[Peter Garr]

So this month I attended two SEO workshops for photographers and they were both AWESOME. The first was Tofurious' SEO Workshop in Orange County and the second was SmugSchool's SEO Webinar online. In fact, these two workshops were so good, I endorsed them both and I appear in the promo video for both on their respective websites. There's so much to learn about SEO and I believe that the more sources of SEO knowledge I have, the better I can market on Google. The same goes for you.

After the workshops, someone I know and highly respect in our industry (I wish I could say who) told me about a book called "Photographer's SEO Book". I read the book and was WAY impressed. This book covers everything that I learned in the SEO workshop and webinar, maybe even a little bit more. I promise you I'm not the author. I'm just a photographer like you who has spent the last month learning everything I can about SEO. This book covers it all.

The best part is that this book costs only $39 to download. Not $1,000 or $1,500, or $2,000. It's only $39! The book covers Search Engine Optimation for Google (as well as other engines), WordPress, and SmugMug.

For $39, you can't loose. Photographer's SEO Book has just about everything you need to know to optimize your photography business for search engines with only a minimal investment.

I hope this helps you all succeed!

[MattA]

lol I'll at least think about it when photographers-seo dot com gets into the top 10 on google for the phrase seo for photographers. lol

[colleen]

Why pay for anything SEO when you can do it yourself for nothing?? All it takes is a little online 'free' research.

[streetlevel-photography]

MattA, on September 30 2009, 08:32 PM, said:

lol I'll at least think about it when photographers-seo dot com gets into the top 10 on google for the phrase seo for photographers. lol

hahah! I see what you did there.

[brettmaxwell]

Interesting. Can you tell us how much attention is given to off-site factors? It seems to me that too much attention is often given to on-site optimization, when it's estimated that it's only 25% of the battle.

[Peter Garr]

colleen, on September 30 2009, 07:58 PM, said:

Why pay for anything SEO when you can do it yourself for nothing?? All it takes is a little online 'free' research.

That's a fantastic question Colleen. The simple answer is the economic concept of "opportunity cost".

For many people, time equals money, thus spending time doing "free" online research isn't really "free" when your time is best utilized making money. That's why many professionals hire other professionals to provide goods and services to them, not because they can't do it themselves, but because their time and energy is more profitable when spent doing what they do best (meeting with clients, sales, photography, networking, teaching, retouching, etc). It's one of the concepts Dane Sanders focuses on in Fast Track Photographer. Outsource anything generic and focus on the things that require your personal touch. That's how you create value and avoid becoming a commodity.

If you have the time to spend doing the "free" research, go for it. Those who don't have the time, skill, or interest can spend the $39 (or $1,500 or $2,000). Compare that to how much you make for booking just one wedding. Now that's value.

MattA, on September 30 2009, 06:32 PM, said:

lol I'll at least think about it when photographers-seo dot com gets into the top 10 on google for the phrase seo for photographers. lol

Great catch Matt! I'm gonna let the author know about that. LOL!!!

[Peter Garr]

brettmaxwell, on September 30 2009, 08:32 PM, said:

Interesting. Can you tell us how much attention is given to off-site factors? It seems to me that too much attention is often given to on-site optimization, when it's estimated that it's only 25% of the battle.

You're so right about that point Brett. 75% of Google's ranking process is dependent on inbound links from external sites. I assume your talking about building a network of quality inbound links. The book and the workshops all emphasize the importance of building a network of inbound links and they all provide tips and tools to get started (or to build on the inbound links you already have).

[MattA]

colleen, on September 30 2009, 10:58 PM, said:

Why pay for anything SEO when you can do it yourself for nothing?? All it takes is a little online 'free' research.

To quote the author, Zack:

"The book is targeted for beginning SEO-ers and includes a lot of information that is readily available by searching elsewhere on the web. I'm HONEST! The problem is that it takes too long to digest all of that information from other sources (that may or may not be reliable) and often times it is not specific to photographers. So for $39, I at least have saved you several hours of data mining and it's very specific to YOU!"

I would suggest that beginners start here:
http://www.opensourc...mp;#entry518298

And see if they still feel the need to spend the cash.

[Photo Zach]

I wrote the book, so I can comment... Matt is correct. I am on page 4 for "seo for photographers" so I will let you know once I am on page one for that term. Like my signature, LOL - that tells you a lot about off-page factors? I am on page 1 for broader terms like photographer seo, photography seo, bludomain seo, SmugMug seo, but I think Matt knew that. Anyhow - free copy of my book to Matt for catching that if you want to send me a note. Matt's post for beginners that he listed is also a good read.

[littler chicken]

Photoshelter is offering a free downloadable pdf file for learning how to use Google Analytics... and learn more about SEO along the way. I've only read the first 12 pages or so and then got bogged down because I still do better with paper for long reading. But I like free.

[Photo Zach]

Checking back in... now the proud owner of 2 page 1 ranks for "seo for photographers".

Ahhhh, Google Analytics is wonderful! So important to track the success of your SEO efforts down to each keyword. Highly recommend Google Analytics because it is free, easy, widely accepted, and has all the major metrics a photographer website would ask for.