Paul is a Toronto-based SEO expert who has been in the business for about 10 years and enjoys SEO. After leaving his first job, he switched to freelance SEO freelancing in October 2011 to provide better service to clients. He currently works as a freelance SEO consultant and runs a link building business with over 15 staff members. Paul chose to work in search engine optimization after enrolling in an HTML Web Development course during his final year of the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op Program at Dalhousie University. He has a strong respect for the management group at his SEO company and has worked with his sibling for over five years.
Continue reading for our interview with a real SEO expert, tech entrepreneur, lifehacker, blockchain enthusiast, and real estate investor!
1. Good day, Paul We are happy to include you in our Insides series! Could you tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do now?
Hey! I am happy to be here and am appreciative of the chance. I am a Toronto-based SEO professional that supports my family by helping hundreds of companies rank higher on Google. I’ve been in the business for about 10 years, and I enjoy SEO.
As my first job drew to a close, I was increasingly unhappy with the enormous, expanding firms’ inefficiencies and lack of customer focus. I intuitively understood that by turning freelance, I could provide better service to clients. I switched to full-time SEO freelancing in October 2011 and haven’t turned back since.
I currently work as a freelance SEO consultant and run a link building business with over 15 staff members. To a handful of North American Search/Digital Marketing Companies with which we have collaborated, we provide white-labeled link development goods.
Why did you decide to work in search engine optimization, as a SEO expert? How long have you been an independent contractor?
I chose to enroll in an HTML Web Development course during my final year of the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op Program at Dalhousie University in order to improve my knowledge of online marketing. Despite being billed as an introduction course, the course was actually fairly demanding. Among other important skills, our lecturer taught us how to code websites from the ground up. I received instruction in the fundamentals of search engine optimization long before the word was ever created.
I have a lot of respect for the management group at the SEO company I joined after I graduated from college since I was lucky enough to get hired there. We have been working together for more than five years, and my sibling was my first full-time team member. Something of which I am really grateful and proud.
If you were looking for your profile on Google, what three keywords would you enter?
Excellent question, and I’m happy to answer with some top marks! Here are a few keywords that my website frequently ranks quite highly for on Google.ca:
Specialist SEO Consultant
SEO Expert
Link Building Expert
Link Building Expert
We will also score well if you include Toronto before or after any of the aforementioned keywords!
How do you set yourself out from your rivals? What distinguishes you?
This one is easy! 100% ethical and transparent link building services. Due to the large number of businesses and agencies who take advantage of their customers, the SEO sector as a whole has a bad reputation. For each possible new client who has worked with another vendor, please send me three months’ worth of SEO reports, split down into reports on keyword rankings and link building. We provide guaranteed link development packages at various pricing points, which sets us apart from the competition in a fundamental way and adds a lot of value for our clients.
How do you find new clients? Do you have any marketing tips to share with other independent contractors?
The only service you need to use to choose the finest service provider is SEO. You will create leads if you concentrate on improving your keyword ranks. Leading positions will still always provide leads, albeit not necessarily the best quality.
In my opinion, word-of-mouth recommendations or referrals from current delighted clients will never be outdone. Be kind to your clients and those who inquire of you. The most important thing to remember is to treat people with respect; if you do, they will usually return the favor.
Making the appropriate strategic alliances and partnerships is another important consideration. No one can succeed in becoming very successful without having the appropriate colleagues or industry allies by their side.
Was starting a freelance business difficult for you?
LOL, freelancing is NOT easy. You must, however, have a large vision, be a risk-taker, and have confidence in yourself. In order to succeed, you must like the grind since no one will cover your bills or reply to your messages if you fall ill.
My inability to leave the company was the second-biggest challenge I encountered in my early career. The internet never sleeps, and SEO, digital marketing, and “making money online” are all immensely addicting. Working from home for the first few years of my employment caused the lines between business and family life to swiftly blur.
Get an office, work in a shared area, or even visit coffee shops if that’s your thing, is my top piece of advise for fellow freelancers. You will experience significant short- and long-term benefits if you take action early to keep work and leisure time distinct.
What does your work schedule look like each day? How do you plan your day to be as productive as possible?
When I was younger, I was a little more scattered, especially during the summers when I did my fair share of exploring and having a good time. I’ve established a rather strict routine since I have to be in the office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. You should prepare for working extra hours as a freelancer; evenings and weekends are frequent. The good news is that direct input usually results in direct output, making it worthwhile to stay late or come in on Saturdays for the impending sizable payment.
I normally get up rather early, go through my morning routine of writing, meditation, and goal-setting, and then spend at least 30 minutes on the treadmill. I might play an audiobook, a podcast, or broadcast music, depending on how I’m feeling that day. The 5 Minute Journal and the SELF Journal from BestSelf are two productivity plans that I have tried out. Choose what suits you the most, then stick to it!
Have you have any hobbies?
I frequently make fun of my clients by saying that I’m the “coolest SEO person you’ll ever meet,” hehe. I may be an SEO nerd by day, but I have a lot of joy in my leisure time, therefore I don’t have the conventional SEO demeanor.
I love listening to music, playing the drums, and jamming with friends. I’m a little bit in love with my favorite band, Phish, and I’m so glad I’ve had the opportunity to go to over 130 shows so far. I am a good Canadian lad who lives and breathes hockey. I consider it an honor to “bleed blue” for my beloved Toronto Maple Leafs, and I look forward to the day they raise the Stanley Cup. I shall be the first to head downtown to rejoice and revel when that great day comes!
Along with hockey and music, I like to spend my summers at the family cottage in Muskoka. I also have a slight obsession with travel, which is why I first got into internet marketing so I could work from anywhere in the globe.
What instruments are absolutely necessary to your life?
I could not thrive as a devoted link builder in the SEO profession without Majestic SEO and Ahrefs.com. Use Xero or Freshbooks for accounting structure and efficiency, and automate your invoicing as soon as you can; this will save you a ton of money as your business expands.
My personal laptop, business computer, and phone are all Apple products, so syncing them with iCal has been a lifesaver for me. I have a few diaries spread about my spotless workstations since I am fastidious with my routine and a little obsessive-compulsive with goal planning.
The forearms, neck, and shoulders are severely strained from constant typing. I now possess one of the most cutting-edge ergonomic workstations on the market. The following are some aspects of my setup:
Steelcase L-shaped Sit-Stand Electronic Desk
HumanScale Keyboard Tray
Split Keyboard for Kinesis Freestyle 2 for Mac (superb!
Microsoft Mouse with Ergonomic Design
Two 22-inch Dell monitors, one horizontal and one vertical, placed on HumanScale monitor arms!
Table Lamp in Human Size
Bose Companion 5 Speakers
(Packed with features) Mac Mini
The final chance! Do you have any further information to offer our readers?
Make sure you appreciate what you do professionally. Work carefully and diligently. When working with consumers, always keep a nice and professional attitude (even if they annoy or disgust you to no end).
Aim to be the best possible version of yourself at all times. Think big, believe in yourself, and be joyful! Never overthink things and always be grateful for your position in life and your work.
“Imagination is everything. It serves as a sneak peek into life’s forthcoming attractions. Albert Einstein
For more information:
You can check my website or contact me on LinkedIn. For great SEO guidance, see my SEO blog. Feel free to get in touch with me whenever you require SEO or link building services to set up a meeting. I appreciate being here, and best wishes!
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