Live Session questioning me, with Holly and Randy

TL;DR

Craig shares personal stories and insights from his SEO journey.

Transcript

good afternoon everyone we are live with Holly is finally back I think this is your first appearance um about a month yeah [ __ ] traveling and holidays and dog going the vet emergency visits yeah it's been a rough month it has been but we're back but before we do anything guys we are going to be doing something different today but I want to give a... Read More

Key Insights

• Craig reflects on early SEO tactics, including using white text on a white background, which he now finds cringeworthy.
• He shares memorable travel stories, including witnessing a shocking incident in Thailand and crazy adventures with friends.
• Craig discusses his preference for certain SEO tools like Semrush, CTR Booster, and Money Robot for their utility in his work.
• He emphasizes the importance of work-life balance, leveraging automation and delegation to spend time with family.
• Craig admits to having a scatterbrain approach, leading to closing several businesses to focus on fewer, more manageable ones.
• He expresses admiration for industry figures like Holly and Matthew Woodward, who have influenced his career.
• Craig shares his disdain for the financial side of business, preferring to focus on marketing and SEO.
• He talks about the importance of working with people who complement his skills, looking for partners with technical expertise.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the weirdest SEO tactic Craig tried early in his career?

Craig admits to using white text on a white background as an SEO tactic early in his career. He learned about it from online forums in the early 2000s, but now looks back on it as a cringeworthy strategy. He also mentions bolding keywords unnecessarily, which he now finds pathetic.

Q: What are some of Craig's most memorable travel experiences?

Craig shares a shocking story of witnessing a male friend with a ladyboy in Thailand, which left a lasting impression. He also recounts wild nights at strip clubs, adventures in tuk-tuks, and crazy antics with friends like Carl Hudson and James Dooley during trips to places like Thailand and Shanghai.

Q: Which SEO tools does Craig prefer and why?

Craig prefers Semrush for its comprehensive features and user-friendly dashboard. He also uses CTR Booster, Money Robot, and Scrapebox for various tasks. These tools help him with SEO audits, keyword research, and other essential tasks, allowing him to maintain efficiency in his work.

Q: How does Craig maintain a work-life balance?

Craig maintains a work-life balance by leveraging automation and delegation. He works a four-day week, leaving Fridays for general admin tasks. He values family time and ensures he spends quality time with his son, Charlie, and wife. He also brings them along to conferences whenever possible.

Q: What are Craig's biggest business challenges?

Craig admits to being a scatterbrain, often taking on more than he can handle. This led him to close several businesses to focus on a few core ventures. He also dislikes the financial side of business, such as invoicing and taxes, preferring to delegate these tasks to others.

Q: Who have been influential figures in Craig's career?

Craig mentions Holly and Matthew Woodward as influential figures. Holly's fearless approach and Matthew's lifestyle as an affiliate marketer inspired Craig to pursue self-branding and travel. He appreciates their impact on his career trajectory and mindset.

Q: What advice does Craig have for starting an SEO agency?

Craig advises having the right processes, appropriate pricing, and delegation to avoid being overwhelmed. He warns against being a control freak and stresses the importance of working on the business, not in it. He highlights the success of his friend Graeme Grieve as a model for agency structure.

Q: Who would Craig like to collaborate with in the SEO industry?

Craig expresses interest in collaborating with Holly for spammy projects or with technical experts like Corey to explore the impact of semantics on SEO. He values working with people who can complement his skills and bring technical expertise or innovative ideas to the table.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In the live session, Craig, Holly, and Randy engage in a candid discussion about Craig's past experiences with SEO, including some outdated tactics he regrets trying. They also delve into personal stories from Craig's travels, highlighting some wild adventures.

• Craig shares his insights on the SEO tools he uses regularly, emphasizing the importance of Semrush in his workflow. He also discusses the significance of maintaining a work-life balance, leveraging automation and delegation to ensure quality family time.

• The conversation touches on Craig's business challenges, including his tendency to take on too much, leading him to close several ventures. He also highlights the influence of industry peers like Holly and Matthew Woodward on his career and his approach to collaboration.