Best Practices for Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)
Welcome to What I'm Reading! Here's a look at what I found interesting over the last two weeks. Hopefully these articles will help you in your business.
Best practices for answer engine optimization (AEO) marketing teams can't ignore - HubSpot
AEO is becoming increasingly important but it still has a way to go in finding local small businesses. I did three ChatGPT searches about photographers in Greenville, NC, where I live. Here's what I found:
*Best headshot photographer: Me (Yay!)
*Best event photographer: A real estate photography company that doesn't photograph events.
*Best branding photographer: A photographer who doesn't do branding photography.
What is Substack? Everything businesses need to know - Hootsuite
I'm torn on Substack. It's clearly beneficial for long-form writers who are thought leaders. Is it a good option for small businesses? My jury's still out.
Marketing on Reddit: What you need to know - MarTech
Reddit is a platform that's gaining clout. It's also another platform that I'm on the fence about.
Instagram Reels for business in 2025: Best practices + examples - Hootsuite
This is a format type that you need to consider for more visibility on Instagram (and Facebook too). I just reviewed my Reels views and they're about double what my carousel (multiple still photos) views are right now.
How to Make Your LinkedIn Profile Stand Out: 30+ Tips - Buffer
There's money to be made on LinkedIn for B2B businesses that are willing to put in the effort.
Ecommerce SEO Best Practices for Online Stores: From Keywords to Conversions - Neal Schaffer
This is a deep, deep article on e-commerce SEO, a subject that I didn't know much about. It's not an easy read, but it's a must-read if you're selling products online.
Meta Ads Performance Problems: A Troubleshooting Checklist - Jon Loomer
It's easy to waste a lot of money running ads on Facebook and Instagram. Fix problems before your money gets wasted.
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