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Who is Erin?
Erin Ollila is a sought-after content strategist, SEO expert, and storyteller dedicated to helping brands transform their message into real connections and measurable results. Known for her ability to blend data-driven SEO strategies with an authentic, human voice, Erin partners with businesses to craft content that not only ranks but builds lasting relationships. Her approach centers on understanding audience psychology and brand values, so every word drives impact. As host of the Talk Copy to Me podcast, Erin brings approachable advice and proven strategies to help businesses make an impact through copy and content that works.
There are conversations that feel timely… and then there are conversations that feel necessary.
This one fell squarely into the second category.
If you’re a solopreneur or content creator pouring heart, time, and intention into your podcast—only to wonder why it feels like no one is finding it—this conversation with Erin Ollila was made for you. Especially if you’ve ever whispered (or shouted): “I know my content is good… so why isn’t it getting traction?”
In this episode of the Soul Podcasting Podcast, I sat down with Erin Ollila—content strategist, SEO expert, storyteller, and host of the Talk Copy to Me podcast—to talk about something podcasters often avoid until it feels overwhelming: SEO for podcasters.
But this wasn’t a dry, technical conversation about algorithms and rankings. This was a grounded, human conversation about visibility, sustainability, and honoring your voice without burning yourself out.
And honestly? It felt like permission.
A Creative Writer’s Path Into SEO (Yes, Really)
When people hear “SEO expert,” they often imagine someone deeply technical, numbers-driven, maybe even a little disconnected from creativity. Erin’s story disrupts that stereotype completely.
Erin holds an MFA in creative writing. She studied poetry and fiction in undergrad, pursued nonfiction in graduate school, and spent years immersed in literary journals and storytelling. Words weren’t just tools for her—they were the point.
At the same time, she was working in the mental health field, supporting human resources and staff benefits. Her creative training and her professional work lived in two very different worlds.
The bridge came when Erin took a job at a marketing company that specialized in SEO content—back when content marketing itself was still new. This was the era when businesses were just beginning to understand that blogs weren’t only personal diaries. They could be educational, relational, and strategic.
That early exposure shaped how Erin sees SEO today—not as an add-on, but as part of the creative process itself.
“As writers, we’re always asking: how do I get people to see this?” Erin shared. “SEO gave me an answer that didn’t require selling my soul.”
That line stayed with me.
Why SEO Feels Like an Afterthought for Podcasters
Let’s be honest.
Podcasters are excellent at focusing on audio quality, storytelling, and emotional resonance. We obsess over microphones, editing, pacing, and flow. We want our listeners to feel something.
What often falls to the bottom of the list?
- Titles
- Descriptions
- Metadata
- Show notes
- Transcripts
In other words: SEO for podcasters.
Erin named something I see constantly in my own work with podcasters: SEO is usually treated as a “later” problem. Something we’ll come back to once we have more time, more bandwidth, or more episodes under our belt.
But here’s the truth Erin gently—but firmly—offered:
“If you want people to find your show, the effort has to come up front.”
Doing SEO retroactively—renaming episodes, rewriting descriptions, re-uploading assets—takes far more time and energy than weaving it in from the beginning.
And the good news? It doesn’t have to be complicated.
SEO for Podcasters Is Bigger Than Google
One of the most important reminders Erin shared is that SEO isn’t just about Google.
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms are search engines. They rely on metadata, titles, descriptions, and file names to surface content.
Uploading an episode titled something like:
audio_final_v3_edited.mp3
…is a missed opportunity.
Renaming that file to reflect what the episode is actually about? That’s SEO.
Writing a clear, descriptive episode title? SEO.
Adding thoughtful show notes that explain what listeners will learn? SEO.
This is why SEO for podcasters is uniquely powerful: you have more searchable assets than many content creators.
Audio metadata. Written descriptions. Transcripts. Blog posts. Episode archives.
Every one of those is a chance to be found.
Authentic Voice vs. Optimization (It’s Not a Trade-Off)
One of my biggest concerns—and one I hear from podcasters all the time—is this:
“If I focus on SEO, won’t my content start to sound canned?”
Erin’s answer was deeply reassuring.
Authenticity isn’t about avoiding structure. It’s about being clear.
If someone doesn’t resonate with your voice, that’s not a failure—that’s alignment. SEO doesn’t exist to trick people into listening. It exists to help the right people find you.
Erin explained that when you speak and write naturally—especially from your expertise—you’re often doing SEO without realizing it.
Where things have shifted recently (especially with AI and large language models) is the growing importance of questions and answers.
Frequently asked questions naturally include keywords. They mirror how people search. And they allow you to sound human while still being strategic.
For podcasters, this is gold.
Turning episode content into:
- “You might be wondering…” sections
- Listener FAQs
- Common questions answered in show notes
…supports traditional SEO and emerging AI-driven discovery.
Where to Start (Without Overwhelm)
If you’re staring at years of episodes, transcripts, and blog posts and feeling paralyzed—pause.
Erin’s advice was refreshingly practical:
- Look at what’s already performing well
Identify 2–3 episodes or posts that are getting traction. - Choose 2–3 that matter but aren’t performing
Maybe they’re your favorites. Maybe they convert. Start there. - Make informed guesses
Don’t get stuck chasing the “perfect” keyword. Ask: What is this episode actually about?
That phrase alone can become your starting keyword.
This is especially helpful for people new to SEO for podcasters, where perfectionism often prevents progress.
Podcast Archives: Your Hidden SEO Asset
If you already have episode archive pages on your website, you’re ahead.
Even simple pages—with an embedded player and a short description—can be expanded thoughtfully.
Erin suggested:
- Adding a brief host bio
- Including a short description of the overall show
- Breaking text into scannable sections
- Using bullet points and visual spacing
This isn’t about writing more for the sake of it. It’s about clarity—for readers and search engines.
And if you’re feeling ambitious?
Add a small FAQ section at the bottom of your show notes.
Not long. Not exhaustive. Just natural questions someone might have after listening.
Branding, Repetition, and Being Found Over Time
One of my favorite parts of the conversation was Erin’s reminder that SEO is cumulative.
Her podcast, Talk Copy to Me, wasn’t being searched when it launched. That visibility came from consistent usage of her podcast name, her voice, and her positioning—over time.
That’s branding.
That’s also SEO for podcasters working quietly in the background.
Repetition isn’t a problem. It’s how recognition is built.
Why Strategy Is Erin’s Sweet Spot
When I asked Erin what lights her up most in her business, her answer was immediate: strategy.
She has the ability to see multiple perspectives at once—and to help clients step outside the “jar” they’re stuck inside.
That outside perspective often unlocks momentum.
Sometimes the shift is small. Sometimes it’s obvious in hindsight. But it gets people moving again.
And honestly? That’s what most of us need.
Resources for Podcasters Ready to Be Found
If this conversation stirred something in you, Erin offers free on-site and off-site SEO checklists on her website.
They’re practical. Clear. And designed to help you stop second-guessing yourself.
Because at the end of the day, SEO for podcasters isn’t about doing everything.
It’s about doing something—consistently.
Final Thoughts
Here’s what I hope you take from this conversation:
You don’t need a massive strategy.
You don’t need to master every tool.
You don’t need to sound like anyone else.
You do need to care about being found.
SEO, when approached with intention and humanity, doesn’t dilute your message—it protects it.
And if you’re already creating meaningful content?
You’re closer than you think.
How to Connect with Erin
Visit Erin at http://erinollila.com
