What is the difference between a full blown SEO (Search Engine Optimizer) and someone that dabbles in Internet marketing without any technique or goal in mind? Spend some time reading forums, blogs and even Twitter and you will see it very quickly.

Honestly, anyone can build links, write content and say they are an expert. But by just doing those things, does that make them an expert? NO!

A true SEO is creative. They think outside the box. They always have a plan and goal for how they want things to turn out. They don’t conform to one way of marketing a website or blog, they do things their own way. They know what works and what doesn’t. A true SEO doesn’t start out an expert. They learn from trial and error. They make mistakes and learn from them. That is what makes them great.

I am not claiming to be an expert by any means. But I have spent enough time in the industry that I can see who is and who isn’t. Take a look at my blogroll and you will find some individuals that are a great example and have never-ending knowledge when it comes to all-things-SEO. That is a great place to start.

So what do you have to do to become a true SEO and to serve your clients better?

• Find out who the authorities are and pay attention to what they are saying/doing. A great place to start is Twitter or subscribing to the top SEO blogs such as SearchEngineJournal.com or SearchEngineLand.com just to name a few.
• Be creative. Find new ways to get a link. Whether it is creating content that goes viral or just writing up some quality information that people find useful. You have also got to plan out your link building campaign, that way if you run into a wall, you can back up and take a new route.
• If you fail, don’t give up. Keep trying. This is a real big one. I can definitely relate here. If you are just getting started in the SEO world if can seem like everything has already been said or done. That may be true but we all have our own way of delivering that information. Just because ten people have said they build links one way, does not mean it will work for everyone. Your input is extremely valuable so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
• Have a plan. This is a must. You should do your research so you know where your client’s site is at before you start, where you want to have them in a month or year and how you are going to get them there. This works great for someone that gets easily distracted because they always have a path they can stay on. I guess it would be the “straight and narrow of SEO”.
• Don’t be afraid to join the conversation. Most people that know a thing or two about SEO welcome questions. If you need advice or need a suggestion, don’t be afraid to ask. They were probably in the same position you are in now.

Hopefully those few things will help to get your started. Like I said before, I am not the authority when it comes to SEO, but I would be happy to answer any questions that you have. Feel free to contact me or leave a comment. Thanks for reading!

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