BuzzStream Digital PR and Link Building Podcast

In this episode of the BuzzStream Podcast, host Vince Nero speaks with Kelsey Libert, co-founder of Fractl, about the evolving landscape digital PR now that LLMs are in the mix.

Kelsey shares insights on building relationships with journalists, adapting to changes in Google search, and the significance of niche publishers in LLMs.

The conversation emphasizes the need for marketers to create valuable content and leverage AI tools to enhance their strategies.

⏰ Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to AI and SEO

02:52 - Understanding Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)

05:47 - The Role of Links in the New Landscape

08:27 - Digital PR Strategies in the Age of AI

11:12 - Building Relationships with Journalists

14:05 - Navigating Google Search Frustrations

18:56 - Expanding Beyond Google: Multi-Channel Strategies

21:32 - Leveraging AI for Content Syndication

27:32 - Key Metrics for Tracking Performance

32:11 - The Future of Niche Content in LLMs

Check out Kelsey's work at frac.tl

Check out BuzzStream at buzzstream.com

In this episode of the BuzzStream podcast, host Vince Nero interviews content marketing expert David Bain.

David, the founder of the UK-based content agency Casting Cred, shares his views on what content marketing means in 2025, including the importance of delivering the right content to users at the right time.

He elaborates on his six H content framework—hero, hub, help, heart, happy, and human content—and how it helps map customer journeys and sustain content strategies amidst rapid industry changes.

⏰ Time Stamps

00:00 - Intro

01:42 - Defining Content Marketing in 2025

01:53 - User-Centric Content Strategies

03:59 - SEO and Digital PR in Content Marketing

05:17 - Email Marketing and the 6H Framework

09:37 - The Pump and Funnel Marketing Model

14:53 - Adapting Content Strategies in the AI Era

18:00 - Monitoring Content Marketing Success

19:57 - Trends in SEO and Content Marketing

23:32 - Maintaining a Content Framework Amidst Change

27:04 - Final Thoughts and Upcoming Projects🐝 Don't miss all of BuzzStream's content:www.buzzstream.comCheck out more of David on: www.castingcred.com

We’re diving into Ahrefs’ huge new study on AI and brand visibility — they looked at 75,000 brands to see how often they get mentioned in AI tools, and what that means for SEO and digital PR.

If you want to know where brand visibility is headed in the AI era, this one’s packed with insights you don’t want to miss.

⏰Time stamps

00:00 - Intro

00:18 - Overview of the Ahrefs Study

01:47 - Inspiration Behind the Study

05:54 - Key Findings and Surprises

10:09 - Building a Brand vs. Building Mentions

12:28 - Strategies for Brand Building

18:00 - The Role of Links in AI Overviews

19:24 - Sentiment and Quality of Mentions

22:03 - Optimizing for AI vs. Traditional Search

24:17 - Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Check out the full study from Ahrefs here: https://ahrefs.com/blog/ai-overview-brand-correlation

Check out Buzzstream here: https://www.buzzstream.com

In this episode of the BuzzStream podcast, Mike King, founder of iPullRank, shares how relevance engineering can help you show up in AI.

Vince and Mike discuss the impact of AI on the industry, specifically focusing on Google's recent updates and the significance of digital PR in the evolving landscape.

Mike explains the concept of relevance engineering, a new approach that combines AI, information retrieval, content strategy, UX, and digital PR.

He also shares practical strategies for businesses to stay ahead in the AI era, as well as the importance of creating highly relevant and specific content.

⏰ Time Stamps00:00 Introduction

00:36 The Future of SEO and Digital PR

01:29 Google Leak and Its Relevance

04:37 Relevance Engineering Explained

08:17 Impact of AI on SEO and Digital PR

22:35 Practical Tips for Small Businesses

24:33 Tools and Strategies for AI Optimization

29:18 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

❗️Find all of Mike's work on ⁠https://www.ipullrank.com⁠

📧 Check out our email newsletter: https://www.buzzstream.com/newsletter

In this episode, Vince is joined by Katie Storey, Director at Press Box PR. Katie shares her insights on reactive PR and newsjacking, drawing from her extensive experience as both a journalist and a PR professional.

Learn how to stay relevant, be the first to the punch, and pitch effectively.

Whether you're new to PR or looking to up your game, this episode is packed with valuable tips and real-world examples.

⏰ Timestamps⁠

00:00⁠ - Intro⁠

00:55⁠ - Defining Newsjacking and Reactive PR⁠

03:09⁠ - Thinking Like a Journalist⁠

07:03⁠ - Five Keys to Newsjacking⁠

09:35⁠ - Relevancy and Case Studies⁠

19:04⁠ - Connecting the Dots in PR⁠

19:59⁠ - Creative Ideation Techniques⁠

20:56⁠ - Leveraging News for Brand Relevance⁠

22:31⁠ - Importance of Google Alerts⁠

23:03⁠ - Relevance in Local News⁠

26:15⁠ - Quick Content Turnaround⁠

28:46⁠ - Asserting Your Authority

⁠32:22⁠ - Engaging but Concise Pitches

⁠34:35⁠ - Building Relationships with Journalists⁠

37:20⁠ - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

❗️Don't miss another episode. Subscribe to the BuzzStream Newsletter: https://buzzstream.com/newsletter/

Interested in learning more? Check out our post about newsjacking: https://buzzstream.com/blog/newsjacking/

In this quick hit bonus edition of the BuzzStream Podcast, Vince Nero hosts Thomas Fish, the president of Blowout Cards, to discuss a successful reactive PR campaign centered around the viral 'Phillies Karen' incident.

⏰ Timestamps00:00 Intro

00:43 Setting the Scene: The Phillies Karen Incident

02:00 Blowout Cards' Viral Campaign

03:45 About Blowout Cards

05:59 The Impact and Lessons Learned

11:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

🃏 Check out blowoutcards.com

🐝 Visit Buzzstream.com

📧 Subscribe to our newsletter: buzzstream.com/newsletter

In this episode of the BuzzStream podcast, Vince Nero interviews Tamara Novitović, the head of SEO at Bazoom, about link value in 2025 within the context of the AI era.

Here are some things you'll learn:

⭐️ Limitations of traditional metrics like Domain Authority (DA) and Domain Rating (DR)

⭐️ Advocating instead for a more nuanced approach that takes into account the quality and context of backlinks

⭐️ The dangers of manipulative link-building practices

⭐️ Potential pitfalls of over-reliance on metrics that can be easily gamed

⭐️ 'Impact Score' as a framework to help businesses focus on backlinks that provide genuine value

⏰ Timestamps

00:00 Intro

00:16 Redefining Link Value in the AI Era

01:53 The Pitfalls of Vanity Metrics: DA and DR

03:32 Manipulation of SEO Metrics and Its Consequences

05:11 The Debate on Trust Flow and Citation Flow

08:25 Negative SEO and Spam Brain

12:47 The Overuse of HARO and Its Risks

17:10 The Importance of Engagement and Click-Through Rates

24:22 Guest Posts and the Future of Link Building

28:48 Introducing the Impact Score

34:08 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Don't miss another podcast by subscribing to our newsletter: buzzstream.com/newsletter/

Download our new media list building tool, ListIQ: buzzstream.com/listiq/

In this episode of the BuzzStream podcast, host Vince Nero welcomes Greg Heilers, co-founder of Jolly SEO, to discuss the intricacies of using HARO (Help a Reporter Out) and similar platforms to build great links and coverage.

Greg shares valuable tips on quality checks, dealing with fake experts, and cutting through the noise in an increasingly competitive landscape.

⏰ Timestamps

00:00 Intro

00:42 Meet Greg Heilers: Co-Founder of Jolly SEO

01:09 Understanding HARO and Pitching Platforms

02:03 Client Prerequisites for Successful Pitching

04:32 Exploring Various Quote Platforms

08:13 Direct Outreach and Digital PR Strategies

9:12 Proactive Pitching

11:01 Quality Checks

14:33 Evaluating Opportunities

18:40 More on Quality Checks

22:28 Challenges

25:35 The Fake Expert Problem

30:42 Tips for the Perfect Pitch

36:29 Reaching out on Behalf of a Client vs Direct

38:58 Navigating Client Timelines

40:36 The Future of HARO Type Outreach

📩 Check out JollySEO: https://www.jollyseo.com

🌐 Learn more about BuzzStream: https://www.buzzstream.com

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so we can keep bringing you more conversations with the brightest voices in PR, SEO, and digital marketing.

Building a Personal Brand in PR with Grace Burton

In this episode of the BuzzStream Podcast, host Vince Nero sits down with Grace Burton, Senior Digital PR Executive at Digital Loft and co-creator of the PR Insider newsletter, to talk about one of the biggest growth levers for PR professionals today: building a personal brand.

If you’ve ever struggled with consistency, confidence, or knowing what to post, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.

We dive into:

• Why personal branding matters in PR (and how it benefits you and your agency)
• The surprising stats behind how few people actually post on LinkedIn
• Practical tips for staying consistent without burning out
• How to use commenting and engagement to grow your visibility
• Offline networking strategies that don’t feel “salesy”
• Turning content ideas into a sustainable posting strategy
• How newsletters and communities can supercharge your brand

⏰ Timestamps

• 00:00 — Introduction
• 00:33 — The Importance of Personal Branding in PR
• 01:01 — Starting Your Personal Branding Journey
• 04:27 — Benefits of Building a Personal Brand
• 06:12 — Engaging on Social Media Platforms
• 10:00 — Offline Networking Tips
• 13:43 — Content Strategy for Personal Branding
• 24:17 — The Value of Employee Personal Branding for Businesses
• 27:57 — Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Links

📩 Subscribe to PR Insider: https://www.theprinsider.com/
🌐 Learn more about BuzzStream: https://www.buzzstream.com

Enjoyed the episode? Like, comment, and subscribe so we can keep bringing you more conversations with the brightest voices in PR, SEO, and digital marketing.

In this episode of the BuzzStream Podcast, host Vince Nero is joined by Shane Dutka, founder of SiteCurve and former VP of SEO at Three Ships.

Shane discusses his strategies for analyzing competitors' link profiles, methods for handling toxic links, and the importance of keywords in an AI-driven world.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:30 - Importance of Competitor Analysis

04:20 - Affiliate Marketing Trends

08:50 - Site Curve’s Keyword Tracking Approach

12:15 - Evaluating and Disavowing Toxic Links

17:30 - Role of AI in SEO

22:00 - Traditional SEO vs. AI-first Strategies

26:40 - Importance of Conversion Rate Optimization

31:00 - Wrapping Up

Subscribe to the BuzzStream newsletter today: www.buzzstream.com/newsletter

Try out our new media list building tool, ListIQ, for free with this link: www.buzzstream.com/listiq