The one thing about working in search engine optimization I find amusing is having to explain to people over and over again what it is I actually do for a living. While just about everybody in the world is aware of the Internet and the millions of websites out there for viewing, not all are keen to the work involved in getting some of those sites to the top pages of search engine results. Though I do my best to explain my work, I'm often asked why do I do it, that SEO sounds boring.
In truth, search engine optimization is anything but that! Here are just a few reasons why I love doing what I do.
1) I love working in SEO for the variety of tasks involved. Working for a web design company in SEO, I am exposed daily to a number of clients seeking strong search results for their sites. Some operate online retail shops, others deal with government and military research, while others are geared toward tourism. Yet for all the differences, the goal is the same - to be number one in Google, Yahoo, and MSN.
Not all of the same tactics will be employed for all clients. Some may require content buildings, others may need to establish strong inbound links. Trying to figure out who needs what is half the fun.
2) I love working in SEO for the flexibility the job provides. Search engine optimization is very different from what it used to be seven years ago. Where in the beginning the main concern was proper META coding in pages and URL submissions to engines, the industry has since become more sophisticated. Technologies like RSS and weblogs, and concepts like social networking are in the picture now, and SEO options are expanded. Working in SEO allows one to research what is new with the Internet and apply it to client sites before their competitors can.
3) I love working in SEO because it is rewarding. Nowhere else in a job have clients called to thank me for increasing readership and business. To be able to tell a website owner that his search engine referrals tripled over one month is worth the time dedicated to making it happen.
So, if you should ever meet somebody who works in search engine optimization, hopefully that person is as content and fulfilled in his job as I am!
