What I’ve Learned from 10 years of SEO

About Me

• 2003: Student Placement year doing SEO at a web design agency• 2004: Student + SEO knowledge + .ac.uk web space = beer money!• 2005: Became a web developer for retail company• 2006: Quit job, went to Australia & founded SEOptimise• 2007: Returned to UK & grew SEOptimise as an agency• 2010: First conference speaking gig at SMX London• 2012: Founded Quaturo & joined BlueGlass

Early years of apprentice SEO = invaluable experience

This is actually a website I worked on in 2003!

Even more surprisingly - it still ranks today!

What advice would I give to myself from 10 years ago?

Learn how to get things done & the value of time management

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Qo7vUdKTlhk

Block out distractions to help prioritise what’s important

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/procrastinator/enagjojfhclogmaemicdkkohjghgpodh?hl=en-GB

Read books for inspiration & ideas

Try to make time to relax

“the time to relax is when you don’t have time for it”

Sydney J Harris

Finishing one task is better than starting ten

Figure out what you do best & focus on it

Hire people to do what you’re not good at

A good working environment & culture is important

But a clear company vision is far more powerful

Understand what projects & circumstances your team performs best under & enjoys

Figure out what you want to achieve

Then it’s easier to be selective

Lead by example to get ideas on-board

You can’t always please everyone – but be confident in the choices you make

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/poll/2013/mar/06/nani-red-card-manchester-united-real-madrid

Hiring the right people is hugely important

Figuring out the wrong fit & acting fast is too

Surround yourself with talent

Get everyone involved & celebrate success together

But be prepared to fail along the way

Just make sure you learn from your mistakes

Always keep learning & improving

No-one’s going to be an expert at first – it takes practice & hard work

Public speaking does get easier each time – even if it’s unnatural at first

Analyse what works & do more of it

Figure out what doesn’t work & don’t do it!

Building industry relationships is vital

People trust people - happy clients & word of mouth referrals = stronger relationships

Realistic expectations need to be set early

Accept that not everything will always go to plan – but at least you have one to fall back on

Client/agency relationships need trust & have to be win, win both ways for long-term success

Get to know your team & clients outside of work

Working with a smaller set of close relationship clients is far more rewarding

Honesty & transparency is appreciated even when it’s not what they want to hear

Be surprised, but never shocked – chaos is part of the job!

Find what works best for you – even if it involves tough decisions!

Finally & most importantly…. Enjoy it!