By John Alexander

If you are performing SEO on Web sites these days, you're likely aware that within the search engine marketing industry,
there are new challenges all the time. While many of us tend to gain a good comfort level with our SEO skills, there are others that are challenged by the frequent changes in the industry. Change does not have to be a bad thing, but if you are just starting out as a search engine marketer, you'll need learn the best ways to conserve your time.

For some people, the quest is to understand the constantly changing algorithms which can feel like an impossibility. And then for others, the quest is more about trying to learn some quick little "tricks" that will magically "fool" or "out-wit" the search engines. (very outdated thinking.) And then there is a group that always wants to believe there is some new hot software tools that will do the whole job for them. So where exactly is the balance and what is the wisest approach for long term success for your Web site or your client's Web sites?

Here is a short list of my thoughts in brief:

1. Stop spending time analyzing something that's designed to continually change.

There is little value in focusing all of your attention on trying to analyze something that is designed for the purpose of constant, continual and nearly perpetual change. Time is precious and there are far wiser (and more profitable) things to be doing than "chasing algorithms." I know that some people will just not understand this, because it is only natural for some people to want to analyze things as analytical thinkers. But the point is that this approach can become all-consuming and litterally eat up chunks of your time which could be spent in far more valuable ways.

2. No need for "tricks" or "short cuts" ever.

There is no value is searching for "tricks" or "short cuts" or "cheats" to try and fool the search engines. (The people who are selling you on these ideas do not make their money in the SEO industry.) They make their money using powerful psychologically crafted sales letters that appeal to very basic instincts in human nature - usually with emphasis on the attributes of "human laziness." Although as human beings, we ALL would love to do something the easiest way, realize that even with the smartest of strategies (in any industry,) is going to require some work. Don't waste your time going on a hunt for some little trick or two that avoids delivering any genuine value. Ultimately, the best approach is to grow your understanding and grow your skill set.

3. There is no software that can match your human skills for doing the job completely.

Think of software more as having a working tool (and there are some excellent tools to know about for sure.)
But realize that the single most important key to understanding SEO in ways that will quickly profit your business, is to focus on skill-building by reason of practice. It's important to gain your SEO skills first, before fiddling with tools. Tools are nice, but there is no tool that can match the human brain for creating and implementing a brilliant and profitable high traffic, high conversion strategy.

4. Learn to focus on making the most of your precious time element - Focus on content for the visitor.

One of the single most important aspects to managing your time well, is to stay focused on creating high value, original content that is useful and engaging to your visitors. With a little bit of the right kind of training, you can become a creator of high ranking, high conversion pages that actually meet your ideal buying audiences need.

What kind of content should your Web site contain?
At Search Engine Workshops you will learn to:

Create content that serves your customer's needs FIRST and your own needs second.

Create content that will meet your visitor's exact search query and satisfy it.

Create content your visitor will be GLAD that they found - something of true merit.

Create content that is based on real "behaviorally based research" rather than guessing at keywords.

Create content that is truly relevant (and honestly deserves to be found at the top.)

Create content that is written for your specific visitor so that it flows smoothly and reads well to them.

Create content that is original and you can feel proud to have created.

Create content that has a solid, well written "call to action."

Create content that is based on what a "search engine understands" through artificial intelligence (AI.)

5. Yes there are smarter ways to work. Here's how to stop repeating mistakes and accelerate your skill level fast.

One of the smartest ways to learn SEO skills for whatever purpose, is to have a mentor or someone who will give you personal guidance and instruction. Preferably you'll want to study under someone who is well experienced and up to date. The key to the quickest learning curve is to find yourself a personal mentor. Nothing beats working in a hands-on study with direct instruction from someone who has had years of success doing the job successfully. If you cannot find a personal mentor, but would like the next best thing, consider coming to a workshop class where you can get private SEO instruction for 5-Days in a small group Workshop - which is then followed by a 6-Month Mentoring Program.

Other options you can consider:

Consider taking an Instructor led, online SEO study course where you will build your skills from the comfort of home but turn in your lesson assignments to a live Instructor, who will review your work and offer you feedback and answer any of your questions along the way.

Another option might be to take an SEO home self-study course to get started and you can just work along at your own speed.

6. Finally, never stop growing and advancing your SEO skills.

Once you gain your SEO comfort level, you'll have a wonderful new confidence knowing for a fact that you can do the job. But then remember not to just stay in that "comfort zone" too long, but learn to keep on challenging yourself. Never stop growing and advancing your skills. Challenge yourself and apply your fresh thinking to test all of your ideas.

You are on an SEO journey now, where new challenges are the norm. In an industry where things are constantly changing. But you'll come to find that "change" itself, no longer scares you. Change now becomes something that can actually work for your benefit in the long term and as long as you stay up to date the best is yet to come. Watch and see. Do you need a little help to stay up to date?