Episode 9 - SEO for Small Business: Expert Amanda Kern Reveals AI Integration Strategies and 3-Month Success Timeline

About Amanda Kern

Amanda Kern is the founder and CEO of Emerald Creative Content, a marketing agency that specializes in search engine optimization (SEO) for small to mid-size businesses.

Starting as a copywriter, Amanda discovered her passion for SEO when working with keyword briefs from SEO agencies. She was mentored by a woman-owned SEO agency and combined her creative content skills with technical SEO knowledge to create a unique approach to digital marketing.

Key Topics Discussed

• The SEO Landscape for Small Businesses
• Why SEO is particularly powerful for businesses with limited marketing budgets
• The myth that SEO is purely technical and expensive
• Building EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trustworthiness) as the foundation of good SEO AI and SEO Integration
• Smart, ethical ways to use AI for SEO purposes Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) - optimizing for AI search engines
• Using AI for research, ideation, and breaking down complex data
• Where to draw the line: avoiding AI for final content creation and original thinking

Practical SEO Tips for Beginners

• Focus on demonstrating expertise through consistent, original content
• Build content clusters around your services or products
• Start with one SEO-focused activity per week
• Expect to see initial movement at 3 months, business impact at 6 months

Business Evolution and Market Changes

• How Emerald Creative Content has adapted to AI disruption
• Emphasizing the human touch in creative work
• Why SEO isn't dead - it's evolving alongside AI tools

Actionable Takeaways

• Start with EEAT: Focus on showcasing your expertise consistently across all content platforms
• Use AI as a Tool; Not a Replacement: Leverage AI for research and ideation, but maintain your original voice and ideas
• Be Patient but Consistent: Commit to weekly SEO activities for at least 3-6 months to see results
• Think Beyond Google: Optimize for both traditional search engines and AI-powered search tools
• Quality Over Quantity: Original, authoritative content will naturally appear in AI search results

Timeline for SEO Results

• 3 months: Start seeing movement in organic traffic
• 6 months: Begin seeing business impact and revenue growth
• Long-term: Compound growth as authority builds over time

Resources Mentioned

• Free SEO Audit: Available through Emerald Creative Content
• Strategy: Focus on building content clusters around your expertise
• AI Tools: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude for research and ideation

Connect with Amanda Kern

• Website: emeraldcontent.com
• Instagram: @emeraldcreativecontent
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-kern-a96ba2224/
• Free SEO Audit: Available via website booking

Connect with Jennifer Sconyers and Abundance Leadership Consulting

Website: https://www.jennifersconyers.com/

Jennifer’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-sconyers-0776955/

Abundance Leadership Consulting’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abundance-leadership-consulting-llc

About the Host

Jennifer Sconyers hosts the ALC Changemakers Podcast, featuring conversations with entrepreneurs and business leaders. Both Jennifer and Amanda participated in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and are members of the Haven Collective coworking space in Columbus, Ohio. This episode is perfect for small business owners, nonprofit leaders, and entrepreneurs looking to understand how SEO and AI can work together to grow their online presence and reach their target audiences more effectively.