Optimize

Nate Matherson
Optimize

Looking to scale an SEO channel and generate more traffic to your website? You are in the right place with the Optimize weekly podcast. Hosted by Nate Matherson, a content marketing and SEO leader, we go in-depth and tactical with an amazing selection of guests ranging from in-house SEO teams, agency folks, and solo practitioners who are crushing in their respective niches. Whether you are building an organic search channel for the first time or a seasoned pro, the Optimize podcast helps you keep up in the ever-changing SEO space. Our episodes are released each week on Wednesdays. For more information visit us at www.positional.com

  1. JH Scherck on the State of SEO, Tooling, and Winning

    OCT 11

    JH Scherck on the State of SEO, Tooling, and Winning

    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

    1h 10m
  2. Kevin Indig on the August Core Update, AI Overviews, and SEO

    SEP 5

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

    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/

    53 min
  3. Eli Schwartz on AI Overviews, Algorithm Updates, and Google's Monopoly

    AUG 21

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

    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/

    56 min
  4. Meg Scarborough on Content Strategy, Cybersecurity Marketing, and AI's Impact on SEO

    AUG 14

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

    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

    54 min
  5. Jonny Price on Community Rounds and Go-To-Market

    AUG 7

    Jonny Price on Community Rounds and Go-To-Market

    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/

    52 min
  6. Bennet Johnson on Scaling Talkiatry's SEO Channel to 200k+ Per Month

    JUL 24

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

    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/

    50 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Looking to scale an SEO channel and generate more traffic to your website? You are in the right place with the Optimize weekly podcast. Hosted by Nate Matherson, a content marketing and SEO leader, we go in-depth and tactical with an amazing selection of guests ranging from in-house SEO teams, agency folks, and solo practitioners who are crushing in their respective niches. Whether you are building an organic search channel for the first time or a seasoned pro, the Optimize podcast helps you keep up in the ever-changing SEO space. Our episodes are released each week on Wednesdays. For more information visit us at www.positional.com

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