Well, I’m a little sad today. As an SEO, if I’m not first met with complete unawareness of what it is I do, I’m labled a spammer by someone who happens to have had a bad experience with some “SEO Firm.” Usually, it doesn’t bother me too much, for when I get to talk to someone one-on-one, they realize I genuinely want to help. This has a lot to do with a background working as the “SEO” for a company that ripped people off, and I have a God’s promise to run my life differently now. But sometimes, someone I admire says something a little disheartening. Shoemoney wrote a post today on why he doesn’t like 95% of SEO Experts.
Why does this suck for me so much? A lot of times I can usually write off the bad mouthing as ignorance. After all, SEO is still a new industry, and because of it’s “mystery,” a lot of shady people have been abusing the SEO name to bait a quick buck, then move on. To me, I see this as a perfect opportunity to educate someone on what SEO really is, and help guide them for the future. But Shoemoney?
He should know better. Hell, he is even one of the Internet Marketing Ninjas. In his defense, he does indeed say 95%, but with some of these statements, and nothing for the other side, it seems like he really doesn’t know what it is we SEO’s do:
“SEO’s are like the 21st century car salesmen. Most are slimy and have no clue what they are talking about. They tell you you just need to put spammy keywords in your title tag, keyword tag, and write a spammy as hell description meta tag.”
“This is why SEO’s are like used car salesman…
1) They can always sell you something.
2) They can never guarantee results.
3) They can not be held accountable.
4) They have a answer for everything.
5) All the magic happens behind the curtains – they cant tell you what they are actual doing because that would be getting to much into the secret sauce.
6) Anyone can be a SEO.”
And then later with a comment:
“If you really want to hire a seo that can do something for you ask to see their cell phone and look at how many Google/Yahoo/MSN search engineers are in there. These are the people who can do something for you just by making a call. They can also help you when you most need
it. The rest is all basic seo you can read about in any forum.”
Actually I’m hoping that the comment wasn’t from him, but from someone who knows what it means when “SEOs” start claiming they know people in the SEs.
Seriously? I’m going to resist the 1000 words I want to write describing how such a broad brush could be painted on any industry, even yours. Most of those statements are BS for SEOs anyway. Instead, I’m going to use one of the same responses I used for Gene Marks. People listen to you. Hell, I listen to you. I send people to listen to you (writers who want to start blogs). With so many eyes on you, I really think you should do a little bit of looking into things before such a post. You have friends, or at least connections to, people I read and strive to become more like every day (Boykin and Malicoat are badasses). Ask them or something.
I’m not one of those “I’m never reading your stuff Shoe!” or “I’m removing your RSS and never recommending you again!” guys. I’ve always had an affinity for writers with a knack for headlines and awesome content, so you will likely never leave my RSS (unless you pass. Dammit man, don’t pass. I’m still learning to be a better blogger). And I know I’m not some big name. Just a little SEO/half assed blogger. But it sucks, man.
From one SEO who genuinely desires to help people, to a guy I believe has the same intent, it really sucks.
With this, and any other post, please read the disclaimer.
