Why SEO Alone Isn’t Enough (And What a Pro Affiliate Partner Just Taught Me About It)

byJDenesovych

834 followers

6 months ago

Hey fellow WAers 👋

Let’s talk about something most of us chase like a wild goose in the fog: SEO.

Now don’t get me wrong — I love a solid SEO play. I write for four different websites, run three YouTube channels, and I live and breathe affiliate marketing while also managing a campground and living full-time in an RV. If anyone’s chasing keywords in between dump station runs and water pump repairs, it’s me.

But lately, I’ve been reminded that SEO by itself doesn’t always cut it. It’s a tool — not the whole toolkit. Let me share a story that drove this home.

A Lesson From a Pro Affiliate Partner

One of my affiliate partners — a guy named Adam — reached out to me after I submitted a YouTube video for a SmugMug promo we’re both running. He’s not just someone tossing generic feedback my way. The guy studies content performance like a hawk. He offered me this advice:

“Jeremy, the disclosure in your description and verbal mention was perfect! But make sure to add chapter timestamps to your YouTube description — it helps YouTube AND Google eat it up. Also, add two extra paragraphs describing what the viewer will learn. That text feeds the algorithm like a starving bear.”

Boom. 🧠💥 That last part hit me — not just for YouTube videos, but for blog posts too. Many of us (myself included) assume that if we get the keyword in the title, a few headers, and a healthy 1,200+ words, we’ve done our part.

But it’s those little enhancements — reader-facing chapters, rich descriptive paragraphs, and clear value statements — that actually feed the algorithm and your audience at the same time.

The Real Secret Sauce to “Evergreen” Content

Adam also shared that the topic I was working on — “How to Start a Photography Business” — gets 2,400 searches a month and is considered evergreen. That means it can drive clicks, views, and revenue not just today, but months or even years from now.

But here’s the catch: evergreen content still needs nourishment.

Things like:

• Clear section headers using H2s (and H3s for subsections)
• Descriptive intro paragraphs explaining why YOU are qualified to teach it
• Actionable steps with examples (not fluff)
• A strong narrative or case study that helps people relate
• Proper affiliate disclosures and timestamps if it’s video
• Bonus pro tips that only you can share — not ChatGPT, not a template, but YOU

Adam even reminded me:

“Don’t optimize your SEO for the brand name. SmugMug isn’t the star of the title — the problem you’re solving is.”

My Challenge to You: Add More Copy (Seriously)

So here’s the teaching moment I want to leave you with today:

If you’re writing blog posts or filming YouTube content with the goal of ranking and earning, ask yourself:

• Did I write just enough to hit the word count, or did I actually nurture the content?
• Did I add value between the lines, or am I stuffing headers and hoping for clicks?
• Would someone link to this or bookmark it?

If not — here’s what you can do today:

✅ Add a few more paragraphs above and below key sections
✅ Break up long walls of text with sub-headers and bullet points
✅ Turn your steps or ideas into timestamps for video descriptions
✅ Boldly share one tip that only you could offer based on your real experience

Final Thoughts: We're More Than Algorithms

We’re not just writing for machines. We’re writing for people — other campers, musicians, parents, entrepreneurs, retirees, road warriors. Your content should feel human. That’s what ranks, converts, and sticks.

Huge thanks to Adam for his insight and encouragement. And hey, if you’re just publishing evergreen content this week, take that extra 5 minutes to feed the algorithm and serve your reader.

You’ll thank yourself later.

Let me know in the comments — have you ever made a small tweak that ended up improving your SEO or conversions in a big way? Let’s share strategies!