Comments on: Bellwether Brains

By: Adam Audette

Adam Audette — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 20:45:01 +0000

Hugo and Todd – we have a number of guitar players in our offices, too! Had never occurred to me… but you’re both right. SEO and music actually have a lot in common. The chords only get you so far… you have to build on that your own personal “sound.”

Really appreciate your words in this post, Todd. Thought provoking as usual.

By: Brian Ratzker

Brian Ratzker — Thu, 07 May 2009 17:37:47 +0000

You make a good point that I think most people consider without realizing. Whenever we talk to someone we don't just consider their viewpoints on the main topic, in this case online marketing. We take in all other aspects of their persona such mannerisms and their thoughts on unrelated subjects. Brian Ratzkers last blog post..Backtype is a Useful Tool for Social Marketing

By: Adrienne Doss

Adrienne Doss — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:32:25 +0000

This is the primary reason I’m so glad I started my career in journalism. Logic and critical thinking are difficult to teach, but journalism school helped me hone those skills.

The biggest mistakes I ever made as a journalist had nothing to do with my writing ability. They had everything to do with a lapse in judgment … not questioning the obvious, not having enough facts before making an assumption, not putting myself in the shoes of the reader.

That’s why I love this comic from XKCD:

https://xkcd.com/552/

Adrienne Dosss last blog post..Save Time With the Google Analytics Filter Manager

By: Alysson

Alysson — Wed, 06 May 2009 23:56:02 +0000

What an incredibly enjoyable and insightful post. Often how a person thinks is an important what they know. Like doctors, who often possess a very similar fundamental skill set and body of knowledge as a result of their education throughout medical school, how one search marketer's approach differs from another is really what separates "good" from "exceptional". Alyssons last blog post..Canonical URL Issues and Link Equity

By: Hugo at Zeta

Hugo at Zeta — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:28:25 +0000

Funny you mention that because I’ve found a weird correlation between talent online marketers and avid “jamming” musicianship.

I’ve got a myriad of guitar players (including myself) milling about in our agency offices.

Not saying it’s a pre-requisite or anything but it certainly speaks to the improvisational attitude that’s needed in this space.

By: Todd Mintz

Todd Mintz — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:25:26 +0000

Hugo, I agree this applies to any discipline. An analogy I’ve used before is that SEO is like free jazz…sure, there are rules but the rules are just a jumping off point for the improvisation where the art really lies. Everyone I’ve talked about (and you as well) are very much in “jam” mode and from time to time, the “jam” turns into great art.

By: Hugo at Zeta

Hugo at Zeta — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:05:25 +0000

The word I use is “talent.”

And I would argue that this concept you’re referring to expands being just search marketing. I think that it actually applies to all facets of online marketing and development.

A lot of people can explain the methodology behind securing a link, building a landing page, optimization ad copy, writing an email title, configuring analytics (well maybe not a lot of people can do that one) but only a small percentage can really make it all happen in a successful manner.