The Truth About SEO, AI, and Content in 2025

Want to know where SEO is headed in 2025? In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I sit down with Bruce Clay, the "Father of SEO" and founder of BruceClay.com. With nearly three decades in search engine optimization, Bruce shares expert insights on how Google ranking, AI-generated content, and SEO strategy are evolving. Learn why quality content, usability, and brand mentions matter more than ever—and what businesses must do to stay ahead in an AI-driven search landscape. Today we discussed: [00:00] Opening [00:09] Introducing Bruce Clay [00:53] SEO in 1996 [04:47] The Growing Importance of SEO [11:19] How to Create Quality Content for SEO [14:50] Is Zero-Click the End of SEO? [18:59] Guest Podcasting Can Help SEO More About Bruce Clay: Check out Bruce Clay's Website: https://bruceclay.com Connect with Bruce Clay's on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bruce-clay-inc- Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts This episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Ad Critter TV ads aren't just for the big guys! Ad Critter makes it easy and affordable to run connected TV ads that drive real results. Try it out for yourself at https://adcritter.com

Agency growth consultant, author, and podcast host Max Traylor discusses how marketing agencies can dramatically increase profitability by focusing on existing client relationships rather than constantly chasing new business. Max shared strategies for improving client retention through smarter pricing models and positioning your agency as a true marketing leader for clients. This insightful discussion offers practical guidance for agency owners looking to future-proof their business model and significantly boost their bottom line without the endless hustle for new clients. Today we discussed: [00:00] Opening [00:09] Introducing Max Traylor [01:29] Are Agencies in Trouble? [04:25] Leadership is Missing [07:00] Growing Revenue with Current Clients [11:46] Are Retainers the Right Way To Go? [15:36] Productizing Your Services [18:01] Advice on Starting a Consulting Service Today More About Chuck Blakeman Check out Max Traylor's Website Connect with Max Traylor on LinkedIn Read Consultants Survival Guide by Max Traylor Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Reddit's EVP of Business Marketing and Growth, Jim Squires, discusses strategies for small businesses and agencies to harness the platform's powerful community-driven marketing potential. Speaking on the intersection of targeted advertising and organic engagement, he reveals how brands can authentically connect with niche audiences on Reddit's unique platform. From smart ad campaigns to interest-based targeting, this insider perspective offers marketers a game-changing approach to social media marketing that goes beyond traditional promotional tactics. Don't miss out on Reddit's exclusive offer for Duct Tape Marketing podcast listeners! Spend $500 and get an additional $500 with the code DUCTTAPE500. Today we discussed: [00:00] Opening [00:09] Introducing Jim Squires [00:56] How Does Reddit Differ From Other Platforms? [04:20] Impact of Search on Reddit [05:54] Best Practices for Businesses on Reddit [08:17] How Does Advertising Fit in on Reddit [10:52] Getting Organic Reach on Reddit [13:05] Small Business Mistakes on Reddit [15:47] How to Measure Success on Reddit [18:34] Meeting People Where They Are More About Jim Squires:  Check out Jim Squires' Website: https://www.business.reddit.com/pro Connect with Jim Squires on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcsquires/ Follow Reddit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/reddit-for-business/ To get started with Reddit Ads, go to https://ads.reddit.com/ Take advantage of Reddit's special offer for podcast listeners: Spend $500 and get $500 by using DUCTTAPE500 Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts This episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Ad Critter TV ads aren't just for the big guys! Ad Critter makes it easy and affordable to run connected TV ads that drive real results. Try it out for yourself at https://adcritter.com

Traditional sales tactics not helping your business grow? On this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I chat with Chuck Blakeman, a seasoned entrepreneur who's built 13 businesses across 10 industries and authored bestselling books. Chuck explains why focusing on relationships rather than aggressive selling can actually boost your revenue. He shares practical ways to leverage your network, build genuine trust, and create a business that naturally attracts referrals. Tune in for valuable insights on smarter, more sustainable growth strategies! Today we discussed: [00:00] Opening [00:09] Introducing Chuck Blakeman [02:27] What Does Sell Less, Earn More Mean? [03:35] Why Do Business Owners Hate Selling? [06:40] Serve. Don't Sell. [013:54] Staying Recent and Frequent [15:21] The Four Quadrants of Relationship Marketing [17:21] Getting Started in Relationship Marketing [18:54] Relationship Marketing on Modern Platforms More About Chuck Blakeman Chuck Blakeman's website - http://www.3to5club.com Connect with Chuck Blakeman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3to5-club-powered-by-the-crankset-group Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Is Google stealing your traffic? In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I sit down with Rand Fishkin, co-founder and CEO of SparkToro and one of the most influential voices in SEO and digital marketing. We dive into the rise of the zero-click internet—where 60% of Google searches end without a click—and what this means for your SEO strategy, content marketing, and online visibility. Rand shares expert insights on how businesses can adapt, build influence beyond Google, and thrive in a world where search engines and social platforms are keeping users on their sites. Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of search engine optimization and marketing strategy! Today we discussed: [00:09] Introducing Rand Fishkin [01:07] What is Zero Click? [02:11] How Has Zero Click Impacted Search [06:33] How Should SEO Professionals Adapt? [08:34] How Do Content-Reliant Businesses Survive? [14:30] Is Google Dead? [16:50] Making the Best of Attribution More About Rand Fishkin Rand Fishkin's website - https://sparktoro.com Connect with Rand Fishkin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randfishkin/ Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts This episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Ad Critter TV ads aren't just for the big guys! Ad Critter makes it easy and affordable to run connected TV ads that drive real results. Try it out for yourself at https://adcritter.com

As a small business owner, you're constantly wearing different hats, from CEO to salesperson to project manager – but what's the secret to juggling it all without burning out? In this insightful episode, John explores the seven critical roles every entrepreneur needs to master, offering actionable advice for delegating, automating, and optimizing your business operations. His practical strategies will help marketing consultants, agency owners, and small business leaders shift from being trapped in day-to-day tasks to focusing on meaningful growth, ultimately creating a business that serves you rather than consuming you. Today we discussed: [00:00] Opening [00:26] Juggling Multiple Roles [04:38] The CEO Role [05:37] The Sales Person Role [07:09] The Strategist Role [08:46] The Project Manager Role [09:49] The Marketing Role [12:59] The Client Manager Role [13:56] The 4-Prong Approach Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Sara Nay sits down with Jane McCarthy, a seasoned brand strategist and author of The Goddess Guide to Branding. Jane shares her expertise on goddess archetypes and how businesses can use Carl Jung’s archetypes to build a compelling and emotionally resonant brand identity. Learn how to align your brand strategy with the right archetype to attract your ideal customers, create authentic brand storytelling, and stand out in a crowded market. Today we discussed: [00:00] Opening [00:09] Introducing Jane McCarthy [00:44] What are Goddess Archetypes? [05:37] Identifying your Brand's Goddess Archetype [08:56] Using your Archetype to Find the Right Talent [12:05] Brands That Embody Goddess Archetypes [16:34] How to Approach Goddess Archetypes [18:44] Figuring out the Heart of your Brand More About Jane McCarthy Jane McCarthy's website - https://www.goddessoffice.com Connect with Jane McCarthy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-mccarthy-96b3715/ Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts This episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Ad Critter TV ads aren't just for the big guys! Ad Critter makes it easy and affordable to run connected TV ads that drive real results. Try it out for yourself at https://adcritter.com

Join me for a fascinating conversation with Mike Ganino where we explore the art of storytelling as a game-changing business tool. Mike, a dynamic keynote speaker and author of "Make a Scene," has left his mark on everything from viral TEDx talks to leadership training at powerhouse companies like Disney, Netflix, and Adobe. In our discussion, he shares invaluable insights on how mastering storytelling can transform your business communication, whether you're pitching to clients, leading a team, or taking the stage. We unpack practical techniques for commanding attention, developing authentic stage presence, and crafting narratives that stick with your audience long after you've finished speaking. Today we discussed: [00:09] Introducing Mike Ganino [00:57] Why is Storytelling a Hot Topic? [02:09] What Draws Us to Storytelling? [03:29] What Does Make a Scene Mean? [05:44] Are There Any Rules to Storytelling? [07:15] What if You're Not Good at Storytelling? [09:12] Benefits of Being a Good Storyteller [12:45] Performance in Storytelling [15:32] How to Get Better at Storytelling [17:31] Do Different Platforms Need Different Approaches? More About Mike Ganino Mike Ganino's website - https://mikeganino.com Connect with Mike Ganino on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/mikeganino Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Join me as I chat with copywriting expert David Garfinkel, the author of The Persuasion Story Code. Our conversation explores why storytelling in marketing creates deeper connections than traditional sales methods. David shares how the right mix of persuasion techniques and sales storytelling can transform your marketing strategies and drive business growth. If you're curious about how storytelling can help you build trust and boost conversions, you won't want to miss this insightful discussion where David breaks down exactly what makes stories so powerful in business. Today we discussed: [00:00] Opening [00:09] Introducing David Garfinkel [00:54] Story Frameworks [03:11] What are Persuasion Stories? [05:22] How to Make a Conversational Story [06:48] Merging Stories and CTAs [09:09] Using Stories to Get Attention [12:39] Mistakes in Storytelling [13:28] Learning from Your Favorite Books [15:30] AI in Storytelling [18:51] Is There a Formula to Storytelling? More About David Garfinkel David Garfinkel's website - https://copywriterspodcast.com/ Connect with David Garfinkel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-garfinkel-a51211/ Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts This episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Ad Critter TV ads aren't just for the big guys! Ad Critter makes it easy and affordable to run connected TV ads that drive real results. Try it out for yourself at https://adcritter.com

Emily McGregor, the creative force behind PenguinCat Creative, joins me to talk about the art of making marketing actually fun. Drawing from her two decades of crafting hilarious, high-converting campaigns for major brands and influencers. Emily shares her secrets for creating video content that doesn't just engage – it sells. Whether you're a small business owner or marketing pro, you'll learn practical ways to inject authentic humor into your marketing and finally break free from boring corporate content. Today we discussed: [00:09] Introducing Emily McGregor [01:12] What is Comedic Content? [02:32] Comedy Great for Customer Connections [03:44] Is There a Formula to Funny? [04:27] Comedy Communicates You Understand [05:47] How Low Budget Ads Can Compete [08:49] Developing a Brand Voice with Humor [09:57] Which Industries Can Use Comedy? [10:59] The Comedy Writing Process [13:49] When Jokes Fall Flat [14:25] Understanding Your Ideal Client [15:47] What is the Place of Video in Marketing Channels? More About Emily McGregor Emily McGregor's website - https://www.penguincatcreative.com Connect with Emily McGregor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyamcgregor/ Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts