Optimize

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

Join Nate Matherson as he sits down with Daryna Kulya for the sixty-sixth episode of the Optimize podcast. Daryna is the co-founder of OpenPhone, a business phone system designed for startups and small businesses. In our episode today, Nate and Daryna explore OpenPhone's unique go-to-market strategy, including the scrappy tactics used to acquire their first 1,000 customers and how they scaled their content marketing and SEO channels. Daryna also shares insights on the importance of building trust with early customers through exceptional support and the role of press and partnerships in scaling OpenPhone. Listen to hear why she emphasizes the value of word-of-mouth marketing and her thoughts on accelerating it. In this week’s deep dive, listen to Daryna share everything you need to know about OpenPhone's journey from a free beta to a paid product and the lessons learned along the way. Daryna gets tactical, sharing her experiences in Facebook groups, subreddits, and leveraging content to drive growth. Rounding out the episode, Daryna and Nate cover topics like investing in brand-building, the challenges of creating engaging video content, and the future growth strategies for OpenPhone.Closing the episode is our popular lightning round of questions!Learn More About Daryna KulyaDaryna Kulya is a Co-Founder of OpenPhone, the world's best business phone.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darynakulya

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 IndigKevin 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/

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 SchwartzEli 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/

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 ScarboroughScarborough 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/meganscarboroughMegawatt content:  www.megawattcontent.com