Most founders become the bottleneck in their own business. Lloyd Thompson of Virtual DOO on the fractional "operator" who sits between you and your team — and gets you out of the day-to-day.

Jeremy Rivera talks with Lloyd Thompson, founder of Virtual DOO, about fractional operations for busy online business owners: what a Director of Operations actually does, when you need one, how to make operations measurable, a nuanced take on remote vs. return-to-office, and his fix for the AI era — the problem isn't the tools, it's the noise, so simplify.

⏱️ Chapters
0:00 – Intro: from corporate to Virtual DOO
8:06 – What a fractional operator actually does
12:47 – The return-to-office counter-take
16:41 – Operations ROI: what agencies miss
23:51 – The AI-tool trap: simplify the noise
29:20 – E-commerce operations at scale
33:01 – Where to find Lloyd

In this episode
• The "operator" who sits betw
• When to hire a DOO — and the first thing to take off the founder's plate
• Why operations must be made ads
• Remote vs. office: when face-to-face is actually worth the cost
• The tool trap: stop chasing channels

Connect with Lloyd Thompson
Website: https://virtualdoo.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin
Book: Nine Ways to Leave the Day-to-Day Operations (Amazon)

️ Unscripted Small Business
More episodes: https://unscriptedsmallbusiness.com
Host Jeremy Rivera: https://jeremyriveraseo.com/about/
Human Certified Content & The SEO Advisory

AI gets a "C+" in everything — but the last 20% is still the human job. Mike Montague (Avenue9) on marketing the Iron Man way: augment yourself, don't automate slop.

Jeremy Rivera sits down with Mike Montague — founder of Avenue9 and host of the Human First AI Marketing Podcast (100k+ subscribers) — for a candid talk on using AI to distill your real story instead of manufacturing more noise. They get into why organic traffic is cratering, how to make your online reputation mirror your real-life work, and why "old-school" moves like direct mail are quietly winning again.

⏱️ Chapters
0:00 – Iron Man, not Terminator: human-first AI
2:10 – Why AI only gets a "C+" (and the human 20%)
4:20 – "Claude Hopping" & the slop problem
7:15 – Making boring niches interesting again
11:00 – One winner, or old-school branding
16:40 – Reputation that mirrors real life
23:00 – "Degenerative engineering": distill, don't generate
26:40 – Direct mail as a superpower
31:40 – Entity optimization & the LLM middle
35:45 – Superintelligence & sci-fi futures
44:30 – What Mike actually does (Avenue9)

In this episode
• Why "just make more AI conte
• The one-winner vs. earn-your-reputation split in AI search
• Turning 100+ interviews intoake
• Jeremy's Raven Tools direct-mail test: 10 letters → 10 links
• Entity optimization as core

Mentioned in this episode: PureAire Monitoring — the oxygen-monitor manufacturer behind Jeremy’s B2B cross-pollination example.

Connect with Mike Montague
Avenue9: https://avenue9.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin
Human First AI Marketing Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@Avenue9ai

️ Unscripted SEO Podcast
Website & more episodes: https
Host Jeremy Rivera: https://jeremyriveraseo.com/about/
Human-certified content for agedcontent.com/

#SEO #AImarketing #HumanFirstA

About the guest

Rob Bonham is an SEO with about two decades of experience spanning local, e-commerce, SaaS, and home-services clients. Today he advises several startups on SEO and works as a fractional SEO manager and director for a handful of agencies. You can reach him on LinkedIn.

What we cover

Episode highlights

Rob's throughline is that SEOs are now “stewards of the AI.” On the Unscripted SEO Podcast, he and Jeremy Rivera trace how AI has automated the low-level work — title tags, meta descriptions, on-page fixes — so the real job shifts to strategy and judgment. The freedom is real; so is the responsibility.

Which is why volume is not a strategy. Just because you can publish 100 city-specific pages for a concrete contractor doesn't mean you should. When the user signals aren't there, Google devalues the content — a reality Jeremy underscores with his own post on why Google Search Console data isn't reliable. Look like a hero for a few months, then watch the site dive.

In a post-attribution world, Rob argues you win by telling the right story with the data you do have — branded-search lift, conversion correlation, the “game of sums.” And he makes the case that link building is an easier sell than ever when reframed as footprint: unlinked mentions, third-party visibility, and legitimate partner and supplier links.

The back half gets practical. Rob and Jeremy Rivera dig into going independent — setting expectations to avoid scope creep, pricing with conviction (a higher price can itself signal quality), filtering tire-kickers with a small paid audit, and surviving enterprise red tape and net-60 terms.

Connect with Rob Bonham

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robbonham

(Rob points people to LinkedIn — he's “tied at the hip” with it — rather than a website.)

About the show

The Unscripted SEO Podcast is hosted by Jeremy Rivera and features candid, unscripted conversations with SEO practitioners, agency owners, and marketing leaders. New episodes drop weekly at unscriptedseo.com.

(Approximate as per transcript; exact timing may vary slightly)
00:00 - Introduction and guest background
00:49 - Patrick's career journey from developer to SEO professional
1:17 - Influence on Ahrefs product development
2:04 - Tools and features Patrick was involved in building
2:27 - Dream tool concepts and infrastructure projects
3:24 - AI capabilities and challenges in SEO tools
3:45 - Industry impact of Ahrefs' reputation
4:34 - Space for niche SEO tools and innovation
5:04 - Sharing space with AI-enabled tools and market dynamics
5:50 - Quality of AI data and challenges of DIY tools
6:42 - Building niche tools with AI and data integration
7:18 - Acceptance of beta and MVP culture in tech startup growth
8:15 - Lessons from Ahrefs' product rollout and iteration process
8:44 - Infrastructure challenges and data limitations in SEO tools
9:30 - Overview of Tech SEO Connect Conference
10:24 - Conference themes and activities, stress relief
11:21 - Future of content at scale and AI's role in content quality
12:17 - Unique workflows for creating valuable SEO content
14:01 - How to leverage unique data and market analysis in SEO projects
14:43 - Controversial ideas on SEO's future and influence of branding
15:00 - SEO and geographic influence, systemic limitations of SEO alone
16:07 - Sentiment analysis and reputation management in AI systems
17:13 - The evolution into a competitive AI search landscape
17:48 - Lessons from Google's past algorithm changes and future risks
19:16 - Insights from hallway conversations at conferences
20:24 - Career paths: agency, in-house, freelance, and community involvement
22:25 - Online communities and engaging in SEO discussions
24:08 - Best practices for SEO practitioners coming into the new year
25:19 - Embracing AI for automation and tool-building opportunities
26:40 - Building with AI and low-code/no-code tools
27:11 - Favorite AI tools and techniques
28:16 - Mistakes in using AI and lessons learned
29:00 - Backlink importance and their changing role with AI influence
30:16 - Future of backlinks in SEO context
31:31 - Google's search architecture insights and implications for SEO
33:05 - Google's infrastructure, data sources, and internal systems
35:00 - AI and search system ranking processes, relevance, and citation
36:36 - Expertise and content quality cues favored by Google's algorithms
39:18 - Impact of visual and experiential content on rankings
40:36 - Industry shifts and the need for authentic, authoritative content
41:19 - Personal challenges and business side of SEO consulting
42:37 - Contracting, client management, and setting clear expectations
43:31 - Connecting and hiring Patrick Stox for SEO projects
44:01 - Closing remarks and appreciation

Semantic Links with Bradley Benner

Watch: https://youtu.be/AUf1U_klNCM

Previous interview: https://unscriptedseo.com/building-relevent-links-agencies-with-bradley-benner/

Discover how relevance outranks traditional metrics in modern SEO strategies, especially in the era of AI and large language models (LLMs). Bradley Benner shares deep insights into relevance-driven link building, AI-driven process automation, and the evolving landscape of search engine optimization.In this episode:

Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Bradley Benner and his background in local SEO and AI applications 00:30 - Bradley’s evolution from contractor to SEO entrepreneur 01:01 - The growth of Semantic Mastery and Semantic Links 01:31 - The significance of relevance in link building and SEO 02:51 - How AI models interpret links and mentions 03:37 - Automating processes with AI and the importance of well-defined workflows 04:58 - The role of relevance in today's link-building strategies 06:28 - Using transcripts and AI for process mapping and SOP development 07:55 - Flexing AI to optimize workflows instead of rigid processes 09:28 - The shift in local SEO and the importance of relevance over traditional metrics 10:23 - The changing landscape of AI dominance in search and its implications 11:14 - Relevance as the cornerstone of off-page SEO in AI-driven search engines 12:07 - Moving beyond thousands of backlink metrics to focus on relevance 13:40 - Ethical considerations and outdated SEO practices 14:42 - The importance of creating and reinforcing entity associations 15:54 - Optimizing page elements using semantic triples for better relevance 17:33 - The significance of contextual relevance in link placement 18:32 - The three layers of relevance in backlink profiles 19:24 - How large language models leverage mentions and relevance over traditional link equity 20:48 - Using citations and mentions as signals for search algorithms 22:02 - The influence of high authority and localized mentions for AI visibility 23:16 - The future of link building and relevance in the AI era 24:21 - The positive impact of LLMs on justify investments in link building 25:08 - Traditional marketing techniques meet AI-driven SEO 26:03 - Practical tips for human-centered optimization and content structureResources & Links:

Connect with Bradley Benner:

Joel Miller is the co-founder of The SkyFloor, a digital agency he has run alongside his identical twin brother since 2008. The SkyFloor works across industries — churches, retail, education, and service organizations — with a philosophy centered on long-term partnerships and outcome-driven strategy rather than one-off deliverables. Joel writes regularly on digital strategy and business growth at theskyfloor.com/ideas.

Joel opens by reframing what The SkyFloor actually sells: not services, but outcomes. He describes their team as problem solvers who work backward from what a client wants to become — whether that's a more efficient church, a retail brand competing online, or an education company ready to grow beyond referrals. That outcome-first philosophy maps onto what Jeremy calls the pyramid of value: executing a tactic at the base, saving time in the middle, and enabling the client to become who they want to be at the top. As Joel puts it, the human ingenuity required to genuinely partner with a client is still a distinctly human task — one AI cannot replicate at the top of that pyramid.

The conversation gets practical fast with Joel's sales call analysis case study. A client had lead conversion problems, and rather than feeding transcripts into a model, Joel listened to 30–40 hours of incoming calls himself — catching tone, the weight of a specific pause, the difference between enthusiasm and polite deflection. Once he'd mapped those human-observed patterns, he built a custom GPT framework and connected it to CallRail for automatic call scoring. The human defines the problem; AI scales the execution. Joel was equally candid about LLM limitations: ask an LLM for an answer and you've already biased the output. It is an answer engine, not an objective analyst — and the good prompt engineers know how to work around that tendency.

"An audience can't just be taken away if it's your audience, no matter what Google does next."

Joel is watching AI Overview impact in real time across his client accounts: impressions holding or growing, clicks down ~40%, and SERP layouts restructured so that for many queries, organic results appear nowhere above the fold. The composition is now AI Overview, then local pack, then sponsored results — organic is buried or absent. On the paid side, keyword categories that used to reliably trigger ad placements have been absorbed by overview content. His adaptation: heavier investment in high-intent near-me queries that still trigger standard ad slots, and a shift away from treating search volume as the primary planning input toward full SERP composition audits.

The most durable advice from the episode is Joel's audience ownership argument. He's actively steering clients toward email lists and direct subscriber relationships — assets that travel with them regardless of what Google decides to change next. The catch he acknowledges freely: building that owned audience requires personality. LinkedIn personal pages outperform business pages by roughly 8x on reach. His team at The SkyFloor is doing the quiet coaching work of helping reluctant clients become more personally visible. He closes with an observation that stuck with me: even as AI democratizes production, the question marketing has always had to answer — why does anyone care, and who is behind this — remains the only one that truly matters.

Website: theskyfloor.com

Blog: theskyfloor.com/ideas

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joelelliottmiller

The Unscripted SEO Podcast is hosted by Jeremy Rivera and features candid, unscripted conversations with SEO practitioners, agency owners, and marketing leaders. New episodes drop weekly at unscriptedseo.com.

This episode features Jeremy Rivera and digital marketing expert Matthew Slaymaker discussing actionable strategies for small businesses, the evolving landscape of digital ads, and leveraging AI tools for marketing efficiency. Whether you're running ads, optimizing your website, or navigating new platforms, this conversation offers practical insights to boost your marketing ROI.

Mentioned in this episode: PureAire Monitoring — the oxygen & gas monitoring company behind Jeremy’s “boring industrial product” example.

00:01 - Introduction and guest credibility
01:24 - Common mistakes small businesses make with ads
02:12 - The importance of website optimization before ad spend
03:07 - Impact of AI on SEO and website optimization
04:30 - The evolution of AI tools like ChatGPT for advertising
06:08 - New features in Google ads enabling direct checkout
07:13 - Access and limitations of ChatGPT for advertisers
12:05 - Using Google My Business and local signals for ranking
14:05 - Tracking call conversions with tools like Call Rail
19:41 - The role of engagement metrics in ad platform algorithms
21:17 - Creative as a primary driver in ad success
23:54 - Creative testing and diversity on Meta
26:25 - Marketing interesting, even boring, products through storytelling
29:30 - The pressure on SMBs to create video content for TikTok
36:37 - Leveraging AI for agentic marketing and workflow automation
41:44 - Agency growth challenges and inbound lead generation
45:35 - Repurposing podcast content for SEO and lead nurturing
47:22 - The irreplaceable value of human conversation and experience

In this episode, Jeremy Rivera welcomes Drew Dorenfest to explore practical strategies for small businesses to harness SEO, reviews, and community engagement to boost their online presence and sales. Drew shares his background from Hollywood video editing to digital marketing, highlighting actionable tactics for local SEO, review management, and bridging IRL community efforts with online authority.

Mentioned in this episode: PureAire Monitoring — the oxygen & gas monitoring company behind the regulated-industry SEO example.

00:00 - Introduction to Drew Dorenfest and his background in Hollywood and SEO
02:28 - How Drew’s experience in video editing influences his SEO approach
04:17 - Starting and scaling Client Magnet CRM
05:45 - Key elements in local service SEO and technical website audits
07:19 - Using Go High Level for automations and review requests
09:06 - Optimizing homepage CTAs and micro-conversions for small businesses
10:28 - The importance of brand and branded search in SEO
12:55 - Citing sources and creating authoritative, rankable content
14:41 - Connecting IRL community efforts with online authority building
16:24 - Leveraging offline activities like farmers markets for brand engagement
17:27 - Building customer retention and re-engagement systems via email and SEO
19:24 - The evolution of SEO and the importance of branded search
21:36 - Rebranding pitfalls and maintaining brand equity
22:28 - Basic SEO foundational tips for small businesses
23:15 - Business planning and bootstrapping when launching an SEO-focused service
24:44 - The role of internships and structuring business growth
26:14 - Choosing to focus on core services like email and reviews rather than competing with giants
28:14 - Navigating regulated industries and compliance considerations
30:45 - How to connect with Drew and resources for further engagement

This episode brings a seasoned SEO veteran's perspective—highlighting the evolving landscape of search engines, LLMs, and strategic priorities for modern SEOs. Whether you're interested in technical strategies, industry trends, or innovative tools, Grant's insights contribute a practical, experience-backed viewpoint.

00:00 - Welcome and episode overview
02:13 - Recent SEO shifts and unique site issues
03:23 - Entity SEO and the new standard: Entity Map
05:50 - Google’s grounding strategies and LLMs
07:35 - Schema markup: value and best practices
09:45 - The role of entity graphs in fighting hallucinations
11:20 - Comparing Google’s knowledge layer and LLMs
13:30 - Schema’s influence on AI and search categorization
15:25 - The importance of knowledge layers and disambiguation
16:55 - Future of AI and entity-based understanding in search
19:00 - Industry challenges with beta software testing culture
21:17 - Recovery stories: Homes.com Panda penalty case
23:00 - The evolving complexity of SEO tools and strategies
26:00 - Data-driven decision making and user engagement metrics
30:30 - The importance of strategic budgets for AI and LLMs
33:00 - Future developments: Log file analysis & user path tracking
37:00 - Grant’s current projects and contact info

Stay ahead of SEO's next frontier—embrace innovation, validated data strategies, and continuous testing to stay competitive in evolving search landscapes.

Join Jeremy Rivera as he chats with Joe Zeppelin, a former corporate leader turned full-time YouTuber, about navigating career transitions, leveraging AI tools, and building successful digital brands. Discover actionable insights on automation, content creation, and monetization strategies tailored for small business owners and aspiring creators.

00:00 - Introduction: From corporate job to full-time YouTuber
00:20 - Joe's journey from CEO roles to digital entrepreneurship
01:00 - The corporate world and frustrations leading to the career leap
02:00 - Using AI for business automation and content creation
03:00 - Building a personal brand through YouTube and social media
04:00 - Monetization paths: AdSense, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing
05:00 - Repurposing video content into blogs, PDFs, and lead magnets
06:00 - Managing AI hallucinations and reliability issues
07:00 - Strategies for niche content success (karate, board games, fishing)
08:00 - Creating a content marketing funnel and engagement strategies
09:00 - The impact of AI on knowledge sharing and creator empowerment
10:00 - Final thoughts: continuous learning and passion pursuit

This episode provides a comprehensive look into leveraging AI tools for small businesses and content creators, emphasizing passion-driven branding, operational automation, and strategic content repurposing.