Help in identifying the geuine from the counterfeit

The bornword · #1 (**permalink**) 25-04-2008, 13:43

In this day of age of instant gratification, There are so many marketing people who claim to be experts but in reality, most if not all are copy cats, constantly in the business of copying others and attempting to reproduce their work.
My question is and I really need your valuable opinion on this topic-- How do you know with many options of people claiming to be marketing and seo expert who the real deals are.
In reality, not every one of those so call gurus are genuinely interested in helping their clients because they could be money hungry.
So my question is, how do you tell, what quality characteristics traits that separate the the genuine from the counterfeit?
Your opinion will be very appreciated!

glennmid101 · #2 (**permalink**) 26-04-2008, 08:15

That is a good question, only thing i can say, is there a trade body for seo, or some sort of resource for qualified seo.

To be honest, i really dont know.

Glenn

Alvin · #3 (**permalink**) 26-04-2008, 09:40

Afraid thats an old age question.

And it is probable that the only people qualified to spot the fakes are qualified Marketing people or SEO's.

Alvin

Fuzzy · #4 (**permalink**) 26-04-2008, 20:28

Ask Fuzzy, I know lots of fake SEO experts

Alvin · #5 (**permalink**) 26-04-2008, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

Ask Fuzzy, I know lots of fake SEO experts

I'l sue.

A

Inzvestor · #6 (**permalink**) 27-04-2008, 00:28

Any good business person will have case studies and testimonials to back up any claims.

Even members of trade bodies can be slightly dubious so dont rely on this 'qualification' alone.

For marketing / seo results ask to see actual figures, or to speak to oprevious happy clients.

Those that have nothing to hide are often genuine whereas businesses who are very secretive may be sailing close to the wind in some areas.

Fuzzy · #7 (**permalink**) 27-04-2008, 05:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inzvestor

Any good business person will have case studies and testimonials to back up any claims.

Sadly some of those could be fake too, sorry the cynic of me

sally · #8 (**permalink**) 27-04-2008, 05:48

Oh what a great question. One of the main problems is that most customers have no idea about seo so showing them a case study for ten sites you had ranked for obscure phrases may look very impressive to a new customer.

Let's be honest Al could get new customers to ring me and say what a fantastic job he has done on my site, my sales are up 200%, blah, blah, blah but the fact that he has never worked on my site and is paying me a tenner for every testimonial is not going to help the new customer (Al that's another tenner you owe me).

If I were to employ an seo expert now I know who I would choose but it has taken me nearly a year of chatting on forums and learning a little about the black art to know who I would trust and why. Doesn't bode well really.

Alvin · #9 (**permalink**) 27-04-2008, 08:41

I have said this so many times.

ask to see an SEO's results for competative keywords across a wide range of products and industry area's.

The guy who has a top ranking for "estate agents" "car sales" "CD's" "mortgages"

is probably going to get my money.

There's many can talk the talk but very few that can.........................

Alvin