🎙️ Unscripted Small Business Podcast
The Human Element in SEO for SMBs with Tianna Mamalick
12 years doing SEO exclusively for small businesses: why service pages matter more than blogs right now, why human-written content is still winning, and how to mine your sales conversations for SEO gold.
Host: Jeremy Rivera | Unscripted Small Business Podcast
Guest: Tianna Mamalick — Founder, SMB Marketing School
Best Quotes
“It’s not just about the backlink. We’re really looking at conversions — how can we get SEO to convert for you?” — Tianna Mamalick
“AI-generated articles aren’t ranking right now. And I’ve tested this thoroughly. Human-written content is still winning.” — Tianna Mamalick
“Your service pages matter more right now than your blog. Get those comprehensive first.” — Tianna Mamalick
Key Takeaways
- Service pages before blog content. Each service needs a dedicated, detailed page — not a bullet point on a menu. That’s what ranks and converts.
- Human-written content is still winning. Tianna tested AI content extensively. Use AI for outlines and research, but have humans do the actual writing.
- Mine your sales conversations. The language customers use when they call or email is gold — and no keyword tool will ever surface it.
- Social media SEO matters. Talk about your actual services consistently across all platforms — platforms index this content and it feeds entity authority.
Service Pages First
Tianna Mamalick: Most small business websites have a menu item that says “Services” and then a list of five bullet points. That is not a service page. That’s a menu. Each service needs its own URL with real depth — what the service is, who it’s for, what the process looks like, what results clients can expect, real FAQs. Blog content is great, but it’s a longer game. Fix the foundation first.
“The Costanza Theory: How Doing the Opposite Drives Success” — Bill Kasko of Frontline Source Group on building a 21-year staffing business by doing the opposite of everything his industry told him to do.
— Bill Kasko, Frontline Source Group | Listen: Bill Kasko on Doing the Opposite →
Mining Sales Conversations for SEO Gold
Tianna: Your sales calls. Your customer support logs. Your front-line staff. The person answering your phones knows every objection, every confused question, every misconception prospects have before they buy. That language — verbatim — is what should be in your service pages and FAQ sections. Because that’s exactly what people are typing into Google.
Connect with Tianna Mamalick
- Website: smbmarketingschool.com
- Instagram: @smbmarketingschool
- LinkedIn: Tianna Mamalick
The Unscripted Small Business Podcast features candid conversations with marketers, founders, and entrepreneurs. Hosted by Jeremy Rivera.
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