Guess who's back. Back again. Danny's back. Tell a friend. (My co-workers hate me ;-p) This week's Whiteboard Friday is about how to get an SEO job. In it, I divulge the secret of how I suckered my way into how I earned this job. I also do the worst impression of my life and finish with a shocking twist that I guarantee you won't see coming!
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Apply for an Internship
- Leverage Start-ups - Start-ups are particularly well suited for interns because most of them can't afford to pay people :-)
- Use the "Godfather Approach" - Make the company an offer they can't refuse. (Try working for free and provide your own laptop in exchange for an internship,)
Dive Right In
- Build Test Sites - After reading the Beginner's Guide to SEO, try building simple sites to target long tail terms.
- Offer to Help Charities - Like start-ups, charities tend to not have a lot of extra resources. Take advantage of this by volunteering.
Create a New Niche
- Leverage What You Already Know - Combine your current knowledge with what you want to learn to become the best in a given niche.
- Educate Others For Free - Earn links and share the love by teaching others about what you learn.
Join the Community
- Participate in Blogs/Social Media/Conferences - Get your name out and build your network by participating online.
- Take Advantage of Osmosis - Get into an environment where you learn simply by being in the right place.
Follow me on Twitter, Fool!
or
Follow SEOmoz on Twitter (who is slightly less blunt)
If you have any other advice that you think is worth sharing, feel free to post it in the comments. This post is very much a work in progress. As always, feel free to e-mail me if you have any suggestions on how I can make my posts more useful. All of my contact information is available on my SEOmoz profile under Danny. Thanks!
I learned SEO by doing it. Also managed link building campaigns and learned SEO by watching what our clients did and then practicing those same techniques at home. I also read, read, read....lol Now, it is amazing how many people want me to teach them how to make money online doing SEO,etc. Maybe I'm selfish, but I always tell them to start by getting a book on SEO. I figure, if they will read a book and try to learn the basics, then they will put in the effort when I try to teach them - and not waste my time. But, in my experience, it is really a daily learning process and one must constantly self-educate!
I agree with you. SEO is not one time learning. It is all about life time practice. The best way to learn SEO is self-educating and learning through own mistakes and experiences. Moreover there are great resources available online like blogs, etc and seomoz itself is a great resource for beginners to experts.
Agreed about reading. That takes up a huge part of my day to day. There is always something new to learn :-)
Practising SEO is the essence of knowing what you are actually talking about... tbut then reading (leaving behind the myths, fallacies and obsolete posts and articles and...free ebooks!) is part of our daily life...self-education rather than following the Gurus (what I said Gurus!?)
and oh...don't forget SEO is evolving... what was right yesterday might just be wrong tomorrow...so never assume you finished learning...
This may not apply to large organizations very well, but regarding start-ups...be willing to do whatever is necessary to move the company forward.
While your job may be to guide the company's SEO initiatives, you should be willing to assist the company in any way you can.
Nobody wants to hire an employee who is afraid to get their hands dirty.
Great point! I wrote a blog post about this after my first few months at my new position https://jaygranofsky.com/seoall-around-marketing-guy/
Being involved in SEO makes you privy to a lot of very valuable company information and allows you to contirbute in many ways.
Well said Ryan! People definitely have to agree with that.
Cool Video Danny (you could have a future on Tv).
I recognize myself in the "mini-categories" (oh! I'm one who call them subcategories).
But my approach to SEO came very late respect the median age SEOs start. It was around my middle 30s years (now I'm 40) and it was somehow the conseguence of a job re-collocation. The TV channel I was director of programming closed due to evil Mr. Murdoch, therefore I had to reinvent my profession or quit the company: I choose to reinvent my job in the company and started taking care of the web dpt. and of the online presence of tv channels that were still on air.
That's how I've learn that were was something called SEO.
Then I passed through all the other steps.
About engage with community, I could use as example my evolution here in SEOmoz. If only the Mozpoint graph could show more than 90 days metrics it would be clear how for almost a year I was a mute presence on the blog... that was my be-a-sponge period. Then, asap I felt confident, I start to engage with comments, YOUmoz posts, to start feel confident enough also to actively follow great SEO people on Twitter and not just reading and retweeting their tweets, started to feel qualified enough to engage also in less easy and friendly SEO communities. And all these things helped me a lot in order:
P.S.: about experiment with your own site... if anyone wants some cool movie/series related domain names just hit me ;) ... they were my experiments in seoing about something I know well.
I can get you a graph for longer than 90 days. Give me a few days and I'll give you other options.
https://www.mozpoints.com/user/108403/360/
Hi Casey,
thanks for 360 days vision of the Mozpoints progression... to look at them it's like making a time travel... I did not realize it took me so long to start leave apart my natural "shyness" when entering in a new community (yes, I was one of those who stand up against a wall in a party... love to really understand where I am before to act).
You realize of course don't you, that you've opened up a can of worms now Casey?
Soooooo, I don't suppose you could add a 360 for that overly opinionated GNC guy could you???
Anything for you GNC!
https://www.mozpoints.com/user/71202/360/
Yo dude! Thanks for taking time away from creating all that drywall dust to code that for me Casey!
Thanks for sharing your story :-) I really have enjoyed having you around here, reading your insights and learning from you.
Your marketing efforts are working!
Thanks Danny,
also because I've learn a lot from yours :)
Great topic for a post, Danny. All hail the CEO.
My first SEO job paid me on commission - a percentage of sales for a small ecommerce company. If I didn't increase sales, I didn't get paid. The only reason I got the job is because they knew less about SEO than I did!
The great thing is, there is no shortage of opportunities for people starting out if they just look. Everyone has a website - your mechanic, your acupuncturist, even your barista (I live in Seattle) and they all need SEO. It's easy to work for free or even a small amount of money if you just ask. A great way to learn and build your resume at the same time.
How I would get my next job in SEO:
"Hi Potential employer! Please go to google, and search for 'SEO forum' - Look how high up the page you see my name, MOGmartin!"
The is the same reason SEOmoz is not worried about sharing everything we learn. The demand is so big that we could never supply it entirely by ourselves.
Its a great situation :-)
Thanks for letting everyone know I was a MozPoint whore back in the day, I'm currently in recovery and doing well. I might have a minor relapse due to this post but I'll try to contain myself.
On a side note, Rand better look out, I think you might have a great future doing Whiteboard Friday!
AH!... I don't think you were a mozpoints whoreannabie... I personally miss your presence here, and I'd love to see you more around here.
Note that Gianluca said you weren't a mozpointswhorewannabe. Just sayin'...
Actually to get serious for just a second, I second G's desire to see more of you here in the comments.
True story: When I first started haunting the moz, I used to read the badinage between you and sly-grr and it's what made me want to get involved in the comment stream. I hoped that if I participated enough, I could somehow become a part it.
And then you and sly-grr stopped commenting. Go figure.
I'll be back in a few weeks. I'm remodeling part of my house which has taken up a large amount of my time. I'll be back, don't you worry!
Don't forget he's been doing a lot of work in the background as well. :) He's a spam fighting machine!
Killing SPAM is my middle name!
One point is important is to be able to take on feedback and accept you may fail at some projects... not everyone can always be #1
Now picture yourself standing before the top fund managers of the venture capital firm funding the business that hired you. Also understand that they are members of the board and they just flew in from Europe to have a chat.
"... So you're saying that traffic is down, yes? And you raised the PPC budget but the conversions are down, yes? Sales are down, yes?"
Ah ... there's no better character builder or environment for fine tuning one's skills. Those were the days!
... I can't let it go just yet.
Actually, the traffic was on the upswing and PPC quality was 10/10, but sales were down overall. By the time of this conversation we were still feeling the shakeout of decisions before I arrived. But V.C.'s need the money now ... and they are right!
It was an amazing experience on many levels. Please look past my poor excuse for a sense of humor. ;)
... now I can drop this. Please continue with your regularly scheduled day.
not everyone can always be #1
Ain't that the truth Lost. It's an awfully singular place that #1 slot.
Great post...and comments so far. Interesting to see how others have gotten into the CEO...er, SEO industry.
I am actually still working for the company that gave me a chance as an SEO 2 years ago. I moved to Baton Rouge...well, 2 years ago and was really looking to get out of the trucking industry (yep, 18 wheelers).
While living in Iowa I had started writing web copy so had some idea about SEO and shortly after moving my wife found an ad for an SEO "specialist" in the paper.
The interview went horribly:
Them: "Do you know anything about (insert SEO jargon)?"
Me: "Nope."
(repeat many, many times) then finally:
Me: "Listen, I write web copy at 2am in my underwear. I don't know this stuff but I will learn."
Left the interview, walked in the house and told my wife there was no way I was getting "that" job.
Somehow, they called me back and offered the position.
2 years later I'm still there and somehow the Search Marketing Manager.
Life is weird.
Anyway...you made me think about that.
Me: "Listen, I write web copy at 2am in my underwear. I don't know this stuff but I will learn."
LOL! Jeff, I can't believe you left me with that mental image to go into the weekend with.
Curses, Danny, you beat me to the punch!
I just recently landed a job in SEO myself and put together a similar guide. I give you some link love though since you posted such a lovely article.
https://www.bigpictureweb.com/blog/2010/7/26/how-to-become-an-seo-5-proven-ideas.html
Nice one Danny, I went the "build test sites" route 4 years ago, learnt a little, helped a family member who had an ecommerce site, learnt even more, did some free work and voila, clients (or a job if I ever wanted one... at least I wildly assume!).
Good tips on learning SEO, too.
Nice work, that is one of the harder ways to do it!
It was cool to hear about how you started up as an intern at seomoz. I'm still at the intern phase and also running my own website. I think you're definitely right; time and experience is the only way to learn and grow in SEO. Looking forward to climbing (or crawling :P) up the ladder. Good post!
Keep up the good fight and let me know if I can help with anything!
Thank you! I appreciate it :)
I wish I had only one website to run.. Out of 100 domains, 40 are still in undeveloped stage and most of them I own since 2000. But I guess like to be one show man.
I am very impressed assuming you do all of the work yourself. Just keep in mind that one excellent site is better than 40 mediocre ones.
I got into the SEO world by happening to be the most computer-savvy person on our farm and naively thinking that doing some search engine optimization couldn't be that hard.
If only I'd known the trouble I'd get into :) Sounds like a humor post to me.
I would read that :-)
Good video, great tips!
Like gfiorelli1, I came to this business late (post 40) - in my case, a casualty of a big corporate layoff and a bad IT job market. (It came down to flipping burgers or reinventing my career.) Sadly, even if it's an option for you financially, most companies won't give a 40+ intern applicant a second look, but local sports and hobby clubs are another potential learning ground that I don't think anyone else mentioned. (Technically they're "non profits", but they may not be the first thing that comes to mind.)Once you're ready, scope out (as Cyrus mentioned) local small businesses. Make a list of the ones you patronize and check out their websites and rankings - you'll find many opportunities. Make note of sites which you're confident you have the skills to improve, then go chat with the owners. Offer to do your first one or two for cheap (or for free, if need be.) You bring them business, they'll bring you more clients.
That is a great advice! Have you ever thought about doing a YOUmoz post? This would be a great topic.
Additional discount for existing customers based on new referrals has worked for me as well as my clients pretty good.
Thank you for not labelling #4: "Follow People Around Until They Think You're A Stalker and Are Afraid Not To Hire You."
I try not to include you in my posts...
ROTFL.
Actuallly funny enough I hear the CEO thing very often when I am talking to people outside of the seo, online marketing world. They say "what do you do," I say "I'm an SEO," they say "you mean CEO" and look excited for a second thinking I am now paying for everyones meal. Then I have to break it to them that no I'm just an SEO.
Then the blank stares appear
It's marketing, mom! It's marketing using them computers.
That was much needed Danny! Thanks for that!
I realize that at the young age of 21, I barely have ANY experience in anything other than being a broke, overworked college student (we've all been there in some shape or form). On top of that, I get looked at funny for delving into this field instead of following into med school. I just tell them that when websites start acting up, I can shut them down...I would like to think you wouldn't have to do the same for patients :-P
Time to grind and get that experience. Keep it up Danny!
I have been there my man!
Best of luck and let me know if I can help!
Danny
Great topic and video Danny!
I did all this myself, so I'm happy to say I can relate to it all and say Yes, it really does work!
Although I think I was a little luckier than most cos my first SEO job was literally handed to me without even knowing what SEO stood for!
Fortunately, I learnt all that on the job and the rest as they say, is history!
Thank for the video and all the tips!
That confirms what I am currently experimenting here in my internship.
Actually, I was not supposed to work on it here, but SEO was getting more and more interesting for me, so I started to "dive in". I wrote a report to my chief, following the "community advices, reads and talks" and he loved it. My "internship" was then modified to make SEO half of my work here :)
So yeah those four steps are linked and really excellent (althought I didn't get through the new niche).
Thanks again
Danny, yours is such a classic Horatio Alger story. In only 3 years, you went from a coffee toting intern to a highly respected author.
And speaking of your book that is forever on the horizon, I predict that it's gonna hit its second printing so fast that your publishers head will spin more than Linda Blair's did.
Just called my first web design client and told them I'd do free local SEO as a way to say thanks. It'll give me something to do and give me a way to improve my SEO skills. You know what they say about idle hands!
Wow that is awesome! I love that you are diving in, takes a lot of guts.
Best of luck!
Too bad you'll have to rip apart and recreate most of what you did as a designer!
Just kidding!
Congrats on the foresight. Local SEO is going nuclear, especially with mobile devices of all flavors pushing the boundaries.
I may even get my first dataplan next month :) I keep loosing those carrier pidgeons downtown.
Hi Danny,
That was really good. As Cyrus mentioned above, every business has a website and every website needs seo if they wanted to market their business online with success.
Opportunities never close or come down in the seo industry and working for a little or no salary in the begining is never bad. It all depends on how much the person learns and trains with the acquired opportunity.
Nice tips and great video Danny.
Interesting post I think the best way to learn SEO is to build your own sites, but yeah it will be very hard to get into a good Agency or SEO company with no experience in the field.
Instead of advising on making fan sites, possible advise on making a website or blog for something you love ie: soccer tips? Cooking tips...ect ect
But great video mate.
Jamie
Cool video. Was just interviewed by a Norwegian News paper about how I got my job. The "godfather approach" is golden.
What I did:
Join the community -> Dive Right In-> Get (unpaid) internship -> Get job
This is pretty close to what I did 1,5 years ago. I got very lucky with timing and getting to know good people.
Nice topic to put up a WBF for Dan, thanks!
For me it was a "dive right in", but with something you didn't mention out loud in the vid: By learning some theory/ reading books. After I got that knowledge I knew a lot better what to actually test and where to pay attention to.
I guess the thought of theory alone scares a lot of people, but I guess it could be a nice addition for newbies as well (at least for some of them).
Interesting, someone else mentioned books as well. Which one did you start with?
There is only one problem though, today's history is yesterday's news when it comes to SEO, SEO books in particular. I would never trust in what somebody wrote 6 months ago, hell 3 would be to long!
Really useful post Danny!
I've learned SEO from books and specialized blogs primarily. But I have to say that I'm a Systems Engineer, so I've known all the web things when I do my first reads about SEO.
I love you guys! Thanks for the shout-out! Great WBF Danny!
I think internships can be a great way to get started, since I employ a bunch of them myself. So anyone reading this who is looking for an internship, I can help you out. Thanks SEOmoz for being a great resource for tools and info! I read every post you guys write.
Great post. I am currently in the internship/part time job phase. I work part time as an SEO but I started out as an intern.
it is not that easy to get SEO job without any experience, but your post make it a little bit easy, but if you dont put your efforts in anything you won't get anything. thanks for the great post mate.
I got my SEO job with DaveN by winning a dinner with him and many other industry speakers at A4U. Two months after meeting that initial meeting, I was Bronco's newest SEO! Pretty awesome & extremely lucky I guess.
Great video Danny, keep up the good work. These are great ways to get jobs not just in SEO, but in a lot of industries
Interesting, would you mind sending an e-mail to customerservice(at)seomoz.org or to me personally danny(at)seomoz.org with some more details?
Particularly, we would need to know exactly what kind of problems you are seeing, which browser you use, which operating system you use and which city you are in.
I'd appreciate it!
I think most of us learn this way because there is not a institute or program at universty leavel which teach you SEO.
I started as freework in a firm and then move on from there, i like to say that i read a lot on seommoz, mattcutt and many other palces and did alot of experiment with my own websites. Lucky i know how to build website. I bought one hosting and then just bought new name and pratcied what ever i could and this way i learnt a lot...
this is to tell everybody that DasNet is the company that don't pay Local Afghani companies payment for more than 3 months, dont work with them.
I typed in DasNet and there are tons of companies by that name. Whoever it is, I hope you get paid
Thanks for the post. I know a few established people who are take the Godfather Approach with their own clients by not charging for their services, simply getting paid on results. It's a compelling way to gain new business.
Too much of a risk... and somehow "degrading" the profession IMHO.
I mean, SEO has costs and they can somehow precalculated. Therefore, if you really want to follow the "pay per results" way, at least should have to be paid those costs.
If not, the call of the dark side could become too seductive in order to obtain those prizes per results...
Hey G. I agree that it's definitely a higher risk, but I diverge with you when you mention it as perhaps degrading.
It all depends upon how you structure your agreement. If you get a percentage cut on either raw sales or on profit, you could stand to earn much more than billing hourly for your work.
But I reiterate what you said, it's fraught with risk. And you totally have to have implicit trust in the character of the company you are doing it with.
And as far as the dark side goes, that's where you as the SEO will show (or not show) character ;-)
Hi GNC (I use your acronym),
well... maybe I was too radical with the "degrading" thing... but I think is somehow the sign of very unpleasant work relations I had in my past in the A/V market, that now make me say "at least the client has to cover the production costs.
About the % solution, is something that I practice, but only after I am totally convinced that the Client I will work with I feel has the real potential to be the a real success because of his/her business idea. That's why I like to deal with startups from time to time.
All I said notwithstanding, I have yet to meet any businessperson that I trust enough to enter into that kind of relationship with.
I'm not saying they're not out there, just that I haven't met any yet.
I have done seo for over 8 years now, 1st time I got paid by( non family member) client just 3 years ago but in any case, I never charge(ed) for my SEO services up front. I only do performance based SEO. I do charge for onsite optimization upfron, non refundable fee though, which in most cases does cover my costs of moving keyword to 3rd page in which case I colect my first fee. So far non of my clients failed to pay. But again, I mostly take local companies, meeting face to facein a small city where reputation grows from one generation to next.Small world as they say.
I learned SEO from doing websites for years and started noticing that specific changes made for different rankings. One thing I've learned over the years is that there's an absolute ton of misinformation online, and sometimes even from experts (we all make mistakes). I'd definitely recommend specific sources over others. Talking to employees of search companies is always a great way to learn. I learned a ton in the GG WM forums, through twitter, reading SEO books, university and of course here.
Thanks! Will share with my marketing research students this Fall!
SEO was always an after thought and a nice to have add-on in my early web years; but it never fell into the category of a "real" job all by itself. While the buzz word SEO is gaining traction nowadays, SEO was often a by product of all the other optimization work I performed over the last decade (+).
All the IA, usability, infrastrcuture, content, community building, CRO, landing pages ... blah, blah, blah.
I was shocked the first time I was hired to improve a web business and it had SEO in the job title. I told them in the interview that, "I don't know how to buy links and that, quite frankly, I would make a poor snake oil salesman. Other than that, I could make their web presence rock."
The rest is steeped in infamy and here I am.
I was lucky to start at a company that paid and trained me and threw me in the deep end with high profile clients. A stressful start but for the best in the long run.
My current job came through the SEOmoz jobs board. I really recommend it. It means you dont have to deal with generic job agency muppets and you preselect companies that have a decent enough understanding of SEO to want to advertise here
I would avoid the agencies that now advetise their wares on SEOmoz jobs board tho, altho that depends how desperate you are I guess ;)
Totally agree with your point about general agency muppets :)
hahaha CEO... that is hilarious. I think this is a fantastic topic. Let's not forget that jobs and building a business are different. I think once you have landed a few clients, build systems to bring clients in on a steady basis. Also, scale your operations to service a lot of different businesses. Lastly create a company identity other than yourself.
If your just starting out, register an exact match domain name for a keyword with virtually no competition. Point a few links at it and watch SEO magic happen.
I'm a fan of the "See my stats" link. Very interesting information there. Wistia a new host for your videos? Looking at the stats, 50% watched the whole video. Impressive! Not to mention, now I can see how globally read you are... very very cool.
I have been experimenting with Wistia lately. I LOVE their analytics and their customer support has been unbeatable. So far I have been very happy with my experience.
I definitely fall into the category of blog/forums and testing. I was fortunate to land with a company who was willing to let me learn and test on their time. It was an opportunity that has benefited both of us very much!
Great post!
Its a great experience being able to learn something new, and get paid for it in the process. I think I'm in the same situation that you were in. My higher-ups hired me because I had the prior knowledge of HTML and Development, without the SEO knowledge; but they wanted someone who could learn quickly, and adapt to new challenges. Its an excellent skill to have when looking for jobs.
I could not get a job... so I decided to create my own agency...Guess what? it worked! ;)
Great Video - and just in time, because were currently seeking a Director of SEO.
Compensation: Salary $80,000 - $100,000 + Health Insurance, 401K, and Continued Education
Please see add here:
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/eng/2486399757.html
Thanks!
Thanks for this article. I am currently looking for a SEO job. Your suggestions are very helpful
Nice post. I liked the part when you said share the knowledge and become information hub. I think you learn lot more by giving your opinion away and then getting the other prospect. You learn by training and you train by learning.
it is easy to become SEO expert this days :) just look at Fiverr or some SEO targeted sites like FindSEOJob.com
Becoming the expert in a niche is a good way to get recognised, great post thanks.
Great Article but I would not want to look for Full Time SEO job in this market. With the job market in a shambles, freelance SEO jobs abound. Some companies can no longer pay to keep a full-time SEO marketing professional around, so they’re hiring a freelance SEO consultant instead. Other companies are simply trying to remain competitive in difficult times and have realized there are opportunities for them on the internet.
Even if you are an SEO professional who has lost a job, there are freelance SEO jobs around that could boost your current income. Who knows? You may try working as a freelancer and find that you never want to be behind a desk again.
Why are these freelance SEO jobs so available? They seem to be immune to the falling job market, for several reasons.
SEO Confuses People
The concept of SEO confuses a lot of business professionals. Some of them were educated before SEO was a widely-known concept and have never gotten the chance to learn, and others are experts in other areas and simply don’t have the time.
Either way the fact that SEO can be confusing leads to an abundance of freelance SEO jobs. This is especially true when companies can no longer afford to keep an in-house SEO marketing professional.
Good SEO Professionals are Hard to Find. This is where lot of companies just give up and hire any tom, dick and Harry firm afterdoing a short evalution.
I love being a freelancer when it comes to doing SEO . Yes I make less money but I pick and choose the clients that I work with , I get to work with diverse ideas. It's amazing.
Great, actionable WBF! I really like the 'Create a New Niche' idea -- it'll help the SEO community continue to evolve and develope. I'm just thinking of all sorts of different industries I could chase after.
I have been contemplating the intern thing for a few weeks but have been a little hesitant because I am unsure if there is a process for this sort of thing.
If I am propositioning a small local business should I provide any kind of contract or agreement to the business owner to establish our relationship after they have expressed interest in my proposition?
Thanks for the great post and video - you have been an inspiration today!
My suggestion is to not over-think it and just dive right in as an intern. Make sure the company's work is something you are interested in so you can be a sponge and learn it.
Be prepared for some mundane tasks but also for the opportunity to build your resume and make some connections.
Another thing is you can't spend all day on SEO blogs even though you would love too, you need to get out and get onto the real SEO work for clients. When I was younger I got up to 2000+ post on digital point lol =) but now not much time to post all day on sites even though I wish I could soo much work too doo =(
I don't think you are missing anything at DP, general quality has slipped in last few years.
Hi Danny, Danny here!:)
Great tips - I spent the best part of 3 years working on my own projects and self taught myself online marketing and SEO. I became obsessed and very much sucked in by online marketing and SEO and knew this is what i should be doing for the rest of my working life!
I had no fancy qualifications, no degree, and only my own experience and knowledge and i knew it wasn't enough to get my foot on the ladder.
I was out of work for 14 months and as luck would have it an SEO executive job just 2 minutes away from where i live popped up! I wanted this job soooooo bad, like more than anything - i wanted to get my foot on the ladder and start climbing, so i knew i had to do something that made me stand out from the other applicants.
I remember the interview like it was yesterday, i tried to be as confident as i could even though i was nervous as hell and i talked the talk. I felt like the interview was going well but i figured just talking the talk wasn't enough, so i said "hey, how about i work for you for a month and i'll put my money where my mouth is" and you know what happened?
They hired me there and then, no brainer, they would be stupid to refuse!
So my advice if you want the job really bad and lack the portfolio of past projects to show of at you interview is to 'put your money where your mouth is; offer to show them what you can do and work for free for a month!
Best of luck
Thanks
Danny
That is a great way of putting it. It is obvious why you have been successful :-) (hint: its not just your name)
Well, sometimes you lucky sometimes you have to wait. My biggest client made me wait for 3 long weeks before he committed. And that was after I showed him that I personally owned 10 top1 and another 25 top10 keywords he was after. Go figure..
Use SEO to get a job in SEO. Create a blog and write regularly on seo topics. You can also target terms like "City SEO Specialist" or "City SEO Analyst", etc. You can even buy the domain "Cityseospecialist.com" to improve your chances at being ranked #1. If you are ranked the #1 SEO specialist in your area by Google then you have quite the selling point.
Exactly , this is how I "own" my small town
excellent post.
I got my first SEO gig with the "godfather" technique. While there are tons of sites that need it, and you could do it for free and gain the experience...you could also just as easily put together a list of statistics in a presentation and blow a C-level's mind, man. =]
interesting!
That's a really useful video for anyone wanting to get into the industry. Although many of the tips are generic into any industry someone may want to start off it, the practical steps for getting into SEO I think would be useful, especially for maybe graduates in these tough economic times.
Then, just as I was scratching my chin musing on how lovely this video would be for a new starter, you throw out this bombshell:
"You could be the greatest SEO in the world but if no one knows who you are then it doesn't matter"
Err.. what? This is what really grates me about the industry. Continual self promotion, the culture that if you're not talking about SEO, then how could you possibly know about SEO? Well, no one knows who I am, I'm pretty anonymous on here and I'm doing alright thanks. I work on international brands, and I don't have a blog, Twitter account or a desire to speak at a conference.
Even if you're self employed, when you're established you'll have a portfolio of past work and clients which is better than making unsubstantiated claims about your SEO prowess in a blog, or retweeting some SEO tweets. It could in fact be damaging if you purport to be an SEO then say something totally wrong. All I'm saying is you don't have to be an "industry figure" to figure within the industry. It's an option, not a requirement.
Sorry for the rant, because I really did think 99% of that video was very good. (Apart from your drawing skills - fail!!!)
Hey Bludge... to be known or respected is not a conseguence of how many times you comment or engage, but on the quality of the comments and engagements... and - I say it with no flattering intentions - your same comments here maybe are few but have more specifical weight than many by someone else.
Networking is something that can be useful, especially as a way to know before than others news about the industry and to confront ideas and point of views about the industry. All the other things are essentially coreography, and it's the same in other industries (you should have to see what networking can be the entertainment industry).
I think this WBF will get a lot of comments, as a start of successful SEO career :)
I think it is quite hard to get a "paid" job in SEO agency since they are usually looking for SEO experts. And folks who has mortgages can't do inter-ships :(
I am still looking for proper SEO job but being a web developer I have plenty opportunities to learn and test with websites I am looking after. I finally starting to see some results.
If there is anyone who needs to help with setting up a website to learn SEO I am happy guide people through (for free; not trying to build a client base here, just trying to help community).
I would recommend to get a hosting and install Wordpress. It is quite easy especially if your hosting has cPanel. Almost anyone can get website running within an hour with not much skills or knowledge.
(I hope that you can find a hosting solution with cPanel and Fantastico running on it.)
Thanks for tips Danny:)
I thought about that point for a while after reviewing the video. I think you are absolutely right that the first tactic I described, works best for people with less responsibilities in their life.
Do you have any that I didn't mention that you would recommend instead?
It is a tough one. You probably mentioned all other ways for people who needs to get paid.
If people have other than SEO skills (sales,account management,writing,web development) they can use those and try to get a job in an agency. Start with sales or account manager and learn from being in the environment.
I am sure lot's of people have awesome skills which are transferable to any position.
Or offer your company to take over their website and try SEO there. Just make sure you don't get website penalized by Google.
Even if you have a mortgage you can still get an internship during the day and get another job at night like waiting tables. It's not easy but getting what you want is not always easy.I like what Gary Vaynerchuk said on a recent interview on 5X5: if you're not happy, you owe it to yourself to go on 4 hours of sleep to fix it.
It's funny because when I first found seo I was calling it ceo for about a week until I realized!
Great post and has come at a good time.
:-) I have talked to 3 other people who made similar mistakes!
The misses thought I was gonna be a company CEO!
Very sneeky strategy how to become CEO of a company :)
I am new in the seo field. I am looking a place, where i learn all about soe. I need practice work. I am ready to join that place. I am waiting you. Thaks