BuzzStream Digital PR and Link Building Podcast

YouGov has published thousands of surveys—so what separates the ones that break through from the ones that don’t?In this episode of the BuzzStream podcast, host Vince Nero interviews Brian Reitz, Senior Marketing Manager at YouGov, to discuss the intricacies of survey design and the factors that make surveys newsworthy. They explore the internal processes at YouGov for determining survey topics, the importance of brainstorming, and the balance between timely and emotional content and much more.⏰ Timestamps00:00 – Introduction05:10 – How YouGov chooses survey topics10:28 – SEO vs. news value: Should search demand shape survey strategy?18:22 – What actually drives coverage (emotion, simplicity & authority)27:31 – Demographics, negativity & common survey PR mistakes37:28 – Real survey example + final advice for PRs running surveys🔗 Links and Resourceshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmreitz/https://yougov.com/https://www.buzzstream.com/blog/yougov-survey-analysis/https://yougov.com/en-us/business/engage/reality-checks

In this episode of the BuzzStream podcast, Vince Nero interviews Chloe Osunsami, head of digital PR at Aira, to discuss the intricacies of conducting a digital PR audit. Chloe shares her approach to understanding new clients, the importance of competitor analysis, and how SEO metrics are crucial to shaping PR strategies. ⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro01:12 - Understanding the Client and Competitors03:54 - The Role of SEO in Digital PR07:06 - Tools for Digital PR Audits11:49 - Quantifying Relevance in Backlinks13:48 - Client Collaboration in Strategy Development20:53 - Evolving Audit Strategies25:37 - Using Existing Content for PR29:31 - Ongoing Audit Processes🔗 LinksChloe's LinkedInAiraRead the Full Article on BuzzStream

It's about what sparks that talk. That's the key to successful survey ideation.In this episode of the BuzzStream Podcast, host Vince Nero interviews Rick Maughan, head of content at Talker Research.They discuss the intricacies of survey ideation, the importance of collaboration in research, and how to make seemingly boring topics engaging. ⏰ Time stamps00:00 - Introduction02:28 - The Ideation Process for Surveys08:11 - Making Boring Industries Interesting10:55 - The Importance of Human Stories in Data16:08 - The Role of Methodology and Sample Size23:02 - Understanding Sample Sizes and Statistical Significance27:46 - Building a Narrative Around Data35:44 - Creative Approaches to Data Analysis🔗 Links and Resources Mentionedhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-maughan-0705ba18https://talkerresearch.com/https://talkerresearch.com/research-reveals-the-perfect-movie-length/https://wearetalker.com/https://www.buzzstream.com

Wondering how to pitch journalists to get coverage? Why not ask someone who runs comms for one of the leading media databases?In this episode of the BuzzStream Podcast, host Vince Nero speaks with Linda Zebian, VP of Communications at Muckrack, about the evolving landscape of journalism and public relations. They discuss the increasing number of pitches journalists receive, the challenges faced by the media industry, and the importance of relevant pitching. Linda emphasizes the need for PR professionals to build trust and relationships with journalists, rather than just focusing on quantity. ⏰ Time stamps00:00 - Intro00:52 - State of Journalism: The Influx of Pitches09:47 - State of PR: Relevance in Pitches12:12 - Building Relationships in PR22:28 - AI's Impact on Journalism and PR Strategies27:58 - The Future of PR: Embracing New Opportunities🔗 The linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-ezziddin/https://generativepulse.ai/report/https://muckrack.com/research/state-of-prhttps://muckrack.com/research/the-state-of-journalismhttps://www.buzzstream.com/listiq/

Thinking of ways to boost your brand? Have you considered hosting your own conference or event?In this episode, Vince Nero interviews Rich Brooks, the president of Flyte New Media, discussing the Agents of Change Conference and the importance of events in digital marketing. Rich shares insights on lead generation, the challenges of event planning, and the balance between promoting one's brand and providing value to the audience. He emphasizes the significance of human connections in a digital age and how podcasts can complement event promotion.00:00 Intro01:32 The Agents of Change Conference: Origins and Purpose05:24 The Benefits of Hosting Events for Branding and Lead Generation08:36 Key Considerations for Organizing Your Own Event11:49 Balancing Brand Promotion with Audience Engagement15:24 Marketing Your Event: Strategies for Success17:50 Choosing Speakers: The Art of Curation23:05 Virtual vs. In-Person Events: Making the Right Choice25:43 The Role of Podcasts in Event Promotion29:10 The Importance of Human Connections in a Digital Agehttps://www.theagentsofchange.com/https://www.takeflyte.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/therichbrooks/https://www.buzzstream.com/newsletter/

Building brands just got harder. But in this episode, I'll show you why it's not rocket science.In this episode of the BuzzStream Podcast, host Vince Nero is joined by Harry Clarkson-Bennett, the SEO Director at The Telegraph in the UK and the creator of the Leadership in SEO Substack. Together, they discuss the challenges and strategies for building a brand in the post-AI era. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the importance of understanding your audience, the evolving role of SEO and backlinks, and the impact of AI on content visibility. Harry also shares insights into the internal workings of a major publisher and the competitive landscape of digital PR. ⏰ Timestamps00:00 – Intro00:14 – Building a Brand in the Post-AI World00:44 – Creating Demand for Your Brand08:25 – SEO Strategies & Backlinks in AI19:22 – Spam and SEO Tactics27:29 – The Role of Big Publishers in Digital PR36:25 – Impact of News on SEO & PR Strategies39:59 – Inside the Operations of a Major Publisher🔗 Some Links for YouHarry Clarkson-Bennett on LinkedInLeadership in SEO SubstackHarry's article: Build a Brand With SEO Post-AITry BuzzStream ListIQ

In this episode of the BuzzStream podcast, host Vince Nero is joined by Madeleine Dykes, head of digital PR at Rise at Seven, to discuss all things reactive PR in the US.Madeleine shares insights on the importance of staying current with news, strategies to pitch expert commentary, the differences between UK and US media landscapes, and how to use reactive PR to build relationships with journalists.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 – Intro01:07 – Daily Routine in Reactive PR03:32 – Finding Hooks and Trends05:17 – Pitching Commentary and Expert Opinions08:05 – Creating Full-Fledged Stories11:52 – Building Relationships with Journalists21:57 – Differences Between UK and US Reactive PR🔗 Check out all links here:https://riseatseven.com/https://www.buzzstream.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/madeleine-hennessy-dykes/If you want to learn more about how to master reactive PR, check out our post: https://www.buzzstream.com/blog/reactive-pr/

Unlock the secret to combining SEO, PR, and content in the AI era!Tamara  Sykes joins us to explore how brands stay visible, trusted, and discovered in today’s landscape.In this episode, BuzzStream’s Vince  Nero sits down with Tamara  Sykes (Head of Client Strategy, Stacker) to explore how the boundaries between SEO, PR, and content are blurring.We cover how traditional roles are changing, how those teams can work better together, and what smaller organisations need to do to stay aligned and effective.You’ll also learn:Why SEO and PR teams must speak the same language and work toward one “visibility” goalHow content teams can prioritise and adjust their roadmap using signals from PR and SEOPractical advice for smaller businesses (or agencies) with limited resources on keeping SEO, PR and content efforts alignedAnd much more.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 Intro 00:17 The Changing Landscape of SEO and AI's Impact01:07 Understanding the Overlap Between SEO, PR, and Content01:50 The Role of Discoverability and Visibility in AI03:13 Traditional vs. Digital PR in the AI Era04:12 The Importance of Collaboration Between SEO and PR05:23 Challenges and Solutions in PR and SEO Collaboration06:22 Insights from the State of Digital PR Study08:56 Aligning PR, SEO, and Content Strategies09:18 The Role of Data in PR and SEO Collaboration12:28 Content Strategy and Prioritization16:21 Flexibility in Planning and Adapting Strategies20:12 Navigating Industry-Specific Challenges22:08 The Importance of Flexibility and Communication23:04 Dealing with Internal Red Tape24:22 Aligning Goals Across Teams28:13 Simplifying Strategies for Small Businesses31:18 Measuring Impact and Success33:24 Final Thoughts and Contact InformationLinks mentioned in the video:Stacker: https://www.stacker.comBuzzStream: https://www.buzzstream.comConnect with Tamara Sykes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamarasykes/

In this episode of the BuzzStream Podcast, host Vince Nero speaks with Kelsey Libert, co-founder of Fractl, about the evolving landscape digital PR now that LLMs are in the mix.Kelsey shares insights on building relationships with journalists, adapting to changes in Google search, and the significance of niche publishers in LLMs. The conversation emphasizes the need for marketers to create valuable content and leverage AI tools to enhance their strategies.⏰ Timestamps00:00 - Introduction to AI and SEO02:52 - Understanding Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)05:47 - The Role of Links in the New Landscape08:27 - Digital PR Strategies in the Age of AI11:12 - Building Relationships with Journalists14:05 - Navigating Google Search Frustrations18:56 - Expanding Beyond Google: Multi-Channel Strategies21:32 - Leveraging AI for Content Syndication27:32 - Key Metrics for Tracking Performance32:11 - The Future of Niche Content in LLMsCheck out Kelsey's work at frac.tlCheck out BuzzStream at buzzstream.com

In this episode of the BuzzStream podcast, host Vince Nero interviews content marketing expert David Bain. David, the founder of the UK-based content agency Casting Cred, shares his views on what content marketing means in 2025, including the importance of delivering the right content to users at the right time. He elaborates on his six H content framework—hero, hub, help, heart, happy, and human content—and how it helps map customer journeys and sustain content strategies amidst rapid industry changes. ⏰ Time Stamps00:00 - Intro01:42 - Defining Content Marketing in 202501:53 - User-Centric Content Strategies03:59 - SEO and Digital PR in Content Marketing05:17 - Email Marketing and the 6H Framework09:37 - The Pump and Funnel Marketing Model14:53 - Adapting Content Strategies in the AI Era18:00 - Monitoring Content Marketing Success19:57 - Trends in SEO and Content Marketing23:32 - Maintaining a Content Framework Amidst Change27:04 - Final Thoughts and Upcoming Projects🐝 Don't miss all of BuzzStream's content:www.buzzstream.comCheck out more of David on: www.castingcred.com

We’re diving into Ahrefs’ huge new study on AI and brand visibility — they looked at 75,000 brands to see how often they get mentioned in AI tools, and what that means for SEO and digital PR.If you want to know where brand visibility is headed in the AI era, this one’s packed with insights you don’t want to miss.⏰Time stamps00:00 - Intro00:18 - Overview of the Ahrefs Study01:47 - Inspiration Behind the Study05:54 - Key Findings and Surprises10:09 - Building a Brand vs. Building Mentions12:28 - Strategies for Brand Building18:00 - The Role of Links in AI Overviews19:24 - Sentiment and Quality of Mentions22:03 - Optimizing for AI vs. Traditional Search24:17 - Final Thoughts and TakeawaysCheck out the full study from Ahrefs here: https://ahrefs.com/blog/ai-overview-brand-correlationCheck out Buzzstream here: https://www.buzzstream.com

In this quick hit bonus edition of the BuzzStream Podcast, Vince Nero hosts Thomas Fish, the president of Blowout Cards, to discuss a successful reactive PR campaign centered around the viral 'Phillies Karen' incident. ⏰ Timestamps00:00 Intro00:43 Setting the Scene: The Phillies Karen Incident02:00 Blowout Cards' Viral Campaign03:45 About Blowout Cards05:59 The Impact and Lessons Learned11:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts🃏 Check out blowoutcards.com🐝 Visit Buzzstream.com📧 Subscribe to our newsletter: buzzstream.com/newsletter

In this episode of the BuzzStream podcast, Vince Nero interviews Tamara Novitović, the head of SEO at Bazoom, about link value in 2025 within the context of the AI era.Here are some things you'll learn:⭐️ Limitations of traditional metrics like Domain Authority (DA) and Domain Rating (DR)⭐️ Advocating instead for a more nuanced approach that takes into account the quality and context of backlinks⭐️ The dangers of manipulative link-building practices⭐️ Potential pitfalls of over-reliance on metrics that can be easily gamed⭐️ 'Impact Score' as a framework to help businesses focus on backlinks that provide genuine value⏰ Timestamps00:00 Intro00:16 Redefining Link Value in the AI Era01:53 The Pitfalls of Vanity Metrics: DA and DR03:32 Manipulation of SEO Metrics and Its Consequences05:11 The Debate on Trust Flow and Citation Flow08:25 Negative SEO and Spam Brain12:47 The Overuse of HARO and Its Risks17:10 The Importance of Engagement and Click-Through Rates24:22 Guest Posts and the Future of Link Building28:48 Introducing the Impact Score34:08 Final Thoughts and ConclusionDon't miss another podcast by subscribing to our newsletter: buzzstream.com/newsletter/Download our new media list building tool, ListIQ: buzzstream.com/listiq/

In this episode of the BuzzStream Podcast, host Vince Nero is joined by Shane Dutka, founder of SiteCurve and former VP of SEO at Three Ships. Shane discusses his strategies for analyzing competitors' link profiles, methods for handling toxic links, and the importance of keywords in an AI-driven world. Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:30 - Importance of Competitor Analysis04:20 - Affiliate Marketing Trends08:50 - Site Curve’s Keyword Tracking Approach12:15 - Evaluating and Disavowing Toxic Links17:30 - Role of AI in SEO22:00 - Traditional SEO vs. AI-first Strategies26:40 - Importance of Conversion Rate Optimization31:00 - Wrapping UpSubscribe to the BuzzStream newsletter today: www.buzzstream.com/newsletterTry out our new media list building tool, ListIQ, for free with this link: www.buzzstream.com/listiq

In this episode of the BuzzStream Podcast, host Vince Nero dives deep into the future of search with Oliver Sissons, Search Director at Reboot Online.We’re unpacking how AI is reshaping search visibility — from AI Overviews to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) — and what that means for your PR, SEO, and brand strategy.🔍 In this episode, we cover:- What is GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) and how it differs from traditional SEO- How PR and brand mentions influence LLMs like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini- What leaks and AI system prompts reveal about how AI decides who to cite- Why context wrapping is the next big thing in digital PR- How social posts (even LinkedIn!) are now feeding into AI answers- Reboot’s wild experiments: convincing AI of a fake football team and testing AI-generated PR campaigns🔥 Whether you're an SEO, PR pro, or content marketer — this is your crash course in how to future-proof your visibility strategy in the age of AI.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro00:50 - Defining AI Terminology03:11 - Insights on AI Leaks and Their Implications09:20 - The Role of PR in AI Visibility19:35 - Challenges and Strategies for Small Businesses21:17 - Reboot's AI Experiments and Findings25:47 - The Impact of Social Media on AI Results28:45 - Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions💻 Check out the full post: https://www.buzzstream.com/blog/geo-changing-pr-podcast/🤝 Our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.buzzstream.com⁠⁠ ⁠ ✉️ Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠https://www.buzzstream.com/newsletter/⁠

In this episode of the BuzzStream Digital PR and Link Building podcast, host Vince Nero welcomes SEO expert Kevin Indig to discuss the crucial topic of topical authority. Kevin shares key insights from his Growth Memo newsletter, including the four levers of topical authority: content breadth and depth, smart internal linking, relevant backlinks and mentions, and content pruning. They explore the differentiation between topical authority and brand authority, the importance of quality over quantity in SEO, and the impact of AI on search results.⏰ Timestamps00:00 - Intro01:58 - Defining Topical Authority04:57 - Topical Authority in the Age of AI07:35 - The Role of Backlinks and Mentions10:37 - Content Strategies for Topical Authority13:27 - Four Levers of Topical Authority21:17 - Engagement and User Behavior29:03 - Future of Topical Authority and AI33:28 - Conclusion and Farewell💻 Check out the full post: 🤝 Our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.buzzstream.com⁠⁠⁠ 🌎 Follow us on X / ⁠@buzzstream⁠ ✉️ Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠https://www.buzzstream.com/newsletter/⁠

With AI moving so quickly, my conversation with Beth Nunnington, founding member and Global VP of Digital PR at Journey Further, couldn't have come at a more critical time. (I actually bumped it up in the schedule so that people could heed Beth's great advice.)We discuss the evolving landscape of PR and its growing importance in a highly fragmented search environment. However, that's not all; brand awareness, the interactions between brand signals and AI technologies like Google and ChatGPT are becoming increasingly popular.In this chat, we discuss what that means for brands specifically.Tune in.⏰ Timestamps00:00 - Introduction00:30 - Why PR is Having a Moment01:50 - Understanding Brand Signals and Mentions03:16 - International Perspective on PR Trends04:05 - Defining Branding, Brand Awareness, and Brand Building06:28 - The Role of PR in Brand Building08:21 - Google and Brand Signals10:30 - Impact of AI and LLMs on PR15:01 - Relevance and Sentiment in PR20:37 - Strategies for Building Brand Signals27:10 - Measuring Success in Digital PR30:55 - Future-Proofing PR Strategies34:37 - Conclusion 💻 Check out the full post: https://www.buzzstream.com/blog/digital-pr-ai-podcast/🤝 Our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.buzzstream.com⁠⁠⁠ 🌎 Follow us on X / ⁠@buzzstream⁠ ✉️ Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠https://www.buzzstream.com/newsletter/⁠

In this episode of the BuzzStream Podcast, host Vince Nero sits down with John Shehata, CEO and founder of NewzDash, to discuss the evolving digital news landscape. They examine the impact of AI on news publishing, SEO, and audience development, as well as the importance of brand loyalty and diversification in the current media landscape. They also provide actionable insights for PR professionals and discuss how tools like NewzDash can help optimize visibility on search and news platforms.Join the conversation for a deep dive into the future of digital news and strategies to navigate these changes effectively.⏰ Time stamps00:00 - Introduction00:54 - Overview of News Dash02:11 - The Changing Media Landscape04:11 - Impact of AI on News Industry07:35 - Big Brands vs. Small Brands in SEO15:41 - Building Brand Loyalty23:34 - Trends in US Media26:03 - PR Pitches to News Publishers28:30 - Conclusion 💻 Check out the full post: https://www.buzzstream.com/blog/digital-news-podcast/🤝 Our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.buzzstream.com⁠⁠ ⁠🌎 Follow us on X / ⁠@buzzstream⁠✉️ Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠https://www.buzzstream.com/newsletter/⁠

In this episode of the BuzzStream podcast, host Vince Nero is joined by Cyrus Shepard, founder of SEO agency, Zyppy SEO. They discuss the evolving landscape of SEO, addressing changes in link-building strategies, the importance of brand and reputation, and how traditional SEO practices fit into the modern digital marketing world. Cyrus also shares insights from his experience as a Google quality rater and offers advice on building authoritative content and effective link strategies. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or new to SEO, this episode provides valuable perspectives and actionable tips. Tune in for a deep dive into the current state and future of SEO.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction01:00 Cyrus's Background in SEO02:45 Changes in Link Building and Ranking05:30 Impact of Google's Helpful Content Update09:25 The State of Affiliate Sites13:00 The Importance of Brand and Reputation in SEO17:40 Effective Anchor Text Strategies21:13 Off-Page Reputation Management24:40 Quality Rater Insights on E-E-A-T29:15 Addressing Negative Reputation32:10 Role of Unlinked Mentions35:55 SEO and the Age of AI41:00 Final Thoughts and Future of SEO💻 Check out the full post: https://www.buzzstream.com/blog/seo-isnt-dead-podcast/🤝 Our website: https://www.buzzstream.com🌎 Follow us on X / @buzzstream✉️ Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.buzzstream.com/newsletter/

In this episode of the BuzzStream Podcast, host Vince Nero welcomes back Will Hobson, VP of PR at Rise at Seven, to discuss the differences between UK and US digital PR. Their conversation was about the current state of digital PR, including the impact of recent SEO updates and the increasing importance of AI in the industry. Will shares insights from his year in the US market, highlighting the need for compelling stories and the potential for digital PR to evolve beyond just link building. ⏰ Time Stamps00:00 Intro00:48 Differences Between UK and US Digital PR02:23 Challenges and Opportunities in US Digital PR05:07 Creative Storytelling in PR10:43 Learning from the US Market13:08 Adapting to SEO Changes and AI14:51 Collaborative Campaign Strategies18:20 Journalism Trends and PR Myths20:34 The Importance of Melody in Storytelling21:06 Identifying a Good Story21:55 Effective Strategies in the US Market24:02 Regional and Local Outreach Tactics26:04 Balancing National and Local SEO31:16 The Role of Expert Commentary33:41 The Influence of TikTok and Short-Form Content35:23 Emerging Platforms and Future Trends36:53 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks🤝 Our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.buzzstream.com⁠⁠ ⁠🌎 Follow us on X / ⁠@buzzstream⁠✉️ Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠https://www.buzzstream.com/newsletter/⁠