You Can Learn SEO With the Austin SEO Guy

By Brandon Cornett
© 2012, All rights reserved

Do you want to learn search engine optimization (SEO) to boost your rankings in the major search engines? You've come to the right place. I can help you learn SEO through a series of one-on-one phone consultations. I can teach you every aspect of the process, from the technical details of on-page optimization to the 'heavy lifting' of content development and promotion. You can learn SEO at your own pace. There is no long-term commitment or contract.

My name is Brandon Cornett. I am a full-time Internet publisher and SEO consultant. I've been helping people learn SEO since 2004. I've also written extensively on the subject, and you can find my articles on thousands of websites across the Internet.

Are You Ready to Learn SEO?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the act of improving and expanding a website for better search engine visibility and rankings. It requires a combination of on-site and off-site techniques. You need to start with your website or blog, to make sure it is structurally sound and well optimized for search engine visibility. This is step one. Next, you need to focus on your website content, publishing quality content around key search-phrases related to your business. The third phase involves promoting your content, to attract links from other publishers.

In order to learn SEO properly, you must understand these three concepts: (1) on-site optimization, (2) content development and (3) content promotion. I've been performing these tasks for nearly a decade, for a number of clients and employers, and also for my own network of websites. I can teach you the right way to approach these tasks, with an emphasis on your long-term success. 

When It Comes to Search, There are Talkers and Doers

And you need to know the difference between them! Many people in the SEO field talk a good game. They dazzle their clients with technical jargon and eye-popping graphics. But none of this matters if the person lacks experience. Before you learn SEO from someone, you need to question his or her background and experience. It's the same kind of due diligence you should apply to every aspect of your business.

I encourage you to screen me before signing up for a training session. Google my name and see what you can come up with. Here is some additional information to put your mind at ease:

• I have performed SEO services in a professional capacity for nearly a decade.
• I've held SEO-related positions for marketing firms, such as Intra-Focus in Texas.
• I've been providing SEO services and training to clients for nearly a decade.
• I've written extensively on the subjects of SEO and marketing. Google it!
• I have websites that rank for the most highly competitive terms, such as 'mortgages.'
• I know what it takes to rank well in the wake of the Google Panda update.
• You won't find a single complaint about my services, anywhere on the Internet.
• Phone consultations, team training, seminars -- I've done it all.

I don't share this information to be boastful. You need to know it. The same way you need to know about the credentials of a dentist or a deck builder. You need to feel good about hiring a consultant and trainer. That's why I've told you so much about me! Rest assured, if you want to know how to learn SEO the right way, I can help you.

A Modern Approach to Learning SEO

Many of the SEO learning materials found online today are seriously outdated. For instance, you'll find many search engine optimization articles that explain the value of submitting your website to web directories. But modern Internet publishers know that directories are completely worthless as an SEO strategy these days. They used to be helpful in the past. Today, they're a waste of money. Learn why

Here's another classic example. As you attempt to learn SEO, you might come across an article that stresses the importance of using keyword-rich meta tags. But this too is an outdated approach to search engine optimization. Yes, you should use meta tags to help with the display of your search results, and to ensure that your web pages are structurally complete. But they won't help you in the ranking department. In reality, you shouldn't spend more than 2 or 3 minutes on your meta tags. There are far more important things that demand your attention, like content development and promotion.

It's not that the authors of these articles were ill informed. (I've written some of these articles myself, and they're probably still online somewhere.) It's just that the material is outdated. Search engine ranking algorithms evolve over time. So many of the SEO factors that mattered in the past are less important today.

You could end up spending a lot of time, energy and money on things that don't really matter. Or, you could learn SEO from an experienced consultant and shift your efforts to the things that do matter -- like developing high-quality web content.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I learn SEO?
I've often said that search engine optimization comes down to three things. (1) You need a well organized website that is structurally sound. (2) You need to publish useful content. (3) You need to promote your content using a variety of techniques. In order to learn SEO, you need to learn how to accomplish each of these three tasks -- especially 2 and 3.

Is it a highly technical process?
Not really. Most SEO firms make it seem like a highly technical process, because they want you to think it's beyond your grasp. In reality, the process of search engine optimization can be reduced to one thing. You need to create a website that people want to visit, revisit, recommend, and link to. You do this by providing useful content, tools or resources. Is it time-consuming? Yes. Is it technically complicated? Hardly.

How much does SEO cost?
If you hire an SEO company, it might end up costing you hundreds or thousands of dollars a month. If you take the do-it-yourself approach, it won't cost you much at all. In fact, if you already have a website up and running, you can conduct an SEO campaign with no out-of-pocket expense at all. Of course, it will take some time and effort on your part. You'll have to make SEO a regular part of your business, just like the other aspects of your marketing program. But it doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg. When you learn SEO under my guidance, you'll learn how to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Should I hire an SEO company?
That's your call. Personally, I think you're better off learning how to do SEO for yourself. That's why I offer training and consultation services. The problem with search engine optimization companies is that they are all over the board, in terms of skill and ethics. There is no regulation, certification or licensing in this field. None. Anybody can put up a website and start an SEO firm. If you do decide to hire one of these firms, I recommend you choose one with a content-based approach to SEO -- someone who will help you develop high-quality content for your site. And stay away from the firms with questionable linking practices, as this can get your banned or demoted by Google. You should also speak to some of their current or former clients.

How long does SEO take?
This is a common question, but it's nearly impossible to answer. The results will depend on (A) your goals, (B) the amount of time and effort you put into it, and (C) the level of competition within your industry. For instance, a landscaping company in a small to medium-sized city might achieve first-page rankings for relevant keywords in a month or two. In contrast, a brand-new website in the highly competitive financial industry might need years to achieve that same level of success. But I can tell you this much. You'll probably start seeing the benefits of your SEO program in a matter of weeks. They will be incremental gains at first. And if you keep at it, things will just keep getting better. It's a marathon -- not a sprint.

Are you ready to learn SEO from a veteran of the search engine optimization field? Let us know!