An entrepreneurship talk on what I've learned over the last 10 years of doing SEO, at Search London.

1. What I’ve Learned from 10 years of SEO

2. About Me
• 2003: Student Placement year doing SEO at a web design agency
• 2004: Student + SEO knowledge + .ac.uk web space = beer money!
• 2005: Became a web developer for retail company
• 2006: Quit job, went to Australia & founded SEOptimise
• 2007: Returned to UK & grew SEOptimise as an agency
• 2010: First conference speaking gig at SMX London
• 2012: Founded Quaturo & joined BlueGlass

3. Early years of apprentice SEO = invaluable experience

4. This is actually a website I worked on in 2003!

5. Even more surprisingly - it still ranks today!

6. What advice would I give to myself
from 10 years ago?

7. Learn how to get things done & the value of
time management
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Qo7vUdKTlhk

8. Block out distractions to help prioritise what’s
important
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/procrastinator/enagjojfhclogmaemicdkkohjghgpodh?hl=en-GB

9. Read books for inspiration & ideas

10. Try to make time to relax
“the time to relax is when
you don’t have time for it”
Sydney J Harris

11. Finishing one task is better than starting ten

12. Figure out what you do best & focus on it

13. Hire people to do what you’re not good at

14. A good working environment & culture is
important

15. But a clear company vision is far more powerful

16. Understand what projects & circumstances your
team performs best under & enjoys

17. Figure out what you want to achieve

18. Then it’s easier to be selective

19. Lead by example to get ideas on-board

20. You can’t always please everyone – but be
confident in the choices you make
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/poll/2013/mar/06/nani-red-card-manchester-united-real-madrid

21. Hiring the right people is hugely important

22. Figuring out the wrong fit & acting fast is too

23. Surround yourself with talent

24. Get everyone involved & celebrate success
together

25. But be prepared to fail along the way

26. Just make sure you learn from your mistakes

27. Always keep learning & improving

28. No-one’s going to be an expert at first –
it takes practice & hard work

29. Public speaking does get easier each time –
even if it’s unnatural at first

30. Analyse what works & do more of it

31. Figure out what doesn’t work & don’t do it!

32. Building industry relationships is vital

33. People trust people - happy clients & word of
mouth referrals = stronger relationships

34. Realistic expectations need to be set early

35. Accept that not everything will always go to
plan – but at least you have one to fall back on

36. Client/agency relationships need trust & have to
be win, win both ways for long-term success

37. Get to know your team & clients
outside of work

38. Working with a smaller set of close relationship
clients is far more rewarding

39. Honesty & transparency is appreciated even
when it’s not what they want to hear

40. Be surprised, but never shocked –
chaos is part of the job!

41. Find what works best for you –
even if it involves tough decisions!

42. Finally & most importantly…. Enjoy it!