Interview With Billy (Organic Search Associate Director)

1) Where were you born and raised? Also tell us something unique about yourself.

I'm from Tacoma Washington, in the greater Seattle area. Growing up and going to school and university in the area. While I'm a search specialist, I have always been a entrepreneur with a passion for building businesses and helping others do the same. Around 5 years ago I decided to use my experience in building websites and brands to open an entertainment business - providing DJs and MCs primarily in the wedding space.

2) What got you interested in marketing and what was your journey?

As a creative person I've always been passionate about music, theatre, and performance. From a young age I saw how brands were able to leverage creative works to inspire and drive people towards their brands, primarily through the use of television advertising. This led me to seek a degree in Marketing, graduating with an Associates at age 17, and my bachelors in marketing by 20.

During my stint at WWU, I had the opportunity to intern for a few brands - many of those who needed better support in their online web presence which is what led me to online search marketing. After graduating I found roles in start ups helping grow their SEO and SEM efforts to drive business before they were acquired.

3) What skills and industry do you specialize in?

While every marketing should have a strong basis in the way search works, I think what makes me unique is my understanding of both paid and organic mediums of search, how they interplay, and how to optimize a website that performs for both.

My experience as an entertainer and managing my own business also gives me a unique perspective on project management and client relations, which in my decade of experience in online search has shown me most practitioners don't lack in technical expertise, but in effective client management of projects.

4) What is your best soft skill?

Adaptability is crucial in any role, corporate or not. Being able to identify a client's current needs and address that gives them the confidence to trust in your services and recommendations where they otherwise wouldn't. This is a trait I learned while coaching couples through their wedding planning and has been tremendous in growing corporate client relations.

5) What softwares and tools do you use regularly?

A host of AI GPTs like Numerous.AI and all of the standard GPTs. As a search practitioner it's my duty to really understand how engines like Bard work as the fundamentals are quite similar to how search engines have worked for some time.

6) What are your goals for the next year and into the future?

Eventually I'd like to start taking on additional clients and growing an independent team who I can oversee as I continue to grow my business and my passion as an entertainer.

7) What has been the hardest thing you dealt with in your career path?

It's easy to become stagnant when things are easy. Which is why I'm a believer that every person should pursue their own side-hustle or business to keep them sharp and always working. Believing that your value in life only exists from 9-5 is a trap that the corporate world set for the working class to keep them working class forever.

8) What is the biggest mistake you made that you want others to avoid?

Don't get stuck with a useless degree. Most of what I know is learned through practice, trial and error, and research. Similarly, don't get stuck in a dead-end job. Take risks.

9) Who are your favorite people in the industry that you follow?

Too many to count. Every day is a new task to learn and stay on top of trends.

10) Who has had the biggest influence on your career to date?

Mike Schmid. He helped me get my first major internship and pushed me to specialize in search!

11) What has been your favorite course that you taken and why?

Behavior Marketing / Consumer Marketing - they went into the psychology of why we do the things we do, crave the things we crave, and want what we want. Being able to pair that things people need is a really fulfilling experience.

12) What would you tell yourself or someone who is just starting out in marketing?

Don't get a degree in marketing. 98% of what I've learned is practical experience. And why going to school wasn't a waste in experience, it was certainly a waste of money.

13) If the entire world was listening to you, what would you have to say?

Treat others the way you want to be treated. Be considerate and kind.

14) Where can we find you?

Linkedin.

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