In this special Christmas episode of Bear Business, host Chris Barnard from Feedback Fans discusses the business trends that shaped 2025 and what to expect in 2026. Guests Gemma Johnson from Emotion Brands, Vicki Balance from Step Up Socials, and Phil Hughes from PHH Digital delve into the significance of building authentic brands, community-led social media strategies, and the integration of AI and automation in business workflows.

They highlight how businesses can humanize AI, productize services, and leverage social media to create trust and engage with customers. This episode also discusses the emotional and personal benefits of automation and AI adoption, encouraging entrepreneurs to embrace technological advancements to free up time and enhance business processes.

Find Chris on Social Media

Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjbarnard/

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@feedbackfans

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@getfeedbackfans

Find Gemma on Social Media

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-johnson-emotion-brands/

Website – https://www.emotionbrands.co.uk

Find Vicky on Social Media

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickyballance/

Website – https://stepup-bcp.uk/

Find Phil on Social Media

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-techuk/

Website – https://phhdigital.co.uk/

In this episode of Bear Business, Matt Jones, an independent technical SEO consultant, shares his extensive experience in the marketing field, discussing his transition from in-house roles to freelancing. He emphasises the importance of technical SEO as the foundation for effective online presence, detailing the challenges of integrating SEO early in the website development process. Matt explains the significance of conducting thorough technical audits and measuring success through tangible business outcomes, such as increased revenue and lead generation.

He addresses the current challenges in tracking and reporting due to privacy regulations and the rise of AI, advocating for small businesses to focus on quick wins like improving page speed and URL structure. The conversation highlights the evolving nature of SEO, the necessity of adapting to new technologies, and the enduring value of the human touch in marketing. Matt concludes with a personal note about his favourite game, Geo Guesser, showcasing his competitive spirit and love for geography.

Bear Business is a content series aimed at business owners, leaders and entrepreneurs where we talk to a variety of subject matter experts about their products and services, the state of marketing and look at marketing technology solutions that are available to solve your everyday marketing problems.

Highlights include:

Introduction to Technical SEO Consulting

Chris Barnard introduces Matt Jones, an independent technical SEO consultant, discussing the evolving landscape of SEO and the importance of technical foundations for online success.

Matt's Background and Freelance Journey

Matt shares his journey from in-house marketing roles to agency work and ultimately becoming a freelancer during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the challenges and rewards of his freelance career.

Preferred Client Types

The conversation explores the types of businesses Matt enjoys working with, particularly e-commerce, and the unique challenges they present, emphasizing the problem-solving aspect of technical SEO.

Defining Technical SEO

Matt explains what technical SEO entails, focusing on website crawlability, indexing, and site architecture, and stresses the importance of a solid technical foundation for effective SEO.

The Need for Early SEO Integration

The discussion highlights the necessity of involving SEO early in the website development process to avoid foundational issues, with Matt sharing insights on how to advocate for this integration.

Conducting Effective Technical SEO Audits

Matt outlines the process of conducting technical SEO audits, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and actionable insights to ensure clients understand and can implement necessary changes.

Measuring SEO Success

The conversation covers how to measure the success of technical SEO efforts, focusing on aligning SEO goals with business outcomes such as increased revenue and lead generation.

Challenges in Tracking and Reporting

Matt addresses the difficulties in tracking and reporting due to privacy changes and consent modes, discussing strategies for improving cookie acceptance rates and the impact on data collection.

Quick Wins for Small Businesses

Matt provides actionable advice for small businesses looking to improve their technical SEO, focusing on optimizing page speed, fixing broken links, and enhancing URL structure.

The Future of SEO and AI

The discussion concludes with Matt's insights on the impact of AI on SEO, including the rise of zero-click searches and the importance of maintaining a human touch in marketing amidst technological advancements.

#SEO #sales #business #entrepreneur #strategy

Find Matt on Social Media

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-jones-seo/

Website: https://www.sevenhillssearch.com/

Find Chris on Social Media

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjbarnard/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@feedbackfans

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@getfeedbackfans

In this episode of Bear Business, Chris Barnard interviews Paul Lanham, founder of the digital consultancy Random Surfer. Paul shares his extensive experience in the marketing industry, focusing on the unique challenges small to medium-sized businesses face in the digital landscape. He discusses the critical moments that led him to establish his own consultancy, emphasizing the importance of tailored digital strategies that cater to the specific needs of each client.

Key themes include the differences between pay-per-click (PPC) advertising and search engine optimization (SEO), the significance of understanding when to engage a digital consultant, and the evolving nature of digital marketing in today’s competitive environment. Paul provides actionable insights for businesses looking to enhance their online presence, advocating for a balanced approach that combines both immediate and long-term strategies. The episode wraps up with a fun discussion about gaming, highlighting the importance of creativity and innovation in both business and play.

Highlights

Introduction to Digital Consultancy

Chris Barnard introduces Paul Lanham, founder of Random Surfer, discussing the challenges small businesses face in the digital marketing landscape and the need for specialized consultancy.

Paul's Background and Journey

Paul shares his journey from working in marketing agencies to founding his own consultancy, highlighting the motivation behind starting Random Surfer and his passion for helping underserved businesses.

Recognising the Right Time for Consultancy

The conversation explores when businesses should consider engaging a digital consultant, with Paul outlining key signs that indicate a need for professional guidance.

Understanding PPC vs. SEO

Paul explains the differences between pay-per-click advertising and search engine optimization, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to digital marketing.

The Importance of Active Management

The discussion covers the necessity of actively managing digital marketing accounts, particularly in the context of PPC campaigns, to ensure optimal performance and cost-effectiveness.

Building an Effective Marketing Mix

Paul discusses how to create a balanced marketing mix, including budget allocation for SEO and PPC, to maximize results and drive business growth.

The Role of Negative Keywords

Paul highlights the significance of maintaining an active negative keyword list in PPC campaigns to prevent wasted ad spend and improve targeting accuracy.

Red Flags in Digital Consultancy

The conversation shifts to identifying red flags when engaging with digital consultants, including signs of spammy outreach and the importance of verifying credentials.

The Future of Digital Marketing

Paul shares his insights on the future of digital marketing, particularly the impact of AI and machine learning on the industry, and how businesses can leverage these tools for success.