I want to extend a warm welcome to Michael Martinez, who's agreed to join SEOmoz's blog team at my request.
I know. I know. Michael's not your typical personality in the SEO/M world - he's stirred up a good bit of trouble around the forums, built a reputation for being someone who thinks and acts differently than much of the community and, in many cases, espouses beliefs and ideas that don't go over well with everyone.
And that's exactly why I think he'll be such a great addition.
SEOmoz, particulary the blog and articles, has always been about helping SEOs to learn and build their skillsets. With Michael's voice, I believe we have someone who can help to challenge a lot of basically held assumptions, force us all to think about how and why we hold the ideas about SEO, marketing, advertising and the web that we do. As I noted to Michael in an email:
"After all, it's not until you stand up to defend your ideas that you really get a sense of how much you value and believe in them."
I myself don't always agree with Michael, but I take his words to heart and often, when I do disagree, I find out more about why I believe as I do. Michael's posts will be professional, informational and probably more grammatically accurate than some of my latest escapades. So please try not hold any lingering grudges you may have and welcome our newest blogger.
I'm really excited to read Michael's posts! Good Team Rand!
Looking forward to more excellent SEO analysis like the ones you have over at HR :) Congratulations Mr. Martinez!
Welcome aboard Michael... It's good to see how rand manages collect various type of writers & personalities inside SEOMoz blog writing team.
PS. Sorry for slow posting. I've got tons of work...
Congratulations Rand you have made a good blogging team even better. Rand if you keep this up you can stop posting yourself. I am looking foreward to reading your blog posts Martinez!!! :-)
I think I've made my point... :)
"... more grammatically accurate than some of my latest escapades. So please, try not hold any lingering grudges ... "
:P
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Welcome Michael! I have enjoyed your comments and look forward to reading your posts.
*still laughing from altherrweb's and ac112's comments*
"he's stirred up a good bit of trouble around the forums, built a reputation for being someone who thinks and acts differently than much of the community and, in many cases, espouses beliefs and ideas that don't go over well with everyone"
Sounds like my kind of guy! :)
Hello Michael, and welcome to THE AUTHORITY SITE in SEO. (no matter how much Rand downplays it's importance)