The Kara Report | Online Marketing Tips and Candid Business Conversations

Hosted by Kara Duncan

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Episodes

124

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Hey there, welcome to "The Kara Report"! Each week, we’re sharing what we see real businesses doing to grow their business and expand their reach to help you grow your business and become a marketing pro. In each episode, we get granular and talk about real-world marketing strategies, what DOESN’T work when scaling your business, and host candid conversations on the latest business and marketing trends. We'll even share the juicy data we collect and behind-the-scenes bloopers as they come. No fluff, no filler; just authentic, in-depth discussions that explore the key factors that truly make a difference in your business success. After all, we know that marketing your business is about more than Instagram Reels tips and social media algorithm hacks, and great marketing also doesn’t always mean you’re running a successful, profitable business. While we specialize in content marketing, blogging for SEO, Pinterest marketing, and website copy for our own content marketing agency, all marketing strategies are welcome (and discussed) here. Whether you're an established entrepreneur looking to refine your business or marketing strategy or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, we’re serving up valuable insights designed to help you navigate the ever-changing world of business and marketing. We believe when you do the work, you’ll reap the rewards and we promise we will focus on results-driven action steps (not the busy work) to help you hit your goals this year. Now let’s get started!

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June 16, 2026Episode 12525 min

125 | The Sales Strategy Being Passed Around in Private Coaching Rooms Right Now

The online business landscape has shifted — and the strategies that are actually working right now? They're not showing up in anyone's public content.In this episode, I'm sharing the real conversations happening behind the scenes in masterminds and private coaching rooms — the advice that business coaches are giving their highest-paying clients but nobody's talking about publicly. Spoiler: it's not sexy. But it's working.We're in a different era of online business. The sophisticated buyer is here, passive income hype is fading fast, and the tactics that felt effortless in 2020 and 2021 are just not hitting the same way. The good news? The shift that's happening is actually pretty human — and if you're willing to do the unsexy work, there's a real opportunity here.If you've been wondering why your launches feel harder than they used to, or you're noticing that buyers seem more skeptical than ever, this episode will help you understand what's actually going on — and what to do about it.🎙️ In This Episode:Why the online business landscape feels harder right now (and why it's not just you)The 2017 era vs. 2020 era vs. now — and what's actually coming backThe two real examples of unsexy follow-up strategies that closed salesWhy boundaries are softening and what that means for how you sellWhy you need both a strong traffic strategy AND a strong conversion strategy nowLinks Mentioned: Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/125Listen to Julie Chenell's podcast "Million Dollar Grit" where she talks about Jessi Jean's 1.2 million dollar launch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28Kcuyhm2tE&list=PLJVVs4nTpFcKRIBlDzJq7VQlibtRyciY8&index=2Join the waitlist for my AI blogging membership: https://thekarareport.com/waitlistDownload my private podcast, Build It Once, Get Found For Months: https://thekarareport.com/private-podcastHire us to write SEO-driven blog posts for you: https://thekarareport.com/bloggingOur Pinterest Management Services: https://thekarareport.com/pinterestLearn more about working with our marketing agency here: https://thekarareport.com/services Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

June 9, 2026Episode 12417 min

124 | Is Blogging Dead After 2026?! How AI Is Affecting Blogging (+ Is It Still Worth It?)

Think blogging is dead in 2026?Before you ditch long-form content for TikTok and Reels, watch this. The truth is… the biggest names in tech are doubling down on SEO, AI models are hungry for high-quality website content, and small business owners who start blogging now are about to unlock a massive advantage.In this video, I break down why blogging is not outdated — it’s evolving. You’ll learn how AI, voice search, and shifting buyer behavior are reshaping content discovery, and why your blog might be the most powerful brand-building engine you create in 2026. I’ll also share three simple action steps you can take this week to finally start (or restart) your blog with confidence.Whether you want more leads, more visibility, or a sustainable way to repurpose content across platforms, this is your sign to treat your blog like the strategic asset it is.✨ If you're serious about being seen, trusted, found, and paid — this one’s for you.✨ Ready to go deeper?Get access to my private podcast and behind-the-scenes marketing insights you won’t hear anywhere else: 👉 https://thekarareport.com/private-podcast🔗 Links Mentioned:Adobe to acquire SEMRush: https://news.adobe.com/news/2025/11/adobe-to-acquire-semrushBacklinko article: https://backlinko.com/llm-seedingMy favorite keyword research tool: https://thekarareport.com/keysearch🎉WORK WITH THE KARA REPORT🎉Want to work together and enjoy having (way less) on your plate? Find our pricing and service options below ⬇️Pinterest & Blogging Packages *Best Results*: https://thekarareport.com/blogging-and-pinterest-marketing-agencyDFY Blogging for SEO: https://thekarareport.com/bloggingPinterest Management: https://thekarareport.com/pinterest📌 What I Use In My Business 📌Enji marketing software: https://thekarareport.com/enjiBest Brand Blueprint for ChatGPT: https://thekarareport.com//brand-blueprintPinterest-Approved Scheduler: https://thekarareport.com/tailwindRiverside for Podcasting: https://thekarareport.com/riverside Fave Podcast Host (Get a $20 Credit): https://thekarareport.com/buzzsprout Website Template: https://thekarareport.com/emshowit Dubsado CRM (get 20% off): https://thekarareport.com/dubsado*ABOUT THE KARA REPORT*Hey, I’m Kara—a marketer, blogger, entrepreneur, and the CEO behind The Kara Report. I love about breaking down marketing, business, and search-driven growth strategies (like blogging for SEO and Pinterest) in a way that actually makes sense (and hopefully doesn’t put you to sleep). Whether it’s writing, content marketing, or scaling a business, I love finding what works and sharing it with people who are just as obsessed with big ideas and smart strategies as I am. When I’m not deep-diving into marketing trends, you’ll probably find me brainstorming my next big project or fueling up on way too much coffee.Want to work together? You'll find me BTS at The Kara Report, a content marketing agency offering DFY marketing services like: website copy, email copywriting, podcast management, and our personal favorites: Pinterest marketing and blogging for SEO.Follow Me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport Affiliate DisclaimerNote this description contains affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. While this channel may earn minimal sums when the viewer uses the links, the viewer is in NO WAY obligated to use these links. Thank you for your support!

May 26, 2026Episode 12322 min

123 | Your Brain Is Sabotaging Your Marketing (+ 7 Signs to Prove It And How To Fix It) with Tayler Cusick-Hollman

You have the ideas. You've always had the ideas. They're sitting in a Google Doc somewhere, probably called something like "Q3 Content Plan," last opened months ago and somehow nothing in it has ever actually gotten published.Today's guest Tayler Cusick-Hollman would tell you that's not an ideas problem. It's a brain problem. And once you understand what's actually happening, you can do something about it.Taylor is the co-founder of Enji, a project management tool built specifically for small business owners doing their own marketing — and she has a background in psychology and sociology that makes her unusually good at explaining the very human reasons why marketing keeps not getting done. She walks through seven signs that prove you don't need more marketing ideas, and I'll warn you: at least a couple of these are going to feel uncomfortably familiar.This one is worth a listen if you've ever sat down to work on your marketing and somehow ended up doing everything except the actual marketing.🎙️ In This Episode:Why capturing ideas feels like progress (and why your brain loves it so much)The 7 signs that you don't have an ideas problem — you have an execution problemWhat "structured procrastination" actually is and why creative entrepreneurs are especially vulnerable to itWhat to change this week to actually move the needleLinks Mentioned: Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/123Join Enji (Affiliate Link - But Save $$ During Their Birthday Month!): https://thekarareport.com/enjiFollow Enji on Instagram: https://instagram.com/enji_coDownload my private podcast, Build It Once, Get Found For Months: https://thekarareport.com/private-podcastHire us to write SEO-driven blog posts for you: https://thekarareport.com/bloggingOur Pinterest Management Services: https://thekarareport.com/pinterestLearn more about working with our marketing agency here: https://thekarareport.com/services Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

May 12, 202618 min

122 | If I Had One Hour to Work on SEO, This Is Exactly What I'd Do

Most SEO advice assumes you have unlimited time. But what if you only have one hour? In this episode, I'm sharing exactly what I'd do with that hour (and it's probably not what you'd expect).Spoiler: I wouldn't tell you to write a blog post. Instead, I'm walking through the specific website SEO tasks that actually move the needle, require zero technical expertise, and can realistically get done in 60 minutes or less. Whether you're brand new to SEO or just doing a tune-up, this episode will give you a clear action plan you can start today.🎙️ In This Episode:What NOT to do with your one hour (and why SEO rabbit holes are a trap)The one page on your website that matters most for SEOHow to check your heading structure in five minutes with a free Chrome pluginWhen to build out individual service pages and location landing pagesHow to use Google Search Console to find quick wins in posts you've already writtenOne of the most underrated SEO movesLinks Mentioned: Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/122 Headings Map Chrome plugin: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/headingsmap/flbjommegcjonpdmenkdiocclhjacmbi?pli=1Check for broken links: https://www.brokenlinkcheck.com/Download my private podcast, Build It Once, Get Found For Months: https://thekarareport.com/private-podcastHire us to write SEO-driven blog posts for you: https://thekarareport.com/bloggingOur Pinterest Management Services: https://thekarareport.com/pinterestLearn more about working with our marketing agency here: https://thekarareport.com/services Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

April 28, 2026Episode 12128 min

121 | The Pinterest Algorithm Has Changed. Should Your Business Still Be On Pinterest in 2026?

If you've been wondering whether Pinterest is still worth your time and money in 2026, this episode is for you (my answer will surprise you).I run a Pinterest marketing agency — it's one of the main services I sell — and I am telling more business owners to WAIT on Pinterest than I ever have. In this episode, I'm sharing exactly why, what needs to be in place before Pinterest can actually work for your business, and how to know when you're ready.This isn't about scaring you off the platform. Pinterest is still one of the best long-game visibility tools out there for the right business. But it's not the missing piece for everyone — and I'd rather be honest with you upfront than take your money and leave you frustrated.🎙️ In This Episode:The reason Pinterest traffic doesn't always turn into clientsWhat six to twelve months actually feels like (and why most people quit too soon)The foundation piece most business owners are missingWhy I'll probably tell you to do something else firstPricing, ROI, and the question I get asked mostThe real answer to "should I be on Pinterest right now?"Links Mentioned: Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/121The best Pinterest marketing course for DIYers: https://leveeroadstudio.podia.com/scheduling-shortcuts/16ee2Download my private podcast, Build It Once, Get Found For Months: https://thekarareport.com/private-podcastHire us to write SEO-driven blog posts for you: https://thekarareport.com/bloggingOur Pinterest Management Services: https://thekarareport.com/pinterestLearn more about working with our marketing agency here: https://thekarareport.com/services Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

April 21, 2026Episode 12033 min

120 | Everything You Wanted to Know About Hiring a VA (But Were Too Afraid to Ask) with Sarah Roberson

If you've been thinking about hiring a VA but keep talking yourself out of it… this episode is for you.I sat down with Sarah Roberson, a virtual assistant who specializes in helping wedding pros and photographers run smoother businesses behind the scenes. She's also been on my own team since August 2024! So I knew she's be the right person to have on for this conversation.We get into everything you've been too scared to Google. Let's dive in.🎙️ In This Episode:The biggest misconception about hiring a VA How long it actually takes to see ROI — and why that's normalWhat to have in place before your first hireThe difference between a VA and an OBMHow to be a good client (yes, that's a thing)What a VA should and shouldn't be responsible forThe minimum budget to expectHow to find the right fit and what to look for on a discovery callLinks Mentioned: Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/120Work with Sarah Roberson: https://sarahrobersonva.com/Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahroberson_vaLearn more about working with our marketing agency here: https://thekarareport.com/servicesFollow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

April 14, 202619 min

119 | 4 (Very) Unpopular Opinions I Have About Blogging and SEO in 2026

Blogging and SEO advice is everywhere right now — but a lot of it? I don’t agree with.In this episode, I’m sharing my honest (and probably unpopular) opinions about SEO and blogging — what’s actually working in 2026, what I think is a waste of your time and money, and what I see small business owners getting wrong over and over again.This isn’t about saying other people are wrong or that there’s only one way to grow your business. It’s about adding nuance to the conversation and helping you think critically about what you’re being sold (especially when it comes to blogging strategies, SEO services, and AI).If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting advice around blogging and SEO, or you’re trying to figure out what’s actually worth your time, this episode will help you cut through the noise and make more aligned decisions for your business.🎙️ In This Episode:Why I don’t believe what's marketed right now is a long-term SEO strategyAre blogs getting too expensive?My perspective on using AI for blog writing A surprising example of a blog post that drove major traffic for meHow to evaluate marketing advice in a “trust recession”Links Mentioned: Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/119Join the waitlist for my AI blogging membership: https://thekarareport.com/waitlistWhat's working in blogging now: https://thekarareport.com/blogging-for-your-business/Hear me talk about how I quit Instagram: https://thekarareport.com/106Download my private podcast, Build It Once, Get Found For Months: https://thekarareport.com/private-podcastListen to my "I quit Instagram" episode (106): https://thekarareport.com/106Hire us to write SEO-driven blog posts for you: https://thekarareport.com/bloggingOur Pinterest Management Services: https://thekarareport.com/pinterestLearn more about working with our marketing agency here: https://thekarareport.com/services Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

April 7, 2026Episode 11826 min

118 | 9 Ways I Use AI Without Losing My Voice (From Someone Who Thinks About This Every Day)

Everyone's using AI. But are you using it in a way that actually sounds like you — or are you slowly handing your voice over to a chatbot and hoping no one notices?In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on ways I use AI in my content writing business every single day without losing what makes my writing mine. This isn't about being anti-AI or pretending it doesn't exist — it's about being strategic with how you use it so your content stays in your voice, your frameworks, and your point of view.I'm sharing nine specific ways I use AI for writing, including a few that might surprise you, and one that I'd argue is the most important thing you can do if you want AI-assisted content that actually sounds human.If you've been using AI but something still feels off about your output, or you're scared to use it at all, this episode is for you.🎙️ In This Episode:Why treating AI like a ghostwriter is a race to the bottomThe document that changed how I prompt AI (and where to get it)The tasks I'll never write from scratch again — and why that's totally fineThe one question to ask AI before you start any piece of contentThe best AI editing trick I knowLinks Mentioned: Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/118Grab Kinsey's brand blueprint: https://thekarareport.com/brand-blueprintYoutube video on growing a Youtube channel (with ChatGPT prompts): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgjuiYioDTw&pp=ygULdmFuZXNzYSBsYXU%3DDownload my private podcast, Build It Once, Get Found For Months: https://thekarareport.com/private-podcastHire us to write SEO-driven blog posts for you: https://thekarareport.com/bloggingOur Pinterest Management Services: https://thekarareport.com/pinterestLearn more about working with our marketing agency here: https://thekarareport.com/services Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

March 31, 2026Episode 11731 min

117 | A Masterclass On How to Scale Facebook Ads With a Lead Magnet with Melissa Litchfield

You've got a lead magnet. Maybe it's a checklist, a guide, or a template pack. You've promoted it, maybe even gotten some downloads — but those downloads aren't turning into clients. So what's actually going wrong?In this episode, I handed the mic to Meta ads expert Melissa Litchfield or Litchfield Media, and she is breaking down exactly why most lead magnets don't convert, what needs to be true before you spend a single dollar on ads, and how to test with just $5–$10 a day so you're not throwing money at something that isn't working. I've personally invested in Melissa's offers and recommend her to everyone who asks me about ads — she genuinely knows her stuff, and she makes it all make sense for service-based business owners.If you've ever wondered whether your freebie is actually set up to grow your business — or whether you're even ready for ads in the first place — this one is worth a listen.🎙️ In This Episode:The backwards way most people build lead magnets (and how to fix it)The 4 things that need to be true before you run adsHow to test your lead magnet for under $200 a monthWhat a good cost per lead actually looks like (and the math that makes it profitable)The 3 moments that make people want to slam their laptop shut — and what to do insteadMelissa's Test Drive Ad Sprint Live challenge happening April 13–17Links Mentioned: Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/117Join Melissa's Ad Sprint: https://thekarareport.com/adsFollow Melissa in Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/litchfieldmediaHead to Melissa's website: https://litchfieldmedia.org/Download my private podcast, Build It Once, Get Found For Months: https://thekarareport.com/private-podcastHire us to write SEO-driven blog posts for you: https://thekarareport.com/bloggingOur Pinterest Management Services: https://thekarareport.com/pinterestLearn more about working with our marketing agency here: https://thekarareport.com/services Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport

March 24, 2026Episode 11631 min

116 | Behind the Scenes of My First Social Media-Free Launch: What I Did, How Much I Sold, & Launching Without a Sales Page

What does a social media-free launch actually look like — numbers and all? Before you assume you need a big audience, a sales page, or an Instagram strategy to launch something new, let's talk about what's actually possible with just an email list and a well-thought-out offer.In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on my AI Blog Sprint beta launch: how I planned it, how long it actually took to build, what my goals were with only 274 email subscribers, and what the numbers looked like from day one. I'm also getting honest about what I spent, what I earned, and why I still consider this one of my biggest wins.If you've been sitting on an offer because you're not on social media (or don't want to be), this one's for you.🎙️ In This Episode:Why I capped the beta instead of trying to sell as much as I canWhat happened in the first 30 minutes of the launchThe reality of launching from a Google Doc with no sales pageConversion rates, realistic expectations, and what the numbers actually meanWhy this offer isn't profitable yet (and why I'm totally fine with that)Links Mentioned: Read the full shownotes: https://thekarareport.com/116Download my private podcast, Build It Once, Get Found For Months: https://thekarareport.com/private-podcastEpisode 90 about passive income: https://thekarareport.com/90Hire us to write SEO-driven blog posts for you: https://thekarareport.com/bloggingOur Pinterest Management Services: https://thekarareport.com/pinterestLearn more about working with our marketing agency here: https://thekarareport.com/services Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekarareport