Education is an important topic in search engine optimization, since there's no formalized education system to teach SEO - much less link building. It's vital experienced SEOs share their best practices to improve our industry as a whole.
On July 27th we hosted a Twitter chat with Julie Joyce, one of the most experienced SEOs in the field of link building.
Education is an important topic in search engine optimization, since there's no formalized education system to teach SEO - much less link building. It's vital experienced SEOs share their best practices to improve our industry as a whole.
On July 27th we hosted a Twitter chat with Julie Joyce, one of the most experienced SEOs in the field of link building. As the owner of the link building firm Link Fish Media Julie has deep experience in hiring and training new link builders. She's also a prolific writer on all things link building. Julie is an inspiration and we couldn't be more thankful for her generosity in taking the time to chat with us.
Let's jump into the questions.
Question One: What are the fundamentals of a link building education?
Julie reminds us that it all begins with the basics:
@Linkarati A1: I mainly view the very basics here...code, WHY links matter, and what makes a good link. #LinkaratiChat
— JulieJoyce (@JulieJoyce) July 27, 2015
Our own Andrew Dennis keeps it practical, preaching the basics of securing links:
For me, fundamentals are link prospecting+outreach #linkaratichat
— Andrew Dennis (@AndrewDennis33) July 27, 2015
Don Rhoades recommended a piece Julie wrote for Search Engine Watch:
A1: Read This: http://t.co/m6bF0ki1zl by @JulieJoyce #linkaratichat
— Don Rhoades (@TheGonzoSEO) July 27, 2015
Everyone agreed that to truly understand the "how" of link building, you need to understand the "why".
Q1 recap: It's important to focus on the "why" of what we do before you can teach the "how" #LinkaratiChat
— Linkarati (@Linkarati) July 27, 2015
Question Two: How important is educating clients? How do you provide education?
Anthony Randall took an unusual stance, declaring some clients aren't worth educating. Julie agreed, stating clients that resist will eventually be shown the door:
@tonyxrandall #LinkaratiChat A2: I've had those clients...I don't currently and that resistance is one big reason.
— JulieJoyce (@JulieJoyce) July 27, 2015
However, Julie does believe it's extremely important to educate clients:
@Linkarati #LinkaratiChat A2: MAJORLY important. Our clients want more more more and I have to put the brakes on.
— JulieJoyce (@JulieJoyce) July 27, 2015
Tripp Hamilton had good ideas to share on the how-to of client education:
@Linkarati A2: Infographics are an easy way to educate. Case studies are also another good way to inform clients. #LinkaratiChat
— Tripp Hamilton (@Tripp_Hamilton) July 27, 2015
How do you measure a client's education? How do you know whether or not the education you're providing is effective? When they consult with you before doing something major, according to Julie:
@Coryrcollins @AndrewDennis33 #LinkaratiChat A2: when they ask me before doing something major, I consider that a success.
— JulieJoyce (@JulieJoyce) July 27, 2015
Question Three: What traits do you look for in link builders? How do you amplify those characteristics with education?
Personally I look for someone with clear tech skills, social grace, independent mindset, and a competitive drive:
A3: skills I look for: social grace, very active online presence, independent thinking, competitive drive. #LinkaratiChat
— Cory Collins (@Coryrcollins) July 27, 2015
Julie wrote a definitive post on the topic:
@Linkarati A3: I wrote a post about this actually: http://t.co/ys6ghdVxKn #LinkaratiChat
— JulieJoyce (@JulieJoyce) July 27, 2015
Annie Singer recommended people who demonstrated patience, persistence, creativity, and clear communication:
A3 I think the most important characteristics of a good link builder are patience, persistence, communication, and creativity #linkaratichat
— Annie Singer (@singerswings) July 27, 2015
Andrew pointed out Page One Power's own Jon Ball wrote on the subject as well:
A3: @linkbuildingjon also wrote a post on this topic - http://t.co/y59jbL1SA9 #linkaratichat
— Andrew Dennis (@AndrewDennis33) July 27, 2015
Sage advice all around, with two full articles devoted to the subject. What more could you want?!
Question Four: How do you encourage ongoing education for SEOs and link builders?
Think SEM encourages ongoing education by alloting time at work to read, research, and generally keep up to date:
A4: As an employer you need to give them time--at work--to research/read/search/keep up-to-date. #linkaratichat https://t.co/ON00Mpx5wc
— ThinkSEM (@ThinkSEM) July 27, 2015
Devin and Anthony believe ongoing education is all about hiring the right (motivated) individuals:
A4: Why do you have to encourage someone to educate themselves? Are they stoked on being stagnant? On not improving? #linkaratichat
— Devin (@DevDawg) July 27, 2015
A4: if you are hiring people who are actually interested they will educate themselves. that's all, imo. #linkaratichat
— Anthony Randall (@tonyxrandall) July 27, 2015
Don Rhoades recommends always testing - particularly if you want coffee:
A4: Blake says: #LinkaratiChat pic.twitter.com/sQqMChUipz
— Don Rhoades (@TheGonzoSEO) July 27, 2015
Michael Hall brought the conversation full circle, reminding us all that collaboration and sharing information is an important part of the industry:
@allmikehall A4: yes...and if one of my guys asks a question, I usually share it (and the answer) with the whole team. #LinkaratiChat
— JulieJoyce (@JulieJoyce) July 27, 2015
Question Five: What educational resources do you recommend for SEO and link building?
Everyone in the chat agreed the industry isn't lacking in educational resources. Mentioned were:
- Moz
- Search Engine Watch
- Search Engine Land
- Search Engine Journal
- Backlinko
- Siege Media
- Point Blank SEO
- Inbound
- SEO by the Sea
- Paddy Moogan's link building book.
A5: Check @sengineland @sewatch & @sejournal daily to stay on top of industry news. For blogs @Moz & @semrush have great info #LinkaratiChat
— Andrew Dennis (@AndrewDennis33) July 27, 2015
A5: some of my favorites: @Backlinko, @PointBlankSEO, @paddymoogan, @siegemedia and of course @JulieJoyce and @Linkarati #LinkaratiChat
— Cory Collins (@Coryrcollins) July 27, 2015
A5: So many great sources have been mentioned. I like http://t.co/hlJ0n5bZT1 as a go-to and do a search for link building. #linkaratichat
— Michael Hall (@allmikehall) July 27, 2015
Question Six: What tools are essential for link building, particularly within education and training?
One overlooked tool for ongoing education and training is Twitter itself:
@AndrewDennis33 A6: it's been the best learning too for me, definitely. #LinkaratiChat
— JulieJoyce (@JulieJoyce) July 27, 2015
Annie recommended a variety of tools in conjunction to relying on peers for information.
A6 love my @moz pro, google analytics, @trymajestic; peers, influencers, & blogs for information #linkaratichat
— Annie Singer (@singerswings) July 27, 2015
And that was the chat!!
Thank you so much to everyone who participated (and observed) - particularly the ever-insightful and incomprable Julie Joyce.
To our featured guest @JulieJoyce and to all of you #LinkaratiChat pic.twitter.com/ofqS8Gc9nm
— Linkarati (@Linkarati) July 27, 2015
