Take Care,
Nick

My first visit to a club event made me realize the club had ALL kinds of members – from so-called ‘experts’ (really? The field hasn’t been around all that long) to half-novices like myself genuinely looking to learn, grow, and network for potential jobs.

First event, some Little Ms. Thing-Thing told me snootily that “I should not even try” and that she charges “$300 per hour” to run Facebook fan pages for clients. Several others at the event also had an air of haughtiness, and a lack of willingness to discuss best practices or places where one my go and learn. So … why are we at a meeting for professionals?

More recently, I went to another meeting that was blessed by some high-level speakers from a diverse range of professionals. The forum was well done.

But once again, I sat next to another young woman. Our conversation started off well enough — we even discovered we had worked across the hall from one another at a large firm where I had contracted in to write web content.

Oddly, as we discussed social media her mood turned more and more aloof and she did that thing I despise from Gen-Ys … typing away on her cell phone, not looking at me, and making bored conversation.

Excuse me! Look kid, I’ve done marketing for longer than you’ve been able to drive. At least say, “Excuse me … I have some work to catch up on.” It’s called manners. Try it sometime.

(Perhaps they thought I was hitting on them? Beats me — the big ring on my finger should have been a clue. Besides, bony and rude is not my style).

But aside from the rudeness, it was the utter arrogance or both experiences that hit me. Sorry if I am still learning and asking questions! How about being a professional and gracing me with your knowledge and wisdom? Don’t assume because I am in my 40s I do not “get it.” I certainly need to, in order to hold onto jobs today.

And I sure as hell know more about marketing and writing than you do, pumpkin.

So folks, let’s please show some courtesy to each other. Yes, we may on occasion compete with one another. But we are all in this together — to make a living and do the best work for our clients and companies.

The rise of the digital age should not mean decorum, manners and professional courtesy are dead. In fact, we need those traits more than ever if we are all to prosper.

Take Care,
Nick

Great questions! Thanks for stopping by and bringing them up!

Take Care,
NIck

A recent poll by seoroundtable.com suggests that a lot of SEO people turn their noses up at the idea of certification based on set standards in the industry. Easy to dismiss if you’re an established SEO, but what about new people trying to break into the industry?

I can only conclude that many are simply afraid of the competition from newcomers. I wish some of them would participate in helping SEO newbies achieve the same standard of excellence that they uphold so that businesses would be able to receive the same value across the board.

I’d be happy to hear from you again on another blog post! Blogs are inherently social, so if I’m not willing to let people comment and have a conversation, what’s the point? Thanks for stopping by.

Nick