We were lucky to catch up with Tianna Mamalick recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tianna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us about a time where you or your team really helped a customer get an amazing result?

One of my favourite client wins is with a small Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT) firm. They’re up against some pretty massive competitors national brands with huge budgets so every dollar we spent had to really work.

We started with the basics: SEO and Google Ads. But here’s the thing almost every LIT site has the same content. Same topics, same explanations. So while the info was solid, it didn’t stand out. And in this space, trust is everything. People need to feel seen, not just informed.

That’s when we tried something different.

Instead of rewriting everything, we started adding short, story-based case studies to each blog. Nothing over the top—just a simple narrative at the end of each article showing how someone (with a made-up name and some adjusted numbers for privacy) actually used that advice to reduce their debt. It grounded the info in real life without breaking confidentiality.

That small shift made a huge difference.

Over the last 12 months, they’ve had a 158% increase in organic leads. That’s over 160 people filling out forms, reaching out, and asking for help without us increasing ad spend. And for a smaller firm, those are game-changing numbers.

The best part? Now their content actually sounds like them. It’s still professional, but it feels personal—and that’s what builds trust.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Tianna Mamalick, the owner of SMB Marketing a digital marketing agency that helps small business owners (especially women) grow their visibility through SEO and paid ads without burning out or relying on the algorithm.

I actually studied finance in university because I thought that’s what success should look like. But it never felt like me. Then I took one marketing class and everything clicked. Strategy, storytelling, real results, I was hooked. Over time, I found myself gravitating toward small businesses. The ones where one new client can actually change someone’s life. That’s who I wanted to help.

Today, I work with a mix of service-based businesses including therapists, lawyers, dietitians, creative agencies offering both done-for-you SEO + ad management, and coaching through my program Master SEO, which teaches entrepreneurs and VAs how to confidently handle their own SEO. We focus on the long game: building keyword strategies that not only rank, but convert.

What sets me apart? I don’t just look at traffic. I look at the full picture what people are searching for, how they’re landing on your site, and what makes them actually fill out the form or hit buy. I coined the phrase “keyword opportunity” because it’s not just about high-volume keywords it’s about knowing which terms lead to real results for your business. That’s what I build strategies around.

What I’m most proud of? Helping small businesses show up in Google next to national brands without having to spend like one. I’ve had clients double their leads, fill programs, and finally feel like their marketing is working with them, not against them.

If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s that SEO doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You don’t need a giant budget or a full-time team. With the right strategy, the right keywords, and a clear path—visibility becomes sustainable. And that’s where I come in.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

When I started my business, I wanted to be smart about it. I had a full-time corporate job in marketing, and I freelanced on the side to build up both my skills and my savings. Every extra dollar I made from freelance work went straight into a separate account. My goal was to save enough to cover at least three months of expenses.

Once I hit that number, I switched to part-time with a marketing agency and spent the rest of my time building my business. It wasn’t overnight—I slowly flipped the balance until I was full-time in my own business.

Now I’ve started bringing on team members, and it feels like a full-circle moment. I went from being the freelancer to building something that supports other women in marketing.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I mostly talk about SEO, and let’s be real—it’s not always the sexiest topic. There are big names in the space, but it can get technical fast and people’s eyes glaze over. I think the reason I’ve been able to build an engaged audience is honestly just passion. I really love what I do, and I’m not quiet about it.

I’ve never looked at social media as a follower game. For me, it’s always been about connection. That mindset shift came from one of my mentors, Danielle from Bloom Business Collective, who really emphasized collaboration and relationship-building. And she’s right. The work comes when you lead with support and genuine connection—not just strategy.

I also don’t take myself too seriously online. I’m willing to be loud about SEO, nerdy about keywords, and a little silly in the process. That’s what makes it approachable. My best advice if you’re just starting out: let people see how much you care. Be passionate, be real, and don’t be afraid to talk about what you love again and again and again. That energy is what draws people in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.smbmarketingschool.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smbmarketingschool/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smbmarketingschool
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tmamalick/

Image Credits

Mallory Lundgren