9 replies to this topic

[shanew711]

Hey guys/gals,

I recently graduated with an undergraduate degree in marketing and have decided to try and start my own SEO business after looking for a job for a time without any luck. I first got the idea from my uncle, who is a programmer that hired an SEO company for his site and who esteemed the freelance SEO field as ripe with opportunity. After pouring over how-to SEO guides and looking into developing sites using HTML, CSS, Javascript, and PHP, I figured that learning how to do SEO effectively is attainable but also a potential waste of time. My fear is that this may not be a good time to enter the freelance SEO market due to market factors outside of my knowledge. I would sincerely appreciate any insights any of you have regarding the viability of doing SEO as a freelancer, and I thank you many times for the heads-up.

Thanks much,
Shane

Edited by shanew711, 03 February 2012 - 01:16 PM.

[chrishirst]

Not sure how having a degree in marketing translates to being competent at SEO, marketing maybe.

After pouring over how-to SEO guides
Well, you can probably forget 75% of that because it's more than likely going to be wrong.

A couple of the best guides you could read are provided by Google
http://www.modtalk.c.../linking-howto/
http://www.modtalk.c.../seo-by-google/

And there are the [url=http://www.highrankings.com/forum/index.php/topic/833-tips-for-new-seos/]Tips for Newbies[/url] to work through.

[Jill]

My fear is that this may not be a good time to enter the freelance SEO market due to market factors outside of my knowledge. I would sincerely appreciate any insights any of you have regarding the viability of doing SEO as a freelancer, and I thank you many times for the heads-up.

I would suggest that first you try setting up your own site and optimizing it and learn that way. Perhaps also try to do some for free for friends, relatives or local businesses. That way you could see if you're good at it and like it, before taking people's money for it when it may or may not work out for you.

Real SEO is very, very difficult these days.

Another idea is for you to learn Google Adwords. That might be more intuitive and there's a tremendous need for good people on the paid search side of things.

[shanew711]

Jill: I'm currently planning on creating and optimizing a site. I went through a series of HTML and CSS tutorials multiple times recently and am working my way through Javascript.

Chrish: SEO is a form of marketing, although I doubt having an undergraduate degree in anything other than webdesign will realistically help at this stage.

I definitely don't plan on taking people's money until I have my own website running and have ranked for some keywords. Helping a relative with a site for practice sounds like a good idea.

I watched Jill's videos on Lynda.com and thought they were amazing. The job market is extremely depressing for business majors with no actual work experience, and SEO seems like a bright light at this stage for me. Plus, web design is a lot of fun, and I'm pretty excited about spending loads of time learning everything I can, an excitement I don't have for the entry level positions available to me at the moment. Thanks for the advice! I'll be sure to be on the lookout for future posts and articles from you all.

Edited by Jill, 07 February 2012 - 09:39 AM.
added link to SEO videos

[jenniferlynne]

Hi, I started on the opposite end trying to find a place in this economy. I wanted to design great sites, but the more I learned about building sites, the more I came to understand that even tho graphics are great, websites are a business tool and the site had to be built with seo from the start. I have also watched Jill's videos on Lynda.com, they have helped me a lot and also turned me to this site and the forum. There are a lot of forums out there but I think it is better to get input from established experts, it will save a lot of time I think.

[harpsound]

You have to learn the SEO part - a given
You will have to learn the client part

• what makes a good client
• specialise in one industry if you can - ie bed and breakfasts - word gets around
• how to attract
• how to keep
• how to charge
• how to limit unpaid client demands
• how to overcome your guilt about remuneration versus being "nice"

You have to earn your chops online and be seen as knowledgeable in some broader public format.
You have to learn to carry significant risk both personal and financial.
You have to learn how to be disruptive in breaking down the orthodoxy of both your own and your client's thinking processes and tendencies.


My point is you have a lot to learn starting any business.
The technology of SEO is a small part of it.

S

[harpsound]

Whoopie - 200 posts!!
Do I get a party?
Some coupons or something?
A cup of coffee?
I don't drink coffee.....
Sigh!

[torka]

How about a virtual beverage? Pick your poison:



--Torka

[FrescoCreative2]

I graduated from university four years ago now and having done a Graphic Design degree. Having done a great deal of print design over the course of 3 years, I knew I wanted to be in a career related to design but not purely design.

What I did which I would recommend for you is to do a placement or internship. This way you will be surrounded by professionals who can assist and teach you to SEO to a high standard. I recommend this very much so as it will be dangerous to jump in and start doing SEO projects that may be hard for you to deliver on the client's expectations.

[ronoliverclarin]

I think having a degree is not really required when you do SEO.

I am Freelance Virtual Assistant, Internet Marketing and Web Developer . I do work with clients via online job market sites as well as on my own site.

For more than 3years, I am not a degree holder or college graduate(because I am ONLY an acceleration passer in high school) but can say that I am reputable contractor.

i believe in saying when you SELF-LEARNING and good interpersonal skills. everything can happen.