Updated SEO Strategies for Professional Speakers Using Two Domains

In the competitive field of public speaking, standing out is essential, and having a strong online presence is one of the most effective ways to ensure you’re visible to your target audience. But simply having a website is not enough. You need to ensure that people can easily find you, and having multiple online properties can boost your chances of being discovered and booked. If you’re not visible, you’re not in the running!

Two important elements in increasing your website’s visibility are inbound (links from other sites to your site) and outbound (links from your site to other sites) links. Both types of links play a critical role in improving your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and ranking on Google.

How Inbound and Outbound Links Improve SEO and Google Rankings

The primary job of search engines like Google is to provide users with the best possible results for their queries. When search engines rank pages, they consider factors such as relevance, clarity, content quality, and user experience. Links—both inbound and outbound—are a major factor in how pages are evaluated.

Here’s why links matter:

1. Inbound Links (Backlinks): When another website links to your page, it's like an endorsement from a third-party saying, “This content is valuable, and you should visit it.” Search engines interpret this as a sign of trust, increasing your site’s relevance and boosting its ranking.

2. Outbound Links: When you link to reputable, high-quality sites, it signals to search engines that your content is supported by authoritative sources, which can also boost your rankings.

3. Relevant Keywords: The text you use in hyperlinks (anchor text) is also important. When you include keywords that your target audience is searching for, it helps search engines understand that your content is relevant and valuable.

4. Organic Traffic: Direct traffic from inbound links is a strong ranking signal for search engines. The more people who click on links to your website, the higher your site will rank.

5. Video Content: Embedding videos (like from YouTube) on your website, with optimized titles and keywords, is an excellent way to increase rankings. Videos increase time spent on your site, which search engines see as a sign of quality content.

Using Two Domains for a Winning SEO Strategy

A dual-website strategy can be particularly effective for speakers. As a speaker, you're likely to wear many hats, such as author, coach, trainer, or consultant. A two-domain strategy allows you to separate these different aspects of your business, making your websites more targeted and user-friendly.

Here’s how I use this approach:

• Speaking Website: My primary website (e.g., YourInspirationalSpeaker.com) is focused on event planners, corporate decision-makers, and individuals looking to book speakers. This website highlights my speaking services, keynote topics, testimonials, and other booking details.

• Consumer Website: My secondary website (e.g., Soar2Success.com) is focused on resources, articles, strategy sessions, books, and other services I offer. This site caters to individuals who are interested in my books, online courses, or one-on-one sessions.

How Linking Between Websites Boosts SEO

By linking these two sites together in a strategic way, you can maximize their SEO potential:

• Internal Links: On my consumer site, I have a menu item labeled "Speaking." Clicking this leads users to my speaking site. Similarly, articles on both websites link to relevant content on the other site (e.g., links to books or coaching services from the speaking site to the consumer site).

• Sidebars and Footers: These are perfect places to include calls to action with links. For example, if someone lands on my consumer site, I remind them of my speaking services with a link in the sidebar or footer. Likewise, on my speaking site, I link to relevant services offered on the consumer site.

• Avoid Duplicate Content: Search engines penalize websites that have identical content across multiple pages or domains. Ensure that content across your two websites is complementary but not identical. You can have similar pages (like the “About” page) but should rewrite them to match the specific context and audience of each site.

Best Practices for Implementing a Two-Site Strategy

1. Focus on User Intent: Each site should have a clear purpose. Your speaking website should focus on booking and corporate services, while your consumer site should cater to your books, strategy sessions, and personal services.

2. Separate Branding for Each Domain: While the websites should align with your overall brand, make sure that each has distinct branding elements that reflect the audience you’re targeting. The design, tone, and content should feel tailored to each site’s purpose.

3. Link Strategically: Ensure that the links between the two sites are logical and add value to the user experience. You want users to move seamlessly between the two sites, without feeling overwhelmed or confused.

4. Keep Content Fresh: Regularly update both websites with new, valuable content that is optimized for SEO. Blog posts, videos, and downloadable resources are excellent ways to keep your content relevant and boost your rankings.

5. Monitor Performance: Use Google Analytics to track traffic, bounce rates, and the effectiveness of your internal linking strategy. Keep an eye on the keywords driving traffic to your sites and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Boosting Your SEO with a Dual-Website Strategy

A two-domain strategy allows you to segment your professional offerings, providing a more targeted experience for your users. By linking your speaking site with your consumer site, you increase your visibility, boost SEO rankings, and create more opportunities for engagement. Make sure to avoid duplicate content, strategically place internal links, and focus on adding value to your audience. With some smart effort, your websites can work together to drive traffic, boost rankings, and help you stand out as a professional speaker.

If you’d like help optimizing your websites or creating a successful strategy, consider scheduling a one-on-one session where we can dive into your content, SEO strategy, and more. Let’s work together to elevate your online presence and help you Soar 2 Success! Send Elizabeth an email to request a proposal for a Think Tank Intensive session:   [email protected]