29: SEO's Soulful Side: Mariah Magazine on Aligning Your Business with Search Engines
Think SEO isn't for authentic & intuitive business owners?
SEO is for EVERYONE.
Following an eye-opening conversation with Mariah Magazine, an award-winning SEO consultant and educator. We dove deep into the world of search engine optimization, and let me tell you, she's the best I've talked to on a topic that can be tricky.
Mariah's superpower is breaking down technical topics in simple and tactical ways that most of us can understand. What a gift!
We discuss why SEO is so crucial for nonfiction authors and service-based businesses. Mariah breaks down what SEO actually is and why Google still dominates the search landscape in 2025, even with the rise of AI.
You'll also love hearing about how Mariah landed in the SEO world. And even tried to leave, but came back to it.
We had a really honest conversation about the common misconceptions surrounding SEO, particularly the "wild west" nature of it, and why focusing on user experience is super important.
As a content creator, I loved hearing her perspective on how to create content that genuinely serves your audience and builds trust — not just chasing keywords.
What you'll learn in this episode:
Why SEO is crucial for online businesses and how it helps your ideal clients find you.
The importance of optimizing your entire website's foundation before thinking about content creation, like blogging or podcasting.
Why your home page is probably the most important page on your website to optimize for SEO — and exactly what you should include to help you get found.
Choosing clarity over anything fuzzy or confusing, especially for your home page, is super important.
Mariah's candid thoughts on using AI for content creation and why human touch matters (and let me tell you—she tried to make it work!)
How to infuse your unique voice and perspective into your content to build trust—because people buy from people they know, like, and trust.
What to do with your old blogs if you've pivoted your business.
You'll also get to hear about some of Mariah's creative adventures with a sourdough micro-bakery and creating a successful Instagram account featuring the best coffee around Buffalo, NY. She totally inspired me!
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to SEO Confusion
01:13 Meet Mariah Magazine
03:19 Understanding SEO Basics
08:34 Blogging for SEO
17:54 Optimizing Your Home Page for SEO
25:48 AI and SEO
35:55 The Downsides of Using AI for Writing
38:59 The Importance of Authenticity in Content
47:09 Mariah's Journey to Entrepreneurship
53:43 Starting a Micro Bakery
57:33 Favorite Writing Fuel
01:00:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Quick Links:
Freebie/Resource Links:
About Mariah:
Mariah is an award-winning SEO Consultant & Educator, YouTube Content Creator & host of a top 10% podcast; Curiously Guided. She’s a firm believer that showing up on Google and organically marketing your business doesn’t have to be as difficult & overwhelming as everyone makes it (which is what ultimately inspired her to start her YouTube channel in the first place!) – Since 2015, she’s guided hundreds of clients and students to achieve page-one search results through actionable and practical strategies, ultimately inspiring them to take SEO into their own hands.
She’s been quoted on Forbes, interviewed on Business Insider & USA Weekly, and worked directly with Semrush Academy as a Course Writer & SEO Subject Matter Expert.
When she’s not zippin’ through cyberspace, she’s exploring new coffee shops in search of the best vibes, yapping about Human Design, or testing out new recipes she found on Pinterest. (Because life is too short to eat the same 5 dinners.)
