The Simple and Smart SEO Show

We welcome entrepreneur Nathan Hirsch, founder of FreeUp and other ventures, to discuss the importance of standard operating procedures (SOPs), effective hiring practices, and leveraging SEO for business growth. 

Key Takeaways:

• SOPs are essential for scalability: Nathan emphasizes the importance of creating detailed SOPs for every part of the business and regularly updating them to maintain efficiency.
• Hiring the right people is critical: Nathan shares his strategy for hiring A-players and the importance of setting clear expectations and processes during onboarding.
• Market validation before investment: Before fully launching a business, ensure there is a market for it by testing ideas with potential clients and proving your ability to retain them.
• Balancing automation and human touch: Nathan explains how automation can help, but emphasizes the importance of keeping a personal touch in customer interactions, especially in SEO and customer service.

Episode Highlights:

• “Prove that there’s an actual market for it. Prove that you can get clients for it and prove that you can keep clients for it.”
• "We always want clients to feel like they’re one step away from talking to me."

Listener Action Items:

1. Create or refine your SOPs: Start documenting your key business processes, and schedule quarterly reviews to ensure they stay updated.
2. Review your hiring process: Focus on communication, attitude, and red flags during interviews to ensure you hire the right people for your team.
3. Test your business ideas: Before investing significant time or money, run tests to ensure your product or service has a viable market.
4. Optimize customer service: Balance automation with personal touches to ensure clients feel valued and heard.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Free SOPs for SEO: TrioSEO.com/SOP
• EcomBalance (E-commerce bookkeeping): EcomBalance.com
• Nathan Hirsch: Linked In

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⚠️ SMART, advanced episode! 🤓

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell welcomes back Crystal Carter, Head of SEO Communications at Wix, to dive deep into the concept of entities and their impact on SEO.

Takeways:

• Consistency is Key: Your digital presence and how you describe your business should remain consistent across all platforms. Inconsistent messaging can confuse search engines and users.
• Entities are Everywhere: Anything from people to concepts can be an entity. Understanding how entities like Beyoncé or Barbie are connected can help improve your content and digital presence.
• Tools for Entity Management: Tools like TextRazor and SEMrush can help extract and optimize entities in your content. 
• Schema Markup Matters: Using schema markup to describe your organization, services, and products improves your site’s connection to the knowledge graph.
• Leverage Knowledge Panels: Strengthen your brand's online identity by ensuring you are represented on platforms like LinkedIn and Google My Business to feed accurate data into Google's knowledge graph.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Entities are essentially nouns—people, places, things, and even concepts that search engines recognize.” – Crystal Carter
• You have to be consistent. Even if you're doing a hundred things, you need to summarize it in a way that’s clear to both users and search engines.” – Crystal Carter

Listener Action Items:

1. Audit Your Digital Presence: Ensure your website, social profiles, and Google Business Profile present a consistent message about your brand.
2. Implement Schema Markup: Use tools like ChatGPT or schema.org to generate JSON-LD schema for your site to enhance its connection with search engines.
3. Leverage Free Tools: Use TextRazor, SEMrush, or other NLP tools to identify and optimize entities.

Carl’s tool: https://audits.com/tools/knowledge-graph-search/

Gus article: https://www.wix.com/seo/learn/resource/get-a-google-knowledge-panel

InLinks: https://inlinks.com/knowledge-graph-explained/

Connect with Crystal:
Linkedi

Send me a text!

I’ve got thirty seconds to tell you about Wix Studio, the web platform for agencies and enterprises. 

• Work in sync with your team on one canvas
• Reuse templates, widgets and sections across sites
• Create a client kit for seamless handovers
• And leverage best-in-class SEO defaults across all your Wix sites

Time’s up but the list keeps going. Step into Wix Studio to see more!

Support the show

Search the Simple and Smart SEO Show podcast for something you heard! It's free!

Apply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get Carry (formerly Ocho): the best retirement resources for entrepreneurs!

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, I sit down with Nicolas Garfinkel to explore the future of SEO through the lens of predictive models and machine learning. 

Key Takeaways:

1. The Importance of Data in SEO: Nicolas emphasizes the need for data-driven approaches in SEO, highlighting how relying on intuition alone isn't enough in today's rapidly changing environment.
2. Predictive SEO Models: Nicolas introduces Kixley, the first predictive SEO tool that uses machine learning to forecast the impact of SEO strategies on rankings and traffic.
3. SEO Strategy for Different Scales: The episode discusses how SEO strategies differ for small businesses compared to large enterprises, particularly in leveraging data and statistical models for decision-making.
4. Local SEO Optimization: Practical tips on optimizing local SEO, including the importance of Google Business profiles, customer reviews, and addressing schema markup.
5. Future of SEO: Insights into the future of SEO, where machine learning and predictive models will play a crucial role in optimizing and prioritizing SEO tasks.

Listener Action Items:

1. Optimize Local SEO: Update your Google Business profile, encourage customer reviews, and ensure your website includes your physical address to boost local SEO efforts.
2. Incorporate Data-Driven SEO: Begin integrating more data and analytics into your SEO strategies to prioritize efforts that will have the most significant impact.

Connect with Nicolas Garfinkel:

• Kixely
• Linkedin

Send me a text!

I’ve got thirty seconds to tell you about Wix Studio, the web platform for agencies and enterprises. 

• Work in sync with your team on one canvas
• Reuse templates, widgets and sections across sites
• Create a client kit for seamless handovers
• And leverage best-in-class SEO defaults across all your Wix sites

Time’s up but the list keeps going. Step into Wix Studio to see more!

Support the show

Search the Simple and Smart SEO Show podcast for something you heard! It's free!

Apply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get Carry (formerly Ocho): the best retirement resources for entrepreneurs!

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, I sit down with Keshia Taylor to uncover how local SEO can drive business success without relying on social media. 

Key Takeaways:

1. Introduction to Kechia Taylor:
   • Kechia is a permanent makeup artist, educator, and franchisor with over 20 years in the beauty industry.
   • She discusses her journey from being a brow expert to becoming a successful business owner and franchisor.
2. Thriving Without Social Media:
   • Kechia explains why she stepped away from social media and how local SEO has become her primary strategy for attracting clients.
   • She emphasizes that local SEO can be more effective than social media for reaching targeted audiences.
3. Local SEO Strategies:
   • Kechia shares her tips for optimizing Google Business Profile, including the importance of consistent information and using geotagged photos.
   • She highlights the power of platforms like Apple Maps and Yelp for local businesses.
4. Leveraging Pinterest for Local Businesses:
   • Kechia reveals how she uses Pinterest as a powerful tool for local SEO, creating boards that showcase her work and connect with local audiences.
   • She explains how Pinterest’s search ranking can outperform other social media platforms like Instagram, making it a valuable asset for brick-and-mortar businesses.
5. Handling Negative Reviews and Building a Positive Online Presence:
   • Kechia provides insights on responding to negative reviews.
   • She advises on how to maintain a positive online reputation by actively managing and responding to reviews on platforms like Google.

Connect with Kechia Taylor:

• Website: SEO For The Beauty Pro
• LinkedIn
• Brows and Co. Podcast

Send me a text!

Support the show

Search the Simple and Smart SEO Show podcast for something you heard! It's free!

Apply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get Carry (formerly Ocho): the best retirement resources for entrepreneurs!

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 sit down with the brilliant Jamar Ramos, a seasoned expert in SEO and multi-channel marketing.

Key Insights:

1. The Role of SEO:
   • Jamar emphasizes the importance of SEO but clarifies that it’s just one piece of the puzzle. "SEO is just what you do on the technical side of the website. It has to be about multi-channel marketing," he states.
2. Customer Satisfaction Over Domain Authority:
   • One of the standout points Jamar makes is how customer happiness can drive success even if domain authority fluctuates. "The reason why you can see your revenue and traffic go up as your domain authority goes down is because customers are happy with you." 
3. Understanding Your Audience:
   • Jamar urges marketers to always consider their audience. "Think about the people. Who is at the end of the telephone line of our marketing services? What do they need?" 
4. Iterative Product Development:
   • Speed and adaptability are crucial in today’s market. Jamar advises, "The biggest piece of advice I can say is: be ready to iterate on your product as quickly as possible. Get your product out there as soon as possible. Even if it's not perfect."
5. Effective Communication, Transparency, and Honesty:
   • Authenticity is key when reporting metrics. "We have to be careful how we talk about the numbers. And we have to be careful about how we report on the numbers and always tell the truth."
6. Simplifying Complex Concepts:
   • Jamar shares his expertise on making complicated ideas accessible. "The best way to be an expert at something is to be able to take a gigantic concept and boil it down to something that anyone, a non-practitioner even, could understand." This approach not only builds trust but also broadens the reach of your message.

Call to Action: Don’t miss this episode if you’re looking to elevate your digital marketing game! Listen now and start applying these strategies to see real, measurable results in your business.

Connect with Jamar Ramos
X
Linkedin

Send me a text!

I’ve got thirty seconds to tell you about Wix Studio, the web platform for agencies and enterprises. 

• Work in sync with your team on one canvas
• Reuse templates, widgets and sections across sites
• Create a client kit for seamless handovers
• And leverage best-in-class SEO defaults across all your Wix sites

Time’s up but the list keeps going. Step into Wix Studio to see more!

Support the show

Search the Simple and Smart SEO Show podcast for something you heard! It's free!

Apply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get Carry (formerly Ocho): the best retirement resources for entrepreneurs!

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!

Dolly DeLong joins me to explore the real-world application of SEO for entrepreneurs and talk about the upcoming SEO Audio Summit.

Key Takeaways:

1. Introduction to Dolly DeLong:
   • Dolly DeLong introduces her dual roles as a Middle Tennessee family photographer and a systems and workflow educator.
   • She shares her experience of separating her photography and education businesses to better serve her audience and improve website clarity.
2. The Importance of SEO:
   • Dolly emphasizes the critical role of SEO in building a sustainable business, contrasting it with the fleeting nature of social media trends.
   • Crystal and Dolly discuss the challenges and rewards of focusing on long-term SEO strategies versus short-term social media tactics.
3. Real-World SEO Challenges:
   • Dolly shares her ongoing project of optimizing two separate business websites and the importance of clear messaging for different target audiences.
   • Crystal highlights the common misconception that simply having a website equates to good SEO, emphasizing the need for continuous optimization.
4. Introduction to the SEO Audio Summit:
   • Dolly introduces the free SEO Audio Summit, which features short, actionable tips from over 23 SEO experts.
   • The summit is designed to provide entrepreneurs with easy-to-implement strategies that can significantly impact their online presence.
5. SEO Bundle Details:
   • Dolly shares details about the upcoming SEO bundle, which includes over $2,500 worth of resources for just $97 during the initial launch period.
   • The bundle is designed for business owners who are ready to take their SEO to the next level, offering tools and strategies that can be implemented over time.

Listener Action Items:

• Sign up for the free SEO Audio Summit, starting on August 13th.
• Explore the SEO bundle, available for purchase starting August 19th, with early access for those on the waitlist.

Send me a text!

Support the show

Search the Simple and Smart SEO Show podcast for something you heard! It's free!

Apply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get Carry (formerly Ocho): the best retirement resources for entrepreneurs!

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 recap an eventful summer, blending personal adventures and business breakthroughs. 

Over the last decade, I've struggled with taking time off - this year, I took more time off and made more money than last year.

Let's go SEO!

Key Takeaways:

1. Business Achievements:
   • Launched 2025 photo props, doubling sales from last June.
   • Website traffic nearly doubled, showing successful SEO efforts.
2. New Website Launch:
   • Introduced a dedicated site for the Simple and Smart SEO Show.
   • Joined an SEO bundle and audio summit.
3. Wix Partnership:
   • Became a Wix partner, aligning with new client projects.
   • Launched a new members area for the SEO squad.
4. SEO Bundle and Audio Summit:
   • Contributed to an upcoming FREE SEO Audio Summit starting August 13th.
   • Get my SEO first aid kit in the bundle - or in the SQUAD!
5. Amazon Strategy:
   • Embraced Amazon as a distribution channel, enhancing fulfillment.
   • Plans to update on Amazon's business impact.

Listener Action Items:

• Visit the new Simple and Smart SEO Show website.
• Join the SEO Squad for a free 20-minute brand interview.
• Stay updated on the SEO Audio Summit and SEO Bundle.

Connect with Crystal:

• Website 
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Subscribe, rate, and review the Simple and Smart SEO Show on your favorite podcast platform!

Send me a text!

Support the show

Search the Simple and Smart SEO Show podcast for something you heard! It's free!

Apply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get Carry (formerly Ocho): the best retirement resources for entrepreneurs!

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!

I'm talking with veteran SEO expert Erin Sparks, host of the "Edge of the Web" podcast. 

Erin shares insider knowledge on building trust with Google and mastering SEO foundations.

Key Topics:

1. The Evolution of SEO: Discover how SEO has transformed since 2004, emphasizing accountability and digital strategy. Erin explains the shift from traditional marketing to a data-driven approach, highlighting the importance of staying current in the fast-paced digital landscape.
2. Google's Knowledge Graph: Learn how to leverage Google's Knowledge Graph to enhance your online visibility. Erin discusses how businesses can curate detailed information about their services and products to establish authority and trust with Google.
3. Maximizing Multimedia in SEO: Understand the role of podcasts, videos, and structured data in boosting your SEO. Erin highlights the benefits of hosting content on your website and using structured data to make your content more discoverable.

What you can do:

• Targeting Non-Branded Keywords: Learn why focusing on non-branded keywords can attract a broader audience and enhance your site's discoverability.
• Optimizing Internal Links: Find out how to use internal linking to guide users and improve your site's navigability, helping Google understand your content structure.
• Implementing Structured Data: Erin breaks down the process of using structured data to provide search engines with a clear understanding of your site's content, leading to better rankings.

Connect with Erin Sparks:

• Podcast: Edge of the Web
• Company: Site Strategics

Send me a text!

I’ve got thirty seconds to tell you about Wix Studio, the web platform for agencies and enterprises. 

• Work in sync with your team on one canvas
• Reuse templates, widgets and sections across sites
• Create a client kit for seamless handovers
• And leverage best-in-class SEO defaults across all your Wix sites

Time’s up but the list keeps going. Step into Wix Studio to see more!

Support the show

Search the Simple and Smart SEO Show podcast for something you heard! It's free!

Apply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get Carry (formerly Ocho): the best retirement resources for entrepreneurs!

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!

This week I'm interviewing Holly Homer, co-founder of PageWheel and the creative force behind KidsActivities.com.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction to Holly Homer: Holly shares her remarkable journey from starting one of the first mom blogs to creating a sustainable business that supports her family.
• Streamlining Digital Product Creation: Discover how PageWheel can generate sales pages, thank you pages, delivery emails, and social media content, reducing the time and effort needed for digital marketing.
• SEO Strategies and Opt-in Benefits: Holly explains the critical role of structured content and opt-ins in building and controlling web traffic, enhancing user experience, and improving search engine rankings.
• Editorial Calendar Best Practices: Get practical tips on creating and managing an editorial calendar to ensure your content remains timely, relevant, and engaging.
• Maximizing Email Engagement: Learn Holly's effective strategies for maintaining a highly engaged email list, driving repeat traffic, and maximizing the value of your email subscribers.
• Internal Linking and Content Optimization: Understand the importance of internal linking to improve user navigation and boost SEO performance, along with tips on updating and optimizing old content.

Resources Mentioned:

• PageWheel: Visit PageWheel for a comprehensive tool that streamlines digital product creation.
• KidsActivities.com: Explore Holly’s blog for a plethora of fun and educational activities for kids.

Subscribe & Leave a Review: Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review on your favorite platform. Your feedback helps us deliver more valuable content to help you grow your business!

Send me a text!

I’ve got thirty seconds to tell you about Wix Studio, the web platform for agencies and enterprises. 

• Work in sync with your team on one canvas
• Reuse templates, widgets and sections across sites
• Create a client kit for seamless handovers
• And leverage best-in-class SEO defaults across all your Wix sites

Time’s up but the list keeps going. Step into Wix Studio to see more!

Support the show

Search the Simple and Smart SEO Show podcast for something you heard! It's free!

Apply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get Carry (formerly Ocho): the best retirement resources for entrepreneurs!

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 Edwin Romero, an SEO expert I met at Brighton SEO in San Diego. 

We explore several key aspects of SEO:

• The importance of targeting high-intent, long-tail keywords over high-volume, short-tail ones to boost conversions. 
• The necessity of personalized SEO strategies and a deep understanding of customer needs.

Our discussion extends to the intricacies of website migrations, including:

• meticulous planning, 
• effective redirects, 
• and their impact on SEO. 

Edwin offers valuable insights on various e-commerce platforms like Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Shopify, and Magento, highlighting their unique features and the challenges associated with their migrations.

We also explore Edwin's dual role in managing his independent SEO consultancy alongside his family's import business. He shares how he balances these responsibilities with caring for his growing family and mental health.

Connect With Edwin
Website
Linkedin
Out of Office Chat Podcast


Notable Moments
0:00 Strategic SEO and Business Growth: Lessons and Tips w/ Edwin Romero
00:41 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:04 Edwin Romero's Background in SEO
01:16 Specialization in Salesforce Commerce Cloud
02:10 Balancing SEO Practice and Family Business
03:45 Understanding Salesforce Commerce Cloud
05:57 Exploring Magento and Website Migrations
08:24 Planning a Successful Website Migration
14:10 Pragmatic SEO Approach
15:56 SEO and Conversion Optimization
17:14 The Out of Office Podcast
17:22 Creative Outlets and Podcasting
17:38 Balancing Family and Hobbies
17:58 Books and Movies as Hobbies
18:26 Exploring Unique Reads
19:19 Multiverse and De-stressing
20:42 Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneurship
21:49 Challenges of Independent Consultancy
23:52 Building an SEO Strategy
24:48 Tailoring Strategies to Unique Brands
29:31 Learning and Growing as an Entrepreneur

Send me a text!

I’ve got thirty seconds to tell you about Wix Studio, the web platform for agencies and enterprises. 

• Work in sync with your team on one canvas
• Reuse templates, widgets and sections across sites
• Create a client kit for seamless handovers
• And leverage best-in-class SEO defaults across all your Wix sites

Time’s up but the list keeps going. Step into Wix Studio to see more!

Support the show

Search the Simple and Smart SEO Show podcast for something you heard! It's free!

Apply to be my podcast guest! 🎙️ Don't forget to Put your pitch topic in the subject line!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get Carry (formerly Ocho): the best retirement resources for entrepreneurs!

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!