Comments on: It’s Not Big & It’s Not Clever

By: Essex SEO

Essex SEO — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 19:00:43 +0000

LOL great article!
Perfectly put!
And I agree with Robert that we should all act and behave well online as we as offline.

By: Ciaran

Ciaran — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:09:39 +0000

For those just finding this post, due to its resurrection in light of Frygate (can I trademark that?), I should add that I don't think that what @brumplum said was rude, nor the fact that he used @stephenfry. But the ridiculously over the top reactions of Fry's 'fans', including Alan "Bite your ear off" Davies, were both rude and aggressive.

By: alison gow

alison gow — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:52:46 +0000

Really good to see this being debated, and your observation “The downward slide in online courtesy is a curse on what is, otherwise, an amazing sector” sums it up perfectly.
I am dazzled by some of the amazing people in online networks, who are generous with their time and thoughts, and who are supportive of complete strangers.
But I’m equally baffled by those types who use the internet to carry out Random Acts of Meanness, just because they can use an avatar/pseudonym/ or because they will never meet the person they are attacking.
And, MikeTek, you make an excellent point – it really is a miserable way for someone to spend one’s time.

By: MikeTek

MikeTek — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:15:11 +0000

Couldn’t have said it better.

The supportive community is what really hooked me when I was just curious about SEO. Mainly at SEOmoz where I found a great group of smart and helpful folks (several of whom commented above).

I didn’t at first understand why these experienced SEOs were willing to spend time helping the new guy. I came to learn that the reason is quite simple: someone helped them first. It was simply the spirit of the community (as cheesy as that may sound).

The haters will go on hating – and I have no problem letting them live through that puny existence. Seems to me a miserable way to spend one’s time.

By: Ciaran

Ciaran — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:21:51 +0000

In the main I’d agree with you Louis. But attending conferences is not, unfortunately, an immediate indicator of a good social manner.

By: Louis Jones

Louis Jones — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:07:36 +0000

True so true. But the world of SEO has evolved and I feel this is why we are now bumping into people and apologize instead of walking away, head down mumbling quietly.

SEO talks and conferences are where you will find the new age of SEO’s who have adopted people skills and don’t hide behind a PC mistaking the power they hold as a level 47 within WOW as a true reflection of them as a person.

Basically competitors are still competitors, yet if you consider them as competition you have already associated a level of respect for that company / individual. Remember that!

By: Robert Nicholson - robbothan

Robert Nicholson - robbothan — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:30:49 +0000

Hey Ciaran,
I find myself nodding along to what your saying here, at every SEO conference I find it strange that here are all these well known, respected and knowledgeable (way more than me!) people – and yet a large portion of them are actually dead nice as well!
I guess maybe because in the SEO sphere we’re newish, our sphere of expertise and contacts is constantly changing – and thus it doesnt allow people to be static and develop chips on their shoulders (arrogance) – as I’ve found many developers, or other online folk, I find tend to do after a while.

Also – no matter how good you think you are – there is ALWAYS someone faster, stronger, smarter – and you have to adapt to that – not by stooping down and being petty, or aggresive, but by logically adapting and welcoming those people, in order to strengthen your own position and using their strengths to your advantage.

Personally I think online your actions & karma do get traced back to you, thus you should always try your best to act like a gentleman online and offline.

By: Paddy

Paddy — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 15:59:07 +0000

Little late finding this but still… great post Ciaran.

One line which really struck a note with me was when you mention being welcomed by people who are officially your competitors. I attended my first conference in May at SMX London and was very surprised at the openness of most of the people I spoke to. I’ve been trying to figure out why this industry is like this and I think it is caused by several things –

- We are all “in the same boat” in terms of not quite knowing exactly what Google is going to do next and trying to figure out what works best for our client websites. The only way we all move forward is to help each other and voice ideas and opinions. I’d stop short of saying its “us against Google” because that isn’t the best way to approach things but I’m sure you know what I mean.

- SEOmoz has led by example and embraced a policy of openness and transparency. This attitude certainly hasn’t hurt them!

- The internet is a BIG place! Certainly big enough for all of us to run our business and make money.

- Even if we do directly compete with each other, good friendly banter can often come out of it and it adds to the fun!

By: Ginger

Ginger — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:17:26 +0000

This is a fab post. I read it a while ago and I’ve been thinking about it a lot. More voices shouting against this Relentless Negativity, I say!

By: rishil

rishil — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:09:24 +0000

next time, you “bond” I will “run”