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April 23, 2008
How your SEO skills tone your philosophy and action
Greetings,
Here is a recent conversation I thought everyone could benefit from.
The name of the writer has been removed to protect the identity of the writer. I am sharing this because I hear these types of thing very often so I hope it helps a little.
Initial Question:
John, how important are SEO Skills really? I mean you talk a lot about skills. Is it really such a big deal? I've been getting pretty fair results and I have never needed any training.
John Alexander:
In your opinion, what is the alternative to the essence of "knowing" exactly what needs to be done? That's what a skill set does. It eliminates the "guess work" and enables you to experience greater success, in less time, with much less stress about it. I think it is
one of the biggest missing ingredients these days.
Reply:
I think it is much quicker to throw lots of things at the wall and just see what sticks if you know what I mean. It's fast and easy.
John Alexander:
I've heard this philosophy before. How long to your results last with respect to top visibility?
Reply:
A long time. A few of the pages will last for even several months before they need to be re-done.
John Alexander:
Everyone has a right to their own methods but my thought is that this only seems like so much wasted energy - for so few results and for so short of an endurance. All due respect, but our students create pages
that rank for years.
Reply:
Is this going to be about the white hat - black hat thing?
John Alexander:
Not really. I don't think I can be accountable for the actions of
other people. I am only accountable for the actions I personally choose to take. I don't agree with the methods of black hats or the typical philosophy that they believe in. Much of their philosophy I disagree with.
Reply:
What philosophy? Is it not just winning the war with the search engines and doing whatever it takes to beat the search engines?
Is it not just about gaining top visibility and beating the system?
John:
Here is first place where we differ. I do not believe the myth that we
are in a "war" with the search engines. We have never been at war with
search engines, therefore there is no need to beat them. We are in
competition with our competitors.
I also know for a fact that students are much wiser to focus on understanding how to build high value content that will stand the test of time. After all, if you are crafting pages that are useful and satisfy the searcher with useful content, the search engines do not really care if rank at the top.
Let me back up...to address the original question about "skills."
The key here is that everyone has their own personal philosophy.
We all do. It is also important to respect each other's opinions or
personal philosophy. I honestly respect other people for their opinions as I hope they will respect me for mine. We can disagree on anything - but without being disagreeable.
Here is the key (in my opinion) to where it all starts.
We each have the ability to "choose" what we believe. Regardless of whatever you or I trust to be true or whatever each of our personal philosophies on SEO is, we each have the power to choose.
I am not saying anything against you. I respect your beliefs, but if you think you are at war with the search engines, then we do disagree and it is okay to disagree.
With all of the purchasing of new tools, new e-books, new training,
new new counsel - the single most important thing to "get" is to
"get solid understanding."
True understanding tones your personal philosophy. Your own personal philosophy about SEO, produces the attitude you have about it. How you feel about your own skills is very important to your success.
You philosophy controls your attitude.
Why is your attitude towards SEO skills important?
The attitude you have, leads to which ever type of activities you take part in. The activities you take part in, then lead to the final results you achieve. Ultimately, the results you achieve are what really contribute to produce the current lifestyle you have and also to your reputation (if you are in the SEO industry.) I hope this makes sense.
Please read the recent article I wrote last week where I address what I think are 7 of the most common misconceptions about SEO. If we do not build on the foundation of something that is true, then we can go on for years spinning our tires.
Building genuine search engine marketing skills are what "tone your
philosophy." SEO/SEM Skills eliminate the guess and enable you to experience greater success in less time, with much less stress about it.
Best wishes,
John Alexander
John@searchengineworkshops.com
http://www.SearchEngineWorkshops.com
http://www.SearchEngineAcademy.com
http://www.SEW-WRC.com
Like the only REAL magic - the magic of knowledge.
Posted by John at April 23, 2008 10:33 AM