Comments on: Career Gut Check – SEM/SEO Employment Landscape

By: Listorbit

Listorbit — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:08:06 +0000

I think recession is an opportunity for Search Marketing.

By: Daria Goetsch

Daria Goetsch — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:34:37 +0000

>>I’m talking about the people who still don’t accept me (or others of my “generation) at conferences because I haven’t been talking about SEO for 10 years. That’s always been the way it is and I don’t see that changing.

That’s just wrong, everyone starts from the beginning at some point. Doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in the industry, smart is smart and we all have something to learn from each other no matter how long you’ve been in search marketing. I guess I’m not out there as much as others and keep a low profile. I’ve been in the industry eleven years and would be happy to talk to anyone about their ideas. I hope to continue learning for years to come.

>>In some ways I feel the advantage goes to the newer generation of internet marketers because we’ve grown up with the web.

Absolutely, I find the need to catch up more on the social networking end of things whereas others started in that arena.

By: Alan Bleiweiss

Alan Bleiweiss — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:09:02 +0000

OMG It drives me nuts how some people are all about themselves, and just as much how many in our industry focus on only some small aspect of what it means to optimize (like the “its all about links” nut cases out there) because that harms anyone who hires them and it harms our industry.

Personally I think mentoring is vital – if I can help a newbie learn the importance of seeing the bigger picture, of considering how important it is to think like our client’s customers, and everything else about running the business, managing projects… then it means I can trust that if I send work their way that they’ll do the right thing for the client in all aspects – from the actual SEO / M work to the client relationship aspects.

And the two people who work for me are both people who I have trained from the ground up, soup to nuts about our industry – neither one of them had any SEO experience previously. One started last August at a rate of $25 – that’s $25 an hour as an SEO newbie (she’s 40 years old so she brought life experience with her that makes a diff re: keyword research and customer support). She has consistently evolved and earned increases in her rate – and now gets $50 an hour for whatever I send her way. I say this not to brag – I am not wealthy and my company is a boutique firm. I say this because it is representative of how important it is to go the extra mile in how we show up in business. I would rather pay someone more of a share of the income than line my own pockets for the sake of it.

By: Lisa Barone

Lisa Barone — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:29:53 +0000

Brent: I’ll totally agree that most people in the community are like Kim and Eric Ward. They’re willing to help. They want to help welcome newbies into the industry and get them on the right path to learning. But you can’t deny the fact that there are definitely those, and those that people would benefit from the most, that don’t. It’s not a matter of hanging in different social groups. It’s that some of the old timers simply won’t help out the new kids or take them under their wing. I know cause I’ve seen it. I thought it was something that would fade away as I was in the industry longer, but it hasn’t. There’s a definite ‘old timers’ that doesn’t like to share or stop harking on how good the old days were. That’s their choice, but if the question of “why don’t newbies get mentors” gets thrown out, that’s part of the answer.

By: Eric Ward

Eric Ward — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:01:22 +0000

I am happy to talk shop any time with anyone who wants to, regardless of whether they have been in the biz a week or a decade. When I first started there wasn’t anyone to ask for help or advice. So I tried various methods and tactics, made mistakes along the way, and slowly gathered together a set of what I use as my own roadmap of best practices. If not for the generosity of others I never would have learned what I did, and do. My challenge is I have purposely remained a one man band, out here in the middle of nowhere. For those reading this, here’s my private skype chat handle: eric.ward (stealthy, no?). Shoot me a note anytime about anything.

By: Brent D. Payne

Brent D. Payne — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:52:16 +0000

I don’t think it is about ‘not being accepted’ because of how long you have or haven’t been in the industry. I think it is a matter of what circles we naturally run in. It’s tough to relate with someone a lot older than yourself. Or it is tough to relate with someone that has a wildly different personality than you do. We tend to stick with the people that we naturally like better. That means that the young people hang with the young people and the old people hang with the old. The serious people hang with the serious people and the partying folks hang with the partying folks (though I think we are ALL partying folks).

This is one of the most accepting and forgiving industries you are ever going to find. Not EVERYONE will like you. Hell, some may even hate you. But your percentage of quality people that truly want to get to know you and accept you is much higher in this industry than most others (in my opinion).

I love this industry and the people in it. It’s part of what keeps me driven every week.

By: rishil

rishil — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:44:44 +0000

I woul have never learnt much about SEO if it wasnt for the resources available online, as well as the constant support I get from the community. 2 years ago, no one knew who the hell I was – and to be fair, neither did I.

Now I get called to help people on projects, get recruited often, and get asked to speak in events / and guest blog (I am too lazy to run my own :P). And I try and retrun that favour as often as I can. I still do small business SEO, even though the time spent isnt worth the return.

But thats what brought me up, let me experiment etc etc.

By: Tommy Walker

Tommy Walker — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:35:12 +0000

I’ve been to a couple of the conferences and the mentality is very much so that way. I’ve been doing SEO for the past 3 years or so and while by comparison to some of the veterans that’s no long stretch of time I’m also no longer wet behind the ears either. In some ways I feel the advantage goes to the newer generation of internet marketers because we’ve grown up with the web. I remember google when it was rolled out and I was in 8th grade but used it all through highschool. The internet went through it’s awkward stage around the same time I did. But it would be nice to have a mentor that could give advice on how to get started with building a client base and really the business side of it. Translating for the folks who just don’t know what’s up.

By: Allison

Allison — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:21:52 +0000

I’ve been in the business of SEO for almost 10 years now. My 10 year anniversary is coming up in July by the way… I want a cake. Anyway, I do this because I love it. And I love sharing my knowledge with others. Even though I’ve been in it for almost 10 years, I know that I don’t know everything, so I look to others for advice, tips, knowledge, etc., just as much as I try to share my knowledge.

I enjoy sharing tips with colleagues, clients, and even friends. I’ve recently given a side business of mine to a friend because I simply don’t have the time to run the business and she’s looking for a hobby. I’ve found that sharing what I know about SEO with her has been fulfilling, and a learning experience for me as well. I’m currently working on a “SEO for the little guy” project so that I can help others like her who are looking to promote something online, and could benefit from knowing the basics of SEO. It might not be a huge profitable venture for me, but I think it will be personally fulfilling and perhaps spread a little SEO karma around.

I appreciate all the people that have helped me along the way and I try to give back as much as I can. I commend those SEO’s who do the same and to the ones who look down on the “newbies”… shame on you.

By: Lisa Barone

Lisa Barone — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:09:48 +0000

Kim: I think there’s a lot to be said for the “eating our young” comment that was left on Sphinn. The SEO community will kill itself to help you…once you’ve proven that you’re worth helping. And even then, a lot of the old timers don’t accept the new kids and would never dream of “mentoring” or lending a hand. I’m not talking about people like yourself, I’m talking about the people who still don’t accept me (or others of my “generation) at conferences because I haven’t been talking about SEO for 10 years. That’s always been the way it is and I don’t see that changing.