I have compiled a DIY beginner’s guide to basic SEO. It should cover the main terms that you may have come across, but not known what they meant. I hope you find somthing in there that will enable you to rise up the ranks, and have all the hard work pay off!
Search for these terms in Google, links provided, and also in SEO Forums, blogs and wikipedia. Refine the results as you build knowledge and understand what they are going on about
Use copy and paste to put the info you find into neatly filed word docs for future reference. Remember, you will come across totally conflicting advice on many aspects in SEO, so you will need to investigate further in some areas, and it helps to have a some notes.
I have said in another post about having some test sites, simmering away to use what you learn before implementing it on your proper site. This is important, and well worth the effort if you are able. Ensure you have some statistic gathering software on your site to see where your visitors are coming from, statcounter.com is good.
The above should get you started, and give you a reasonably good knowledge of the basics.
I will post another similar thread with some decent link building specific stuff when I have the time. Hope it is of use to you guys, I know its hard work, especially at the begining.