Pursuing a career in SEO... where to begin ?

dcristo · 07-27-2004, 09:30 PM

I feel I have an intermeditate knowledge level of SEO, and would really like to pursue this field as a career path. With SEO being a relatively new industry and with no colleges / courses offering SEO here in Australia, where would I begin? Would I be best just approaching the smaller web design/seo firms for a position? Ive contemplated that but dont feel my skills would be up to speed to jump straight in the industry. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

GoldDust · 07-27-2004, 09:39 PM

Good question:

Begin with your own web site seo results!. Build on what you already know. Use your sucessful results to get work! Many Pro seo's set up there own seo business online without any formal trianing, usally starts with a web site offering a few seo services.

There are quite a few seo online training courses available, but usally your just going to learn the basics and end waste your money. The SEO knowledge i have learnt is all self taught, from speanding hours and hours reading info and working hard on my own projects - teach yourself!.

I have thought about offering seo training to those I design sites for, but relised I would rather include seo within the pacakges and charge a fee on top.

no one needs to offically study SEO to be able to work in the seo industry, I think its totally different area from any other side of the web development industry. I'm currently studying A Web Applications Development course and there is no SEO included in the course structure im glad there is not. I dont think you can learn a set way to seo as its a constantly changing enviroment. Just incorparate the seo knowledge that you have gained and use within the web design projects & charge a fee for the seo on top of the design & development side of things.

Many Pro seo's set up there own seo business online without any formal trianing though. I know a handfull of well know SEOs that havnt trained offically, but built on the results from thier own web design projects and then offered those skills and knowledge to others.

awall19 · 07-27-2004, 10:07 PM

I prettymuch think there is no real official SEO training. its just reading and writing a ton of posts, building lots of pages, trading links, buying or renting links, and sometimes thinking up good ideas

I, Brian · 07-28-2004, 12:36 AM

Have sites that you can demonstrate results with. Ultimately, SEO isn't about knowledge, as much as the practical application of theory. You need to have experience of getting SEO results - it's the only way to learn SEO.

GoldDust · 07-28-2004, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I, Brian

Have sites that you can demonstrate results with. Ultimately

Totally agree.

Quote:

Originally Posted by I, Brian

SEO isn't about knowledge.

I'm talking of knowledge as the "remebering of previously learned material"

or "information and experience sombody has acquired or learned and is able to recall or use"

dcristo · 07-28-2004, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldDust

Begin with your own web site seo results!. Build on what you already know. Use your sucessful results to get work!

Thanks GoldDust for your thoughts. I actually have a web project I am working on at the moment, to put my seo knowledge to work. Up until now I have been browsing/posting on forums, reading books etc to gain an insight into seo - but I just think it would seem wise in getting formal training to speed up the learning process.

I have been thinking about enrolling in an online seo training course. One I am looking at which is recommended by Pandia is searchenginecollege.com It seems like a good course to enrol into. I find it a little odd though that they devote a completely different subject to Link Building - which I would have hoped would have been incorporated into the SEO Advanced Course.

Has anyone on this board enrolled in an online seo traning course ?

dcristo · 07-28-2004, 01:20 AM

GoldDust... by the way thats a cool dance music site you''ve got. You a resident DJ in one of the UK nightclubs? Im absolutely spewing about missing Armand van Helden play at Home in Sydney last weekend. He better come back

GoldDust · 07-28-2004, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcristo

GoldDust... by the way thats a cool dance music site you''ve got. You a resident DJ in one of the UK nightclubs? Im absolutely spewing about missing Armand van Helden play at Home in Sydney last weekend. He better come back

Armand Van Helden

Thanx 4 the compliment

Music is just my hobbie:

If i do play out (DJ) then you wont find me spin tunes in any clubs - im very selective where I DJ.

You will only find me djing in chillout Lounges, exclusive bars and cocktail bars in and around Central London- I try to keep my sets exclusive...

anywayz back on to seo

Shawn · 07-28-2004, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcristo

Has anyone on this board enrolled in an online seo traning course ?

I went to school for business management with an emphasis in internet marketing and I had tons of "seo" type classes, and most everything learned was along the same lines as what google says on their website..it's all good....."in theory". I wouldnt waste the time/money on courses. I've learned more from Awall, John, and I brian in the past few months than ever before. I would do what the others suggested and prove your skills, that'll speak louder than any "case study" or "about me" page ever could

GoldDust · 07-28-2004, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn Steele

I wouldnt waste the time/money on courses. I've learned more from Awall, John, and I brian in the past few months than ever before.

Yes me too!

Thanx guys.

awall19 · 07-28-2004, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn Steele

I've learned more from Awall, John, and I brian in the past few months than ever before.

I think he is just buttering us up or something...

anyone ranking #1 for some of your keywords obviously already knew alot.

GoldDust · 07-28-2004, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awall19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn Steele

I've learned more from Awall, John, and I brian in the past few months than ever before.

I think he is just buttering us up or something...

I don't think he is buttering you up! - people learn alot from this forum and those who contribute to its productivity & they don't mind saying so.

I, Brian · 07-28-2004, 10:17 AM

No probs, GoldDust - that's why I said "application of knowledge..."

arius · 07-28-2004, 06:14 PM

Just Do It.
Trying to influence 100's people to come visit your site in a choice of billions of other pages is a thrill.

I definitely believe in standing on the shoulders of others though so find a way to learn from the top ranking sites in the category that you are after. You can view the html source, study their back link patterns. Just do more of what they are already doing and you'll get to the top of the heap. Good SEO tools are also needed but learning to find the really useful ones is a challenge. You can waste a lot of money so always do your home work by trying to find unbiased reviews.
I'd say that using a forum like this is a good honest place to learn from others. I'm definitely glad I found this place.