Now here’s something I wish I stumbled across a looooong time ago. I was reading Jill Whalen’s latest newsletter and she had this bit to say:

After you have some basic education, instead of trying to set up shop on your own, why not seek out established SEO companies, marketing companies, ad agencies, and Web design firms who are already doing some SEO, and see if they need an extra pair of hands? (You may even find these companies at the conference or seminar you attend.) There’s a good chance that if they are good at what they do, many of them could use some additional help. Don’t get too excited though — they won’t need you for the “fun” stuff at first, but more likely they will want to use you for the grunt work that nobody else wants to do. Unfortunately, stuff like keyword research, competitor analysis, link building, etc. are at the heart of a successful optimization campaign but can be awfully time-consuming. Most companies can always use help in this area, if you’re willing to work at a fairly low wage in order to gain some great training.

*ding* *ding* *ding*

I am really, ummm, ‘very undisciplined’ when it comes to keyword research, competitor analysis and yup – link building too. There’s a reason why goog doesn’t pop me into its top 10 **PAGES** .

But what a perfect way to build discipline and skill – work for an SEO company that knows what they’re doing and learn and develop SEO knowledge by working for them.

It seems when we’re working ‘for someone’, we find the time and inclination to do the crappy work. When it’s for ourselves – crappy work gets put on the back burner. Well for me that’s the case .

Jill was writing this in the context of someone wishing to be a professional SEO – as a career or business maybe. We could instead apply that to further ourselves and better ourselves as affiliate marketers.

Translation: Learn how to get our stuff ranked high

I think it’s too late for me though. Just maintaining and building my current sites, plus working outside the home – doesn’t leave me much ‘consistent’ time to commit to a company. I would do it for peanuts too – just being grateful that someone’s giving me good, solid direction. Maybe it’s something someone here may be interested in trying though – so head’s up. I think it’s a terrific opportunity and a smart move.

If you would like to receive Jill Whalen’s newsletter in your own inbox, you can register here (free):

High Rankings Advisor

It’s one newsletter that I’ve recommended here before. One of those ‘real information providers’.