Remco Livain | Just Here For The SEO

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iCEO/iCMO. I’m essentially a human RSS feed. Converting my long-form blogs into mid-form shouting for the "social web." Low engagement, high self-importance. livain.com 🌉 bridged from ⁂ https://www.livain.com/, follow @ap.brid.gy to interact

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Longform Stories

My domain was 20 years old. It still wasn't enough.

I planned to turn a 20-year-old domain into a programmatic SEO hub. The backlink audit killed it, and that was the right call. Domain age isn't equity.

2d ago·5 min read·815 words

Claude Cowork said nobody replied. The reply was message 28.

An AI agent told me a thread had gone quiet. The reply was message 28 of 28, hidden by a truncated search. Why AI tools fail where they fetch reality, and the one-line rule that fixes it.

3d ago·4 min read·785 words

The AI handed me a number that was wrong in the most convincing way

An automated tracker booked the pre-discount figure as revenue. Not garbage data, plausible data, which is why it survived. On why judgement, not speed, is the real leverage.

4d ago·4 min read·781 words

The biggest leak in your mobile checkout is a number you're hiding

Surprise costs are the #1 reason shoppers abandon carts. A vague 'fees may apply' banner with no number manufactures the exact fear it's meant to manage. A mobile checkout field note.

5d ago·5 min read·863 words

Your brand search isn't the hero your dashboard thinks it is

Brand search always looks like your best channel. Most of that return is revenue you'd capture for free. How to read paid search like an operator, not a dashboard.

6d ago·5 min read·920 words

Why your affiliate applications keep getting rejected

My affiliate applications kept bouncing with the same reason attached. The rejections were logical — I'd made one structural mistake. Here's the fix.

Jun 5·4 min read·774 words

I let AI clear two years of receipts. The leverage wasn't speed.

I cleared two years of receipts with AI in an afternoon. The speed wasn't the point — the judgement in the routing rules was.

Jun 4·4 min read·788 words

Six search impressions told me exactly what to write next

Six search queries with single-digit impressions told me exactly what to publish next. Most people ignore numbers that small. Here's how to read them.

Jun 3·4 min read·789 words

What to do with a 20-year-old domain that's been sitting empty

I own a 20-year-old domain that's done nothing for two decades. Here's how I decided what to build on it — and the cheap test that has to pass before anything gets built.

Jun 2·5 min read·856 words

Claude Cowork keeps hanging? Here's the fix that runs every session.

When Claude Cowork stalls mid-task with a decision loop, the problem isn't the task — it's a missing system prompt. Here's how to interrupt a hung session and prevent it happening again.

Jun 1·5 min read·874 words

Your analytics dashboard is lying to you by leaving things out

A brand I work with was sure it mostly sold bundles. The dashboard couldn't prove it either way — so I went and got the data it was quietly leaving out. The number ended the debate.

Jun 1·5 min read·808 words

Claude Skills vs Claude Agents: the difference that actually matters

A Skill is a recipe Claude pulls off the shelf. An Agent is a coworker you delegate a whole job to. Here's the operator-level explanation — and why the real difference is memory, not power.

May 30·6 min read·1196 words

Lovable Just Fixed Its Biggest SEO Problem

A few weeks ago I wrote that Lovable sites had an SEO ceiling — the SPA problem that meant Google could barely see them. With the new pre-rendering and SEMrush integration, that ceiling just got lifte…

May 29·7 min read·1217 words

I pointed the Meta MCP at a real ad account. Here's what it found in ten minutes.

A few weeks after wiring Claude into Meta Ads Manager, I ran a real ROAS audit on a live account. One zombie campaign, a hidden optimisation trap, and a lesson about where the human judgement still li…

May 29·7 min read·1331 words

The Death of Generic AI: Why Deep Domain Expertise is the Only Real Leverage Left

We are currently living through the great AI disillusionment.

May 19·6 min read·1002 words

Meta just opened Ads Manager to Claude — here's the setup that actually works

Meta just shipped an official MCP server that lets Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini drive your ad accounts through natural language. Here's what it does, how to wire it up in five minutes, and what's quiet…

May 14·4 min read·697 words

Beyond the Remix: A Multilingual Setup for Lovable That Actually Scales

Remixing your Lovable project into a new language is a great first move. It is a terrible fourth one. Here is what to do instead.

May 8·7 min read·1350 words

Beyond the Junk Drawer: Mastering Knowledge with Progressive Disclosure and AI

Stop reading everything. Start disclosing intentionally. Here is why.

Apr 10·4 min read·751 words

Why I'm Bringing My Work Closer to Home

Over two decades of international work, and now I'm turning my attention closer to home. I want to connect with more entrepreneurs and local businesses in the region where I actually live — where my k…

Apr 3·1 min read·55 words

Utility Over Hype: The Business Case for the $599 Mac

Tech reviewers are calling the $599 MacBook Neo a failure, but they’re missing the point. As a marketer and dad navigating the space between Slack and school runs, I’m looking at why "good enough" is …

Mar 10·3 min read·541 words

The "Vibe Coding" Breakthrough

From "vibe coding" my way to a full executive site in hours to automating a blog that researches itself—the technical "How" is disappearing. Today wasn’t just about a new tool; it’s about the shift fr…

Feb 10·3 min read·451 words

Why Your Direct Traffic is a Lie (And How to Audit It)

"Direct Traffic" isn’t a win—it’s a data black hole. If you can’t track your offline spend, you’re just gambling. Stop the guesswork with my 8-step audit checklist to turn "Direct" mysteries into meas…

Feb 7·3 min read·551 words

The "Direct Traffic" Mirage

20 years in marketing and I’m still explaining that "Direct Traffic" isn't a strategy—it’s a tracking failure. If you're doubling down on flyers because your analytics are "dark," you aren't scaling; …

Feb 6·6 min read·1087 words

The "Pro-sumer" Trap And Why Notion Doesn’t Do it For Me Anymore

Notion is a beast, but more features often mean more friction. I spent years "procrastin-working" on pretty tables instead of moving the needle. Now, I choose focus over complexity. If a tool doesn't …

Feb 4·2 min read·391 words

The Boutique Hotel-ification of Healthcare

When patients walk through your door, they’ve already assumed you’re a great doctor—the real battle is for their comfort. I’m diving into the "Boutique Hotel-ification" of healthcare and why the scent…

Jan 29·3 min read·576 words

The High-Stakes Art of Selling a Smile

Marketing dental and beauty clinics is a high-wire act. It’s where "selling the dream" meets strict medical law. From Google’s rigid rules to Meta’s sensitivity, I’m sharing how I navigate the legal m…

Jan 28·4 min read·607 words

The "Maintenance Trap" and the Project-Driven Future

Stop drowning in "internal maintenance." 7/10 employees provide zero new value because they’re stuck in the maintenance trap. Learn why the project-driven model is the future of marketing and business…

Jan 28·3 min read·442 words

The Kitchen Party Strategy (and why your "Post" button is lying to you)

Stop shouting into the void. On Threads, the "Post" button is for ego, but the "Reply" button is for growth. Real traction doesn't happen on your stage—it happens in the comment sections of viral conv…

Jan 26·5 min read·938 words

The Digital Junk Drawer vs. The Intelligent Library

From Mem's tidy lists to Google’s "beautiful mess," I’m rethinking how I store my life. Is context more important than formatting? Between Gemini's deep integration and the Apple ecosystem, I’ve offic…

Jan 16·4 min read·637 words

The apple–google compromise

If Apple really deepens its partnership with Google for Siri, it might finally solve a productivity tension many of us live with every day.

Jan 13·6 min read·1110 words

Wenn die Themen auf dem Tisch zu viele werden – was CMOs tun können, bevor Teams überlastet werden

Schweizer CMOs stehen heute vor Themenbreite, nicht Wissensproblemen. Wie man Prioritäten setzt, bevor das Team unter der Last zusammenbricht.

Nov 25·4 min read·612 words

Why Travel Matters (a lot) in Fractional Executive Work

Being close to a team doesn't mean being there all the time — why deliberate travel still beats remote-only for senior fractional leadership.

Nov 13·5 min read·821 words

Some Days as a Fractional Executive Feel Overwhelming And That’s Exactly When the Real Work Starts

An honest field note from a heavy week — why the overwhelm in fractional work is usually the signal, not the problem, and how to use it.

Nov 13·7 min read·1388 words

Fractional Leadership: Why It’s So Powerful & Why More Companies Should Embrace It

Fractional leadership delivers executive-level impact without the full-time cost. Why startups and scale-ups are choosing it — and how to make it stick.

Jul 10·5 min read·973 words

What Does a Fractional CMO Do?

Strategy, team building, demand gen, vendor selection — what a fractional CMO actually does day to day, with real examples from B2B and B2C work.

Jul 10·6 min read·1163 words

Are a Part-Time Executive and a Fractional Executive the Same Thing?

Part-time and fractional sound interchangeable, but they're not. Different mindset, structure, and accountability. Here's how to tell them apart.

Jul 8·4 min read·651 words

How Soon Can a Fractional Executive Deliver Impact?

Most experienced fractional executives deliver measurable impact in 2–4 weeks — clarity, prioritisation, and momentum, not lengthy onboarding.

Jul 8·3 min read·454 words

Fractional Executive Contracts: Legal, Insurance & IP Checklist

Liability, IP, confidentiality, and insurance — what to put in a fractional executive contract before they touch your business. A practical checklist.

Jul 8·4 min read·640 words

Can Fractional Executives Prepare Companies for Fundraising, M&A, or Sale?

Yes — a strong fractional exec can de-risk your fundraise, M&A or sale. Forecasting, narrative, due diligence prep, the works. Here's what to ask for.

Jul 8·3 min read·531 words

How Do I Budget for Fractional Leadership?

Budgeting for a fractional executive isn't about cutting corners — retainers, success fees, hybrid models. Here's how to scope spend that actually scales.

Jul 8·3 min read·499 words

Do Fractional Executives Offer References and Case Studies?

Yes — experienced fractional executives have receipts. Outcomes, not roles. Here's what good references look like and the questions worth asking them.

Jul 8·3 min read·493 words

Are Fractional Executives Truly Motivated—Or Is It Just a Side Gig?

The best fractional executives aren't doing this on the side — it's their main work. Why motivation, focus, and ownership look different at the senior level.

Jul 8·3 min read·504 words

How Do Fractional Executives Define and Measure Success?

Success isn't a list of KPIs — it's setting the right ones. How fractional executives define outcomes, measure progress, and stay accountable to results.

Jul 8·3 min read·545 words

How Do Employees Actually React to a Fractional Leader?

Most teams welcome a fractional leader — when they lead with clarity. How seasoned execs land the first 30 days and earn buy-in without burning trust.

Jul 8·3 min read·504 words

What If It Doesn’t Work Out with Your Fractional Executive?

Sometimes the chemistry's off, or the scope drifts. Here's how to diagnose what's actually wrong, course-correct, or exit cleanly without breaking the team.

Jul 8·3 min read·565 words

How Long Does It Take to Hire a Fractional Executive?

Hiring a fractional executive can take days, not months. How to move fast, start with a focused trial scope, and avoid the long recruitment funnel.

Jul 8·3 min read·540 words

Can a Fractional Executive Become a Full-Time Executive?

Fractional execs can become full-time leaders — when mission, timing, and vision align. Why some make the jump, why most don't, and how to plan either path.

Jul 8·4 min read·601 words

What Tools and Technologies Do Fractional Executives Use?

The actual stack a working fractional executive runs in 2026 — note-taking, CRM, dashboards, AI tooling, comms. What to keep and what to ditch.

Jul 8·4 min read·731 words

How Do Fractional Executives Handle Setbacks or Challenges?

Setbacks happen — strategy shifts, team friction, missed targets. How experienced fractional execs absorb impact, reset focus, and keep momentum going.

Jul 8·3 min read·582 words

What’s the Difference Between Fractional vs Interim Executives?

Fractional and interim sound similar but solve different problems — one scales you part-time, the other steers you through a gap. Here's how to choose.

Jul 8·4 min read·639 words

How Do Fractional Executives Impact Company Culture and Teams?

Fractional execs don't just fill gaps — they reset team rhythm, raise standards, and bring clarity. How to manage the cultural side of the engagement.

Jul 8·4 min read·644 words

What Questions Should I Ask When Interviewing a Fractional Executive?

Beyond the standard interview — the questions that separate a real fractional operator from someone freelancing between corporate jobs. Mindset, fit, ownership.

Jul 8·4 min read·653 words

How Do I Choose the Right Fractional Executive for My Industry?

Industry fluency, function depth, leadership style — how to pick a fractional exec who fits your sector and growth stage, not just one with the right title.

Jul 8·4 min read·736 words

What Deliverables Can I Expect from a Fractional Executive?

Strategy docs, team systems, hiring frameworks, dashboards — the real outputs of a fractional engagement. What's reasonable to expect and what to require.

Jul 8·3 min read·593 words

How Much Does a Fractional Executive Cost?

Real 2026 rates — CHF 5,000–20,000 monthly retainers, day rates, and hybrid models. What you actually pay for a fractional CMO, CFO or COO.

Jul 8·4 min read·661 words

What Types of Fractional Roles Exist (CFO, CMO, CIO…)?

Every executive function now has a fractional version — CMO, CFO, COO, CIO, CHRO, CRO. What each one delivers and which one your business actually needs.

Jul 8·4 min read·726 words

When Should I Hire a Fractional Executive?

Six honest signals it's time for fractional leadership — growth inflection, capability gaps, transitions, fundraising prep, and more.

Jul 8·5 min read·886 words

What Is a Fractional Executive? A Plain-English Guide

A fractional executive is a part-time senior leader — CMO, CFO, COO — embedded in your team. Here's how the model works and when it pays off.

Jul 8·5 min read·889 words

The Art of Restraint: Getting Things Done as a Fractional Exec Without Fixing Everything

Every fractional exec wants to fix everything broken they see. The discipline is choosing which not to. Why restraint outperforms heroics on short engagements.

Jul 4·3 min read·520 words

Why I Love Working as a Fractional Executive

New challenges every week, zero corporate inertia, and a chance to focus on the work that actually moves the needle. The honest case for the life.

Jul 1·3 min read·512 words

How Much Does a Fractional Executive Cost?

Real day rates, monthly retainers, and what drives the spread for a fractional CMO, CFO or CXO. (See the updated 2026 version linked inside.)

Jun 30·4 min read·732 words

What Does a Fractional CMO Actually Do?

What a fractional CMO actually does — strategy, leadership, demand gen, team building. (See the expanded 2026 version linked inside.)

Jun 30·4 min read·650 words