I’ve wanted to write this post for a really long time and I was finally put in the right frame of mind this morning when someone crossed a line with me.
My search engine optimization knowledge is something I’ve spent years refining and studying. I didn’t simply read a couple guides online and claim that I understand SEO, I’ve spent many years researching, testing and understanding the process and procedure. That said, this is my skill, this is what puts food in my belly and clothing on my back.
I spend an incredible amount of time leaking little tips and tricks on my blog for the public, as I feel it’s important to share knowledge, but there’s a line, a thin line for that matter, between giving away all my skills and sharing a few things.
If I was to email KFC or Coca Cola and ask them for their recipes, would they share them? Of course not! Why? Because how would they survive in such a demanding market. The same goes for my SEO knowledge – If you have a quick question about something, I’ll help you out, but when you message me daily asking for a different tip each day, you’re crossing the line. When I’m asked for a complete breakdown on what I provide to clients, you’re crossing the line in a big way. Oh, and if you try to tell me that you have a client who wants to use my service, they just want a complete breakdown on what I will provide – don’t expect an A-Z breakdown.
Quite frankly, I’m getting incredibly annoyed with people who add me on IM and then proceed to befriend me and stroke my ego with no other intension but to carefully steal my SEO knowledge – I’m not an idiot, in fact, I would go as far as saying that my intelligence is above normal. I read situations incredibly quickly and if you’re trying to pull a fast one, don’t act like I don’t know, I mean, come on already!
Anyway, this isn’t meant to be a rant, I wanted to clearly pull in a comparison between any company and my SEO – No company would give away its secrets and stand in a position of vulnerability – in the same regard, I will not give my secrets away and stand myself in a position for increased competition.
Think about it, it’s simple, trade secrets!
Lastly, do not, and I mean, do not tell me that there’s an article online or in a magazine which explains everything about SEO – you’re only kidding yourself as well as falsely leading your client – SEO takes years to master, it’s not just about backlinks and content, if that were the case, then yes, I would have just read a couple quides online.
If you don’t believe me, ask Charl, Rafiq, AlterSage or Quirk, they’ll agree.
SEO is to me, like KFC’s secret sauce is to them.
if you require SEO consulting, please contact The Forge to set up a meeting.
Hey Chris,
First off, fantastic site! I am spending all my time on iMod because whatever I type into Google, the first search result is iMod! I am also a professional SEO person, but a client wants some better results than what I can provide. So, you just write me a quick guide, no recipe sharing, and then I will pay you 7% – a finger lickin’ good deal if you ask me! Catch you on gtalk buddy :P
PS. This was a bad idea. Now I want KFC.
It’s unfortunate, and the general hungry masses will always try and get something for free rather than do the proper thing and request proper help.
However, when you position yourself as an SEO expert, and you post SEO tips fairly frequently, plus make yourself readily available through IM and so on, you tend to open yourself up to vultures who cross that line.
They see you dispensing tips on your blog, and they know that you’re one of the best, so they think that asking you for that extra tip is within reason.
I’m not saying it is in reason, and I have been ripped off by more than a few potential clients, or people posing as potential clients, who ask for an estimate and advice on how to improve their website copy, only to never hear from them again when they get the info they need.
Worse, I’ve been caught once or twice by the ‘sample article’ trick, and have sent through copy only to never hear anything again.
So the lesson here is to be a bit more stingy with your knowledge. Or, start charging people for the tips – they can download tips or articles at a cost. :-)
@heino – you clearly didnt read what he just said lol
lol
I feel your pain :)
You mentioned in the “from the couch” interview that you might consider putting together a guide on SEO from the content found at webtrep. If that ever happens, you will have a valued eBook – Might be a good way to afford them as much recipe as you are willing to give, whilst still receiving some reciprocal finance.
Just a thought …
@Heino – Hehe, I do my best mate :) 7%, you better have a really big budget then mate ;) Agreed, after writing the article I was hungry too!
@Rox – For sure, and that’s what I’m doing, pushing back!
@Lopz – He did, I understand what he was saying :)
@Donovanb – Ye bud, I really wana do that, it’s just finding the time that’s proving to be a problem at the moment.
In South Africa we certainly still do have an educational landscape when it comes to SEO as well as the further online marketing channels.
I’m more than happy to educate as to the possibilities, provide tips and feedback, but not to those that take it for granted or exploit it.
*Also as with SEO, there are plenty of KFC recipes available online, but it comes back to the experience and that one secret ingredient that never gets published :p
Hey Christine, thanks for popping in, how have you been?
I’m glad to hear that you hold a similar opinion to mine on this topic :)
The secret ingredient will never be published, indeed!
I used to be protective about everything. I never gave away anything.
(Remember SA_cuz and showing how to hide and show divs with JS). I then realised that as much as I could give away it would not mean that I would loose any advantage. I think if you told someone everything they still would not be able to consult people about SEO as well as you.
Would love that eBook though, would be a great read and hopefully not be a big shock.
PS Hope this does not effect our week long “SEO” lunch.
Yes, that’s true, I could probably give away tons of tips and most people won’t be able to perform to the same level, I agree on that, but the main concern is time, answering people continually gets tiring.
I agree, I need to write the eBook, but once again, kakkest variable ever, time :D
Your title is misleading! As an ex-chef I rushed over to see whats cooking! Well what a disappointment! ;)
It’s secret spice actually not sauce :-P
A family member once worked there. They actually get their spices in the flour prepared before it comes to the shop.
They don’t even share it with their employess is the point so don’t give even half tips to “Charl, Rafiq, AlterSage or Quirk” ignore me, I’m just stirring :)
@Rustig – Haha, I’m sorry mate, it really wasn’t my intension at all.
@Anastacia – Stop stirring darling ;)
How touching!
I will cry one tear for you.
“… I would go as far as saying that my intelligence is above normal…” don’t blow your horn. Never!
Malesela, most peoeple in the industry know that my SEO skills are well above the normal and if you read around, you’ll see that I’m not blowing my own horn, it’s the honest truth :)
I’m not sure if thats a troll from Heino or not, but it made me lol.
That aside, I do agree with Chris but at the same time, I’ve considered plenty a time sending him a message asking for a couple tips on getting my own blog a little bit further up the google ladder. I’ve put it off for now though, I’ll wait till I hit a brick wall, then maybe hit him up for a tip or two.
Your secrect are your own Chris, keep em (mostly) locked up. Just re-theme this site already =/
G
You could always drop a few “blackhat” hints at people that keep harassing you for your SEO knowledge *ducks*
Ye bud, thing is, I publish a lot of posts on SEO/SEM stuff, so for those who follow the blog, there’s more than enough to boost your rankings that extra bit, but as far as receiving emails asking advice, not only can I not manage the quantity, but I gota buy bread too, a man’s gota eat! At one point, I was receiving 20-30 emails a day from people asking for SEO advice, just too much.
Re-theme – Ye mate, it’s gone through 3 revisions by professional designers, but none of them are hitting the spot for me, so I just haven’t put them up :( One day!
@Jacques – LMAO! Short term hints, which end up benefiting my sites ;)