SEO Break - Back in the Saddle Again
After an unexpected break from blogging I am back from a few months of silence.
Over the past few months I have been honing my development skills in addition to getting back in to politics. As I have indicated before… Once upon a time I worked in Politics. I have been both a volunteer, activist, and professional in politics for the last 8 years. Due to unforeseen circumstances related to the current state of the economy I decided it best to pursue using my degree and experience to join on the bandwagon.
I have taken a job on the ground in Oakland County, Michigan on the outskirts of Detroit working for a non-profit organization that shares similar values to me and most importantly the same goal. After the election is over, November 4th, I will be back in the market pursuing a job as a regular person. Aren’t we all just regular? No, or at least a few months ago I didn’t think so. I had convinced myself somehow that I was special. In that last few years I have worked hard and some how imagined myself to be someone I am not. In reality my illusion was allowing me to get away from what matters most. Happiness. After years of working for even higher profile figures than me gave me hopes and dreams to be them. After spending a summer with my parents taught me that it was all an illusion. After spending months drifting about my parents house I came to the realization, “I am regular!“ In fact I want to be regular.
As I came out of my daze I blew a couple interviews, unintentionally just did bad, and realized I love SEO and the challenge to the constantly changing SEO Universe. But my place in the SEO community is low on to totum poll. Sure I could rise to the top of the SEO community but that would bring very little to me. So after this election is complete I will be back in SEO only part-time. I am going to follow my instinct and go for a regular job with stability and most importantly with benefits. I will continue to blog for personal fun and work with clients on a part-time basis. Focusing on smaller numbers of clients will give me the ability to help create the perfect plan all the while not neglecting what is important to me. I have two personal choices ahead of me. 1. Return home and hope to get a good paying rewarding job (thinking something in construction or mill work). 2. Move back to DC and work my way up in government or the non-profit world.
The full-time life in SEO consulting is a bit to much stress in combination of high profile jobs is what drove me into the fog and ultimate burn out. I want a full time job that at the end of the day or week I can look at and be proud of. Weather that justification comes from hard work on an issue of championing a piece of legislation or helping family farmers navigate the rigors of Washington. Being able to take a pile of dirt and create something like build a new Eco friendly power plant or make steel pipe that is helping end the dependency on foreign oil. I want to be able to fulfill a quote may dad says very frequently “When they put me down in the ground. People will say there goes somebody that made a difference”.
How will SEO and your SEO business going to fit into that? The same way I originally intended for it to be. I am going to put it back in the hobby category and part-time employment. I am not ending SEO I am just not going to do as much as I was.
In my break I did lots of work on the growing area of Content Management systems and new technology using Adobe Flex. Those article are sure to come at some point. So stay tuned for updates. I am adding an e-mail subscription via feedburner so that it can be delivered to your e-mail. I have been writing on my personal blog lately about politics and other things. Just so much going on in the world that needs my attention!
In Michigan I am working with the Humane Society Legislative Fund. I am heading up their “boots on ground” campaign.
Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office.
In this case I am heading up their team in Michigan’s Congressional District 9. One of the most highly contested and closest races in the country. To be asked to spear head this operation is very much a privilege and an honor.
As you know from previous post I am a big supporter of non-profits and charities. So instead of sharing a link for charity how about dropping them a donation. It helps secure more than just your pets and wildlife it protects human rights also. They are just as concerned with our well being as any other organization. They are currently in the fight for changing the current state of affairs. No other politically affiliated organization needs your help more. Please donate $10 or more. If you can’t give money try giving them a link and a spot in one of your post.
. 05 Oct 08 | Blogging, Business, Charity, Contractor, Employment, Freelance, Google, News, SEO, twitter | Read on | Comments (0)
Starting a Website
Since moving back to Alabama I have noticed that there are lots of businesses that do not have websites. In today’s world of the internet that is almost appalling. With the low cost of having a website and creating one is very easy. In today’s world of working and living online not having a website is preventing visibility to internet using customers.
Example:
My favorite local restaurant, Campbells Field, located miles from anything that resembles modern civilization. I even tried looking them up in the phone book and could not find them. This quaint little restaurant has excellent food and for cheap and situated next a great view of a local working airport. They have T-shirts and sponsor local little league baseball teams. They have a marketing plan that is based solely on word of mouth. Over the past few years I have put reviews and resources out to help promote them out of the kindness of my heart for the community.
The fact they don’t have a website or being listed in the phone book is hurting their growth.
In my opinion every business needs a website at least helping promote themselves locally. No matter the business having a website is simple. With the abundance of hosting providers that provide free domains and hosting for only $3.99 a month. Once you sign up they even give you automated tools to build a website. With about 30 minutes of work you can have a webpage that will bring you business that will pay for the cost within a few customers.
The host I use 1and1.com has several plans that are economical and are great for a first website. You don’t need a fancy designer or expensive web team. Most of these services make it “so easy even a caveman can do it.” Click the banners or use the domain search form to see if your company name is available. Even if you don’t want to create a webpage it is wise to purchase your companies domain name. You don’t want someone using your name.
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Here is a recommendation to all small business owners no matter what you do. Buy your domain name setup a few page website no matter what it looks like. Put information about your services and how to contact you. A link back to my website will help raise the style, class, and look for your website.
One thing to remember though about having a website is a direct reflection on your business. So take that extra step create the website. If you feel that it is necessary barter with an employee, family memeber, friend to help you. The idea is to save on cost until it proves to you that you will get a return on your investment. The more time and money you spend on the design, development, and promotion of the website will get you a larger return on investment.
Promoting your new website can be time consuming but with all the social media outlets it has become easier. If you don’t promote it then don’t expect a large return on your investment. Having a page with links to it means it will promote itself naturally and require little input from you.
So Purchase your web address set it up on a basic hosting plan that has automated web building tools and you will be on your way into the future. Check out 1and1.com as they have the entry level plans I recommend.
If you have questions about setting up your first webpage don’t hesitate to contact me.
Welcome to SEO by Chris Estes
Welcome my new home of freelance Search Engine Optimization work. This is a brand new site launched from an idea to do freelance SEO Work. My current focus is working with small business and small organizations bound by tight budgets. Many SEO’s don’t work with smaller organizations for reasons such as lowered rates or design complications. Many organizations don’t choose the large SEO companies due to price and budget restraints. That is the glory of finding a freelance contractor.
I have chosen to freelance part-time outside of my full-time job. I work full-time on a team of world-class IT and Search Engine Optimization specialists for a niche small business that has risen over the past few years to a medium size business in no small part due to SEO.
Being apart of such an organization gives me valuable experience in helping grow a small or startup business. The truth be known I enjoy working with small business due to atmosphere, the lack of “red-tape”, and the ability of understanding seems to be much higher. Plus a small business has room to grow. I have worked for government, large-business, and major corporations. My passion is small business and sharing information in hopes to raise awareness for growth is important.
Subscribe to my feed or shoot me message as I hope the information to follow will be beneficial.
Regards,
Chris Estes
. 25 Dec 07 | Business, Contractor, Employment, Freelance, New-Design, News, SEO, Search Engine Optimization, Welcome | Read on | Comments (0)