Hiya Reader,
Ya'll are always asking me for more BTS breakdowns of results, so that's what we're doing in today's email...
One of my newsletter subscribers emailed me last week with a win that made me yell *FUCK YESSSSS* in my head, when reading her email 💃
(Yes, an EMAIL subscriber. She's not even a student or client of mine. I've never worked with her 1:1. She just implements things from my newsletter. I don't hold back ya'll. I WANT YOU TO WIN!)
She's the owner of an eCommerce shop & she published a blog post last weekend about a Valentine’s-themed candle scent she just launched, ya know, just in time for Valentines day ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
A few days later?
She got an order for TWO candles.
PLUS another sale a few days later.
3 sales. In ONE week.
Wanna know HOW these *new* customers found her & bought her products?
Her brand new blog post.
That she *just* published a few days prior.
No Instagram post, social media ad, or a fancy influencer collab needed.
Just her *literal* BLOG.
BECAUSE OF SEO BABYYYYYYYYY 👀
She created a SPECIFIC blog post talking about WHY *her* vanilla candle is the BEST one for Valentines day.
And honestly, the blog post is 🔥🔥🔥🔥
(you can read it here!)
She did an incredible job at knowing her ideal customer & giving enough details that they'll feel comfortable buying ASAP, while also structuring the content & post to be easily readable by search engines + AI tools.
So, less than a week after publishing, that post is getting recommend FIRST in the AI-overview AND it's showing up in position #1 on Google for "best Valentine's candle vanilla"
Pretty awesome right????
And now you're prob like "GIRL I thought rankings took 3+ months!!!"
For BRAND new websites or website's that haven't done any SEO (so Google doesn't know what they specialize in), yes, it DOES take time.
But if Google & AI already kinda understands your site, shit can move FAST.
Why do I think this blog post did so well, so quickly?
It's the PERFECT example of a search intent ✨win✨
Someone went to Google and thought: “I want a new Valentine’s candle…prob vanilla scented. Bc I love vanilla candles. But WHERE should I buy it from?!”
...and types in "best Valentine's candle vanilla"
Juneberryplace.com's blog post showed up at THE exact moment that decision was being made.
Because she connected her CONTENT & PRODUCTS to relevant keywords that gave Google & AI more context about her blog post.
Google & AI understood the blog post = matched it to what a user was searching.
Annnnnd that blog post OOZED authority & details (which is SO important for eCommerce), so the new customer trusted the business & brand enough to purchase.
Why this example matters even if you don’t sell products...
Search intent is THE name of the game for SEO in 2026 & beyond.
You can't bullshit it anymore.
Understand your audience + understand search intent = you'll get rankings, recommendations, annnnd sales.
So regardless WHAT niche you're in, it doesn't mean just "turn everything into a 1200+ word blog post"
It's about creating content that MATCHES a decision someone is already trying to make about your products, services, or solutions that you solve.
(which is why I say "understanding your audience" is #1 in the formula above).
For Juneberryplace.com, it was: “What’s the best vanilla Valentine’s candle?”
For a service-based business, it might look like:
• “How does a business coach help?”
• “What should I look for in a wedding photographer?”
• “How do I prepare for a branding photoshoot?”
• "Brand strategist vs brand designer: Do I need both?"
When YOUR content shows up at THE moment someone is deciding, that's POWERFUL AF.
Because it positions YOU as the expert or the place to buy (aka authority).
More authority = more trust = more sales.
BUT, let's take this a little further, shall we???
What I would do if I was her & wanted to show up for MORE related keywords:
- She currently has (2) H1 headings at the top of the post. I would remove one so we're CRYSTAL CLEAR on what the blog post is about
- For my single H1 heading at the top, I'd combine the 2 she has, and make it "The Best Vanilla Candle for Valentine's Day: Vanille Amour"
- Right now her SEO title is "Best Vanilla Candle for Romance - Vanille Amour – juneberryplace home fragrances" 👉 I'd prioritize keywords & shorten it up (similar to the H1 but without "The" in the SEO title); Best Vanilla Candle for Valentine's Day: Vanille Amour
- Right now her meta description is "Experience vanilla redefined. Vanille Amour wood wick candle blends pink pepper, jasmine & sandalwood for sophisticated warmth. Subscribe for free shipping over $75." 👉 I'd go in and mention Valentine's Day in there and shorten it up. We can see in the screenshot Google is rewriting it anyways, so I'd wanna see if I can make mine more punchy so Google chooses it.
- I'd interlink to the specific product pages towards the top of the page (right now the shop links are at the bottom).
- I'd share the HELL out of this blog post via my email newsletter and any social media profiles (Google & AI can start to pay more attention to pages/posts that are increasing in traffic!)
👇 Action step for this week:
✅ Option #1). If you HAVE a blog post that's already ranking pretty well for a keyword or 2, go back in and see how you can SEO optimize it a little better. Are there room for improvements?
Use the examples I outlined above.
Especially that LAST bullet point 👀
EVERYONE can do that one.
📝 Option #2). If you DON'T HAVE a blog post that's a great "decision moment" piece of content, now is THE time to create one.
Ask yourself:
• “What are they Googling when they’re almost ready to buy or book?”
• “What question comes up right before someone hires me?”
• “What seasonal, timely, or relevant moment are they in?”
Examples:
• “Is ___ worth it for ___?”
• “Best ___ for ___”
• “What to expect when ___”
• “How to choose ___ for ___”
No need to make this shit perfect. You can ALWAYS come back & update.
Just publish something helpful, specific, and timely so Google & AI can start ASSOCIATING YOUR WEBSITE with it sooner than later.
Done is better than perfect.
I'm not kidding.
Write the damn post.
And publish it.
