@Bill – Thanks! I agree 100% and appreciate that the idea of doing versus talking or theorizing is becoming a bigger topic in the industry. I imagine we are only going to see more ‘put up or shut up’ posts; should be fun.

The SEO industry shift to a rock star mentality has definitely become a recent annoyance to many and I think Ian frames the situation well. Honestly, we all need to call “bullshit” when needed. Whether it’s industry heavyweights trying to feed us crap by the spoonful or our own community’s willingness to lap it up, something needs to change.

That notwithstanding, I think one valuable piece of advice offered by almost everyone needs to be called out: doing it and not just talking about it. Sure, some self-promotion may be necessary but we need to recognize that the true value is generated by real work.

Anyway. Absolutely to the point on its something we need to pay more attention to. I think we’re all guilty of putting our own stuff last. There’s typically a good reason – namely client work and money-making sites. But – we should absolutely still make time to ensure our own house is in order. Hell – I’ve got placeholder pages sitting in the main nav of my blog. Non-paid time is always the bottom priority. Once I’m ‘off the clock’ – I close the laptop. I’d like to make it to 30 without getting divorced

That said – it *is* something we should and could all get better at.

Totally aware the “utopia” idea doesn’t line up with reality. That was the point I was getting at, actually.

What I’m mainly worried about is imbalance. That the dude that self-promotes 30 hours a week and “actually” works 10 hours a week ends up being viewed as a thought leader and voice for the industry over the guy that works 50 hours and scrapes together 45 minutes to toss one self-promo aimed post together. Hopefully my worry here is overblown and unfounded… but I’m not sure it is.

I don’t want new guys coming into the industry and thinking that to be an SEO, you’re supposed to be blogging 20 hours a week and tweeting 2 hours a day just because “that’s what all the big names do!”

I just want to make sure we don’t go too far with putting the focus on talking game instead of running it.

I also don’t think writing outstanding posts implies recognition. Recognition requires promotion, outreach, marketing, which all takes time – which simply may not be available.

It is all very subjective – but I can respect the notion that those whose wish to be great will MAKE the time, and this is something I live by.

You could do something as simple as setting up an awesome landing page with testimonials, example sites, etc. And making it the one and only page of your site. Then, for promotion, set aside a couple hours a week to write a guest post (dare I say it?).

5 hours to create your site and 2 hours a week for guest posting isn’t too much to ask.

As long as you make every single post you write absolutely outstanding, then you’ll get recognition, no matter how frequently you post.

For example, Nick LeRoy didn’t start blogging regularly until these past couple weeks, but I always knew he was an exceptional link builder because of the few things I did read written by him.

There is literally hundreds of things I would like to do to this site (some of them I actually plan on doing) but most of which will simply never happen due to time. This is the point I think Ian is making (and Ian, please correct me if I’m wrong)but given a limited amount of hours in a day, and commitments either to clients, investors, or the bank that holds your mortgage – sometimes making sure your own branded assets are highly optimized simply isn’t possible.

To be a highly targeted SEO, just like in any other industry, you have to market yourself. You need to hustle just as much in doing SEO than in getting your name out there. No, you’re right Ian, they might be just another average SEO, but they’re trying to get business. This Utopia you mention doesn’t line up with reality.

But I do think we need to start putting our own advice into play if we want to stand out and get the recognition we deserve (coming from a seasoned SEO’s perspective, not mine). So many guys who call themselves “experts” on SEO, content, and social media do an absolute terrible job doing those things for themselves. Again, you could be the world’s greatest SEO, but if your site design blows and you don’t even bother with the meta title tag on your own site, you don’t deserve to get the most attention.

As much as we’d love to judge SEOs based solely off testimonials, example sites, etc., that’s just not the reality we live in. If it were like that, experienced guys like yourself would be as big as Rand and I’d be just another no name SEO because of the lack of history in SEO I have.

But – to hit your points..

Not holding being 18 against you in the least. When I found that out, it was my head smacking moment of “Well, duh. That makes being that prolific make a whole lot more sense.” It was a context point – not a knock. I think just about everyone in this industry that *isn’t* 18 would like to go back to being 18 and already knowing about SEO/affiliate/PPC/whatever.

You can, and should blog as much as you feel like.

My concern, for which I used you as my example, is a larger industry point.

Just as I think graphic design teachers should spend more time *doing* design than teaching it, I hold the opinion that SEOs should put more time into actually *doing* the craft than blogging about it or networking their way into speaking gigs.

Like I mentioned – you might be doing this already. If you are or not isn’t exactly the point. The point is that as an industry – we don’t seem to care. The larger point was that blogging about SEO has become the stand in for doing SEO as far as networking/connections/etc is concerned. We seem to not want or care about substance. The sizzle has become the steak.

Now – granted. This is all my opinion.

You could very easily make the point that I’m envisioning an SEO Utopia where one does not have to toot their own horn or hustle constantly for attention. Where doing good work is just noticed and respected.

…I do know that that’s totally unrealistic. But – there’s got to be somewhere between that and where we’re headed.

There’s got to be a way where we get to a place that before making comments like “this person is smarter than 90% of SEOs I know” is based on *something* more than blogging about SEO.

Example sites. Client testimonials. Personal meetings and conversations. Something. Anything. But for the love of god – don’t let us get to the point where guest posting well is all it takes.

All of a sudden you were everywhere, and on everyone’s lips – this is a huge success in an industry where a lot of reputations are based on the ability to distill content and build on top if it, which you do very well (as Ian points out).

I don’t think anyone wants (or expects) you to slow down even a little bit – and you shouldn’t! You are developing an excellent following and reputation and as Wil has mentioned, 90% of the SEO’s out there could learn a thing or two from your serious commitment to quality content and analysis.

Keep it up man!