TOP 100 MAGAZINE

Meg Clarke

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For 25 years, Meg has danced on the cutting edge of SEO, turning the elusive art of organic traffic into a science that empowers businesses across diverse verticals. From wealth management to fine arts, health and wellness to coaching, Meg has helped clients not just grow but flourish, guiding them to reach wider audiences with precision and purpose.

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As the driving force behind Clapping Dog Media, founded in 2015 in Virginia, Meg’s passion lies in demystifying SEO. She believes in empowering her clients with the knowledge to take control of their online presence, turning what many view as a daunting task into an exciting, impactful journey. Whether she’s diving deep into data or crafting strategies that align with client goals, Meg’s mission is simple: to help businesses get found for what they truly want to be known for.

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Meg’s hands-on approach, leading a lean team with a focus on client happiness, ensures that every strategy is tailored to resonate with the unique needs of each business. With a BA from James Madison University and a portfolio boasting over 500 success stories, Meg’s influence is both broad and profound. Her commitment to transparency and education transforms the SEO landscape from a murky field into a clear path to success, where clients are not just participants but empowered drivers of their own growth.

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Behind the Algorithm: A Conversation with Meg on SEO Mastery

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In a world where visibility is everything, Meg has mastered the art of making businesses shine. We sat down with her to dive into her 25-year journey, uncover the secrets behind her success, and explore how she’s transforming the way businesses think about SEO.

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Meg, what inspired you to start Clapping Dog Media?

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I’ve always loved working in marketing agencies, but life took a lovely turn when we adopted two boys and I became pregnant. That’s when I decided to leave the corporate world and start working from home. The transition to being a mom of three was challenging, and I felt a deep need to use my professional skills in a way that made a difference. I began designing websites for women and friends who, like me, had transitioned to working from home. I poured my heart into creating these beautiful sites for businesses with great products, but they weren’t getting any traffic. It was frustrating—I felt like my magical plan had backfired.

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That’s when I started diving into SEO and analytics. I needed to figure out why these sites weren’t attracting visitors and why their products weren’t selling. Back then, there weren’t many people focusing on SEO, so I stuck with it, became an expert, and discovered that I really enjoyed it. That’s when the magic started happening for these businesses.

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What makes your approach to SEO unique?

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That’s a great question. SEO often gets a bad rap—it’s seen as this shady, snake-oil kind of thing. Every day, people’s inboxes are flooded with scammy messages telling them their SEO is terrible and promising magical results if they just hire someone. It’s mean, rude, and frankly, makes SEO feel really sleazy. My approach is the complete opposite. I want to empower small business owners with the true power of SEO because it actually works, and there’s nothing scammy about it. There’s no secret sauce or “under the hood” tricks—just solid strategies based on what Google wants. SEO is the foundation of any good marketing or brand strategy. It’s about showing up consistently, being authentic, creating quality content, answering your clients’ questions, and providing real value.

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What sets me apart is my collaborative and transparent approach. I’m very clear with my clients about what SEO is, what it isn’t, how I can help, and where it might not be the right fit. I set realistic expectations—I’m not going to tell you that fixing a few issues will suddenly bring you thousands of clients overnight. That kind of false promise is what gives SEO a bad name. Instead, I focus on empowering clients with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed. If you put in the work, like exercising regularly, you’ll see results over time.

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SEO shouldn’t be this isolated, mysterious thing—it’s an integral part of your overall marketing and branding strategy. We’re here to support you, keep your message authentic, and help you provide value. With billions of searches happening on Google every day, people are looking for you—they just need help finding you. My job is to be the bridge that connects them to your website and your business.

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Can you share an example of how you’ve helped one of your clients grow?

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Absolutely! One of my clients is a pediatrician in Manhattan who discovered that her most profitable patients are pregnant women and new moms. This makes sense—when you're pregnant or have a newborn, you’re at the doctor’s office constantly, especially during those first two years. When we started working together, she was attracting about 30 new pregnant patients a month, but her goal was 40.

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We revamped her website and created a wealth of valuable content tailored to new moms. From videos on the best car seats and how to install them in cabs, to proper Tylenol dosing for a six-month-old, we covered everything a new mom might need. The key was to build trust by answering their most pressing questions before they even step into her office.

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Fast forward 18 months, and she’s now averaging 50 new pregnant patients a month! By providing the information and expertise her target audience was searching for, we not only increased her client base but also established her as a trusted resource in her community. It’s a perfect example of how thoughtful, well-executed SEO can drive real, meaningful growth.

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Meg Clarke
Owner and Founder
Clapping Dog Media
Website: https://clappingdogmedia.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clappingdogmedia/