SARA DOES SEO WITH SARA DUNN

Sara Does SEO With Sara Dunn

This week I had the pleasure of welcoming Sara Dunn from Sara Does SEO to our show. 

Sara’s journey into SEO started back in 2012. She initially launched a business offering general digital marketing services. She made websites, handled Facebook ads, and even did graphic design and branding. It was a bit of everything! A turning point came when a client assumed the new website she was designing would improve their Google search rankings. Sara realized she needed to learn SEO quickly. Over the years, Sara taught myself SEO, and by 2017, after successfully helping a wedding planner client recover her Google rankings, she decided to specialize exclusively in SEO for the wedding industry. Now, that’s what she and her team do every day.

Sara’s journey is a testament to the power of specializing in what you love. She transitioned from a jack-of-all-trades approach to becoming a master in the SEO niche, particularly within the wedding industry.

What is SEO?

For those who might not be familiar, SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. Essentially, it involves making tweaks and improvements to your website to help it rank higher in search engine results. When people search for something on Google, SEO is what determines which websites appear first.

SEO is about aligning your website with what potential clients are searching for. It’s about meeting their needs and solving their problems. While it’s a slower process compared to the instant gratification of social media, it’s incredibly rewarding. SEO doesn’t give you the immediate feedback that social media does, but it’s worth the patience and effort. Think of it as a long-term investment in your online presence.

COMMON MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE WITH SEO

SEO can be complex, and many people make mistakes along the way. Sara shares some common pitfalls:

1. Ignoring Location-Based Keywords: Many businesses forget to include location-specific keywords. If you’re a local business, like a photographer or wedding planner, it’s crucial to use location-based terms in your content.

2. Not Understanding the Basics: SEO can seem overwhelming, but understanding the fundamentals is key. Sometimes people use overly fancy titles or keywords that their audience isn’t actually searching for.

3. Inconsistent Blogging: Blogging is a powerful tool for SEO, but it’s not about quantity. Even if you blog infrequently, make sure your content is valuable and includes relevant keywords.

4. Over-Reliance on Social Media: While social media is important, it’s also essential to have a searchable platform like a blog or website. Relying solely on social media can limit your visibility in search engines.

Sara’s insights highlight the importance of a strategic approach to SEO. It’s not just about creating content but creating the right content that aligns with what your potential clients are searching for.

REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS FOR SEO

One of the biggest challenges with SEO is managing expectations. Unlike social media, where you can see immediate likes and comments, SEO is a long game.

SEO requires patience. You might not see results for a few months, but the payoff is worth it. When you rank high in search results, you’re essentially doing marketing that your client is asking for. They’re searching for a solution, and you’re presenting your business as that solution.

Sara also emphasizes the importance of strategic content creation. Think about the questions your potential clients ask before they hire you. Create blog posts that address those questions. This not only helps with SEO but also positions you as an expert in your field.

THE POWER OF BLOGGING FOR SEO

Blogging plays a significant role in boosting your SEO. It allows you to create content that targets specific keywords and topics that your audience is interested in.

Blogging helps you rank for more keywords and show up in more searches, Sara explains. Every blog post is an opportunity to get found for different queries. It’s also a way to establish yourself as an authority in your field.

Sara advises against feeling pressured to blog consistently. It’s okay to blog whenever you feel inspired. Each blog post contributes positively to your traffic and keyword rankings.

WORKING WITH SARA

For those interested in diving deeper into SEO, Sara offers various ways to work with her. She hosts a free monthly SEO Lunch and Learn, where she shares actionable SEO tips and answers questions. For wedding industry professionals, they offer a course called Wedding SEO Boot Camp and a done-for-you service called The SEO Fix. You can find all the details on her website.