Ep. 020: The Future of AI Language Models w/ Ryan Doser

The Future of SEO and AI: Key Takeaways for Des Moines Business Owners

In the heart of Silicon Prairie, Des Moines business owners are no strangers to innovation. However, as the digital landscape shifts toward artificial intelligence and automated search, many local entrepreneurs feel like they are playing catch-up.

In a recent episode of the Rhymes with Odd podcast, host Ryan Snaadt sat down with Ryan Doser, owner of Thrive 15 Media, to demystify the world of search engine optimization (SEO), affiliate marketing, and the evolving role of AI. For Des Moines marketers looking to gain a competitive edge, the conversation provided a masterclass in moving from a "reactionary" mindset to a "proactive" one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnfZloeo9lM

Why Des Moines Businesses Must Adopt a "Fail Fast" Mentality with AI

The episode opened with a blunt truth from Ryan Doser: the tools are free, so there is no excuse not to use them. Many professionals in the Des Moines metro area worry that AI will replace their roles. Doser argues that the real risk isn't the technology itself, but the refusal to learn it.

"Learn yourself, fail, dive in and fail. Prompt it, don't like what you get? Okay, how do you prompt it better? Just learn." — Ryan Doser

For a local marketing manager or a small business owner in West Des Moines, this means treating ChatGPT or Claude not as a threat, but as an intern that needs training. By being proactive today, you ensure that you are the one steering the ship when AI becomes the industry standard.

From Meredith Corporation to Solopreneurship: A Blueprint for Success

Ryan Doser’s journey is one that resonates with many in the Iowa corridor. Having started at Meredith Corporation (now Dotdash Meredith), a staple of the Des Moines media scene, Doser was handed the keys to million-dollar ad budgets for iconic brands like People Magazine and Better Homes & Gardens.

Despite the comfort of a corporate 9-to-5, Doser took the initiative to learn SEO on the side. This "side-hustle" mentality is what eventually allowed him to transition into a successful solopreneur. For local employees feeling the itch of entrepreneurship, Snaadt and Doser’s conversation highlights a critical lesson: Your traditional career is only as safe as the skills you build outside of it.

SEO vs. SEM: Which is Right for Your Iowa Business?

One of the most valuable segments for Des Moines marketers was Doser's breakdown of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) versus Search Engine Marketing (SEM). Many business owners use these terms interchangeably, but their strategies are worlds apart.

1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO is the "long game." It’s about ranking organically below the ads. Doser suggests focusing SEO efforts on informational content.

• Example: If you own a landscaping company in Ankeny, your SEO strategy should target keywords like "What type of plants should I plant in Iowa this year?" ### 2. Search Engine Marketing (SEM)SEM (Google Ads) is for high-intent, transactional keywords. If you have a high-ticket service, you cannot afford to wait for organic rankings.

• Example: A Des Moines law firm or specialized medical clinic should bid on keywords like "Best personal injury lawyer near me" or "High-ticket health screening."

Feature	SEO (Organic)	SEM (Paid)
Cost	"Free" (Time Intensive)	Pay-per-click
Speed	Slow (3-6 months)	Instant
Best For	Building Authority	Driving Conversions
Content Type	Educational/Blogs	Sales Pages/Landing Pages

Understanding E-E-A-T: How to Outrank the "Big Boys"

How does a local Des Moines business compete with national giants like Forbes or US News? Doser points to a concept called E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.

In "Your Money Your Life" (YMYL) niches—such as finance, health, and law—Google’s algorithm is incredibly strict. Doser shared a tactic used in his career: Hiring actual experts to back the content.

If you are a local financial advisor, don't just post a ghostwritten blog. Ensure the author bio links to your university credentials, certifications, and professional history. These "trust signals" are what tell Google your Des Moines-based business is more credible for a local search than a generic national article.

The Power of the "Jab, Jab, Right Hook" in Digital Marketing

Ryan Snaadt and Ryan Doser both emphasized that a website is useless if it doesn't convert. Doser utilizes a strategy popularized by Gary Vaynerchuk: Jab, Jab, Right Hook.

1. The Lead Magnet (The Jab): Offer a free guide, cheat sheet, or quiz. In the episode, Doser mentioned his success with tech-related freebies.

2. The Nurture (The Jab): Use a tool like ConvertKit to send a three-email drip sequence. This builds trust without asking for money.

3. The Sale (The Right Hook): Once the lead knows you and trusts your expertise, you present the offer.

For Des Moines businesses, this might look like a local Realtor offering a "Free 2026 Des Moines Housing Market Report" in exchange for an email, followed by helpful tips on home staging, before finally asking for a listing consultation.

Stop Romanticizing Content: Consistency Over Perfection

A common hurdle for Des Moines marketers is the fear of looking unprofessional. Ryan Snaadt noted that many people get obsessed with "virality," but the real value lies in the long-tail viewership.

Doser’s advice? Stop deleting your videos.

• If you stumble on a word, clip it out or keep going.

• Repurpose your successful blogs into video scripts.

• Focus on being a "value provider" rather than a "trend chaser."

Doser recently started a faceless YouTube channel, proving that you don't even need to be on camera to generate five-figure monthly revenue if your SEO and content strategy are dialed in.

Final Thoughts for the Des Moines Marketing Community

As Ryan Snaadt and Ryan Doser concluded, the digital landscape isn't getting any simpler, but the path to success remains the same: Take the initiative. Whether you are a marketing director at a Downtown Des Moines firm or a solo creator in the East Village, the goal is to build "link juice" and authority today so that you can reap the rewards five years from now.

The biggest mistake you can make? Building a website without an SEO strategy in place.