This is part of the say something nice about an SEO/SEM series - feel free to nominate someone over here.
Ross Dunn, 41 years old, and has been in the industry since 1997 - well before the SEO industry was named "SEO." He is married for 10 years and has two children. He lives in Victoria, BC, Canada where his family has lived for four generations. He is the owner of a Canadian based marketing company named StepForth and contributes a lot of his time helping the industry on the SEO 101 Podcast on WebmasterRadio.FM. Most people who have been in the SEO/SEM space for some time have likely heard of his name throughout various SEO conversations.
Jim Hedger nominated Ross, he told me that Ross taught him "SEO twenty or so years ago." Jim wrote:
He taught me far more than that however. I worked for and with Ross for six years at the beginning of my career. Ross remains one of the fairest, most level headed, kindest, and most open people I've ever had the pleasure of spending time with. I think I'm a good person but I know I'm a better person for having known Ross Dunn.
Russ Dunn Bio:
Ross Dunn is the owner and CEO of StepForth Web Marketing and co-owner of First Dentist Web Design & Marketing. Since StepForth began in 1997, Ross has been providing professional Web Marketing services and helped numerous clients reach their online goals; from SEO training and competitor analysis at Time Inc., to the smallest of businesses trying to succeed online. Ross has been published extensively across the SEO realm and focuses now on hosting the popular SEO 101 Podcast on WebmasterRadio.FM.
Favorite thing about the SEO community? The SEO community is always there with a helping hand when you need it. I've been blessed with some of that help on a couple occasions, but mainly it's the impressive assistance that has been offered to those in our community who have desperately needed spiritual and financial support; the community hasn't blinked about lending a hand. In addition, the community is always willing to offer hard-earned business and SEO advice when asked by their peers. I feel very lucky to be a part of it.
One piece of advice to the SEOs out there? I have two pieces of advice if I may.
The first is for fellow entrepreneurs working with SMBs: do your best and try to over-deliver for even the smallest budget clients that perhaps take more work than you expected after you take them on. They talk, and/or they can turn into one of those clients you genuinely love to hear from any time. That's gold, and part of what makes this career endearing. I am lucky to count a few such clients friends and the truest of StepForth evangelists.
The second is for SEOs at every level, from starter to veteran, don't forget we practice SEO, we don't know it all and never will. It does a disservice to our clients, ourselves, and our industry when we take on work we can't do confidently. Perhaps it's best to pass it on to another one in our community who has more experience practicing in that area. That, or, it may be wiser to turn down the work rather than doing a job you know won't offer the results the client needs.
Note: I've made both of the above mistakes in the past, but quickly realized it was more harmful to all involved than it could ever be worth.
Favorite things in general?
- Color: Forest green.
- Food: Pad thai from Sookjai Thai here in Victoria.
- Favorite activities: snorkeling and photography
- Favorite vacation destination: Hawai'i
- Dream car: Porsche 911 Carrera T
- Dream vacation: A diving expedition to Raja Ampat
What you want to be known for in the SEO space? I suppose this is something I should know, but it isn't very clear to me. I love what I do, the people I work with, the SMB clients we help, and that has been good enough for me. That said, although I haven't been outspoken or prominent in the SEO community I have always tried to be genuine to others, to provide ethical services, and to be helpful in my community where able. The SEO 101 Podcast on WebmasterRadio.FM (306 episodes and counting) is one contribution I'm extremely proud of and enjoy immensely largely thanks to my dear friend and co-host John Carcutt and the awesome team that produces the show at WebmasterRadio.FM.
You can learn more about Ross at his company site StepForth and/or his LinkedIn profile.
This is part of the say something nice about an SEO/SEM series - feel free to nominate someone over here.
