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5 Ways to Grow Your Online Business with SEO

Darlene Hawley

I was hacked on June 30th, 2020 and lost my Facebook personal page, business page, group and my Instagram all in one swoop. I learned during this process that I love SEO. It's the best way to find cold leads and bring them into your community so that you can nurture them.

5 ways to grow your online business with SEO

I was hacked on June 30th, 2020 and lost my Facebook personal page, business page, group and my Instagram all in one swoop.

 

Watch the YouTube Training Here


I learned during this process that I love SEO. It's the best way to find cold leads and bring them into your community so that you can nurture them. Before the hack I was spending probably an hour a day on social media each day, trying to build relationships, answering questions and connecting with a ton of great people, which I loved but didn’t always get clients from it.

 

Now I am able to focus that time and energy into being more strategic with my marketing by using SEO to get in front of a new audience. 

 

I switched my strategy and transitioned to creating one piece of core content each week and made sure I was using keywords that would allow me to be found by my dream clients.

 

Here are the five ways I use search engine optimization (SEO) to grow my online business: 

 

Google, Pinterest, Youtube, Podcasting & Guest Features

 

  1. Google! I've been blogging since 2007, but I have been more intentional and making sure that I'm using keywords so that I'm able to be found quicker and easier on Google, when people are looking for the type of work that I do. So I've upped my keyword optimization game.
  2. Pinterest has absolutely amazed me over the past year, my views on that platform have been as high as 51,000 in one month. I was never able to  build that much traction when it came to social media so my blogs and my content are getting in front of more people and people are seeing my content more. Now not all those people necessarily went directly to my website, but my website clicks have gone up over 600% from what they used to be per month just by using Pinterest to get my content out in front, more people. 
  3. I was able to grow my SEO over the past year by recording all of my blogs into videos on YouTube. YouTube is an amazing platform for getting found by keywords as well. So since I've switched my game up and I'm now creating more YouTube videos and I'm putting more content onto YouTube, more people have been able to find me that way.
  4. Podcasting has been another way that I've been able to get in front of more people. I have over 50 episodes on my podcast and I’m featured several times a month on other peoples podcasts, 
  5. I've been able to grow my audience through guest features where I'm submitting articles and content that I've written on to other people to host on their website so doing guest blogging. 

 

These 5 areas are how I’ve been able to increase my SEO and have people finding me in ways at a greater level than I've ever been able to do before. And I honestly don't know that I would have spent this much time doing it, how not lost Facebook and Instagram. 

 

Even though it's been super inconvenient and I still to this day don't have my actual account back, I was able to set up another personal account on Facebook to connect with family and friends again but I have no access to my Facebook group or my page. This shift over the past year  has allowed me to focus more on my SEO and get myself in positions where people can find me based on the searches that they're looking for, for the work that I do. 

 

If you haven't really looked at using SEO, now is the time. I definitely highly encourage you to take some time to look at Blogging, Pinterest, YouTube, Podcasting and Guest posts and features and get your name out there. 

 

Pay attention to the words that you're using and make sure you’re using  the keywords that your dream clients  are typing in so they can find you and watch your business explode.

 

Want support in setting up a 6 month action plan so that you have a strong simplified marketing plan to close out the remainder of 2021? Book a coaching session below with the link, send me a DM on LinkedIn or email me and let’s get started.

 


✨Ready to Own Your Story and Attract Your Dream Clients?✨

If you’re ready to stop second-guessing your message and start using storytelling as a powerful tool to connect, inspire, and sell—then I’d love to invite you to my It’s Time to Own Your Story: Mini-Course.

In this self-paced course, you’ll learn how to:
✔️ Identify the key moments in your story that captivate your audience.
✔️ Share your story in a way that builds trust and positions you as the go-to expert.
✔️ Use storytelling across your website, social media, and sales conversations to attract and convert more clients.


Plus, you’ll get a step-by-step workbook and personal feedback on your brand story—so you can start sharing with confidence.

Get Instant Access for just $47

10 Effective Communication Tips
Darlene Hawley, Personal Branding & Business Coach for service based entrepreneurs

Hey There!

I'm Darlene



As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.


My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.


Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.


Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.


Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.

By Darlene Hawley October 27, 2025
Carolyn Bennett-Sullivan, a seasoned keynote speaker, TEDx presenter, and change strategist, shares her incredible journey from a challenging career in pharma sales to becoming a transformational catalyst. She discusses overcoming fear-based thinking, navigating major business disruptions, and building trust in organizations. Whether you're a heart-centered entrepreneur or an executive leader, this conversation is packed with valuable insights on how to lead confidently, handle major transitions, and create a business that thrives. Curious to learn more? Visit darlenehawley.com/workwithme. 00:41 Meet Carolyn Bennett Sullivan 01:48 Carolyn's Journey and Overcoming Fear 04:15 Navigating Workplace Disruptions 07:21 Tools for Leaders and Employees 15:03 The Importance of Communication and Engagement 21:19 The Importance of Team Buy-In 22:49 Building Relationships in Sales 27:21 Future Plans and Goals 29:26 Rapid Fire Questions 35:09 Conclusion and Contact Information Carolyn is an inspiring keynote speaker, transformational catalyst, and change strategist. As a TEDx speaker, author, and consultant, she leverages her corporate sales and small business expertise to help organizations create strategies for navigating business disruptions through mindset mastery. Her deep understanding of psychology, neuroscience, and business uncovers barriers to change and guides individuals to overcome obstacles, build resilience and unlock their highest capabilities. You can engage with Carolyn at: https://linkedin.com/in/carolynbennettsullivan https:instagram.com/cbsullivan https://facebook.com/carolynbennettsullivan ------ Hi I’m Darlene Hawley and I help ambitious entrepreneurs and executive women find their voice, craft powerful messaging, and regulate their nervous system so they can speak up with confidence in high-stakes conversations, client meetings, and on stages ... without second-guessing themselves. Grab my 10 Do's and Don't for Effective Daring Conversations: https://mailchi.mp/297e8105e904/communicationguide Grab my 6 Steps To Attract & Stand Out digital guide, a free roadmap to create a successful business with less hustle and more ease: https://bit.ly/attractandstandoutonline Grab a Chai and let's Connect: https://darlenehawley.com https://linkedin.com/in/darlenehawley
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