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. 22H AGO

    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
  2. 23H AGO

    How This CEO Turns Authority Into LLM Visibility

    In this episode, Austin Willman sits down with Nick Fraunfelder, CEO of Sure Oak, to break down how GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is reshaping search, visibility, and authority in an AI-driven world. As Google, ChatGPT, and other LLMs move toward answer-based search experiences, brands must rethink how they earn trust, citations, and visibility beyond page-one rankings. Nick explains why GEO isn’t a brand-new strategy — but an evolution of SEO done right. They dive into why derivative AI content fails, how first-party data and original insights fuel citations, and why link building, PR mentions, and brand authority still matter more than ever. You’ll learn how CMOs should rethink KPIs in a no-click environment, why middle-of-the-funnel content is now critical for B2B buying groups, and how thought leadership, authorship, and offsite credibility influence AI search results. This conversation also explores the future role of SEO agencies, leadership in a rapidly changing market, and how investing in people and culture directly impacts client results.  Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/ In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 - 01:10: SEO Is Changing Fast 01:10 - 03:15: What Is GEO In Simple Terms 03:15 - 05:40: Helpful Content Update Explained 05:40 - 08:30: Why Generic AI Content Fails 08:30 - 11:00: How To Create Content AI Cites 11:00 - 14:20: Using Original Data To Stand Out 14:20 - 17:10: Is Link Building Still Important 17:10 - 19:45: Do Follow vs No Follow Today 19:45 - 22:10: New SEO Metrics That Matter 22:10 - 25:00: How B2B Buyers Use AI 25:00 - 27:45: Writing For Multiple Decision Makers 27:45 - 30:30: Keyword Research Is Different Now 30:30 - 33:40: The Future Role Of SEO Agencies 33:40 - 36:20: Why Thought Leadership Matters 36:20 - 39:00: Building Brand Authority In AI 39:00 - 42:30: Leadership And Agency Culture 42:30 - 45:00: Scaling Without Burning Out 45:00 - 46:32: Final Advice For Founders  Connect with Nick Fraunfelder  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-fraunfelder/  http://sureoak.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./

    47 min
  3. 1D AGO

    How This Agency Founder Built A Profitable 28-Year Business

    In this episode of E-coffee with Experts, our host Austin Willman sits down with Robert Faulkner, Founder of Datadial, to unpack what separates agencies that last from those that burn out. From launching a web agency in 1998 to navigating SEO, paid media, AI, and ever-changing digital trends, Robert shares hard-won lessons on patience, culture, and sustainable growth. You’ll learn why chasing shiny tools and rapid scale often destroys agencies, how calm leadership creates long-term client trust, and why personality matters more than ever in modern digital marketing. Robert also explains how SEO fundamentals haven’t really changed, why attribution is increasingly unreliable, and what small e-commerce brands must do to stand out in a crowded Shopify world. If you’re a founder, agency owner, marketer, or leader looking to build a profitable business without burnout, this episode offers a refreshing, honest perspective on what actually works over decades, not just quarters.  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: What It Takes To Run A 30-Year Business 01:15 - 03:30: Why Patience Is The Real Secret 03:30 - 05:45: No Meetings And A Calm Work Culture 05:45 - 07:40: Avoiding The Flashy Agency Trap 07:40 - 10:05: SEO From 1998 To Today 10:05 - 12:20: Why Marketing Attribution Is Broken 12:20 - 14:50: How Small Brands Can Compete Online 14:50 - 17:10: The Problem With Most Shopify Websites 17:10 - 19:30: Why Personality Matters More Than Templates 19:30 - 22:00: Building A Personal Brand On LinkedIn 22:00 - 24:10: Does LinkedIn Actually Bring Clients? 24:10 - 26:00: Email Marketing That Gets Replies 26:00 - 27:11: Final Advice For Agency Owners  Connect with Robert Faulkner  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-faulkner/  https://www.datadial.net/  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
  4. 2D AGO

    How This Enterprise SEO Expert Builds Revenue-Driven SEO Teams

    In this episode of E-Coffee with Experts, our host Ranmay sits down with Sam Page, Head of SEO at InMotion Hosting, to unpack how modern SEO leaders must adapt in an AI-driven search landscape. With over 20 years of hands-on SEO experience, Sam has led search strategy across agencies and global brands including Amazon Business and Slack. In this conversation, he shares how SEO has shifted from rankings to revenue, why content alone no longer wins, and how off-page signals, brand mentions, and LLM visibility are redefining success. We talk about: - SEO forecasting that leadership actually trusts - Agency vs in-house SEO realities - Google Helpful Content Update impact - Programmatic SEO in an AI world - Internal linking & information architecture today - Preparing SEO teams for 2026 and beyond This episode offers practical insights on building resilient, future-proof SEO strategies in the age of AI and large language models.  Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/ In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 – 01:10: Introduction 01:10 – 03:45: Sam’s journey into SEO and early career 03:45 – 06:05: Agency SEO vs in-house SEO experience 06:05 – 08:10: Connecting SEO work to real business revenue 08:10 – 10:40: Why SEO teams should not work in silos 10:40 – 12:55: Why content alone is not enough today 12:55 – 14:40: Google update that changed SEO forever 14:40 – 16:05: SEO for Google vs SEO for AI tools 16:05 – 18:00: Technical SEO that still matters 18:00 – 20:10: Programmatic SEO in the AI age 20:10 – 22:20: Internal linking and site structure today 22:20 – 24:30: SEO focus areas for 2026 24:30 – 27:10: Career advice for young SEO professionals 27:10 – 31:10: Rapid-fire questions with Sam 31:10 – 32:40: One career decision Sam would not change 32:40 – 33:26: Final thoughts  Connect with Sam Page  https://www.linkedin.com/in/samcpage/  http://inmotionhosting.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./

    23 min
  5. 3D AGO

    How This Marketing Leader Builds Teams That Scale With AI

    In this episode of E-Coffee with Experts, our host Austin Willman sits down with Alaina Corsini, Head of Agency at Red Shark Digital, to break down how modern agencies are using AI to streamline operations, scale content, improve SEO workflows, and empower teams, without sacrificing brand voice, creativity, or humanity. Alaina shares how her agency integrates AI into onboarding, content creation, website wireframing, and internal operations while maintaining strong human oversight. They dive into how customer journeys are evolving beyond traditional funnels, why long-tail and conversational search matters more than ever, and how personalization is shaping the future of websites. You’ll also learn how Red Shark Digital captures brand voice at scale, structures internal meetings for innovation, hires in an AI-driven job market, and builds a culture rooted in professionalism, accountability, and community impact. If you’re a founder, agency owner, marketing leader, or SEO professional navigating AI adoption, this episode delivers real-world insights you can apply 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 – 01:25: Introduction 01:25 – 04:40: Alaina’s background and agency journey 04:40 – 07:30: Why AI is changing agency operations 07:30 – 11:00: The future of websites and personalization 11:00 – 14:20: Is the marketing funnel really dead? 14:20 – 18:30: How agencies capture brand voice 18:30 – 22:00: Using AI during client onboarding 22:00 – 25:30: AI in content creation and SEO workflows 25:30 – 28:20: AI tools for website design and wireframes 28:20 – 31:00: Team structure inside a digital agency 31:00 – 34:00: Hiring and skills that matter in an AI world 34:00 – 36:30: Building culture and giving back 36:30 – 39:20: Meetings, innovation, and team feedback 39:20 – 41:45: Final advice for leaders and marketers  Connect with Alaina Corsini  https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaina-corsini/  http://redsharkdigital.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./

    42 min
  6. 6D AGO

    This SEO Strategy Actually Works In The AI Era

    In this episode of E-coffee with Experts, our host Austin Willman sits down with Erika Braeger, Manager, Organic Growth Strategy at Ten Speed, to break down how modern SEO strategies are built today for B2B SaaS companies. Erika shares how SEO has evolved from keyword stuffing and low-relevance content into a precision-driven discipline focused on ICP research, jobs-to-be-done, and user intent. They explore how SEO teams can extract real customer insights from sales demos, battle cards, and internal conversations, and why tightly aligned content now matters more than ever. Erika also explains how she uses AI tools like Claude as a strategic collaborator rather than a content replacement, and why SEO fundamentals still win in AI-driven search environments. The conversation also dives into content freshness strategies, navigating Google’s helpful content updates, and how leaders can build strong SEO teams through thoughtful SOPs, teaching frameworks, and confidence-driven execution. If you’re a founder, SEO manager, or marketer navigating AI search, declining clicks, and shifting SERPs, this episode will give you a clear framework for building SEO strategies that actually last.  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: Why SEO Is Changing Fast 01:15 – 02:20: How SEO Has Changed Over The Years 02:20 – 03:20: What “Jobs To Be Done” Means 03:20 – 04:40: How SEO Teams Learn Their Customer 04:40 – 05:45: Using Sales Demos For Content Ideas 05:45 – 06:50: Where Erika Learned SEO 06:50 – 07:55: How Erika Uses AI Personally 07:55 – 09:00: Using AI As A Strategy Partner 09:00 – 10:05: SEO In The Age Of AI Overviews 10:05 – 11:15: Why SEO Fundamentals Still Matter 11:15 – 12:35: Google Helpful Content Updates 12:35 – 13:35: Adding A Real Brand Voice 13:35 – 14:45: Content Refresh vs Content Volume 14:45 – 16:00: How Erika Builds Strong SEO Teams 16:00 – 17:10: Weekly One-On-Ones That Work 17:10 – 18:40: How SEO Teams Keep Learning 18:40 – 19:45: Why Communities Beat Conferences 19:45 – 20:20: Where To Find Erika & TenSpeed 20:20 – 20:35: Final Thoughts  Connect with Erika Braeger  https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikabraeger/  http://tenspeed.io/  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./

    21 min
  7. 6D AGO

    How This Fractional CMO Builds Brands That Actually Scale

    In this episode of E-coffee with Experts, our host Austin Willman sits down with Erika Weiss, Founder and Principal of Elevated Brand, and shares what branding really means today and why it’s no longer optional for founders, agency owners, and marketing leaders. Drawing on her experience working with household names like Disney and Beachbody, Erika explains how top leaders stay relevant in fast-changing markets, why continuous learning is essential in marketing, and how personal branding has become one of the most effective ways to build trust and drive growth. You’ll learn: - What a fractional CMO actually does and when companies need one - Why people choose brands based on values, not just products - How to build a personal brand without becoming the bottleneck - The difference between branding, marketing, and storytelling - How mission, vision, and values guide real business decisions - Practical ways to strengthen your brand in the next 7 days If you’re a founder, agency owner, CMO, or marketer looking to build credibility, stand out in your market, and create long-term brand value, this episode will reshape how you think about branding.  Get access to 250k+ link connections and build your website authority with us: https://www.digitalwebsolutions.com/ In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 – 02:05: Why Always Learning Matters In Marketing 02:05 – 05:00: How To Learn Without Adding More Work 05:00 – 06:35: Preparation Beats Execution Every Time 06:35 – 09:00: What A Fractional CMO Actually Does 09:00 – 10:30: Why Experience Is What Clients Pay For 10:30 – 12:00: Brand Is More Than A Logo 12:00 – 14:00: Why People Buy Brands, Not Products 14:00 – 15:30: Founder Stories Build Stronger Brands 15:30 – 17:30: Why Personal Branding Matters Today 17:30 – 19:00: How To Start A Personal Brand Simply 19:00 – 21:10: Should Your Business Depend On You? 21:10 – 23:10: How Future Marketers Learn Branding 23:10 – 25:10: Every Touchpoint Shapes Your Brand 25:10 – 27:30: How To Reset Your Brand Identity 27:30 – 29:20: What To Do In The Next 7 Days 29:20 – 30:16: Final Thoughts On Authentic Branding  Connect with Erika Weiss  https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-haendel-weiss/  https://erika-weiss.carrd.co/  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./

    30 min
  8. FEB 5

    Why Brand Authority Now Beats Traditional SEO Tactics

    In this episode of E-coffee with Experts, we sit down with Patrik Connole, Director Of Organic Marketing at Oozle Media, to break down what actually matters in modern SEO, agency growth, and leadership in a post-AI world. Patrik shares how he spent over a decade at one agency, scaling from a $14/hour SEO specialist to leading organic strategy and operations, while most marketers job-hop every two years. We dive deep into agency leadership frameworks, empowering teams without losing control, and why obsession with rankings is killing real results. You’ll also learn how AI search, Google overviews, and zero-click SERPs are reshaping SEO — and why brand authority, content depth, and trust now outperform traditional keyword tactics. Patrik explains why blogging still works in 2026, how to structure content for both humans and AI, and how agencies should talk to clients about ROI when attribution is broken. If you’re a founder, agency owner, SEO leader, or marketer trying to future-proof your growth strategy, 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 – 01:10: Why Staying One Decade At One Agency Is Rare 01:10 – 02:15: Finding The Right Culture Instead Of Chasing Money 02:15 – 03:40: Growing From $14/Hour SEO To Leadership 03:40 – 05:00: Learning vs Doing: How To Balance Both 05:00 – 06:40: Why Competitive People Grow Faster In Agencies 06:40 – 08:10: What A Director Of Organic Marketing Actually Does 08:10 – 10:00: Letting Go Of Control Without Losing Quality 10:00 – 12:10: Levels System: Training Teams To Think For Themselves 12:10 – 14:20: How To Spot A Players vs Everyone Else 14:20 – 16:10: The Sandbox Method For Empowering Teams 16:10 – 18:00: Why Niching Makes Agencies More Profitable 18:00 – 20:40: Simple SEO Workflow: Audit, Plan, Execute, Review 20:40 – 23:10: Meetings, Cadence, And Avoiding Team Chaos 23:10 – 25:00: Why SEO Rankings Matter Less Than Ever 25:00 – 27:20: What AI Search Changed About SEO Forever 27:20 – 29:40: Why Blogging Still Works In 2026 29:40 – 32:00: Writing Content For Humans And AI 32:00 – 34:30: Explaining SEO ROI When Tracking Is Broken 34:30 – 37:20: Using Events To Build Authority And Leads 37:20 – 40:59: Final Advice For Agency Owners And Marketers  Connect with Patrik Connole  https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrik-connole/  http://oozlemedia.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

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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!