1: Can you tell me why SEO is such a passion for yourself?
I don’t really believe that SEO specifically is the passion but lifelong learning and collaboration.
Most SEO firms tend to start by gained experience on "their own websites" (the website they managed prior to becoming a SEO and not a SEO specific website). The insider knowledge of that industry and market played an important part in their initial successes.
As such, clients have a wealth of insider industry and market knowledge that the SEO firm itself isn’t gifted in and if a SEO can tap into this wealth – successes are far more common and easier to obtain.
So the "passion" is more about "always learning" what I do not know rather than the satisfaction of being web and search savvy.
2: How did you get started with web and Search Engine Optimization?
Oddly enough it was a natural progressive step from a previous career in submarines with knowledge and skills in data collection, interpretation and dissemination.
In "submarine search" you never have an all-inclusive picture. You work with information compilation, bits and pieces, make observations and base conclusions on all this 'suggestive evidence’ and interpolate what must be true for the "subs/ships estimated resources and prowess (SERP)! :-)
In fact, I started and ended my military career on warships. Interesting enough the role reversal to and from submarines provided a unique opportunity to see both sides of the same equation simultaneously.
I retired and believing the Internet was going to be "BIG" - I looked for a niche where all my previous experience could be used as a real asset. Search engine optimization was that niche.
3: What do you feel the biggest change in the last 3-5 years in SEO has been?
Search engines are far more sophisticated today than 5 years ago and they need to be - the saturation level of organic results has no apparent theoretical cap. SEO clientele are also becoming more web and search engine savvy - which stands to reason as exposure grows.
Sustainable SEO services of today cannot live on "tips" and "tricks" as in the past - they must bridge the gaps between bonafide web, market and industry research to emerge as true specialists within this chosen medium.
4: How do you feel SEO will change in the near future?
Interesting question with no definitive answer!
The industry as a whole will likely be accepted as mainstream marketing, complete with post-secondary education, specialized schools, included in traditional business and marketing degrees, and spawn a whole new set of niche opportunities and segments.
But no matter how the industry grows it is destine to mature and it has been and will continue to be fun watching the change in its life cycle.
5: What is the biggest reason sites seem to fail on the internet?
Decisions are often made without justification, research, or planning. Decision-makers in an attempt to maintain pace with the explosive social and commercial force of the Internet often use blind faith to move an idea from conception to practice.
In a general context, informed decision-making is often ignored and the "idea" becomes the "plan" without any true foundation for measuring success, failure, or follow-on objectives.
6: How does your SEO/SEM methodology standout from others?
Focus on the business to business relationship first.
Anyone can rank a web page with but a little luck. Few can be consistent at it no matter the budget, offerings, website architecture, industry and targeted markets, and fewer still can induce positive cash flow – which is why there are SEO clients.
My business model has grown from clients making a "risk investment" to "mutually supportive investments" through collaborative developments.
7: What spam tactic do you hate the most?
Spam is a mindset – not a tactic.
But... if search engines write about them and you are a user without the informed consent of the client your services are not worth spit!
Furthermore, the mindset of spam is a sustainable one with proper planning – the relationship however, isn’t without informed decision-making.
8: Do you feel the SES (search engine strategies) conferences are helpful to attend and why?
Well sure - particularly for networking.
It’s interesting to note that most brick & mortar business failures occur within 3 years. Statistically in the "virtual world" failures normally occur when you need to re-register that domain name [normally only after 1-2 years].
In hindsight - if you "go it alone" on the Internet you are far more likely to fail than succeed.
Therefore conferences like SES allow likeminded people to come together, learn, and adapt for the future.
9: What is the coolest website you have come across (excluding your own)? It doesn’t have to be SEO related.
None specifically – but in general, the aggregation power of the discussion forum to globally pool likeminded people towards each other – it the coolest invention I have ever seen -- next the Internet itself.
Rod is an eMarketing Strategist and the principal owner of Spherica Incorporated
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