Ann Smarty On Link Building Strategies, Agency Selection Process, And Topical Authority Optimize podcast

1:09:59

Join Nate Matherson as he sits down with JH Scherck for the sixty-seventh episode of the Optimize podcast. JH is the founder of Growth Plays, an SEO agency specializing in helping B2B technology companies grow. He brings years of experience in guiding companies through the evolving landscape of SEO and content marketing. In today’s episode, Nate and JH dive deep into the latest algorithm updates and their impacts on search results, along with the evolving role of AI in content creation. They also explore how SEO strategies are changing, emphasizing the need for unique, helpful content and the dangers of relying too heavily on programmatic SEO. JH offers insights into the challenges of creating content that resonates with users, stressing the importance of firsthand experience and tactical advice over generic information. He also discusses the significance of building strong brands and how brand recognition can drastically affect SEO outcomes. With increasing pressures on businesses to do more with fewer resources, JH highlights the growing difficulty in maintaining high-quality content while managing tighter budgets. In this week’s deep dive, listen to JH share his perspective on why content optimization tools can be both helpful and harmful, and how companies should focus on creating genuinely helpful content rather than relying solely on gamified metrics. He shares his experience working with diverse clients and explains the balancing act of delivering valuable content amidst constant industry shifts. Rounding out the episode, JH and Nate touch on the rise of programmatic SEO and whether it’s a sustainable approach for most businesses. Closing the episode is our popular lightning round of questions! Learn More About JH Scherck (JH) Scherck, is the founder of Growth Plays, a B2B SEO & content strategy agency that works with mid-market and enterprise technology companies, developer platforms, and investment firms. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhtscherck…

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Daryna Kulya on OpenPhone's Growth, GTM, and Startups 56:01

37 weeks ago56:01

56:01

Join Nate Matherson as he sits down with Daryna Kulya for the sixty-sixth episode of the Optimize podcast. Daryna is the co-founder of OpenPhone, a business phone system designed for startups and small businesses. In our episode today, Nate and Daryna explore OpenPhone's unique go-to-market strategy, including the scrappy tactics used to acquire their first 1,000 customers and how they scaled their content marketing and SEO channels. Daryna also shares insights on the importance of building trust with early customers through exceptional support and the role of press and partnerships in scaling OpenPhone. Listen to hear why she emphasizes the value of word-of-mouth marketing and her thoughts on accelerating it. In this week’s deep dive, listen to Daryna share everything you need to know about OpenPhone's journey from a free beta to a paid product and the lessons learned along the way. Daryna gets tactical, sharing her experiences in Facebook groups, subreddits, and leveraging content to drive growth. Rounding out the episode, Daryna and Nate cover topics like investing in brand-building, the challenges of creating engaging video content, and the future growth strategies for OpenPhone.Closing the episode is our popular lightning round of questions! Learn More About Daryna Kulya Daryna Kulya is a Co-Founder of OpenPhone, the world's best business phone. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darynakulya…

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Kevin Indig on the August Core Update, AI Overviews, and SEO 52:44

39 weeks ago52:44

52:44

Join Nate Matherson as he sits down with Kevin Indig for the sixty-fifth episode of the Optimize podcast. Kevin is an advisor to some of the world’s fastest-growing startups and has defined organic growth strategies for companies like Ramp, Reddit, Bounce, Dropbox, and Hims. Before becoming an advisor, Kevin led SEO and growth at major companies like Shopify, G2, and Atlassian. He also publishes the Growth Memo, a popular newsletter with over 14,000 subscribers, where he shares insights on SEO, growth, and digital marketing. In our episode today, Nate and Kevin dive into the latest on Google’s core updates, including early insights into the August core update. Kevin shares his observations on recoveries related to the Helpful Content Update and discusses the impact of volatility in search results. Listen to hear why he suggests caution when making changes in response to core updates. In this week’s deep dive, Kevin explains everything you need to know about AI overviews in 2024. Kevin gets tactical, sharing insights from his extensive analysis of AI-generated content, including the pros and cons of using AI in SEO strategies. Rounding out the episode, Kevin and Nate cover topics like the rising importance of user-generated content (UGC) sites, the evolving role of backlinks, and the surge of interest in programmatic SEO. Closing the episode is our popular lightning round of questions! Learn More About Kevin Indig Kevin is an advisor to some of the world’s fastest-growing startups and has defined Organic Growth strategies for companies like Ramp, Reddit, Bounce, Dropbox, Hims, Nextdoor and Snapchat. Kevin led SEO and Growth at the world’s leading e-commerce platform Shopify, the #1 marketplace for software G2 and the #1 developer company Atlassian. Once a week, he sends The Growth Memo to +14,000 subscribers and regularly speaks at conferences around the world. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinindig/…

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Eli Schwartz on AI Overviews, Algorithm Updates, and Google's Monopoly 55:37

41 weeks ago55:37

55:37

Join Nate Matherson as he sits down with Eli Schwartz for the sixty-fourth episode of the Optimize podcast. Eli is an SEO advisor who has collaborated with major companies like Coinbase, Tinder, and Quora, and is the author of the influential book Product-Led SEO. Eli shares his expertise on the current state of SEO, offering a nuanced view of AI overviews and their potential long-term implications for search results and monetization strategies. He also discusses the seesaw nature of algorithm updates, explaining how unintended consequences often lead to significant shifts in search rankings. Listen to hear why Eli suggests that SEOs shift their focus from top-of-funnel keywords to more valuable mid-funnel and bottom-funnel opportunities, especially as Google's approach evolves. In this week’s deep dive, Eli also explores the complex interplay between Google’s business model and its AI initiatives, shedding light on why Google might be deliberately pulling back on certain AI features. Rounding out the episode, Nate and Eli cover various additional topics, including the potential antitrust actions against Google and what they could mean for the future of search. Closing the episode is our popular lightning round of questions! Learn More About Eli Schwartz Eli is the best-selling author of Product Led SEO and a growth advisor and SEO strategic consultant who has helped drive hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue for companies like Tinder, Coinbase, WordPress, Faire, Gusto and more! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schwartze/…

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Meg Scarborough on Content Strategy, Cybersecurity Marketing, and AI's Impact on SEO 53:52

42 weeks ago53:52

53:52

Join Nate Matherson as he sits down with Meg Scarborough for the sixty-third episode of the Optimize podcast. Meg is the CEO and founder of Megawatt, a B2B content marketing agency specializing in technical content for the tech industry. With a deep passion for technology, Meg has built her agency around helping companies in cybersecurity, developer tools, and data infrastructure create content that truly resonates with their technical audiences. In our episode today, Nate and Meg explore how to create impactful content for technical audiences, the challenges in cybersecurity marketing, and how AI is shaking up the SEO landscape. Listen to hear Meg discuss the importance of writing for the people who could be your buyers, focusing on their day-to-day challenges and how your content can make them look like heroes. In this week’s deep dive, Meg shares her approach to creating helpful content that is not just SEO-driven but genuinely useful for technical buyers. Rounding out the episode, she also discusses the evolving role of AI in content creation, especially in the tech space, and how companies can navigate these changes to maintain effective content strategies. Closing the episode is our popular lightning round of questions! Learn More About Meg Scarborough Scarborough is the CEO and founder of Megawatt, a B2B content marketing agency specializing in complex and technical niches, such as cybersecurity, IT, DevOps, AI/ML, and data. Meg lives in Boston with her husband, two young kids, two cats, and a dog. In her spare time, she enjoys cycling around the city, cooking elaborate meals, and watercoloring. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganscarborough Megawatt content: www.megawattcontent.com…

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Jonny Price on Community Rounds and Go-To-Market 51:32

43 weeks ago51:32

51:32

Join Nate Matherson as he sits down with Jonny Price for the sixty-second episode of the Optimize podcast. Jonny is the VP of Fundraising at WeFunder, a platform that empowers startup founders to raise capital from their customers and community. With a background in management consulting and experience at Kiva.org, Jonny brings a wealth of knowledge to his role in democratizing angel investing. In our episode today, Nate and Jonny dive into the underreported growth tactic of community rounds, exploring how startups can leverage them to build stronger customer relationships and enhance their go-to-market strategies. Jonny also speaks to the regulatory landscape, expressing insights about SEC rules and the impact of allowing unaccredited investors into startup funding. Listen to hear why he suggests setting an attainable allocation for community rounds to create a positive signal. In this week’s deep dive, listen to Jonny share everything you need to know about conducting community rounds in 2024. Jonny gets tactical, sharing multiple examples of successful community rounds, including companies like Mercury and Beehive, and how they achieved rapid funding success. Rounding out the episode, Jonny and Nate cover topics like the benefits of engaging community investors, potential pitfalls to avoid in fundraising, and innovative marketing strategies used by WeFunder to support startups. Closing the episode is our popular lightning round of questions! Learn More About Jonny Price Jonny is the VP of Fundraising at WeFunder, a YC-backed platform that helps startups raise capital from their customers and community, as well as rich people. Before joining WeFunder in 2018, Jonny founded the U.S. lending division at Kiva.org. Jonny originally hails from the UK, but now lives in Nashville with his wife Ali, and their three children. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonnyprice/…

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Matt Lenhard on AI Overviews and SEO 44:36

44 weeks ago44:36

44:36

Join Nate Matherson as he sits down with Matt Lenhard for the sixty-first episode of the Optimize podcast. Matt is the co-founder and CTO of Positional, a company building an all-in-one tool set for content marketing and SEO teams. In our episode today, Nate and Matt explore topics like AI overviews, SEO optimization, and Google's SERP strategy. Matt also speaks to the mechanics of AI overviews, expressing insights from his recent study on their workings. Listen to hear why he suggests using AI overviews as a prompt for content improvement. In this week’s deep dive, listen to Matt share everything you need to know about optimizing for AI overviews in 2024. Matt gets tactical, sharing multiple case studies on how vector similarity impacts the likelihood of being referenced in AI overviews. Rounding out the episode, Matt and Nate cover topics like the correlation between SERP ranking and AI overview inclusion, and the future of backlinks in SEO. Closing the episode is our popular lightning round of questions! Learn More About Matt Lenhard Matt Lenhard is the Co-founder and CTO at Positional. Before starting Positional, Matt spent most of the last decade building startups, and content marketing and SEO have always been important customer acquisition channels for his companies. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-lenhard/…

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Bennet Johnson on Scaling Talkiatry's SEO Channel to 200k+ Per Month 49:44

45 weeks ago49:44

49:44

Join Nate Matherson as he sits down with Bennet Johnson for the sixtieth episode of the Optimize podcast. Bennet is the Director of Growth Marketing at Talkiatry, where he drives new patient growth via organic and paid channels. With prior roles at Twitter and The Wall Street Journal, Bennet brings a wealth of experience in growth marketing. Over the past year, Bennet and his team have grown Talkiatry's organic search traffic by over six times, from 30,000 to over 200,000 monthly visitors. In our episode today, Nate and Bennet explore topics like growth marketing strategies, the importance of content quality, and programmatic SEO. Bennet shares insights into scaling content production, highlighting the creation of 200 blog posts and various landing pages within a year. He also discusses the critical role of internal reviews and medical oversight in ensuring content accuracy and quality. Listen to hear why Bennet emphasizes the value of user-centric content and how Talkiatry leverages both editorial and programmatic approaches to enhance its SEO efforts. In this week’s deep dive, Bennet explains the strategic use of data from paid marketing to inform organic search strategies, optimizing for high-intent searches like “psychiatrists near me.” Rounding out the episode, Bennet and Nate cover topics like integrating quizzes for engagement, the interplay between paid and organic marketing channels, and the significance of internal linking. Closing the episode is our popular lightning round of questions! Learn More About Bennet Johnson: Bennet Johnson is the Director of Growth Marketing at Talkiatry. He’s responsible for driving new patient growth via Organic and Paid channels. He’s also worked in growth marketing roles at Twitter and the Wall Street Journal. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennetjohnson/ Talkiatry: https://www.talkiatry.com/…

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Turner Novak on Starting a Podcast 1:03:56

46 weeks ago1:03:56

1:03:56

Join Nate Matherson as he sits down with Turner Novak for the fifty-ninth episode of the Optimize podcast. Turner is the founder of Banana Capital and host of The Peel, one of Nate's favorite podcasts. Turner is an investor known for his insightful and often humorous takes on startups, tech, investing, and the stock market. He has built a significant following on Twitter, where he shares memes and insights. In today's episode, Nate and Turner explore topics like starting a podcast, growth strategies, and social media marketing. He explains how he uses the podcast to meet new people, support portfolio companies, and generate ad revenue. Turner also discusses the importance of creating engaging content and shares tips on making a podcast episode interesting and educational. Listen to hear why he suggests using a podcast for customer conversations and building a strong personal brand. In this week’s deep dive, Turner shares everything you need to know about leveraging social media for podcast distribution and growth. Turner gets tactical, sharing examples of how to create effective thumbnails and titles and use multiple platforms for maximum reach. Rounding out the episode, Turner and Nate cover topics like the challenges of starting a podcast for startups, the importance of founder-led content, and the evolving landscape of social media marketing. Closing the episode is our popular lightning round of questions! Learn More About Turner Novak: Turner is the Founder and General Partner of Banana Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm. Turner is also the host of The Peel, a podcast for founders and technologists. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/turnernovak/ Banana Capital: https://www.bananacapital.vc/ The Peel: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePeelPod…

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Erik Dietrich on Developer Content Strategy & SEO 52:31

47 weeks ago52:31

52:31

Join Nate Matherson as he sits down with Erik Dietrich for the fifty-eighth episode of the Optimize podcast. Erik Dietrich is the CEO of Hit Subscribe, a marketing services business, and the author of the upcoming book "SEO for Non-Scumbags". In our episode today, Nate and Erik explore content marketing and SEO tactics, particularly for companies in highly technical spaces. Erik shares his journey from software engineering to management consulting and eventually to founding Hit Subscribe. He also discusses his new book and some of his key learnings about ethical SEO practices. Erik emphasizes the randomness in search engine performance and how he explains this to clients, using the metaphor of a casino to illustrate the unpredictability. He stresses the importance of creating content that answers users' questions effectively and ensuring the website offers a good user experience. In this week’s deep dive, listen to Erik share everything you need to know about effective content marketing strategies in 2024. Erik gets tactical, sharing multiple case studies on how to improve search rankings and the role of backlinks. Rounding out the episode, Erik and Nate cover topics like the future of backlinks, the importance of user experience in SEO, and strategies for finding content writers for technical topics. Closing the episode is our popular lightning round of questions! Learn More About Erik Dietrich: Erik Dietrich is the CEO of Hit Subscribe, a marketing services agency with a specialty in content marketing and SEO for companies with technical products. Erik is also the author of a new and upcoming book, SEO for Non-Scumbags. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-dietrich-109a888/ Hit Subscribe: https://www.hitsubscribe.com…

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Caitlin Hartney on Product-Led Content and B2B Strategy 50:22

48 weeks ago50:22

50:22

Join Nate Matherson as he sits down with Caitlin Hartney for the fifty-seventh episode of the Optimize podcast. Caitlin is the Director of Strategy at Block Club, an agency specializing in brand and content strategy for B2B tech companies. Caitlin has over 15 years of experience in content marketing, starting with an AMLA 250 corporate law firm, and has worked with notable brands like Plaid and Argyle. In our episode today, Nate and Caitlin explore topics like product-led content, B2B content strategies, and the recent Google algorithm leak. Caitlin emphasizes the importance of thinking like a journalist to create engaging and valuable content that resonates with the audience. Listen to hear why she suggests focusing on building a strong brand presence and creating high-quality, authoritative content. In this week’s deep dive, Caitlin shares her approach to developing effective B2B content strategies, including balancing promotional content with value-driven narratives. Rounding out the episode, Caitlin and Nate discuss the implications of the recent Google leak and how it affects SEO strategies moving forward. Closing the episode is our popular lightning round of questions! Learn More About Caitlin Hartney: Caitlin Hartney is the Director of Strategy at Block Club. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlinhartney/ Block Club: https://blockclub.co/…

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Samantha North on Showcasing Expertise, Brand Universe, and SEO 55:26

49 weeks ago55:26

55:26

Join Nate Matherson as he sits down with Samantha North for the fifty-sixth episode of the Optimize podcast. Samantha North is a content strategist and SEO coach with a diverse background, having grown blogs to over 100,000 monthly visitors and driven significant conversions. In our episode today, Nate and Samantha explore the changing search landscape, including the recent Google leak, AI overviews, protecting your website's traffic, and what Samantha calls the "Brand Universe." Samantha also shares insights on why she recommends incorporating personal experience into content to enhance authenticity and user trust. Listen to hear why she suggests focusing on topical authority and creating unique content based on personal experiences. In this week’s deep dive, listen to Samantha share everything you need to know about navigating the challenges posed by Google's helpful content update and adapting your SEO strategies accordingly. Samantha gets tactical, discussing methods to enhance your content's E-E-A-T (Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) and how to effectively use AI tools to support content creation without compromising quality. Rounding out the episode, Samantha and Nate cover topics like the importance of backlinks, effective content repurposing strategies, and the future of SEO in the age of AI. Closing the episode is our popular lightning round of questions! Learn More About Samantha North: Samantha North is a content strategist and SEO coach with a diverse background spanning journalism, computational social science, and counter-disinformation. With experience in growing blogs to over 100K monthly visitors and driving lucrative conversions, Samantha is passionate about helping experts build authoritative online brands through intelligent use of AI tools and SEO. Her expertise has been featured in major publications such as the Financial Times and Business Insider, and she has delivered training for the UK military and a talk at TEDx MidAtlantic. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/northsamantha/?originalSubdomain=uk…

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Stephan Cizmar on Standing Up Outbound Sales Motions, Messaging, and Success 53:45

50 weeks ago53:45

53:45

Join Nate Matherson as he sits down with Stephan Cizmar for the fifty-fifth episode of the Optimize podcast. Stephan is a co-founder and partner at ER Ventures, an operator-led venture fund. He is also an operating partner at Blackhorn Ventures and was previously the co-founder and chief strategy officer of LANG. In our episode today, Nate and Stephan delve into the intricacies of outbound sales strategies, focusing on the importance of personalized touches and the timing for initiating an outbound sales motion. Stephan shares his unique journey from management consulting to becoming an accidental investor and offers insights on building and measuring successful outbound sales teams. Stephan also discusses the critical aspects of outbound sales, including crafting effective sequences, targeting the right personas, and leveraging tools to enhance deliverability and engagement. Listen to hear why he emphasizes understanding the ICP (Ideal Customer Profile) and iterating on messaging to cut through the noise in crowded markets. In this week’s deep dive, Stephan shares valuable lessons on standing up outbound sales motions, building an outbound team, and how early-stage companies can measure success. He gets tactical, offering case studies and examples of what works and what doesn’t in the realm of outbound sales. Rounding out the episode, Stephan and Nate cover topics like the role of AI in outbound sales, the importance of social proof, and best practices for hiring and ramping up BDRs. Closing the episode is our popular lightning round of questions! Learn More About Stephan Cizmar: Stephan is a serial entrepreneur and operator with experience scaling B2B software companies from zero to IPO. Prior to co-founding Lorimer Ventures, Stephan co-founded and scaled Lang.ai, a no-code ML company for customer support, through it’s Series A. Before Lang.ai, Stephan was Vice President of Product Strategy at Unqork as well as the Head of Corporate Strategy at Yext, a company that he helped take public (NYSE: YEXT). In addition to being a General Partner at Lorimer, Stephan is an Operating Partner with Blackhorn Ventures, a multi-stage Industry 4.0 firm. Stephan holds dual degrees in Economics and Science, Technology, and Society from Colby College and lives in Brooklyn. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephancizmar/…

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Chris Bakke on Founder-Led Content Marketing, Going Viral, and Social Strategy 58:36

51 weeks ago58:36

58:36

Join Nate Matherson as he sits down with Chris Bakke for the fifty-fourth episode of the Optimize podcast. Chris is the founder of Laskie, which was acquired by Twitter (now X) in 2023, and Interviewed, which was acquired by Indeed in 2017. He's worked in product and sales leadership roles at X, Indeed, and Zillow, and is well-known for his active presence on X, where he shares insights with over 200,000 followers. Nate and Chris explore topics like founder-led content marketing, the importance of choosing the right platform for building an audience, and strategies for converting followers into customers. Chris shares his experience with creating viral content and the unexpected opportunities that arose from his posts, including the acquisition of Laskie by Twitter. He emphasizes the need for consistency in content creation and discusses the advantages and challenges of using different social media platforms. Listen to hear why he suggests founders focus on platforms that align with their content creation style and audience. In this week’s deep dive, Chris shares everything you need to know about leveraging social media for founder-led marketing in 2024. Rounding out the episode, Chris and Nate cover topics like the benefits of building in public, the role of personal branding versus company branding, and the future of social media marketing for founders. Closing the episode is our popular lightning round of questions! Learn More About Chris Chris is the founder of Laskie (acquired by Twitter/X in 2023) and Interviewed (acquired by Indeed in 2017). He's worked in product and sales leadership roles at X, Indeed, and Zillow. Follow him at x.com/ChrisJBakke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bakk3/…

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Zac Harris on Google's AI Overviews, Tools and Templates, and Ranking Factors 57:30

1 year ago57:30