO for entrepreneurs, especially for growing podcast visibility and building businesses without over reliance on social media. Our guest today: Robyn Graham: a business growth strategist and coach who prioritizes building business foundations before emphasizing social media, giving importance to brand marketing strategies, systems, tools, processes, and especially SEO. 1. How to use SEO strategies for boosting online visibility and growth of po...
Oct 04, 2023•51 min•Season 2Ep. 72
Let’s say you’d like to bring on help, buuut you also want to figure out WHO you need to bring on and WHAT you need them to do. Feels like a pretty daunting task, eh? Especially when you have to make sense of all these titles: Executive Assistant Virtual Assistant Online Business Manager Our recent guest and friend, Erika Macauley, is here and sharing a very special somethin’ somethin’ with us. Grab her Hiring Task & Responsibility Worksheet . (And yes, you know we’ve both already downloaded...
Sep 29, 2023•8 min
Today we talk about the use of Strategic Stories and SEO for brand messaging with Emma Boshart, founder of Creative Uproar. Connect w/ Emma: Website Instagram The Brand Story Audit 1. Emma emphasized understanding the target audience and planning narratives aimed at specific business goals. There is value in having fresh, updated content, (shows care for the audience and raises engagement rates). Emma explained that messages and stories serve different purposes; messages establish a brand's valu...
Sep 27, 2023•57 min•Season 2Ep. 71
Did you know there IS such a thing as using your keyword or key phrase too much? Yep. The rumors are true. Here’s what you can do to stick to good keyword density practices: Make the most of synonymous or similar keywords Aim to use your target keyword one time for every 100-150 words (in your blog, on your web page, etc.) or in 2-3% of the total copy Crystal likes using Surfer SEO & their keyword clusters Be mindful of search intent You might also like: SEO Dictionary Episode 1 White Hat vs...
Sep 22, 2023•8 min
In this episode we spoke with public speaking expert Will Baggett about effective marketing strategies to engage audiences and increase brand visibility. Website Instagram @onebaggtalk on all social media 1. Will Baggett introduced himself and spoke about his professional journey, Will has worked as a public speaker for over seven years. He has published two books. Will has partnered with Coach DKR for 'Monetize Your Message.' Monetize Your Message Conference, scheduled for September 28th - 30th...
Sep 20, 2023•55 min•Season 2Ep. 70
What to do when that blinking cursor of death is staring at you? Mocking you because you have nothing clever to write for a headline… Let alone worry about weaving keywords into said headlines. Listen to this! No, really—listen to this episode. You’re going to learn exactly how to write headlines like the pros. 🤓 Including: What’s the deal with the different headlines—H1, H2, H3 What should a headline do for your reader How to include keywords in your headlines How to smartly weave social proof...
Sep 15, 2023•9 min
Today digital marketing specialist Matt Diamante shares his insights about SEO for small business owners. We talked about crafting SEO-friendly content, handling client expectations, and incorporating keywords effectively. Connect with Matt: Understanding SEO (free course) Website Instagram TikTok 1. Matt emphasized the importance of small business owners understanding and implementing their own SEO: Knowing what goes into SEO like keyword placements, Content strategies, and technical aspects of...
Sep 13, 2023•53 min•Season 2Ep. 69
We hear it all the time… Get some social proof! And with more than 80% of buyers trusting reviews & testimonials equal to that of a recommendation from a friend ⬇️ …social proof → sells! Social proof can include: Testimonials Case studies Screenshots Interviews And more! Today we’re chatting about getting GOOD testimonials from your clients & customers. ✨ hint: the magic lies in specificity ✨ And then… how you should use testimonials in your marketing. Grab the Testimonial Template if yo...
Sep 08, 2023•11 min
What's the significance of using audio tools such as private audio feeds, Loom, and Voxer for better client interactions? Today we are talking to fellow podcaster Kim Tradewell to discuss all of that and more. Website Services Instagram LinkedIn Online Creator Podcast 1. Audio feeds enhance the client experience. You can use private audio feeds as an innovative way to engage with clients who desire high level, high touch interaction. B uses Loom and Voxer for onboarding and client communication ...
Sep 06, 2023•41 min•Season 2Ep. 68
You’ve heard our Live SEO Audits of Brittany’s site & Jordan Gill’s site . But what are those pesky errors that show up on the SEO audit reports all about? What do they mean? And can you even fix them? Today we’re covering 8 common SEO issues & how to fix them including: Broken links Meta description errors Low word count SEO non-friendly Response code 4xx Title tag errors Most of the fixes we walk you through are simple & require you to do things like: Only allow for one H1 headline...
Sep 01, 2023•14 min
Samantha Mabe owns a business called Lemon in the Sea, specializing in Squarespace and Kajabi website design for industry experts, health, and wellness professionals. Connect with Samantha: Website Instagram We discussed the importance of combining website strategy and SEO. 1. Critical steps of optimizing your website: Messaging comes first. Copywriting next. Invest in high quality brand photos BEFORE website design. Implement basic SEO setups to ensure visibility. 2. Basic SEO may or may not be...
Aug 30, 2023•49 min•Season 2Ep. 67
Do you find LinkedIn intriguing? ...and at the same time have zero desire to learn how to play on another social media platform? We had Salina Yeung on The Simple + Smart SEO Show . ( ← make sure you go listen to that episode if you want to use LinkedIn to the fullest!) Her energy about LinkedIn is contagious! You’re sure to be inspired after this bite-sized LI hack. We couldn’t resist asking her a burning Q of ours: How do you even use hashtags on LinkedIn? News flash ‼️ it’s completely differe...
Aug 25, 2023•14 min
Today we focus our discussion on Google Search Console—its setup, functionality, and how its use can optimize website performance and understanding user behavior. Google Search Console Semrush Article Join us, your hosts Crystal Waddell and Brittany Herzberg, as we discuss how to read and understand the data generated, and how to use such insights to strengthen your website's performance. 1. The Google Product Suite Products We Love To Use. Google Search Console integrates with Google's other se...
Aug 23, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 66
Work smarter—not harder, they say. Consistently crank out content, they say. Well what "they" haven't been telling you is exactly how to optimize your blogs to incorporate more SEO. In this quick hitting bonus episode of SEO Shorts, Crystal & Brittany are here to walk you through 5 key elements your blog needs in order to improve its ranking on Google & other search engines. Don't overlook these key areas of your blog: keywords H1 headline links: internal & external images: titles an...
Aug 18, 2023•8 min
In this captivating episode, Kathleen Booker takes us on a transformative journey of breathwork and intentionality. Discover how the simple act of tuning into your breath can unlock a world of peace, clarity, and enhanced productivity in both your personal and professional life. Connect with Kathleen: Website FB IG Linkedin Episode Highlights: The connection between breathwork, stress reduction, and improved health Exploring the benefits of breathwork for business owners and their output Embraci...
Aug 16, 2023•37 min•Season 2Ep. 65
What’s one of the easiest things you can do to boost your SEO strategy? Internal linking! This is where you link from one page on your site to another page on your site. Examples include: Linking from a blog post to your Services page Linking from your Contact page to your Podcast Linking from your Services page to a case study Linking from your About Us page to your Shop The great thing about this linking strategy is that it doesn’t require cold outreach, you have full control of the process, &...
Aug 11, 2023•7 min
Today our guest Celi Arias shares her approach to business coaching, which involves simplifying complex business strategies and encouraging self-reliance among clients. Connect with Celi: Instagram LinkedIn Website Key Takeaways from this episode: 1. Trust your instincts and have confidence in your business, Believe in yourself and avoid feeling reliant on someone else for success. B shared her experiences with seeking validation and confirmation from others, which stopped after going through Ar...
Aug 09, 2023•36 min•Season 2Ep. 64
Fun fact for our ecommerce friends—Shopify is sneaky! They hide your Home page SEO title & meta description fields. In this installment of SEO Shorts—Crystal helps you find it! This is perfect for existing Shopify store owners, Etsy store owners considering opening a Shopify store, & anyone who’s just curious about… Shopify! You’ll learn: what a meta description is what an SEO title is why it’s critical to have an SEO title & meta description for your Shopify site ideal character cou...
Aug 04, 2023•9 min
Today we talk to conversion copywriter Haley Burns and explore how to implement creativity to improve website traffic and engagement. Connect with Haley: Website LinkedIn Facebook Like this episode? Sign up for the messaging masterclass w/ Marisa : Sept 26 @1pm, Sept 28 @ 8pm, or Sept 30 @10am. Key Takeaways from this episode: 1. It's important to embed keywords into creative, engaging language and content. Surfer SEO and Jasper can serve as beneficial tools to generate new ideas. Continually op...
Aug 02, 2023•44 min•Season 2Ep. 63
Ever wonder what SEO pros use for keyword research? We’re answering this burning question today! We’re also introducing you to our new segment: SEO Shorts 🩳 (Yes, like the summer version of pants. The intro episode is linked above ⬆️) Originally our private podcast episodes, we’ve decided to roll these super short (~10 min or less) episodes into our regular show—giving you a double dose of SEO info. 🤓 These episodes are intended to be action-oriented bite-sized nuggets that help you build your...
Jul 28, 2023•8 min
Today Brittany (aka B) walks us through rewriting her website and updating her SEO strategy. B shared her two-year process of refining her website. This involved understanding her ideal client, their budget, and prevalent problems. To find more information, she performed voice of customer (VOC) interviews. B noted her increased visibility indicating her SEO expertise. B updated her website messaging. She overhauled her offer suite, Performed keyword research, and Created new SEO strategies for s...
Jul 26, 2023•30 min•Season 2Ep. 62
Today we talk about the importance of effectively managing leads that come in through SEO, with an emphasis on using a system to manage these leads. Colie James is a "Workflow & Automations Guru" and the host of the Business-First Creatives podcast . Connect with Colie, aka "Dubsado Systems Fairy Godmother": IG Linkedin "Love Your Leads" Free Training 1. Colie shared practical ways to set up a system for your business. Automate client booking through Customer Relationship Management (CRM) sy...
Jul 19, 2023•46 min•Season 2Ep. 61
Today we discuss optimizing Etsy Shops for better Search Engine Optimization (SEO). 1. Nicole Lewis, an Etsy expert who founded a company, Art 2 the Extreme. Nicole was the first to create and sell handmade crayons online. Her first custom crayons for children who couldn't grasp traditional crayons. 2. How Nicole defines SEO: "Effectively using that magical combination of words that describe your service or product to get it in front of your ideal buyer or customer." 3 . Critical elements of Ets...
Jul 12, 2023•49 min•Season 2Ep. 60
Today's guest is Erin Perkins, founder of Mabely Q and Successible. We discuss Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and web accessibility for deaf-blind individuals. Connect with Erin: Social Media Accessibility Scorecard Website Instagram The Successible Community Resources: WebAIM Accessibility: WCAG 2 Checklist NVDA Screen Reader 1. Erin Perkins shared her experiences as a deaf-blind person navigating the online world. Importance of accessibility beyond just websites. Current technology (and Ai) ...
Jul 05, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 59
Join us for a conversation with business owner and dentist, Dr. Jasmine Elmore. Jasmine defines SEO: the process of making unfindable content findable. Connect with Jasmine: Soma IG Jasmine Personal IG Jasmine is transitioning from a mindset of serving everyone in a healthcare-related field to adopting a more business-oriented approach. We discuss: Importance of social proof in building brand credibility and trust. Powerful impact of storytelling in sales and case studies. Benefits of testimonia...
Jun 28, 2023•51 min•Season 2Ep. 58
Today we are talking Local SEO & sales w/ B's dad. Our conversation ranged from the transition of marketing from older tactics (newspapers, radio, door knocking) to utilizing local SEO to target specific geographical areas. The importance of obtaining customer reviews, follow-ups, and creating a smooth testimonial process for customers. Honesty is so important in business and the psychology of sales and marketing. Marketing should focus on the positives and have a ready answer for any negati...
Jun 21, 2023•48 min•Season 2Ep. 57
Today: SEO insights, the importance of valuing one's services, and encouraging entrepreneurship among listeners. Special guest on podcast: Jeff Clark, father of co-host Crystal Waddell Crystal's dad joins us to share what he's learned about SEO from the podcast! 1. Jeff says: Make sure to value yourself and price your services appropriately. Consider building clientele at different price points for services. Find a balance between giving away information and charging for expertise. Find your ins...
Jun 14, 2023•37 min•Season 2Ep. 56
