This is part of the say something nice about an SEO/SEM series - feel free to nominate someone over here.
Rand Fishkin, 38 years old, lives with his wife in Seattle, Washington and is most well known for co-founding his company, Moz, formerly SEOmoz. The man with the yellow shoes at the early SEO conferences. The man who poured his heart out when helping SEOs and webmasters who had all sorts of questions from novice SEO advice all the way to emotional and moral support with starting businesses or dealing with family issues.
Rand has literally given himself to our industry in more ways than almost anyone can fathom. He has impacted countless lives in our industry from his blogging, speaking, education, weekly videos, and of course his tools. But also, he has impacted many on a very personal level but being there for them no matter when or why.
The smile he gives people is genuine. The look he sets on people that he is talking to, is deep and caring. The attention he devotes to the search community is different because it is not only on the higher level but he has also made such deep personal ties to individuals, so many individuals that it seems like he has special superhero powers.
Rand - giving yourself the way you have to our industry has its perks - we know that. But often it can feel lonely and sometimes incredibly hurtful when you put so much into something and individuals get nasty or are ungrateful. Being in a position that you are in, is unique but it comes with great responsibility and there is a lot on your shoulders. From the company you built and the families that depend on payroll to put food on the table. To giving really solid SEO advice for businesses to thrive or fail on the web. All the way down to your personal relationships with friends and family. It is a lot and we should all look up to you as to how you have handled all of that pressure.
Rand received a lot of nominations, I wanted to share them all with you in no specific order:
Sarah B Danks:
Like many people in the SEO world, I stumbled upon this industry by accident, but instantly fell in love. I also learned very quickly who the "big names" in the space were. I respected Rand right from the get-go: he knew his stuff but also seemed so humble and nice about answering questions, helping others in the industry, etc. Fast-forward to me actually meeting him in person at the very first MnSearch Summit in 2014 and he proved to be even nicer in person than I'd expected. Rand is just an all-around nice guy who wants to talk about SEO, and loves when others are passionate about search, too. He continues to teach others, expand his knowledge, help the industry, and all the while encouraging others to do likewise. It's a privilege to have met him!
Glen Allsopp:
I shouldn't really suggest Rand as he'll receive more entries than anyone but he consistently replies to my emails when I know he's incredibly busy, which often means the world to me.
Anonymous:
Rand is... Rand. I am no sure you would be able to find anyone who would bad mouth Rand... He is a model of honesty and kindness. One especially moving thing to me was his participation to the piece on depression among CEOs.
Anonymous:
Rand Fishkin has the unique combination of insight, kindness and the desire to share. He's one of the most prominent names in the industry - and one of the few recognized outside the SEO bubble. He'a also a genuinely warmhearted and generous person.
Gary Steel:
There isn't an SEO on the planet earth who hasn't watched a Whiteboard Friday video produced by Rand Fishkin. Rand is so smart, so funny, and so helpful. One of the best things about being an SEO is that we have leaders that are generous with their time and energy. Rand is another person that doesn't know me, but I have personally gained so much from. Thank you Rand!
Carlos Gandra
He was my virtual mentor, I learned from him almost all the theory to be able to start practicing. He is still one of the best content creators and evangelist of so many good causes. A great person in in every sense of the term.Saad Ali Khan
He is one if the gem in the SEO industry. His knowledge is outstanding. He is a better human being I believe. He has given so much to this industry. We're glad to have him in the search industry. Love you #RandFishkin. You're my inspiration in SEO.
Rand, you can clearly see how important and valuable you are in our industry.
Rand Fishkin Bio: Rand Fishkin goes by the ludicrous title, Wizard of Moz. He’s founder and former CEO of SEO software startup Moz, host of Whiteboard Friday, co-author of a pair of books on SEO, co-founder of Inbound.org, and serves on the board of the presentation software firm, Haiku Deck. Rand’s currently writing a book for Penguin/Random House on the ups and downs of startup culture, due out in 2018.
Favorite thing about the SEO community? The people! I love the creativity, generosity, kindness, and diversity of the SEO community around the world, and the incredible ways we help each other personally and professionally.
One piece of advice to the SEOs out there? Professionally, my best advice is to specialize. Getting known as a prominent "SEO" is harder, but getting known as a deep expert on "image SEO" or "news SEO" or "SEO for SaaS startups" is still an immense opportunity. Outside of work, my best advice is the same as Bill & Ted's: be excellent to each other.
Favorite things in general? I'm pretty obsessed with (though very picky about) pasta... and also have a deeply unhealthy chocolate-covered gummi bear habit.
What you want to be known for in the SEO space? Helping people do better marketing
Check out Rand's blog, his weekly whiteboard Fridays videos and his slideshare.
This is part of the say something nice about an SEO/SEM series - feel free to nominate someone over here.
