Jason Duke Interview

Another interview with another of one of my favorite SEO personalities, Jason Duke of Strangelogic.

Jason was one of the most insightful and plain comedic members of the sadly missed Threadwatch community. I was thrilled at the chance to catch up with him.

You have been around the SEO game a while, how have things changed?

The industry has changed form early innovation to one of maturity. No longer are the quick wins, that once filled an industry in it’s infancy, still the routes to success within the search engines that they used to be.

Effective long term planning, analysis of campaigns and operations balanced with healthy goal setting are thankfully now the norm. Unfortunately there are still some “cowboy” operators but they are fewer in number and snake oil is sold a lot less now than it used to be.

- How did you get into SEO?

I can’t remember a defining moment when I became an SEO but I do remember Yahoo launching and thinking “WOW” when I saw business coming via a submission there. I don’t believe I ever looked back!

- Did you learn from any experts or did you figure it out for yourself?

I learn from everyone within and outside the industry. I don’t believe there are any “experts” within the SEO industry but I do believe that some have more experience than others. Those with experience intuitively understand when they have found a new insight into the algorithms that they previously didn’t have but the journeys to those insights (at least for me) can be found in th weirdest and most wonderful of ways.

A small conversation with anyone can deliver a spark that leads to something amazing. The most important thing I have learned is that everyone has the potential for delivering a spark!

- Which events, actions or successes do you think lead to your gaining your place amongst the SEO crowd?

3 core things stand out for me.

• Ranking for most of the financial related phrases within the UK
• Writing a piece at Web Master World in what become known as the Florida update
• Taking a site from nowhere to #1 in the world for a one word gambling phrase.

- You have always been one of the more analytical SEOs, do you think there is still a place for watching algos, ranking shifts and so on?

Most definitely but only secondary to actually doing work to raise your rankings, conversions etc. You can analyse all day long but work with what you have before trying to find the magic bullet to take you one stage further. Doing is a hell of a lot more cost effective and delivers a greater ROI than analysing what to do!

- What would you have been doing if you hadn’t been an SEO?

I’d have probably stayed practicing law!

- When did you realize that there was money in this here internet thing?

About the mid 90s. 1995 - 1996 roughly when I remember receiving calls and people sending cheques from abroad relating to a service I was offering. It was a true light bulb moment!

- Can you think of any huge mistakes you have made?

I have made more mistakes than most people have had hot dinners. The biggest ones have cost me everything but combined they have helped mold the person that I am today.

If I were to summarize what I have learned from my mistakes, because they are one hell of a way to learn, they are:

1. Don’t think about what to do, just do it!
2. Refer to number 1
3. Known when you have lost the battle and stop fighting!

- If you had to start over from scratch and still pay the mortgage, what would you do?

If the kids were getting hungry I’d clean the streets with my toothbrush to feed them but hopefully I’d come up with a better plan before that happened.

I would look to Ebay, retail sales, and upcoming trends and sell sell sell

Thanks Jason! Everyone should check out Jason’s blog right now