A friend of mine on Twitter @vinceblackham sent me these interesting questions to answer. I thought I’d post them on my blog which he is also posting on his; Primary Affect.
1. How long have you been working in SEO and Internet Marketing and what attracted you to it?
I started learning SEO out of sheer necessity in 2002 right after I took our Edmonton automotive business online with our first ecommerce website. The site was so successful that we sold it 3 years later. Since then I’ve worked for an Edmonton SEO agency (Epiar), in-house with Statusfirm and for myself. I’m extremely passionate about what I do and I feel very fortunate to be able to do it. In fact, I couldn’t imagine any other way to have spent the past 6 years of my life.
2. In your opinion, what’s the measure of a good SEO/PR/Blogging professional?
Basically, the same measure of a decent human being. Honesty. Integrity. Fairness. Not willing to step on others in order to get ahead and a genuine interest in helping people.
3. Whose blog do you read the Most?
Surprisingly, reading SEO blogs isn’t really part of my daily routine. I also don’t use a RSS reader or subscribe to any feeds. I like @sugarrae’s affiliate stuff and I sometimes find myself on @graywolf’s SEO blog but I mainly just spend time on twitter and go wherever the conversation takes me.
4. What’s your best “SEO secret” or blogging tactic?
Erm, it wouldn’t be a secret if I told you publicly. I don’t really have too many secrets anyways. To me SEO and Internet Marketing are simply about making it easier to connect those who have information, to those who are searching for it. Follow the rules and it’s all good.
5. Search engine algorithms are getting smarter, and a lot of people predict Organic SEO services will become obsolete. How do you plan to adapt?
As long as there are search engines there will always be a need for SEO. I’m simply doing what I’ve always done.
6. Please Describe the biggest challenge you face in your current job.
Time management. Having recently decided to become a full time consultant again, I now have a lot of different projects on the go and find myself pressed for time. I’m currently looking into programs I can use to help me automate some of my processes.
7. Do you have any advice for someone who is interested in SEO and Internet Marketing, but doesn’t have a background in it, on how to get started in this field?
With all the self proclaimed “experts” now in the field; you have to be careful whose advice you’re taking. Definitely ask questions and make sure and get a second, third and even fourth opinion before implementing something. If you’re in it for the long term then just follow the rules and concentrate on providing a good experience for your clients.
8. If you could rank for any keyword phrase you don’t currently rank for, what would it be?
Ranking for any term can be accomplished with a bit of time and effort. Unfortunately, time is short for me lately and I haven’t been able to focus on my new consulting blog. When I do find the time though, I was planning on going after Edmonton SEO to start with. I like to start small and build from there 
9. Assuming you had never gone into SEO and Internet Marketing, what would you be doing now (professionally)?
I would definitely own an Internet business of some sort because I am, and always will be, an entreprenerd at heart.
10. What’s your favorite professional sports team and why?
That’s easy… Edmonton Oilers. Being Canadian, hockey is naturally in my blood and growing up in Edmonton makes the Oilers my boys.
Well that’s it! I hope you enjoyed reading this. A big thanks to @MelaniePhung for writing the questions for all to answer.
And thanks to the following for their participation:
@almacy a Digital Strategy Expert
@melaniephung a DC SEO Strategist
@martinbowling a lover of Zima
@utahseopro a Utah SEO Consultant
@fairminder who offers Boston Website Design and SEO services
@cyandle a Google Adwords Professional
@melanienathan an Edmonton SEO specialist
@jackleblond a VP of Internet Strategy
@djpaisley a Digital Communications Strategist
@vinceblackham a Utah SEO specialist
@researchgoddess a Staffing Social Media Specialist
@monicawright a Maine SEO professional
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Hey, Melanie…it was great getting to know you better through this interview. Twitter chatting is fun, but I feel we’re on a higher lever of cool now. Thanks again!
P.S. Thesis themed blogs unite!
Hello Melanie,
I just came across your blog from seomoz and look forward to the future posts you will be making. The interview was great.