What made me a search marketing expert?
I actually began in search before the turn of the century! I had a new and used software and computer store, with over 4000 titles in stock. I learned the basics back then, of being found on Alta Vista and Yahoo, before Google had even come along.
When I closed my retail store (April 2002), I continued to actively promote my on-site computer repair business through organic search and PPC advertising, and I was a committed “Searchaholic”. Around that same time I began web marketing for two other businesses, a health insurance agency and a local law firm.
Finally I realized that fixing broken computers was not nearly as interesting as search, and I began reading all the posts and articles I could find by the handful of industry experts, like Jill Whalen, Bruce Clay, Robin Nobles, and others who participated in the Webmaster World forums way back then.
Advanced Education
In 2004, I attended a five day seminar given by John Alexander and Robin Nobles at Search Engine Workshops, which was one of the first (and still one of the best) and places to learn search engine optimization and Internet marketing strategies.
In 2005, I attended Pubcon for the first time, as well as a three-day seminar by Search Engine Workshops, and a two day “ultra-advanced” workshop, where my instructors were some of the top names in search at the time, including Jerry West, Mike Marshall, and Ginette Degner.
In 2006 I became a founding board member of Search Engine Marketers of Portland (SEMpdx.org) and we hold monthly search marketing educational events in Portland, where I live.
From 2007 to 2012 I rode the gravy train of affiliate marketing by using moderately nefarious link building, until Google slammed the door shut with Penguin in the spring of 2012. I’ve felt the pain.
Continuing Education
Since then, I’ve never stopped learning in this industry, and still spend over 100 hours a year in classes, webinars, conference sessions and other channels with some of the top SEO’s in the world, and my Friday mornings always start here for the weekly recap, that always include links for deeper research.
Experience
Over the past 20+ years, I have worked with hundreds of domains and a diversity of businesses, and every situation is different. My current clients are about 1/3 brick & mortar local businesses, 1/3 national and ecommerce sites, and the other 1/3 are unique situations and agencies that want short term consulting and advice.
My pricing and service details are on this page and I’d be happy to talk to you any time.
