Are You A Client SEO Or Do You Do It For Yourself?

[peter_d]

The age old question:

There has always been debate about professional search engine optimizers’ motivations. Why would someone who could rank web pages at the top of Google offer to work as a consultant to others? A good SEO could make more money working for herself than for others, right?

http://www.johnon.com/311/seo-scams.html

I used to do client-side, but I found there was more money and opportunity in running my own sites.

How about you?

[KeithCash]

My own, with a little client.

Cheers

[Rankenstein]

I'm not hugely motivated by money, I must say, but then I'm fortunate to have had a secure life. I only got into SEO in the first place because my brother kept pestering me about it, otherwise I would have finished my Law degree. Probably.

Anyhow, if I was motivated by money I certainly would be doing my own stuff on the side, don't worry about that.

[cloudtrance]

I am more inclined to work on my own sites. Much more satisfying to the core.
Would be tempted to take some gigs if only I had the time, apart from balancing a full time job.

[khaty]

i work for my client..

[Marketing Guy]

I started off agency side, then moved onto an employer, then went semi freelance (my own sites), then back to agency side (larger agency) while still running a few sites of my own. Now I consult on a freelance basis and run a slightly larger network of my own sites.

In my experience...

- agency work - lowest paid
- client work - reasonably well paid (depends what you charge of course) and can be more stable
- own work - can be very profitable especially if your sites are low maintainence

Personally, I don't really like the idea of churning out sites just to make cash - nothing wrong with it of course - I'd just rather a smaller portfolio of sites that I can focus on. Right now my income is split 80/20 client fees / own sites, but with a few larger projects in the works I would expect that to change to 30/70 over the next 12 months.

I would like more time to spend on my own sites, but I do enjoy working with clients (I only have a handfull of clients - they are all pretty cool people and passionate about their businesses and it gives me the chance to work on some pretty unique projects).

I can't understand why an experienced SEO would work on a salary for an employer when they could consult or build their own sites and make a lot more money though - but in my experience a lot of agency side "SEOs" are fairly new to the industry (unless they are on a profit share with the agency) so it's more of a stepping stone.

MG

[everypcneed]

My own and others only if partnership or equity is available.

[EBORG9]

I work with a company that does all web services, and I use the money, and the experience, not to mention access to the expertise, and mentors, to build my own network.

[zokiii]

Andy Hagans also quit working for clients.
http://tropicalseo.com/2007/why-i-qu...g-for-clients/

I am doing SEO for my clients now, but when I earn solid amount of money that I can invest in my projects then I will quit working for clients.