The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations

I picked up Start With Yourself by Emma Grede fully expecting to love it because I've been a fan of her podcast for a long time. What I wasn't sure about was how I'd feel after all the headlines and viral clips that seem to follow her everywhere.

After finishing the book, I realized something: you don't have to want someone's life to learn from the way they think.

I don't want to build multiple billion-dollar companies, and I'm guessing most of you listening don't either. But that doesn't mean there isn't so much we can learn from someone who has. I think we've gotten into the habit of either putting successful people on a pedestal or dismissing them because we don't agree with every decision they've made. What if we did neither?

In this episode, I'm sharing the biggest lessons I took away from Start With Yourself, the parts I completely agreed with, the ideas I questioned, and why I think grit, emotional regulation, customer obsession, and having a clear vision matter no matter what kind of business you're building.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Why you don't have to agree with every lesson to learn from a business book
• The mindset shift that changed how I think about entrepreneurship
• Why emotional regulation matters more than another business strategy
• The business lessons I loved most from Emma Grede
• The advice I questioned, and why that's okay
• My thoughts on the criticism surrounding Emma and why nuance matters

Links Mentioned: 

• Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/128
• Other book reviews: 10X is Easier Than 2X (episode 46) https://thekarareport.com/10x-is-easier-than-2x-book/ and Time Anxiety (episode 89): https://thekarareport.com/time-anxiety-book-review/
• Join the waitlist for my AI blogging membership: https://thekarareport.com/waitlist
• Download my private podcast, Build It Once, Get Found For Months: https://thekarareport.com/private-podcast
• Hire us to write SEO-driven blog posts for you: https://thekarareport.com/blogging
• Our Pinterest Management Services: https://thekarareport.com/pinterest
• Learn more about working with our marketing agency here: https://thekarareport.com/services 
• Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport 

I hear this all the time from people who are blog-curious: "I have a blog, I don't even know if it's doing anything, I'm probably not doing it right." Some version of that. And honestly? I think we can fix that today.

Here's the thing — you should know whether your blog is working. Your Google organic traffic should be climbing, and you should be getting inquiries where people say, "I found you on Google." If that's not happening, there's usually one specific reason, and it's probably not the one you think.

It's not your SEO settings. It's not your keyword research. It's something a lot more obvious once you know what to look for — and I promise it's an easy fix once you see it.

In this episode, I'm walking you through the exact test I use to figure out if a blog post is pulling its weight, why "good enough" AI-written posts are quietly costing you clients, and the one shift that makes Google and AI actually want to send people to your site.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Why your blog might be technically fine and still not working for you
• The stat about AI and Wikipedia that changed how I think about AI-written content
• How to tell the difference between "needs more reps" and "needs a real rework"
• The mindset shift that's quietly killing your blog's results (and it's not what you'd guess)
• The simple formula I use on every blog post to turn skimmers into readers
• How to make sure your blog is actually working for you at every stage of the funnel

Links Mentioned: 

• Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/127
• Join the waitlist for my AI blogging membership: https://thekarareport.com/waitlist
• Download my private podcast, Build It Once, Get Found For Months: https://thekarareport.com/private-podcast
• Hire us to write SEO-driven blog posts for you: https://thekarareport.com/blogging
• Our Pinterest Management Services: https://thekarareport.com/pinterest
• Learn more about working with our marketing agency here: https://thekarareport.com/services 
• Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport 

Summer is officially here. Which means it's time to figure out how you're actually going to market your business for the next few months, when fewer people are online, your analytics dip, and everyone's outside touching grass instead of refreshing the feed.

Here's the move most people make when they see their analytics dip: double down and push harder. And honestly? That can work. But this year, I'm doing the opposite. I'm cutting my own marketing almost in half. On purpose. 

In this episode, I'm walking you through exactly what I'm keeping, what I'm dropping, and why scaling back strategically might be the smartest summer marketing decision you make (because going dark is the worst thing you can do).

Most of our businesses have seasonal fluctuations whether we like it or not. Capacity dips, trips happen, and the content that felt easy in spring starts to feel like a slog by July. 

The good news? You don't have to grind through it. There's a version of summer marketing that keeps you visible, keeps you sane, and actually makes your business look more magnetic, not less.

If you've been feeling stretched thin, guilty about the platform you keep ignoring, or quietly burnt out on making content, consider this your permission slip. I'll show you how to pick what to drop before summer picks for you, and how to market in a way that actually feels fun again.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• The two ways to handle summer marketing (and why I'm choosing the less obvious one)
• My one-awareness-platform + one-nurture-platform minimum for staying visible without the overwhelm
• Exactly what I'm keeping, pausing, and cutting this summer, and the honest reasons why
• Why making your life look fun is the best summer marketing tip I've got
• The AI setup that writes a week of my content without me typing a single prompt
• How to keep summer light while still quietly setting up your Q4

Links Mentioned: 

• Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/126
• Tune into episode 113 with Sabrina Gebhardt on building a business you can embody: https://thekarareport.com/113
• My episode with Enji in case you're seeing this and you didn't market your business over the summer: https://thekarareport.com/87
• Join the waitlist for my AI blogging membership: https://thekarareport.com/waitlist
• Download my private podcast, Build It Once, Get Found For Months: https://thekarareport.com/private-podcast
• Hire us to write SEO-driven blog posts for you: https://thekarareport.com/blogging
• Our Pinterest Management Services: https://thekarareport.com/pinterest
• Learn more about working with our marketing agency here: https://thekarareport.com/services 
• Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport 

The online business landscape has shifted — and the strategies that are actually working right now? They're not showing up in anyone's public content.

In this episode, I'm sharing the real conversations happening behind the scenes in masterminds and private coaching rooms — the advice that business coaches are giving their highest-paying clients but nobody's talking about publicly. 

Spoiler: it's not sexy. But it's working.

We're in a different era of online business. The sophisticated buyer is here, passive income hype is fading fast, and the tactics that felt effortless in 2020 and 2021 are just not hitting the same way. The good news? The shift that's happening is actually pretty human — and if you're willing to do the unsexy work, there's a real opportunity here.

If you've been wondering why your launches feel harder than they used to, or you're noticing that buyers seem more skeptical than ever, this episode will help you understand what's actually going on — and what to do about it.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Why the online business landscape feels harder right now (and why it's not just you)
• The 2017 era vs. 2020 era vs. now — and what's actually coming back
• The two real examples of unsexy follow-up strategies that closed sales
• Why boundaries are softening and what that means for how you sell
• Why you need both a strong traffic strategy AND a strong conversion strategy now

Links Mentioned: 

• Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/125
• Listen to Julie Chenell's podcast "Million Dollar Grit" where she talks about Jessi Jean's 1.2 million dollar launch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28Kcuyhm2tE&list=PLJVVs4nTpFcKRIBlDzJq7VQlibtRyciY8&index=2
• Join the waitlist for my AI blogging membership: https://thekarareport.com/waitlist
• Download my private podcast, Build It Once, Get Found For Months: https://thekarareport.com/private-podcast
• Hire us to write SEO-driven blog posts for you: https://thekarareport.com/blogging
• Our Pinterest Management Services: https://thekarareport.com/pinterest
• Learn more about working with our marketing agency here: https://thekarareport.com/services 
• Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport 

Think blogging is dead in 2026?

Before you ditch long-form content for TikTok and Reels, watch this. The truth is… the biggest names in tech are doubling down on SEO, AI models are hungry for high-quality website content, and small business owners who start blogging now are about to unlock a massive advantage.

In this video, I break down why blogging is not outdated — it’s evolving. You’ll learn how AI, voice search, and shifting buyer behavior are reshaping content discovery, and why your blog might be the most powerful brand-building engine you create in 2026. I’ll also share three simple action steps you can take this week to finally start (or restart) your blog with confidence.

Whether you want more leads, more visibility, or a sustainable way to repurpose content across platforms, this is your sign to treat your blog like the strategic asset it is.

✨ If you're serious about being seen, trusted, found, and paid — this one’s for you.

✨ Ready to go deeper?
Get access to my private podcast and behind-the-scenes marketing insights you won’t hear anywhere else: 👉 https://thekarareport.com/private-podcast

🔗 Links Mentioned:
Adobe to acquire SEMRush: https://news.adobe.com/news/2025/11/adobe-to-acquire-semrush
Backlinko article: https://backlinko.com/llm-seeding

My favorite keyword research tool: https://thekarareport.com/keysearch

🎉WORK WITH THE KARA REPORT🎉

Want to work together and enjoy having (way less) on your plate? Find our pricing and service options below ⬇️

Pinterest & Blogging Packages *Best Results*: https://thekarareport.com/blogging-and-pinterest-marketing-agency
DFY Blogging for SEO: https://thekarareport.com/blogging
Pinterest Management: https://thekarareport.com/pinterest

📌 What I Use In My Business 📌

Enji marketing software: https://thekarareport.com/enji
Best Brand Blueprint for ChatGPT: https://thekarareport.com//brand-blueprint
Pinterest-Approved Scheduler: https://thekarareport.com/tailwind
Riverside for Podcasting: https://thekarareport.com/riverside 
Fave Podcast Host (Get a $20 Credit): https://thekarareport.com/buzzsprout 
Website Template: https://thekarareport.com/emshowit 
Dubsado CRM (get 20% off): https://thekarareport.com/dubsado

*ABOUT THE KARA REPORT*
Hey, I’m Kara—a marketer, blogger, entrepreneur, and the CEO behind The Kara Report. I love about breaking down marketing, business, and search-driven growth strategies (like blogging for SEO and Pinterest) in a way that actually makes sense (and hopefully doesn’t put you to sleep). Whether it’s writing, content marketing, or scaling a business, I love finding what works and sharing it with people who are just as obsessed with big ideas and smart strategies as I am. When I’m not deep-diving into marketing trends, you’ll probably find me brainstorming my next big project or fueling up on way too much coffee.

Want to work together? You'll find me BTS at The Kara Report, a content marketing agency offering DFY marketing services like: website copy, email copywriting, podcast management, and our personal favorites: Pinterest marketing and blogging for SEO.

Follow Me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport 

Affiliate Disclaimer
Note this description contains affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. While this channel may earn minimal sums when the viewer uses the links, the viewer is in NO WAY obligated to use these links. Thank you for your support!

You have the ideas. You've always had the ideas. They're sitting in a Google Doc somewhere, probably called something like "Q3 Content Plan," last opened months ago and somehow nothing in it has ever actually gotten published.

Today's guest Tayler Cusick-Hollman would tell you that's not an ideas problem. It's a brain problem. And once you understand what's actually happening, you can do something about it.

Taylor is the co-founder of Enji, a project management tool built specifically for small business owners doing their own marketing — and she has a background in psychology and sociology that makes her unusually good at explaining the very human reasons why marketing keeps not getting done. She walks through seven signs that prove you don't need more marketing ideas, and I'll warn you: at least a couple of these are going to feel uncomfortably familiar.

This one is worth a listen if you've ever sat down to work on your marketing and somehow ended up doing everything except the actual marketing.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Why capturing ideas feels like progress (and why your brain loves it so much)
• The 7 signs that you don't have an ideas problem — you have an execution problem
• What "structured procrastination" actually is and why creative entrepreneurs are especially vulnerable to it
• What to change this week to actually move the needle

Links Mentioned: 

• Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/123
• Join Enji (Affiliate Link - But Save $$ During Their Birthday Month!): https://thekarareport.com/enji
• Follow Enji on Instagram: https://instagram.com/enji_co
• Download my private podcast, Build It Once, Get Found For Months: https://thekarareport.com/private-podcast
• Hire us to write SEO-driven blog posts for you: https://thekarareport.com/blogging
• Our Pinterest Management Services: https://thekarareport.com/pinterest
• Learn more about working with our marketing agency here: https://thekarareport.com/services 
• Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport 

Most SEO advice assumes you have unlimited time. But what if you only have one hour? In this episode, I'm sharing exactly what I'd do with that hour (and it's probably not what you'd expect).

Spoiler: I wouldn't tell you to write a blog post. Instead, I'm walking through the specific website SEO tasks that actually move the needle, require zero technical expertise, and can realistically get done in 60 minutes or less.

 Whether you're brand new to SEO or just doing a tune-up, this episode will give you a clear action plan you can start today.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• What NOT to do with your one hour (and why SEO rabbit holes are a trap)
• The one page on your website that matters most for SEO
• How to check your heading structure in five minutes with a free Chrome plugin
• When to build out individual service pages and location landing pages
• How to use Google Search Console to find quick wins in posts you've already written
• One of the most underrated SEO moves

Links Mentioned: 

• Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/122
•  Headings Map Chrome plugin: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/headingsmap/flbjommegcjonpdmenkdiocclhjacmbi?pli=1
• Check for broken links: https://www.brokenlinkcheck.com/
• Download my private podcast, Build It Once, Get Found For Months: https://thekarareport.com/private-podcast
• Hire us to write SEO-driven blog posts for you: https://thekarareport.com/blogging
• Our Pinterest Management Services: https://thekarareport.com/pinterest
• Learn more about working with our marketing agency here: https://thekarareport.com/services 
• Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport 

If you've been wondering whether Pinterest is still worth your time and money in 2026, this episode is for you (my answer will surprise you).

I run a Pinterest marketing agency — it's one of the main services I sell — and I am telling more business owners to WAIT on Pinterest than I ever have. In this episode, I'm sharing exactly why, what needs to be in place before Pinterest can actually work for your business, and how to know when you're ready.

This isn't about scaring you off the platform. Pinterest is still one of the best long-game visibility tools out there for the right business. But it's not the missing piece for everyone — and I'd rather be honest with you upfront than take your money and leave you frustrated.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• The reason Pinterest traffic doesn't always turn into clients
• What six to twelve months actually feels like (and why most people quit too soon)
• The foundation piece most business owners are missing
• Why I'll probably tell you to do something else first
• Pricing, ROI, and the question I get asked most
• The real answer to "should I be on Pinterest right now?"

Links Mentioned: 

• Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/121
• The best Pinterest marketing course for DIYers: https://leveeroadstudio.podia.com/scheduling-shortcuts/16ee2
• Download my private podcast, Build It Once, Get Found For Months: https://thekarareport.com/private-podcast
• Hire us to write SEO-driven blog posts for you: https://thekarareport.com/blogging
• Our Pinterest Management Services: https://thekarareport.com/pinterest
• Learn more about working with our marketing agency here: https://thekarareport.com/services 
• Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport 

If you've been thinking about hiring a VA but keep talking yourself out of it… this episode is for you.

I sat down with Sarah Roberson, a virtual assistant who specializes in helping wedding pros and photographers run smoother businesses behind the scenes. She's also been on my own team since August 2024! So I knew she's be the right person to have on for this conversation.

We get into everything you've been too scared to Google. Let's dive in.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• The biggest misconception about hiring a VA 
• How long it actually takes to see ROI — and why that's normal
• What to have in place before your first hire
• The difference between a VA and an OBM
• How to be a good client (yes, that's a thing)
• What a VA should and shouldn't be responsible for
• The minimum budget to expect
• How to find the right fit and what to look for on a discovery call

Links Mentioned: 

• Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/120
• Work with Sarah Roberson: https://sarahrobersonva.com/
• Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahroberson_va
• Learn more about working with our marketing agency here: https://thekarareport.com/services
• Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

Blogging and SEO advice is everywhere right now — but a lot of it? I don’t agree with.

In this episode, I’m sharing my honest (and probably unpopular) opinions about SEO and blogging — what’s actually working in 2026, what I think is a waste of your time and money, and what I see small business owners getting wrong over and over again.

This isn’t about saying other people are wrong or that there’s only one way to grow your business. It’s about adding nuance to the conversation and helping you think critically about what you’re being sold (especially when it comes to blogging strategies, SEO services, and AI).

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting advice around blogging and SEO, or you’re trying to figure out what’s actually worth your time, this episode will help you cut through the noise and make more aligned decisions for your business.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Why I don’t believe what's marketed right now is a long-term SEO strategy
• Are blogs getting too expensive?
• My perspective on using AI for blog writing 
• A surprising example of a blog post that drove major traffic for me
• How to evaluate marketing advice in a “trust recession”

Links Mentioned: 

• Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/119
• Join the waitlist for my AI blogging membership: https://thekarareport.com/waitlist
• What's working in blogging now: https://thekarareport.com/blogging-for-your-business/
• Hear me talk about how I quit Instagram: https://thekarareport.com/106
• Download my private podcast, Build It Once, Get Found For Months: https://thekarareport.com/private-podcast
• Listen to my "I quit Instagram" episode (106): https://thekarareport.com/106
• Hire us to write SEO-driven blog posts for you: https://thekarareport.com/blogging
• Our Pinterest Management Services: https://thekarareport.com/pinterest
• Learn more about working with our marketing agency here: https://thekarareport.com/services 
• Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport