E-Coffee with Experts

Digital Web Solutions

Sip & Soar: Welcome to 'E-coffee with Experts' - Brewing Wisdom, One Expert Conversation at a Time. Grab Your Digital Mug, Let's Elevate Together!

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Kirsty Sharman: The $1,000 Reward Strategy That Explodes Growth

    In this episode of E-coffee with Experts, we sit down with Kirsty Sharman, Founder at Referral Factory, to break down how modern referral programs actually drive sustainable growth. After manually managing referrals in spreadsheets at 2AM, Kirsty built a plug-and-play system that now powers thousands of referral campaigns across SaaS, solar, finance, healthcare, education, and agencies. We cover: - Why most businesses calculate referral rewards incorrectly - How to structure incentives for recurring revenue businesses - The math behind referral ROI (CAC vs LTV explained simply) - Why “money talks” — and when creative rewards outperform cash - How solar, banking, and SaaS companies dominate with referrals - Commission vs one-time rewards: what works best for agencies - How to avoid referral churn by improving customer experience - Why generous brands win in commoditized markets If you’re a founder, agency owner, SaaS operator, or marketing leader looking to lower CAC and build a predictable growth channel outside paid ads, this episode is a must-watch.  Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/ In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 - 02:45: How Referral Factory Started 02:45 - 05:10: Why Referrals Beat Paid Ads 05:10 - 08:20: Are You Asking For Referrals Too Much? 08:20 - 11:45: Best Industries For Referral Programs 11:45 - 15:10: Why Bigger Rewards Drive More Referrals 15:10 - 18:30: Creative Incentives Beyond Cash 18:30 - 22:00: Simple Math To Set Referral Rewards 22:00 - 25:40: Commission vs One-Time Referral Payments 25:40 - 29:10: Should You Offer Lifetime Commissions? 29:10 - 32:30: Protecting Your Business With Clear Terms 32:30 - 35:00: Why Great Companies Win With Referrals 35:00 - 38:00: How Agencies Should Structure Referrals 38:00 - 40:20: Hidden 50% Discount Strategy 40:20 - 41:11: Final Advice  Connect with Kirsty Sharman  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstysharman/  http://referral-factory.com/  FOLLOW US Website: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digiwebsol Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dws_global LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-web-solutions./

    41 min
  2. 2 DAYS AGO

    Brian Winum: SEO Isn't Dead -- You're Doing It Wrong

    In this episode of E-Coffee with Experts, Brian Winum, Digital Marketing Director at MAXPlaces Marketing, LLC, breaks down what’s actually working in enterprise SEO in 2026. From losing clicks due to AI Overviews to rebuilding authority using entity-driven strategies, Brian shares practical insights for founders, CMOs, and marketing leaders navigating AI-mediated search environments. We cover: - Why niching down helped scale enterprise clients - The biggest marketing mistakes businesses still make - How E-E-A-T evolved in AI search - Why spammy tactics are dying faster than ever - Entity relationships and contextual SEO explained - Custom LLMs.txt files and structured optimization - Tiered link building strategy (Tier 1, 2, 3 control) - Listicles, expert roundups, and interview-style authority content - Off-page strategies that influence AI-powered SERPs If you're leading SEO strategy for enterprise brands, manufacturing, aerospace, multi-location businesses, or B2B organizations, this episode gives you a tactical roadmap.  Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/ In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 - 00:45: Introduction 00:45 - 02:15: Brian’s Journey from Insurance to Marketing 02:15 - 03:00: Building an Enterprise Web & SEO Agency 03:00 - 05:20: Early Founder Challenges & Lessons Learned 05:20 - 06:45: Biggest Marketing Mistakes Businesses Make 06:45 - 07:10: Why Niching Down Helped Scale 07:10 - 08:20: What SEO Signals Are Losing Power 08:20 - 10:00: Why Authority & Trust Matter More Now 10:00 - 12:00: Content Consistency & Brand Messaging 12:00 - 14:20: Are Backlinks Still Important in 2026? 14:20 - 15:30: Entity SEO & Context Explained 15:30 - 16:45: AI Overviews & Drop in Clicks 16:45 - 18:00: Off-Page SEO That Works Today 18:00 - 19:30: LLMs.txt & Structured Optimization 19:30 - 20:40: Listicles, Interviews & Research Content 20:40 - 21:50: The Future of SEO in 2026 21:50 - 23:10: Rapid Fire Round 23:10 - 23:43: Final Thoughts  Connect with Brian Winum  https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwinum/  https://www.maxplaces.com/  FOLLOW US Website: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digiwebsol Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dws_global LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-web-solutions./

    20 min
  3. 2 DAYS AGO

    Peter Singh-Vigilante: AI Overviews Are Stealing Your Traffic (Fix This)

    In this episode of E-Coffee with Experts, Peter Singh-Vigilante, President at Vigilante Marketing, breaks down how SEO, backlinks, AI tools, and generative search are reshaping digital marketing in 2025 and beyond. Peter shares his journey from developer to agency founder, revealing why technical depth still beats surface-level marketing knowledge. He explains why AI is NOT a strategy engine, how content clusters are replacing keyword stuffing, and why transparency (including publishing pricing) can dramatically improve visibility in AI-driven search results. We also dive into: - The real impact of Google’s Penguin update - Why backlink strategies must evolve - How to optimize for AI Overviews and LLMs - Prompt-based optimization vs traditional SEO - Why your website will become a knowledge base - The future of chatbots as digital salespeople - Skills modern marketers must develop to survive If you're a founder, marketer, SEO professional, or agency owner navigating AI disruption, this episode is packed with practical insights you can implement immediately.  Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/ In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 - 01:02: Introduction 01:02 - 02:40: Peter’s Journey From Developer to Agency Owner 02:40 - 04:10: The Google Update That Changed SEO 04:10 - 05:30: Starting an Agency Without Business Experience 05:30 - 06:50: Is AI Replacing Marketers? 06:50 - 08:15: AI Is a Tool, Not a Strategy 08:15 - 09:10: AI Panic, Layoffs & Industry Reactions 09:10 - 10:45: How to Rank in AI Search Results 10:45 - 12:05: Why Knowledge Base Content Wins 12:05 - 13:40: Are Backlinks Still Important? 13:40 - 15:00: Prompts vs Keywords in Modern SEO 15:00 - 16:05: Why Publishing Pricing Helps Rankings 16:05 - 17:20: The Future of Websites & Chatbots 17:20 - 19:10: Skills Every Modern Marketer Needs 19:10 - 20:01: Final Advice  Connect with Peter Singh-Vigilante  https://www.linkedin.com/in/petervigilante/  https://vigilante.marketing/?ref=sayvee  FOLLOW US Website: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digiwebsol Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dws_global LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-web-solutions./

    20 min
  4. 5 DAYS AGO

    Why Metricool Thinks Social Media Is About Trust

    In this episode of E-coffee with Experts, Austin Willman sits down with Anniston Ward, PR & Education at Metricool, to break down how modern brands should think about social media, analytics, PR, and trust heading into 2026. Anniston shares how social teams can stop obsessing over vanity metrics and start building real audience relationships, why consistency matters more than polished content, and how analytics should actually guide creative decisions — not restrict them. They also explore how PR and social media narratives should reinforce each other, how brands can sound human without damaging credibility, and why education-based content is one of the most powerful middle-of-funnel strategies today. You’ll also learn: - How to align social media and PR under one clear brand narrative - Why trust is replacing “authenticity” as the most important brand currency - How analytics reveal what your audience actually cares about - The psychology behind why people buy, share, and remember brands - How partnerships and education drive sustainable growth If you’re a founder, marketer, agency owner, or leader trying to cut through noise, build authority, and grow with intention, this episode is for you.  Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/ In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 - 01:00: Introduction 01:00 - 03:20: From SEO Copywriter to PR Lead 03:20 - 05:20: Using Analytics to Improve Content 05:20 - 07:00: Why Good Posts Sometimes Flop 07:00 - 09:00: Stop Chasing Likes and Views 09:00 - 11:00: Social Media Is Your Brand’s Frontline 11:00 - 13:00: How Social and PR Should Work Together 13:00 - 15:30: What “Playful” Content Really Means 15:30 - 18:00: Building a Human Personal Brand 18:00 - 20:30: How to Avoid the Comparison Trap 20:30 - 22:00: Why Clear Messaging Beats Broad Messaging 22:00 - 25:00: How Metricool Gets New Customers 25:00 - 27:30: The Power of Strategic Partnerships 27:30 - 30:00: Why Trust Matters More Than Ever 30:00 - 31:45: AI Content vs Human Content 31:45 - 32:43: Final Thoughts  Connect with Anniston Ward  https://www.linkedin.com/in/annistonmward/  (http://metricool.com/  FOLLOW US Website: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digiwebsol Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dws_global LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-web-solutions./

    33 min
  5. 5 DAYS AGO

    Stop Chasing AI Rankings And Fix Your Search Strategy

    In this episode of E-coffee with Experts, our host Austin Willman talks with Tom Skinner, Co-founder & Managing Director, Go Up Ltd, to break down what’s really happening in search right now, and why many AI tracking tools are creating more confusion than clarity. We dive into why traditional SEO metrics can’t simply be copied into AI search, the risks of chasing vanity AI rankings, and how brands should instead focus on what actually drives organic growth: strong fundamentals, clear messaging, and digital PR. Tom shares how Go Up has ranked top 3 for “SEO agency London” for nearly a decade, why backlinks and brand mentions matter more than ever, and how agencies should rethink client reporting in a post-AI world. We also discuss Rand Fishkin’s recent AI visibility research, the dangers of black-hat listicle manipulation, and why SEO and GEO should never be treated as separate strategies. If you’re a founder, agency owner, or marketer trying to understand how AI is changing search — without falling for hype — this episode is for you.  Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/ In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 - 01:45: AI Visibility vs Traditional SEO 01:45 - 04:30: Why AI Ranking Tools Don’t Really Work 04:30 - 07:05: Tracking ChatGPT Traffic With GA4 07:05 - 09:40: When Clients Use AI To Challenge Agencies 09:40 - 12:00: The Risk Of AI Shortcuts In Business 12:00 - 15:20: How Go Up Wins Clients Through SEO 15:20 - 17:45: Ranking Top 3 For SEO Agency London 17:45 - 20:30: Why Digital PR Is More Important Now 20:30 - 23:15: Mentions vs Backlinks In The AI Era 23:15 - 26:10: Are AI Listicles Gaming The System? 26:10 - 28:10: SEO And GEO Should Work Together 28:10 - 30:49: Advice For Agencies In The AI Age  Connect with Tom Skinner  https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascharlesskinner/  http://goup.co.uk/  FOLLOW US Website: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digiwebsol Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dws_global LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-web-solutions./

    31 min
  6. 13 FEB

    Google Is Killing Clicks - Here's What Wins

    In this episode of E-coffee with Experts, our host Austin Willman talks with Marko Arsic, Head of SEO at Digital Spice, who shares how enterprise and franchise brands can scale SEO without relying on traditional link building. With over a decade of experience working with 120+ websites, Marko explains why large franchise businesses don’t need aggressive backlink campaigns — and what they should focus on instead. We talk about: - Why franchise locations compete against each other in search - The metro-level SEO structure most brands miss - How to create fair ranking opportunities for every franchisee - Why impressions are becoming more important than clicks - How zero-click searches are reshaping SEO KPIs - How AI traffic converts — and why it’s plateauing - Using maps and data layering to uncover SEO growth opportunities - Why novelty and real authorship matter more than ever Marko also shares practical insights on schema markup, entity clarity, localized content, and how brands can leverage real growth data to increase AI visibility. If you’re a founder, CMO, marketing leader, or agency working with multi-location or franchise businesses, this episode is packed with actionable SEO strategy you won’t hear elsewhere.  Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/ In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 - 01:05: Why Franchise SEO Is Different 01:05 - 03:10: From Black Hat SEO To Enterprise Strategy 03:10 - 05:00: Why Big Brands Don’t Need Link Building 05:00 - 07:00: The Hidden Problem In Franchise SEO 07:00 - 09:30: Building The Right Website Structure 09:30 - 11:30: Why Metro Pages Drive More Traffic 11:30 - 13:45: Using Maps To Find Growth Opportunities 13:45 - 15:40: Why Most Location Pages Fail 15:40 - 17:50: Creating Real Local Content That Ranks 17:50 - 20:00: Zero Click Searches And Falling Traffic 20:00 - 22:00: Impressions vs Clicks: New SEO KPIs 22:00 - 24:30: How AI Understands Your Brand 24:30 - 26:10: The Future Of SEO Professionals 26:10 - 27:14: Final Advice For Franchise Marketer  Connect with Marko Arsic  https://www.linkedin.com/in/marko-arsic-51390842/  http://www.thedigitalspice.com/  FOLLOW US Website: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digiwebsol Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dws_global LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-web-solutions./

    27 min
  7. 13 FEB

    Stop Using HubSpot Like This, It's Killing Sales

    In this episode of E-coffee with Experts, our host Austin Willman talks with Josh Curcio, Chief Revenue Officer & Partner at protocol 80, Inc., and breaks down how revenue operations, AI tools, and intelligent content strategy can turn a CRM into a true lead generation and deal acceleration engine. We talk about: - How to build ICP-driven lead scoring models - Using buyer intent and data enrichment to identify ready-to-buy prospects - Sales and marketing alignment without endless meetings - AI-powered note-taking and CRM automation - How to increase sales velocity in long manufacturing cycles - Why niche content beats generic SEO every time Josh shares how his team leverages tools like HubSpot, AI workflows, and structured playbooks to help manufacturers move from reactive RFQs to proactive pipeline generation.  Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/ In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 - 02:15: Helping Manufacturers Get More Leads with RevOps 02:15 - 04:30: Stop Using Your CRM Like a Spreadsheet 04:30 - 07:10: Lead Scoring and Finding Buyers Early 07:10 - 09:20: Why Niching Down Wins More Deals 09:20 - 12:05: Content That Signals Buyer Intent 12:05 - 14:30: Where AI Actually Helps Marketing Teams 14:30 - 16:45: AI Search, AEO, and Getting More Clicks 16:45 - 19:30: Fixing CRM Adoption with AI Tools 19:30 - 22:10: How to Speed Up Long Sales Cycles 22:10 - 25:00: Content for Junior vs Senior Decision Makers 25:00 - 27:20: Where Sales Content Should Live 27:20 - 29:40: Sales and Marketing Alignment Without Meetings 29:40 - 32:10: Onboarding and Training New Sales Reps 32:10 - 34:03: Scaling Business Development the Right Way  Connect with Josh Curcio  https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuacurcio/  http://protocol80.com/  FOLLOW US Website: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digiwebsol Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dws_global LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-web-solutions./

    34 min
  8. 12 FEB

    How This 30-Year SEO Expert Wins in AI Search

    In this episode of E-Coffee with Experts, Austin Willman sits down with Chris Raulf, Founder & Chief Visionary Officer at Boulder SEO Marketing, to break down how AI, agents, and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) are reshaping the future of search. With over 30 years in SEO, Chris explains how he transitioned from traditional optimization to an AI-first strategy—long before most marketers caught on. He shares how watching 100+ hours of AI content, building custom agents, and developing “virtual experts” helped his agency outperform competitors in Google, AI Overviews, and large language models like ChatGPT and Claude. You’ll learn: → Why SEO as we knew it is officially dead—and what replaced it → How GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) actually works → How agencies can use AI without building custom tools → The role of AI agents in modern SEO workflows → Why every founder should build a “virtual version” of themselves If you’re a founder, agency owner, or marketing leader trying to future-proof your SEO strategy, this episode is a must-listen.  Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/ In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 - 01:15: Ranking #1 for “AI SEO Expert” 01:15 - 03:05: Discovering AI After ChatGPT Launched 03:05 - 05:40: Why SEO Is Now Called GEO 05:40 - 07:55: How Fast AI Changes Every 90 Days 07:55 - 09:30: Google Agents and What They Mean 09:30 - 12:05: Running an Agency with EOS 12:05 - 14:20: Turning Big Ideas Into Action 14:20 - 16:00: Why Their Pricing Model Changed 16:00 - 18:30: What Micro SEO Really Means 18:30 - 21:00: Inside BSM Co-Pilot 2.0 21:00 - 23:40: Choosing Between GPT and Claude 23:40 - 26:10: How Agencies Can Start With AI 26:10 - 29:10: Building a “Virtual You” 29:10 - 31:20: Getting Content From Busy Founders 31:20 - 33:30: The Most Important Skill for 2026 33:30 - 34:39: Final Advice and Where to Connect  Connect with Chris Raulf  https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisraulf/  http://boulderseomarketing.com/  FOLLOW US Website: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digiwebsol Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dws_global LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-web-solutions./

    35 min

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Sip & Soar: Welcome to 'E-coffee with Experts' - Brewing Wisdom, One Expert Conversation at a Time. Grab Your Digital Mug, Let's Elevate Together!