How to monetize free content with SEO

TL;DR

Learn how Nourish Move Love monetized free fitness content using SEO.

Transcript

[Applause] [Applause] so i started nourish move love because i love teaching group fitness classes and i wanted to turn that into a scalable online business model so at the time in 2015 when i started my business most people in the fitness industry were typically either selling an app or they were selling a membership site or trying to sell a worko... Read More

Key Insights

• Nourish Move Love transitioned from in-person fitness classes to an online business, offering free content while seeking monetization strategies.
• Initially, the fitness industry focused on selling apps or memberships, but Nourish Move Love opted to provide free workouts inspired by recipe bloggers.
• SEO became a vital tool for monetizing free content, allowing the business to increase visibility and ad revenue by targeting specific keywords.
• The company used SEMrush to identify keywords with moderate difficulty and high search volume, optimizing their content to rank on Google's first page.
• Nourish Move Love shifted from creating content based on intuition to a data-driven approach, using detailed plans to optimize video titles and descriptions.
• By continuously updating and optimizing old content, the company improved its search rankings, even surpassing major publishing companies.
• The strategic SEO efforts led to a significant increase in website traffic, from 150,000 to 500,000 monthly page views, boosting ad revenue.
• The business achieved financial success by consistently investing in SEO, resulting in six-figure earnings within six months and the ability to expand their team.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Nourish Move Love start its online business?

Nourish Move Love began as a provider of in-person fitness classes. The founder wanted to scale the business online, offering free workout content inspired by the model used by recipe bloggers. This approach allowed them to reach a broader audience without charging for content initially.

Q: What was the initial challenge faced by the company?

Initially, Nourish Move Love struggled with monetizing their free content. While they were creating and publishing numerous workouts, they weren't seeing the expected results in terms of revenue. This challenge prompted them to explore alternative strategies, such as SEO, to improve their business model.

Q: How did SEO contribute to the company's growth?

SEO played a crucial role in the company's growth by enhancing their online visibility. By using SEMrush to identify keywords with moderate difficulty and high search volume, they optimized their content to rank on Google's first page. This increased traffic and ad revenue, enabling them to monetize their free content effectively.

Q: What tools did the company use for SEO optimization?

The company used SEMrush for keyword research and optimization. They utilized the SEO Writing Assistant tool, which integrates with WordPress, to refine their content. This tool helped them identify potential keywords and optimize their posts for better search rankings, contributing to their success.

Q: How did the company compete with major publishers?

Nourish Move Love competed with major publishers by identifying and targeting niche keywords where these publishers had weaknesses. They updated their content regularly to keep it relevant and optimized, allowing them to rank higher than established companies on certain search terms, thus gaining more visibility.

Q: What results did the company achieve through their SEO strategy?

Through their SEO strategy, the company significantly increased their website traffic, growing from 150,000 to 500,000 monthly page views. This growth translated into substantial ad revenue, allowing them to earn six figures in six months, hire additional staff, and continue investing in their SEO efforts.

Q: What would the company have done differently in hindsight?

In hindsight, the company would have invested in an SEO strategy much sooner. They realized that starting their SEO efforts earlier could have accelerated their growth and monetization process, allowing them to achieve their current success in a shorter timeframe.

Q: How did the company's business model evolve over time?

Initially, the company focused on creating content based on intuition. However, as they embraced SEO, their approach became more data-driven. They now plan content creation around keyword research and optimization, ensuring each piece is designed to attract and engage their target audience effectively.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Nourish Move Love began as a fitness class provider and transitioned to an online business offering free workout content. They found a way to monetize this content by leveraging SEO strategies, particularly focusing on keyword optimization to increase visibility and ad revenue.

• Using tools like SEMrush, the company identified keywords with moderate difficulty and high search volume, allowing them to target specific niches in the fitness industry. This approach enabled them to compete with major publishers and significantly grow their online presence.

• The business experienced substantial growth, increasing monthly page views from 150,000 to 500,000, and achieving six-figure earnings in six months. This success allowed them to expand their team and continue investing in quality content and SEO strategies for future growth.