A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Sydney SEO Conference run by Prosperity Media.
Side note: Great event. Lots of great talks and amazing networking.
A topic that came up again and again – importance of brand for Google Rankings.
Why?
In August 2022, Google rolled out a “Helpful Content” update that changed the game for how websites were ranked in Google Search.
Many websites that once ranked highly, saw an immediate drop in traffic.
They were gone from the first page of search.
Among the losers were affiliate sites, content farms, keyword-stuffed articles and clickbait sites with misleading headlines.
The google algorithm was now rewarding websites with brand, a real returning audience and websites where proof of experience from the author(s) is shown.
This made me think of a recent book I read. “Rise of the Youprenuer” by Chris Ducker.
This book is a masterclass of building a personal brand, leveraging your expertise and personality to grow trust and monetize.
And totally relevant to SEO strategy!
For me, I noticed my own gaps – there is real value to your audience in showing the real life “behind the scenes”, streaming lives and public speaking. Watch this space…
Key take-aways from the book:
1. You Are the Brand
People buy from people, not logos.
Leverage your personality, experience, and story to create a brand that’s uniquely yours.
Impossible to copy.
2. What do you stand for?
Don’t try to please everyone.
Find your tribe. Solve their problems.
Explain it simply. Say it often.
Own your space.
3. Build Your Own Stage
Before you sell anything, build an audience.
Start a podcast. Write a blog. Post on socials.
Create content that connects, resonates, and builds trust.
4. Earn Trust First
Before people buy from you, they must trust you.
Give value. Be honest. Show up again and again.
5. Monetize Through the Ecosystem
Use a layered revenue model: coaching, courses, books, events, affiliate marketing, and membership communities.
Your expertise can be monetized in multiple ways.
6. Think Like a CEO, Not a Freelancer
Step out of the technician role.
Build systems, delegate smartly, and focus on growth activities – not day-to-day tasks.
The Youpreneur isn’t just a personal brand, it’s a personal brand business.
7. Stay True. Stay Consistent
Trends fade. Gimmicks die. But trust lasts.
Keep showing up. Keep serving.
That’s how you win.
Talk soon,
Lloyd
PS – We have and continue to uplift a number of SEO businesses now.
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