Build a Sustainable Biz with SEO McKayla Spencer

Written By Stacy Braga

Cozypreneur Episode 21

How SEO Can Help You Work Less and Grow More with McKayla Spencer

If you’ve been relying on social media to bring in leads, but you’re tired of the constant content treadmill, this episode of The Cozypreneur Podcast is for you.

I sat down with SEO strategist and blog content writer McKayla Spencer to talk about why SEO is the secret weapon for service providers who want sustainable growth—without burning out.

McKayla breaks down what SEO actually is, how it works, and why investing in long-term visibility through blogging can help you bring in clients without being glued to Instagram 24/7. She also shares how to get started with SEO, including the exact steps you need to take to build a blog that brings in traffic (and leads!) for years to come.

If you’ve been wondering how to make SEO work for your business, grab a cozy drink and dive in.

Why SEO is More Sustainable Than Social Media

Social media is great for quick wins—but it’s not built for longevity. Your posts disappear down the feed, your stories vanish in 24 hours, and that reel you spent an hour editing? It’ll stop getting engagement in a few days.

SEO, on the other hand, works for you long after you hit publish.

  • A blog post you write today can bring in traffic next month, next year, or even five years from now.

  • SEO content is searchable, meaning ideal clients can find you instead of you constantly chasing them.

  • Investing in SEO helps you build a steady stream of leads without having to post daily on Instagram or keep up with the latest trends.

McKayla describes SEO as the “long game” of marketing. It won’t give you instant results, but if you’re thinking about the future of your business, it’s an investment worth making.

Where to Start with SEO

Feeling overwhelmed by SEO? McKayla shares her step-by-step approach for getting started:

  1. Check Your Website First – Before you start blogging, make sure your website is set up to convert visitors into clients. If your messaging is unclear or your services page isn’t optimized, your blog traffic won’t turn into sales.

  2. Identify Your Non-Negotiables – These are the key topics your audience must know about before they hire you. Even if you don’t rank for these keywords right away, they’re foundational to your content strategy.

  3. Find Long-Tail Keywords – Instead of broad, competitive keywords (like “SEO for business owners”), look for more specific, lower-competition phrases (like “SEO strategy for service providers”).

  4. Batch and Plan Your Content – SEO is a long-term strategy, so McKayla suggests planning quarterly content around core topics. This makes it easier to stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed.

  5. Repurpose Across Platforms – Your blog doesn’t have to live only on your website! Share it in your emails, post excerpts on social media, and use it in your overall marketing strategy.

Quality Over Quantity: Why Small Traffic Still Matters

One of the biggest SEO misconceptions? That you need huge traffic numbers for it to be worth it.

McKayla explains that even if a blog post only brings in 10 visitors a month, that’s still 120 highly targeted leads a year—without extra effort.

  • A small but aligned audience is better than lots of unqualified traffic.

  • Niche, specific blog posts help you attract the right people who are actually interested in your services.

  • Even blog posts with “low” search volume can help you rank for bigger, more competitive keywords over time.

Free SEO Checklist to Get Started

If you’re ready to optimize your content, McKayla has a free checklist: Six Simple Steps to Better SEO. Each step takes just 15 minutes, making it easy to start improving your website without feeling overwhelmed.

Download the checklist here!

SEO isn’t about quick wins—it’s about sustainable growth. If you’re ready to stop relying solely on social media and start building a long-term marketing strategy, SEO (and blogging!) is the way to go.

Start small, be consistent, and let SEO work for you—so you can take a break from Instagram and still have clients finding you.

Resources Mentioned

  • 6 Simple Steps to Better SEO – McKayla’s free checklist to help you optimize your content in just 15 minutes per step.

  • ClickUp – A project management tool to keep your business organized.

  • Moz & Mangools– SEO tools for keyword research and ranking insights.

Connect with McKayla:

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Credits:

Stacy Braga
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