Networking In The SEO Community, Building Relationships.

Why Networking in the SEO Community is a Game-Changer?When it comes to SEO, having a strong network can make all the difference. In this episode, Gab together with our guest speaker, Kurt Russell Molina, talk about the practical side of building relationships within the SEO community. From connecting with peers to finding mentors, we cover why these connections matter and how they can boost your career. Whether you’re looking to grow your business or just starting out, you’ll get real tips and strategies to help you make the most of your professional network.Transcript Summary00:00 - 00:31Gab: Welcomes listeners to the new episode of the SEO Kwentuhan podcast. Mentions that the episode will cover lighter SEO topics. Introduces Kurt Molina, a guest who has been involved in SEO training and has experience with SearchWorks PH.00:31 - 00:46Gab: Introduces Kurt Molina as a knowledgeable guest in the SEO community and invites him to share his insights.Kurt: Expresses appreciation for the invitation and his excitement to share his experiences and learning in SEO.01:00 - 01:21Gab: Reminisces about their first meeting with Kurt and Sir Glenn in 2019 and mentions starting to build their SEO careers in 2020.Kurt: Clarifies the timeline, starting with learning SEO in March 2020 during the pandemic.01:22 - 01:25Gab: Requests Kurt to share how he was first introduced to SEO.Kurt: Talks about his background in marketing, transitioning from traditional to digital marketing, and discovering SEO as a high-paying skill. Began exploring SEO in 2017.03:14 - 04:19Gab: Asks about Kurt’s first SEO client experience.Kurt: Describes his first freelance client, working with a white-label company, and generating four franchises through SEO efforts. Reflects on the success and learning experience.05:23 - 06:46Gab: Shifts the topic to networking within the SEO community and its importance for career development.Kurt: Shares his experience as an introvert in networking, the benefits of meeting industry experts, and gaining insights from SEO events and seminars.06:51 - 09:17Gab: Discusses the value of networking, mentioning past events and successful speakers.Kurt: Provides tips on how to start networking, such as showing up for yourself, attending seminars, and absorbing knowledge. Emphasizes the importance of being proactive and curious.09:43 - 11:43Gab: Asks for advice on making a good first impression with prospective clients.Kurt: Suggests performing a quick audit of the client's website and understanding their business to build trust and demonstrate expertise. Highlights the importance of standing out and showing care in presentations.12:16 - 13:30Gab: Inquires about how Kurt uses his network to improve his SEO skills.Kurt: Talks about the value of accessing the knowledge of others in the network, asking for help with difficult questions, and nurturing relationships with mentors. 13:30 - 13:55Kurt: Discusses the dynamics of mentoring relationships. He explains that while mentees often take advice and support from their mentors, mentors themselves gain satisfaction from helping and nurturing someone. Mentors appreciate seeing their mentees grow and succeed, which in turn motivates them to continue supporting and guiding. Building strong, reciprocal relationships with mentors can significantly enhance one's career and skills in SEO over time.Kurt: Mentors in the SEO field play a crucial role. They provide guidance and share their knowledge freely. While it might seem like you’re just taking from them, it's important to remember that mentors gain satisfaction from helping and grooming someone. They enjoy seeing their mentees grow and succeed. So, maintain those relationships and leverage them when you need help or have questions. Building a strong network will ultimately help improve your SEO skills in the long run.13:55 - 14:16Gab: Reflects on the pride of seeing students and mentees excel in their fields. He likens the experience to feeling proud when students or trainees become successful and start teaching others. This pride is similar to what he feels when he observes the growth and achievements of his own students.Gab: There’s a sense of pride in witnessing students excel. Seeing students who have learned from you succeed in their own careers and even teach others can be incredibly fulfilling. This cycle of learning and teaching perpetuates new knowledge and skills in digital marketing and SEO. It's something to take pride in as an educator.14:16 - 15:09Gab: Asks Kurt for tips on how introverts can effectively build their network within the SEO community. He acknowledges that being introverted might present challenges in networking but is interested in strategies for overcoming these challenges.15:15 - 16:20Kurt: Shares his approach as an introvert to networking. He emphasizes the importance of setting personal goals for attending networking events, such as learning and observing others. He advises introverts to focus on their goals and not worry excessively about making mistakes or feeling pressured. Over time, regular exposure to these events will make networking feel more natural and less intimidating.Kurt: As an introvert, I used to focus solely on my goals. When attending networking events, ask yourself why you’re there. If your goal is to learn, you can gain insights even by observing others. Don’t worry about making mistakes or feeling nervous. Showing up and being eager to learn demonstrates your commitment. Over time, interacting with people will become more natural.16:20 - 17:01Kurt: Advises that being authentic and open at networking events is crucial. He suggests that introverts should push past their shyness and engage with people genuinely. Authenticity attracts like-minded individuals and helps build meaningful connections. He stresses that networking effectively requires showing up and participating actively.Kurt: First impressions matter, so use them wisely. Be authentic to attract those who genuinely appreciate your true self. If you try to fit in or fake it, people might sense it. Authenticity is key to building meaningful connections. 17:00 - 17:29Gab: Agrees with Kurt’s advice, noting that some people who appear approachable at events might not seem immediately impactful but can create future opportunities. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive and professional demeanor in networking situations to leave a lasting impression.17:29 - 18:03Kurt: Reinforces the idea of authenticity, stating that being true to oneself is key to attracting and connecting with others. People are more likely to engage with you if they sense that you are genuine. Kurt emphasizes that first impressions are lasting, and being authentic helps in building a trustworthy network.18:04 - 18:28Gab: Asks Kurt to share any success stories where networking led to significant career opportunities. He is interested in real-life examples of how networking has positively impacted Kurt’s career.18:32 - 19:00Kurt: Shares that many of his clients come through referrals, highlighting the importance of networking. He explains that as he developed his skills and confidence, he also became someone who could inspire and assist others. By sharing his success story and helping others, Kurt has built a network that often leads to new opportunities and referrals.19:00 - 19:53Kurt: Elaborates on how building a strong network can result in referrals and new business opportunities. He emphasizes that as you become more established, your network will remember you as an expert, leading to potential referrals and business growth. Effective networking not only helps in finding clients but also in becoming a top-of-mind resource for others in the industry.Kurt: Many of our clients come from referrals. Networking is essential for gaining clients and providing value. As you build your skills and confidence, you become someone who can inspire others with your journey. Being known as an expert can lead to future opportunities and referrals. Networking opens doors to various possibilities and can lead to significant career advancements.Kurt: Many of our clients come from referrals. Networking is essential for gaining clients and providing value. As you build your skills and confidence, you become someone who can inspire others with your journey. Being known as an expert can lead to future opportunities and referrals. Networking opens doors to various possibilities and can lead to significant career advancements.19:54 - 22:04Gab: Any final message for those who feel alone in the SEO industry?Kurt: Feeling alone is common. I’ve felt that way too, often because I didn’t push myself to network. Overcoming fear and exposing yourself to opportunities is crucial. Join groups, ask questions, and don’t worry about judgment or rejection. There are many SEO professionals out there who can help you if you make the effort to reach out. Networking is vital for building confidence and finding support.Gab: Locally, there are plenty of groups and opportunities to connect with others. It’s not a problem if your posts don’t always get approved or if you feel anxious about asking questions. Sometimes, it’s important to push through these fears to gain insights and knowledge. Even newcomers can contribute valuable perspectives.23:25 - 24:13Gab: Thanks Kurt for sharing his knowledge. Realizes the importance of networking through attending conferences and events. Even if one is skilled in SEO, ongoing networking is essential. Experts speaking at conferences often emphasize this. Networking is a key component of professional growth and learning in SEO. Thanks Kurt again for the insights and advice shared today. It’s clear that networking plays a fundamental role in advancing one’s career in SEO.