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Today is not only the final day of 2007; it marks the end of my 6th month in SEM. While that’s not a major milestone by any means, today’s symbolic end of the year has made me pause and reflect upon my beginning, the challenges I faced and the people who helped me overcome them.
It quickly became evident that a thank you must go out to each of you. You’ve become mentors, encourager’s and virtual colleagues. You see, after the comfort of 10+ years in traditional media, the lead up to my first day on the job had me nervous. There was the usual first day jitters and uncertainty that a career change brings, but I also knew that I had a massive learning curve ahead.
In the first few weeks, I relied extensively on the knowledge of the outstanding team of Marketing and Technical professionals Jeff has assembled here at Search Engine People. I knew that I was driving them crazy with mundane questions and, to a certain extent, I felt embarrassed about that. As a result, it turned me into a voracious online reader of all things SEO.
I wrongly assumed that there wouldn’t be much information of substance online. I always thought of SEO as ‘voodoo’ marketing. Those with the “secret potion” kept it all to themselves. It didn’t take me long to realize how special the SEO community truly is.
There isn’t another business sector which shares as much detailed information such as SEO tactics that work and why, what doesn’t and how to overcame those challenges and personal highs and lows, as much as our industry does. I found so many brilliant Search Marketers in the blogosphere that learning wasn’t going to be a problem, finding the time to read them was.
Today, as I reflect back on my move, I’d feel remiss if I didn’t stop and thank some of those writers whose blogs and online musings I’ve come to learn from and enjoy. You’ve help me transition from SEO neophyte to, at the very least, “seasoned” SEO.
In no particular order, here you are:
SEO by the Sea: I continue to be impressed by the variety of topics Bill writes about from patent technology to mobile search, always an informative read.
ViperChill: I still can’t believe Glen is just 18, what a talent! I wish I knew as much as he did at the same age. I became hooked on his blog when he wrote about his demographic profile of the top 50 Stumblers piece……by hand.
DoshDosh: Being Canadian, Maki’s blog caught my attention immediately. His writing and unique perspective has kept me coming back. He really knows his stuff!
aim Clear Blog: Marty Weintraub has been called a “search maestro”, the “chief mischief maker at Sphinn”, having “insight second to none” and “prolific”. Agreed, just love his posts.
Social Desire: What can anyone say about Shana that hasn’t been said? She’s an entertaining blogger and an outstanding source for social media news and views.
stepForth: Jeff mentioned that I should check out Ross Dunn’s blog and I can see why. Ross has been at this a long time and his blog contains helpful tutorials and checklists that got me off to a great start.
seo2.0onreact: Tad seems to be ubiquitous online. It’s very hard to miss this pseudo mustached German with the only white sombrero ever made. His avatar is like his posts, unique, amusing and always makes you think!
Techipedia: A true Social Media starlet. If you haven’t read Tamar’s ‘Best Internet Marketing Blog Posts of 2007’ it really sums up how deep her knowledge of this industry is.
All Things SEM: It’s great to see a fellow Hellene in SEM. Marios Alexandrou’s blog comes at you from the heart and is impressive. I’m not sure if I’d be here though if I read his December piece ‘A Career in SEO? Bad Move’ in May.
SEO Book: I can’t believe Aaron shares as much raw data as he does. I felt like a kid in a candy store on my first visit with so many useful tools to play with and the search engine marketing glossary to learn. He should put it in a book! 
Sebastian’s Pamphlets: Very detailed and, at first, very intimidating for a newbie like me. But then again, you’d expect that from a guy whose StumbleUpon profile says “I sleep with database manuals dreaming of genial software architectures”.
Now Sourcing: I can’t remember reading something Brian wrote that didn’t have me changing the way I think about SEO. Here’s a guy who really gets it!
SEOBrian: I’ll admit it, Brian served as the inspiration for my social media moniker, SEPTom. I truly enjoyed Brian’s writing style, topics covered and honest approach.
SmallBusinessSEM & Local SEO Guide: Anyone that talks as much about local search, yellow pages, small business marketing & SEO as Matt and Andrew do will always have my attention.
Thank you again. Each of you has shortened my learning curve by creating valuable blogs with real analysis, opinions, news, trends, interviews and above all, passion!
Whether you’re on this list or not, if you’re an active member of the SEO community, you’ve immeasurably been influential in my professional development too!
Wishing you a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous and Successful New Year!!
~ Tom
As posted in Tips, Opinion.
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18 Responses to “Top 15 SEM blogs that influenced me!”
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SEO 2.0 | 7 Must Read End of Year Lists for Internet Power Users Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 5:55 am[…] Top 15 SEM blogs that influenced me! by Tom Tsinas of serach Engine People Believe it or not Tom of Search engine people does not consider himself a SEO expert. Obviously the best of us are the most modest. So for SEO expert Tom Tsinas SEO 2.0 was one of his main influences in 2007! I feel overwhelmed by this. Not only because Tom is such a specialist himself but also because this list consists mostly of SEO/SEM blogging giants I basically look up to. Being mentioned along them means being elevated to the status of a giant myself. I feel so big now, I’m not sure I will fit in my doorway anymore. […]
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Thanks for all the ego food! Says:
January 9th, 2008 at 2:55 pm[…] not only talking about your very much appreciated kind mentions1 on your blogs. What gets my lazy butt out of my bed to write more pamphlets is another […]
December 31st, 2007 at 12:36 am
Great list! I read all of them regularly. I’ve learned a lot from them as well.
December 31st, 2007 at 1:54 am
Thanks so much, Tom — honored to be mentioned on this list! Happy New Year to you, as well.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:59 am
Thank you Tom, I’m glad you found my stuff helpful.
Happy new year!
December 31st, 2007 at 6:08 am
Thanks for the kind words, this is fast becoming one of my favourite blogs in the industry.
December 31st, 2007 at 6:32 am
Thanks for the mention, Tom! I’ll try not to let your kind words go to my head
December 31st, 2007 at 6:32 am
Thank you so much Tom. I’ve been enjoying your writing as well. Here’s to a fruitful new year. Cheers.
December 31st, 2007 at 7:41 am
Hey Tom,
Appreciate the link and quite a good list you’ve put together here. Looks like hanging out with Jeff is doing you some good.
Wishing you the best for a safe and happy new year!
December 31st, 2007 at 9:07 am
Agreed. Glad to see Bill, Marios, and Sebastian getting more credit.
December 31st, 2007 at 9:18 am
Happy NY Tom! Thanks for including me in such fine company.
Andrew
December 31st, 2007 at 9:24 am
Thank you so much, Tom. I’m thrilled that you enjoy my writing. The feeling is completely mutual.
Plus, I couldn’t agree with you more as far as the list of Bloggers you came up with… each of them are in my feed reader. It’s an honor to be on the list with them.
Happy New Year to you, Tom… and to everyone at Search Engine People.
Shana
December 31st, 2007 at 10:52 am
Thank you, Tom.
I hope that the new year is a good one to you, and look forward to seeing more from you here.
Bill
December 31st, 2007 at 3:12 pm
Thanks Tom, it is always a pleasure to hear our writing is helpful in some way
It was great meeting you and your wife over dinner in Vegas. I look forward to seeing you again soon!
Ross
December 31st, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Hey Tom, thanks so much for the mention! Have a happy new year
December 31st, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Very nice list of SEM blogs. I already know most of them and the ones that I am not familiar with I have already bookmarked to start reading. Thanks for putting this list together.
January 1st, 2008 at 6:33 am
BTW just noticed this post had absolutely no formatting in google reader, just one big lump of text…
January 1st, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I need to write a blog post about the implications of associating a brand with your identity… Really appreciate your acknowledgement Tom as well as Search Engine People.
Cheers,
Paul O’Brien
SEOBrien