I've been thinking about taking an SEO course in June. This one is put on by the company belonging to John Alexander and Robin Nobles. I live in Ottawa, so I can attend the Montreal workshop. My intent is to learn some strategies to allow me to develop confidence and a profitable plan for my own niche websites. I'd also like to be able to offer consulting services down the road once I have some proven results. The page for the workshop is here: www.searchengineacademy.ca Do you think I should go for it? Mike
If you really want to, and don't think you could learn on you own, then go for it. But everything I've learned and achieved has been from teaching myself, reading free books, learning from other people, etc.
I agree with this, Seems like they mostly just blow hot air up your skirt when you say someone for SEO knowledge. Every niche is too different.
Would you guys recommend building a variety of niche sites or just picking one marketing and focusing 100% efforts into that? I'm trying to do $4k/month within the next 12 months. Mike
I'd say go for it. Attending a 1 or 2 day intensive workshop could be faster and more fun than trying to learn it all on your own by trial n error, reading books and forums. Trial and error can be painful. The forums are very helpful, but they are always here to help you along the way. I've attended many of the SearchEngineStrategies confenences. What is nice about them is meeting many other people with same interests as you, people who know your language and concentrating on all aspects of SEO all day. They offer the basics and advanced sessions. Even if you're new and your eyes are completely glazed over, some of it may sink in and help. I always walk away revitalized with a couple new plans or strategies.
I would have to say no. Using these forums, and the rest of the FREE info online, you can learn it yourself. There is a wealth of info out there to read!
I would rather buy Seobook for Aaron Wall, read blogs and articles about SEO, read DP post and attend SES. Just my 2 cents.
For $2500? That's a lot of dough for stuff that you can learn for free, especially since you could use that money to buy a few sites instead of starting from scratch. But some folks learn better through teachers and group settings than teaching themselves, so it may be worth it. However, before you sign up, I would recommend creating a 1 month plan, where you set aside a certain amount of time (for example 1 hr on Mondays, Wed, Fridays) to read and learn SEO using free free resources on the Internet. Start with DP and read through the threads, you will soon find other good resources in those threads, etc. After 1 month you should have a good feel if this is something you can teach yourself or if it would be more helpful to have a workshop / teacher. This way if you decide on doing the workshop, you will have some knowledge under your belt so that you will get more out of it. Those 3 day workshops can throw a lot at you, and it can be extremely hard to remember what you have learned. Good luck Morty
Might want to try all the above suggestions before you send that kind of money. Will learn alot and have some money left over.
If it is free or not very costly then go for it... --Updated--- Oops didn't see the amount. I think it is not worth 2.5K....
Thanks for the input everyone. It's actually a 5-day workshop and the price has gone up, but I spoke with the instructor who said he would lock me in for the old price, $1895, should I choose to attend. It's in June and the next one will be in Novermber. Am I better off just trying to learn it on my own for the next few months to see how far I get? Mike
If you are looking for a certificate along with learning all the SEO techniques then go for the course but the thing is that you can also learn SEO online which many people do but yeah learning in a class room with known personalities in the field would always be an experience to look forward to.
Well why not go for it atleast you can learn something else...but you can also learn from the gurus here in forums...
When is the payment due for the June workshop? If it is after mid May, take this month to learn what you can and then decide. If not, try and learn what you can and wait until November. Either way, poke around DP and learn what you can before you go. At least buy Aaron's book and read that. It will help you tremendously. If you do go, bring us back 1 really really good tip Morty
It's a 5-day workshop. I think I will see what I can learn on my own during April and May. I'll decide if I want to attent the workshop in early June. The workshop takes place after the middle of the month of June and payment isnt due until just before that time, so I still have some time to decide. What is "Aaron's book"? Is it as good as "SEO Made Easy" by Brad Callen? Mike