Hi there, I'm Greg Merrilees from Studio1 Design, and welcome to this episode of the Real Magic podcast. Today, Alan and I are continuing our series on the key takeaways we gathered from the Traffic and Conversion Summit in 2018.

In this episode, we're diving into the topic of marketing tools and strategies to help you create free traffic for your business. Now, I know the term "free traffic" might sound a bit misleading, because as we'll discuss, there's really no such thing as truly free traffic. But what we're talking about here are the organic, non-paid methods you can use to attract potential customers to your website.

As business owners, Alan and I are always on the lookout for effective ways to drive traffic and generate leads. And the speakers at the Traffic and Conversion Summit really provided some valuable insights that I'm excited to share with you today.

We'll be covering everything from website optimization and SEO best practices, to leveraging social media platforms like Pinterest and Facebook Live. We'll also dive into the power of podcasting and how you can use it to build authority and connect with your audience in a more personal way.

Now, I know a lot of this might sound like marketing 101 to some of you seasoned entrepreneurs out there. But I can assure you, there are some real gems of wisdom in here that even the pros can benefit from. And of course, Alan and I will be putting our own unique spin on things, drawing from our own experiences in the design and digital marketing space.

So sit back, grab a pen and paper, and get ready to take some notes. This is going to be an information-packed episode that I'm confident will give you some actionable strategies to start implementing in your business right away. Let's dive in!

• How to attract customers with free traffic sources, deliver value to build trust, and ensure your website is fast, secure, and designed to convert ‍
• Strategies to boost SEO and trust with HTTPS, craft market-focused content, and optimize website design for Google's AI-driven algorithms and user behavior
• How voice search, mobile-first indexing, and high-authority backlinks can improve your SEO strategy‍
• How to tap into Pinterest's potential and use live video without the risks
• The impact of creating authentic, live videos on captivating audiences and building trust with potential customers
• How VR technology is shaping the future and the power of interviews for creating unique content ‍
• The power of podcasting for attracting clients through valuable content, industry interviews, and effective promotion

Unlocking the Power of Free Traffic: 113 Marketing Tools to Boost Your Business

As business owners, we're always on the hunt for effective ways to drive traffic and generate leads for our companies. And one of the key takeaways from the recent Traffic and Conversion Summit was the importance of leveraging "free traffic" - the organic, non-paid methods you can use to attract potential customers to your website.

Now, I know the term "free traffic" might sound a bit misleading, because as we'll discuss, there's really no such thing as truly free traffic. After all, creating content, optimizing your website, and building an online presence all require a significant investment of time and resources.

But the speakers at the summit made a compelling case for why these organic traffic sources should be a core part of any marketing strategy. And as the co-host of the Real Magic podcast, my business partner Alan Nunez and I are excited to share some of the top insights and actionable tips we gathered from the event.

Website Optimization and SEO Best Practices

‍One of the foundational elements of driving free traffic is having a website that is optimized for both search engines and user experience. As Perry Belcher, one of the co-owners of DigitalMarketer, emphasized, your website is the hub that all of your other traffic sources should be pointing back to.

To ensure your website is primed for success, Belcher recommended focusing on a few key areas:

1. Speed and performance

Reduce large image files, use a fast hosting provider, and leverage a lightweight, flexible framework like the Genesis theme for WordPress.

2. Security

Make sure your website has an HTTPS certificate, as Google is increasingly prioritizing secure sites in their search rankings.

3. Content strategy

Use tools like BuzzSumo and Moz to research topics and keywords that are relevant and interesting to your target audience. Then create content that provides genuine value, rather than just a brain dump of your own knowledge.

Belcher also touched on the importance of Google's "RankBrain" algorithm, which uses artificial intelligence to assess user behavior and engagement on your website. Things like bounce rate, time on page, and social sharing can all impact how your site ranks in search results.

The takeaway here is that simply optimizing your technical SEO is no longer enough. You need to design your website and content with the user experience in mind, creating an engaging and informative experience that keeps people coming back.

Leveraging Social Media Platforms

‍Another key area that the speakers highlighted was the power of social media platforms for driving free traffic. While paid advertising on platforms like Facebook and Instagram can certainly be effective, there are also plenty of organic tactics you can leverage.

For example, Joel Comm, a renowned digital marketing expert, dove deep into the world of live video. He shared some fascinating statistics, like the fact that 20% of all Facebook video content is now live. And he pointed to examples like the viral "Chewbacca Mom" video as proof of how raw, unscripted content can sometimes resonate the most with audiences.

Comm encouraged attendees to experiment with different storytelling formats on live video, from teaching something new to sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of their business. The key, he said, is to focus on being authentic and engaging, rather than trying to be overly polished or scripted.

Another social platform that was highlighted as an underutilized traffic driver was Pinterest. As Belcher noted, many businesses overlook Pinterest, assuming it's only relevant for certain niches. But the reality is that it can be a powerful source of referral traffic, especially for visual-heavy industries like design and e-commerce.

The Power of Podcasting

‍One of the final speakers we heard from was Pat Flynn, the renowned online entrepreneur and host of the Smart Passive Income podcast. And he had some fantastic insights to share about the power of podcasting as a free traffic source.

Flynn emphasized the importance of mixing up your podcast format, rather than sticking to the same rigid structure every episode. He suggested things like interviewing clients as case studies, reaching out to industry leaders and forum owners, and even getting vulnerable and sharing behind-the-scenes stories.

The core idea is to create an engaging, multi-dimensional listening experience that keeps your audience coming back. And while Flynn did recommend including a clear call-to-action at the end of each episode, he stressed that the priority should be on delivering genuine value, not just trying to make a sale.

Putting it All Together

‍At the end of the day, the overarching theme is that driving free traffic requires a strategic mix of content creation, optimization, and authenticity. By leveraging multiple channels like SEO, social media, and podcasting, businesses can generate consistent, organic leads without relying on paid ads.