There’s probably a lot of better more cool names I could label myself - but I will forever consider “being an SEO” an honor, despite the beating it often takes from those that sully it’s good name. Below are the principles and qualities I would consider for qualification as a “good SEO”. I’m sure there are plenty that I missed - and hopefully there will be some debate of what can be added or removed, but these are the areas I personally feel are unique to “being an SEO” - and common traits and ideals that I see in those that I would consider top SEO’s. Why do you need a flashy title if you can sum up what you do in a three letter acroynym?
1. SEO is a marketing school of thought…not a process. There are plenty of people that understand the process, and don’t “get” SEO.
2. It’s much easier to plan a website than to retrofit it. Understanding fundamentals makes it much more valuable when you hire a consultant or agency.
3. Search increasingly impacts every form of media. Every media distribution point is doing their best to incorporate search to personalize the conversation rather than just screaming at random people.
4. It’s all about the links Building link equity is the new brand branding. It’s really all about the conversion - but you gotta love links (and openly admit to it).
5. Any marketing decision impacts search engine rankings - and vice versa TV, radio, print and other ads can all be used for attracting links. Want to use all flash as the homepage? Pick a different school of thought.
6. Creating a “purple” idea is much easier than begging for links There is always an extraordinary, remarkable new angle to any industry. SEO is about understanding the indirect correlation of things to execute on great ideas that no one else has envisioned by having a unique perspective on marketing.
7. Social media can be optimized Optimization does not mean manipulation. Optimization is examining the rules of the game and using them to your advantage. Social media increases both exposure - as well as the level of public scrutiny. People appreciate when bias is disclosed, and conversation is HUMAN.
8. Top rankings won’t fix a shitty product.
9. Blackhat is lying to clients, customers, partners, or vendors. Whitehat is proactively discussing risk tolerance, process, expectations, and contribution to a community instead of just bilking people into teaching you to think.
10. It’s all about the results Great results can be rankings, sales, or the spread of ideas. There are many great business leaders that don’t realize they are SEO’s. It is more than a process - it is understanding the process and stacking the deck in your favor within the confines of the game - which ultimately changes the game.
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