18 replies to this topic

[xan]

Hi,

after spending some time here, I wanted to say that I found this forum to be the most down to earth I have visited. This forum aims to discuss realistic techniques and discuss the SEO news in a very sensible way, which makes it much more valuable in my eyes.

Other forums do have a bias towards search technology and algorithms which this one does not seem to have to that degree, and are very valuable from a different point of view but there is sometimes confusion in those. People challenge each other a lot, which is good but tiring at times!

I enjoy all of the forums that I visit very much, and learn something from each and every one, but this is I must say is a haven of calm!

[Alan Perkins]

Thanks Xan, we appreciate it.

[Jill]

Yes we do! Thanks for your kind words Xan and I'm glad you like it here!

Here's the secret to our success, I believe...

It's all in the moderators. Where some forums like to have moderators with diverse opinions on things, we make a special effort to ensure that our moderators generally use the same basic SEO/SEM methods.

This is not to say that we all agree all time time. But we generally do provide a united front to the public. This way people don't come away confused as much as they might at other forums. We have all been in the biz a long time, and we are confident in what works and what doesn't.

Plus, each of our moderators brings their own areas of expertise, which builds upon the knowledge of the other moderators.

And as a plug for our seminars, it's the same way for the same reason. Where at some conferences the attendees may come away more confused then they started due to so much conflicting info, with ours there is no confusion. Just a great blueprint for success!

This forum is just about to hit its 2-year old birthday, and in its 2 short years, I don't think we've had any moderators leave in disgust, which I also think is unusual for a forum (having been at many through the years). In fact, we've had very few leave at all even due to being too busy or out of the biz. I think that speaks volumes to the great community we've all developed here!

Anyone have any good ideas for a special HRF bday celebration?

[Scottie]

Great post, Xan!

I'm somewhat of a forum junkie myself, but more and more I find myself not wanting to get involved with the namecalling and contradictory info you often find elsewhere... this really is home for me!

[identicality]

I, too, find this forum to be among the best sources of SEO information on the web--but more, you all take care in TEACHING newcomers in a gentle, helpful way...and that's a rarity. This forum is terrific!

[lyn]

Here's the secret to our success, I believe...
It's all in the moderators.

I think you got it, Jill.
Amazingly helpful, knowledgable, patient and articulate mods in every forum.
And it's reassuring to get a real sense of consensus among the mods as the crew contributes to threads across different topics.
This is the only place I come to regularly. As Scottie said, it's home!

[tomsk]

I started a forum on a totally different subject matter and based loosely on what I had experience here.

Although at times I must admit I found Jill sometimes harsh (I don't know if anyone else noticed this about her) but Jill and all the mods where fair and willing to help where as other forums it was a bit clicky and dictatorial.

If you want clear good advice with no ego or bullshit this is the place to come.

[Bethers]

we make a special effort to ensure that our moderators generally use the same basic SEO/SEM methods.

I appreciate that especially when it is such sound advice.

I write very little here, but keep absorbing and absorbing and there's always more and it's all so worthwhile.

for all of you, my hats off.

[Alarr]

I was an online gamer (Star Wars Galaxies/ EQ2) and I was addicted to their forums as well as the game. I had to give up the games and thus, could no longer participate in the forums.

But i still needed a forum! I found Highrankings.com and 3 other IM forums. HighRankings.com is my preferred forum. I post very little in other forums and consider this my home too.

Thanks all for making this a great place! And far more productive than online games!

[Jill]

Although at times I must admit I found Jill sometimes harsh (I don't know if anyone else noticed this about her)

Here's another secret...

I'm only harsh to get people to think.

[redsonia!]

Yes, Jill, I have to say that I also caught onto this part of your personality the first time I posted. But, you are right, it did make me think. And you made your point, which was that I should do what my clients preferred with my website and not worry about the little "tricks" or possible "problems" I had read about elsewhere. It took me a few posts but I did get the message that I should just do what worked best for my customers and stop worrying about the "game" quite so much. Also, I have also gotten the message that I should not worry about my PageRank. From the posts I've read I've gotten it drilled into my head that I don't need to agonize over that. (Except to possibly concentrate on getting links from pages with a good PR.)

Sometimes I don't exactly agree with the way you get your point across but I do always appreciate the point you are trying to make. And I have learned a lot from this forum and all the experts here. Thanks!

[Jill]

Sometimes I don't exactly agree with the way you get your point across huh.gif but I do always appreciate the point you are trying to make.

I know that style doesn't always win me friends, but I'm not out to win friends. I'd much rather say things to make people think, and sometimes (at least in my opinion) you have to say it in a way that kinda slaps them in the face if you really want them to think! :slap:

BTW, if you ever met me in real life, you'd see that pretty much the last thing I ever am with anyone is harsh. I don't even know how to be harsh in person. But it's easy to be big and tough behind the safety of my keyboard!

[redsonia!]

I know what you mean, Jill! As a college professor, I can be very stern and authoritarian in my classroom (I've never had any behavioral problems from my students! They wouldn't dare!). I've had HUGE football players tell me they are afraid of me! And I have to laugh! No one who knows me personally would think I could scare a fly!

Everyone's personality is different in different contexts.

And BTW, I know I don't know you personally, but I kinda do feel like I know you through the forum. Don't worry about being "harsh". The point of the forum is for people to learn, and you teach us well.

[dawndelcastillo]

Jill:

I really agree with what you have to say here and while I sometimes tend to take the harshness personally I have to say that how we interpret what others are trying to say is our own baggage. I think what you offer is amazing and I am so grateful for all the advice you have given me. I also agree that you are not at all harsh in person, I had the pleasure of having lunch with you in Seattle during the conference and I found you very enlightening and so damn sweet. How was your birthday?

D

[tomsk]

Here's another secret...

I'm only harsh to get people to think.

Well it works and also on a personal level you have allways found time to repsoned to any PM's I may have sent, thats goes for ther other mods to.