Launching “SEO’s Not That Hard”: My Journey to Demystify SEO Through Podcasting

I’ve always been an avid podcast listener. For over 10 years now, podcasts have been my companion while working from home, doing chores, or just unwinding. There’s something authentic about hearing someone’s voice, their stories, their tips—it just connects differently than reading a blog post.

After spending more than 20 years in the SEO and online marketing world, I’ve noticed a lot of misinformation out there about SEO. It’s often made out to be this complex, mystical art that only a select few can master. I call it the “confusopoly” of SEO—making it confusing so people feel they need to hire experts to handle it for them.

Truth is, SEO isn’t that hard when you understand the basics. It’s about creating good content that’s well-presented, on a secure and fast website, with proper internal linking. No need for fancy tricks or dodgy tactics that might get you penalised by Google later on.

So, I thought, why not share this knowledge? Why not help demystify SEO for people who want to learn and apply it themselves? That’s when the idea of starting a podcast came to me. I wanted to create something different—short, actionable episodes that people could easily digest.

I launched “SEO Is Not That Hard,” and from day one, I committed to releasing three episodes a week. A bit ambitious, I know, but I wanted to appear frequently in people’s feeds and keep the momentum going. Producing that many episodes meant I needed a format that was sustainable. So, I made the episodes short—somewhere between 8 and 16 minutes.

It’s just me talking, which means I don’t have to worry about scheduling guests or coordinating diaries. I can record when inspiration strikes and build up a bank of episodes for future release. The flexibility is brilliant.

At first, I was a bit nervous. I’m not a natural public speaker, and the first few episodes took ages to record. I’d stumble over my words, freeze up, and generally make a hash of it. But I soon realised that the beauty of podcasts is in their authenticity. People don’t mind if you have a regional accent or if you make the odd mistake. In fact, it adds to the charm.

One of the biggest challenges has been coming up with ideas for episodes. But I found that inspiration is everywhere. I jot down ideas whenever they come to me—whether I’m listening to another podcast, reading an article, or just pondering a question someone asked me. I also use my own tool, keywordspeopleuse.com, to find out what questions people are asking online. It’s brilliant for generating content ideas that are actually useful to people.

Speaking of tools, let me tell you a bit about keywordspeopleuse.com. It’s based on my philosophy of creating content that answers real questions people have. The tool mines places like Google, Reddit, Quora, and more to find the questions people are actually asking. Then it helps you group those questions so you can create content that builds topical authority.

But back to the podcasting journey. One of the reasons I chose podcasting over blogging was to stand out in the crowded SEO tool space. There are loads of SEO tools out there, many run by very experienced SEOs with massive companies behind them. I needed a way to differentiate myself and give my tool credibility.

Podcasts allow you to connect with your audience in a way that blog posts just can’t match. People can hear your passion, your enthusiasm, and your expertise. It builds trust. And because it’s me sharing my stories and tips, it’s content that AI can’t replicate. AI can regurgitate information, but it can’t share personal experiences or genuine insights.

Over time, the process has become much smoother. I’ve streamlined my workflow using software like Descript, which makes editing a breeze. I invested in a decent mic—a Rode Podcaster 2, nothing too fancy—and set up a simple recording space at home. Now, I can knock out an episode quite quickly, which is handy when you’re producing three a week!

The response has been fantastic. Not only have I built a loyal listener base, but I’ve also seen direct benefits to my business. People have found keywordspeopleuse.com through the podcast, and I’ve had great feedback from users who’ve applied the tips I’ve shared.

One of the key lessons I’ve learned is that people appreciate authenticity over perfection. They don’t mind if the podcast isn’t overproduced or if I don’t edit out every “um” and “ah.” They want real, actionable advice from someone who’s been in the trenches.

If you’re thinking about starting a podcast, especially in a niche area, I’d say go for it. Don’t worry about being perfect. Just be yourself, share your knowledge, and connect with your audience. You might be surprised at how forgiving and supportive people can be.

SEO doesn’t have to be complicated. By focusing on creating valuable content, understanding what your audience is looking for, and presenting it in an accessible way, you can achieve great results. And if a bloke like me, who used to spend days without speaking to anyone, can start a podcast and enjoy it, then so can you.