8 How to Become an SEO - 5 Proven Ideas
Do you want a job in SEO (search engine optimization)? Last Friday, Danny Dover from SEOmoz posted a great Whiteboard Friday episode on how to get an SEO job. Having recently gone through this exact same process (you're looking at a new online marketing manager of SEO at Rasmussen College.), I just had to share my experience of becoming an SEO as well. Here are five tips to become an SEO (or anything else, for that matter):
1. Constantly Consume Content
SEO is fascinating to me. There is vast body of knowledge out there on the topic and yet all the factors can change on a daily basis. Reading books, listening to podcasts and engaging blogs regularly is necessary to stay up-to-date. You can count on your potential future employer to ask about the industry during your interviews. It's best you know about it. Raise your hand in the comments below or hit me on Twitter if you don't already have a list of great SEO blogs, books or podcasts. I have you covered.
2. Do Actual SEO
Unlike, say, an astronaut, there aren't that many barriers to entry when it comes to SEO. If you can afford a domain name and a website (like the Squarespace web publishing platform), you can practice SEO. Starting a blog provides practical SEO experience, as well as a platform to show your growing knowledge and experience in the subject.
3. Get an SEO Education
There are now a handful of Internet marketing degrees available through online colleges. While I've taken some courses online in the past, I'm particularly excited about Rasmussen College's Market Motive-backed Internet Marketing degree. Perhaps I'm a bit biased because I work for them, but who wouldn't love a curriculum filled with content from industry experts like Todd Malicoat, Bryan Eisenberg and Avinash Kaushik?
4. Use LinkedIn to be Found
My new boss found me by typing "project manager SEO" in the LinkedIn search box. True story. Once he pulled up my profile, he saw a detailed description of my experience, links to my blog, my Amazon reading list/book reviews and recommendations from people with whom I've worked in the past. Spend some time to fully flush out your profile. Make online connections with your on- and offline colleagues. And just for good measure, make sure to add keywords and phrases relevant to the job you want in your profile.
5. Dive Right in
Danny hit on the most important tip, which was to dive right in. The earlier your start, the earlier you'll start gaining experience and pave the way to becoming an SEO.
If you're an SEO, what advice do you have to become a part of the search engine optimization community? If you've landed a career in another profession, what steps helped you get there?
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Reader Comments (8)
Great take aways! I have been skeptical of SEO education in the past but the lecturers you mentioned certainly know their stuff. Let me know how that goes!
Also, congrats on the new position!
What is the cost to get a degree? These courses seem all seem to either be pay by month or $3.5 K a discipline. Can I really find a job as a SEO fulltime in Canada with these credentials?....
Danny - these programs ARE hit-or-miss in some cases, but you're right. Seeing names like Todd, Avinash and Bryan certainly bring a lot of credibility.
Brian - I don't have cost info at my disposal but there are click-to-chat reps on the website that can either provide that info or put you in touch with someone who can. And as far as getting a job goes, there are no guarantees in life as I'm sure we'll all aware. But having a good education, experience (formal or informal) and a passion for SEO all increase your chances. Having said that, Internet marketing degrees are still pretty rare, so having one may help distinguish you from other SEO candidates, all other things being equal.
Thanks for the ideas related to become a seo....It was really interesting while reading the linkedin point...Good point to think on...
Great article Josh and congrats on your new job...
Agreed with everything you said apart from the Education which I'm still on the fence about. Don't get me wrong, I love learning from an academic point of view, but with SEO it's a hit and miss like you said. Heck, if I know the certificate will really boost my CV I'll go for it in a flash but it's also hard given the nature of the industry and things changing everyday.
That said, it would be great for you to write an indepth review of the program perhaps and sway all us doubting Thomas'
For the last 19 years I've been an internet entrepreneur, so I only need to travel if I'm going on holiday.
One point worthy of note is that since Google's purchase of feedburner and rumours abound of them purchasing trafic stats regularly from Alexa, they now measure how many "subscribers” a given blog has, which one of the most accurate ways of determining HUMAN ACTIVITY.
I have written an article on the importance of genuine human activity on your site to increase Google rankings posted on my blog http://www.nickasher.com
The points made here are reasonable. I would give emphasis on the 2nd point. "Do actual SEO ." Nothing beats hands on training. So create your very own site. A blog would be advisable. This would give you a great feel on how much you're progressing as an SEO.
What a great read for a college student looking for ways to prepare himself for this industry! Thank you for sharing your insight and experiences!
Reading your blog teaches me and can only add to the vault of education my friend,
Thanks