An Interview with Vince Blackham by Melanie Nathan (@melanienathan)

Welcome back!

A friend of mine on Twitter @melanienathan sent me these interesting questions to answer. I thought I’d post them on my blog which she is also posting on hers; CanadianSEO.

1. How long have you been working in SEO and what attracted you to it?

I have been doing SEO for over 6 years now.  I was always attracted to the internet ever since we got our first WebTV (man, those were horrible!).  I first got into internet marketing by working for a company that taught others the concepts to research, build, optimize and successfully run a web business.  I started to freelance my SEO services and, through referrals and other opportunities, I built a strong client base.  I then left my job and started Primary Affect and 2 years later I haven’t looked back.  We take a custom approach to our clients and their needs and love to know that we make a difference in each business we work with.

2. In your opinion, what’s the measure of a good SEO/PR/Blogging professional?

Work ethic and Integrity!  I’d throw passion in there too if it wasn’t already a given.

3. Whose Blog do you read the Most?

I like to stay up today with industry news, so I’m on Search Engine Land and Search Engine Roundtable alot.  I love to read Cameron Olthuis‘ insights on social media as well as Chris Bennett’s innovative ideas for search over at 97th Floor’s SEO blog.

4. What’s your best “SEO secret” or blogging tactic?

I don’t really have any secrets (grin).  I really just stick with clean, white-hat strategies that tend to fade gray at times.  I research links on Google Blog Search and use allintitle and allinanchor a bunch to find what I’m looking for link-wise.  Secret?  No.  Useful?  Absolutely!

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 with traditional media, people are always going to need to get their business out to the people.  Whether that be a phone book, billboard or whatever.  I think of SEO being somewhat similar in that it may evolve into other strategies that will need to be learned and offered as services.  As long as Google is here though, we’ll need some people that are willing to slay the beast for others!

6. Please Describe the biggest challenge you face in your current job.

Right now…I really need to learn how to manage my time.  I seem to be busy with this and that and it’s a rarity that I’m “caught up”.  Fortunately, I really enjoy what I do, so it’s actually fun for me to be busy.  I just wish I had more time to socialize in the social spheres and blog more often.

7. Do you have any advice for someone who is interested in SEO, but doesn’t have a background in it, on how to get started in this field?

I would tell them to buy Aaron Wall’s SEO Book.  It’s one major thing that brought me up to par when I was first beginning.  I felt I understood the methods better as was able to map out a solid plan for my site(s).  The great things that they worked too, they gave me that field experience that I could then share with others and use for future sites.

One thing I regret is not jumping on the networking bandwagon sooner.  I regret not twittering when it was new and not building up my Facebook profile.  I’ve very much enjoyed meeting new people and some industry experts through networking.  I’ve gained great leads that have turned into loyal customers, I’ve been able to share and gather pertinent information for my industry and I’ve made some really good friends that have gone beyond just a social website.  Get to know people and talk with them often!

8. If you could rank for any keyword phrase you don’t currently rank for, what would it be?

SEO.  Enough said.

9. Assuming you had never gone into SEO, what would you be doing now (professionally)?

I’d still most likely have some sort of online business.  I did eBay a long while ago while in high school and I made good money then, which started the bug.  I’d possibly look into buying websites more and continuing their service/product and then just add to it with blog postings and such.

10. What’s your favorite professional sports team and why?

I love the Indianapolis Colts!  More particularly, I love Peyton Manning.  I loved watching him back when he was playing for the Volunteers.  When he went to the Colts back in ‘98, it seemed to get even better.  I remember a Sports Illustrated article that talked about how he was the only quarterback in the NFL that was trusted enough by his coach to make his own play calls at the line.  some were allowed to do that a little, but Peyton was doing that for ALL his plays…I loved that! It’s such a blast to watch him play, hope to seem them in the Super Bowl this year (their schedule is pretty easy until they play the Titans after Christmas!).

Thanks to the following for their participation:

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