It’s that magical, special time again where I get to annoy someone who has more work than they know what to do with… and here I come to distract them from it. This week I’m interviewing someone who is kind of a hero to me because I’ve always felt some similarities to her. We’re both opinionated as all hell, not afraid to speak our minds, we’re both parents running our own business and we both like the Godfather movies.

If you haven’t checked Rae’s blog, you need to carry your ass over there and start reading it. In the meantime, let’s roll…

10 – First off, I’m a parent of 2 and also run my own business. I wanted to say you totally rock for being able to successfully juggle parenthood and your own business as well. Got any advice for other parents that want to take the plunge too?

LOL, thanks. I have three children – CJ who is almost ten, Faith who is almost seven and Sam who is three. I actually got my start in the business due to my oldest son. I guess my biggest piece of advice would be that if you work from home, don’t think it doesn’t mean you don’t need childcare. Getting a nanny was probably my best business investment ever. I have the flexibility from being my own boss to be there whenever they need me, but by having childcare, I also have the ability to focus on my business during the rest of the time.

9 – There’s an awesome interview that you put on your blog with Eric Ward, Rand Fishkin, Roger Montti and Todd Malicoat that covered link development techniques. Now a great deal of people (myself included) absolutely dread going out and getting links. What resources have helped you develop a solid system? (*link to interview)

Well, I have employees who develop links for me based on my direction at this point, so it makes things a bit easier. But, I’ve written about outsourcing or “in housing” your link development processes and have given presentations on the topic as well. The biggest resource you have is just doing it. Too many people get wrapped up in building a great site and fail to promote it afterwards and I think it is the single biggest reason why some people don’t find success with Internet marketing when they indeed have the skill set to succeed.

8 – One of the greatest things about your blog is you’re never afraid to tell it like it is and have no qualms about letting loose. Is this something that your clients have ever commented on?

LOL… yeah, I have a “distinctive personality” for sure. I’ve never really worried about clients or “industry peoples” opinions in that regard. My general sentiment is usually that if my personality bothers you, it’s probably best we don’t work together. I am who I am and I like who I am. It has been suggested to me that my brash personality may cost me business, but my usual response is that I’d hope people hire me or work with me because of my skill set and not whether or not I am politically correct on my blog. Clients who I work with tend to appreciate my honesty. And I honestly believe that where I am and the contacts I have in this industry are what they are because the one thing you know that you get with me is honesty. Besides, I could be more demure on my blog, but eventually you’d end up on the phone with me and see the “real deal”. I guess I simply don’t see the point in “hiding”. Michael tells me sometimes that I’m intimidating, but I don’t really think so myself.

7 – Recently you were having to reiterate your position on how there’s a divide between people in our industry who tend to focus more on an SEO popularity contest rather than proving their skills. Do you think there’s a balance for both and what’s a smart way to prove it?

I actually don’t have a problem with people who want fame. As long as they don’t whine about how they’re unable to obtain it. More power to you. But, being a “famous” SEO doesn’t make you a good SEO and the reverse is also true - being an “unknown” doesn’t make you an untalented SEO. To me, the popularity game isn’t something I want to get involved in. Sure, having a “brand” is always a good thing… it’s why I speak and moderate. But, it isn’t a main focus for me. For me, my success in the serps speaks more about my SEO skills and is something I take more pride in than whether or not I’m being talked about in the blogosphere. I think the “balance” issue is a personal one. For me, I’ve found my balance. But, only I know what my balance is. As for ways to “prove it” – you have no one to prove shit to but yourself.

6 – More often than not, when people in our industry try to explain to someone what they do for a living, it’s “deer in the headlights” time. What have you said that-+ helps people actually “get it”?

Ugh. This is definitely something I struggle with. My own family still doesn’t get what I do and a lot of people in the “offline world” think I design websites which means I get a call every two weeks from a friend or family member asking me if I can build them a website. I usually say I’m in marketing. I’ve given up getting people to understand it. Of course, my mom actually told someone once, “You know how when you search for something and you keep clicking links that take you to eBay? She’s responsible for that” which got me a great look. Funnily enough, I’ve never ever been an eBay affiliate. I have no idea where she even got that from. I’ve simply told her she is never to explain what I do again.

5 – Godfather 1, 2 or 3?

Dude, how is that even a question? Godfather one for sure. One of the best movies to exist. Though, two is definitely one of my all time favorites as well. Three? Well… I always watch three and go, “Why do I torture myself? I’m never watching this again. But, then I get in a mood one night, watch one and two and go, well, might as well follow up with three. And the cycle repeats itself.

4 – You mentioned to me that you relocated up to Canada from Florida; any noticeable difference in how SEO/SEM is seen up there in the business world?

Well, when I lived in Florida I wasn’t really a part of the “local SEO scene” and I’m not here in Canada either. I wish I had a better answer for you on this question, but I don’t.

3 – What website(s) have you been hooked to lately and people should definitely check out?

I’m a gambler, so the best thing about my move back up to Canada was that I can finally play online poker again for money, so I am back to being a regular on partypoker.com and pacificpoker.com. But, that likely wasn’t the answer you were looking for. Believe it or not, I don’t have a lot of sites that I visit regularly that are outside the realm of work or shopping. But, if you’re into the mafia, Crime Library is a place I spend a lot of time at. Oh, and for the celeb whores, I’m totally addicted to X17online as well.

2 – What fancy 10 cent word do you wish you could use more in a day?

Well, I’m not one for “fancy words”. When people here fancy word mixed in with my name, it usually will make them think of me saying a word that you’d expect to hear from a trucker. But, if I had to pick an industry word, I like saying “monetization”. If I picked a non-industry word, it wouldn’t be printable on your blog.

1 – Who do you tap next for me to interview?

Oh, you so have to interview Michael Gray. Most fantastic mind on social media I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. He’s a busy guy these days, but just tell him I lent you my laminated pass. He’ll know what it means.

And there you have it. I now have Rae’s laminated pass.. which I’m not totally sure if this is a good thing… and up next for the prodding is Michael Gray. Hopefully he’ll let me know if I just walked into a really wicked inside joke between him and Rae… gulp..

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