How SEO Fuels Online Growth: Lessons from Brandon Leibowitz on the Coaching Call Podcast
Search engine optimization (SEO) is more than a digital marketing tactic—it’s the foundation of online visibility. In a recent episode of the Coaching Call Podcast, SEO expert Brandon Leibowitz shared practical, no-fluff strategies that anyone, from pizza shop owners to personal trainers, can use to grow their digital presence. His journey, insights, and step-by-step methods for building online trust and traffic are essential listening for entrepreneurs.
This blog post breaks down Brandon’s top strategies and lessons on SEO and digital marketing in an easy-to-understand, story-driven format.
The Accidental Start of a Marketing Career
Brandon didn’t set out to become an SEO expert. He simply wanted to start his own business and stumbled into digital marketing right after college. His first job was with a company that didn’t know much about digital marketing either, so they all learned together, taking workshops and building skills on the fly.
That hands-on learning led him to discover SEO’s superpower: free traffic. Unlike paid ads or social media, search engine optimization builds long-term momentum without ongoing ad spend.
What Is SEO Really About?
Focus keyword: search engine optimization
Search engine optimization is not just about adding keywords to a website. As Brandon explains, SEO involves:
- Researching what people are searching for
- Strategically placing keywords in titles, descriptions, and body content
- Earning backlinks from trusted, relevant sites
- Building Google’s trust in your brand
- Ensuring your website is user-friendly and conversion-focused
“Google doesn’t trust anyone by default,” Brandon explains. “It’s your job to prove your website is relevant and credible.”
5 Ways to Build Google’s Trust
To rank higher on Google, you need to earn trust. Brandon shared five essential strategies for this:
- Backlinks – Get high-authority, relevant sites to link to you.
- SEO Title Tags – Use your main keywords in the page title (max 60 characters).
- Meta Descriptions – Include search terms and a clear summary of the page.
- Local SEO Signals – Mention your business location on every page (but don’t overdo it).
- Unique Pages for Each Keyword/Location – Create dedicated pages for each city or service.
“If you want to rank for ‘Pizza in Santa Monica,’ you better have a whole page just about that.”
Getting Found Starts with Keyword Research
Brandon emphasizes that the foundation of SEO is keyword research. He suggests:
- Looking at what competitors rank for
- Using Google’s free Keyword Planner tool
- Focusing on both branded (your name/business name) and non-branded keywords (like “restaurant near me”)
Without keywords, your site is like a store with no signs—it exists, but nobody knows it’s there.
Common Mistakes That Tank Your SEO
Brandon points out several mistakes even seasoned business owners make:
- Using generic keywords with high competition
- Not optimizing the SEO title tag
- Forgetting to submit a sitemap to Google
- Relying too heavily on social media traffic
- Creating content for search engines, not people
Your Website Is Only Half the Battle
Once people find your website, you have to keep them there. Here’s what Brandon recommends:
- Add clear calls to action (book now, contact us, order online)
- Include video content (people prefer watching over reading)
- Feature reviews and testimonials
- Use a visual design that builds trust
- Update content regularly (Google likes fresh websites)
“You can spend thousands building a site, but if it doesn’t convert, it’s just a pretty digital brochure.”
Personal Branding & Social Media Synergy
Your brand and your SEO go hand in hand. As Brandon says, social media doesn’t usually generate sales directly—it builds trust. Most people will check your social media to verify your legitimacy.
Brandon’s top social tips:
- Focus on the platforms your target audience uses
- Don’t try to be everywhere—be where it matters
- Give value before asking for anything
- Use short-form videos to educate and entertain
- Build trust through consistency, not just promotions
Should You Use Linktree or Just Link to Your Website?
Linktree and similar tools can feel trendy, but Brandon warns against relying on them. “Your goal is to get people to your website, not bounce them to five more platforms they don’t care about.”
Stick with one clear call-to-action: visit your website.
Pinterest, TikTok, and Choosing the Right Platforms
Brandon emphasizes that not all platforms are right for all businesses.
Pinterest: Great for female-oriented niches like DIY, fashion, and food
TikTok: Ideal for businesses with visual content or “how-to” value
Instagram: Strong for brand awareness, but harder to convert
LinkedIn: Best for B2B services and thought leadership
“Figure out where your audience hangs out—then go all in on that platform.”
From Zero to Hero: How to Scale Your Online Presence
If you’re starting from scratch, here’s Brandon’s blueprint:
- Set up your website – Or hire a developer to do it.
- Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console.
- Research keywords and optimize SEO title tags and meta descriptions.
- Build content around each main keyword and location.
- Start getting backlinks from relevant websites.
- Use social media to build trust, not just to sell.
- Track everything using Google Analytics and Search Console.
- Keep learning—because Google updates never stop.
What Makes Brandon Different?
A lot of marketers promise big results. Brandon focuses on what matters: conversions.
He understands that traffic without action is useless. That’s why he combines SEO with conversion optimization, email marketing, and paid ads to create full-funnel growth.
“Most visitors will leave your website. The goal is to capture and convert them before they do.”
Want to Learn More? Brandon Has a Gift for You
You can get free SEO training, audits, and strategy sessions from Brandon at:
It includes:
- Free SEO classes
- A site audit from Brandon himself
- Tools to help you find what’s working (and what’s not)
Final Thought: Give Before You Ask
Whether you’re sharing tips on social or optimizing your homepage for Google, Brandon’s approach is consistent: offer value first.
This strategy builds trust, loyalty, and long-term results.
If you’re serious about getting more traffic—and turning that traffic into customers—take Brandon up on his offer and get your SEO analysis today.
