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In this edition of the Vertical Measures Employee Interview Series, we speak with client services director Mike Huber about how online marketing has changed the last few decades, his experience growing up as an army brat and his bushy mustache. (more…)
This Internet marketing infographic guides you through the key tactics that can be used to build authority for your website. These tactics fall into three major categories; link building, social media marketing and content marketing.
The Authority Building Machine also warns against using black hat practices that could land a website in search engine jail, a place that is not easy to escape. So stay on track and have fun! (more…)
Last week three of us from Vertical Measures (Kaila Strong @cliquekaila, Pel Abbott @pelabbott and myself @azardie), attended a two-day seminar so that we can stay digitally-savvy. The “Back in the Black” seminar was presented by Agencyside and boasted a lineup of over 15 presenters. We became immersed in all things digital and came away with a better understanding of where the digital world is now, and where it’s heading in the future. Here are my top 35 takeaways from the seminar: (more…)
In this edition of the Vertical Measures employee interview series, I speak with SEO strategist Jason Hendricks about his SEO experience, his golden locks and his longest-running engagement.
Michael Schwartz: What are your main responsibilities here at VM?
Jason Hendricks: I handle all technical and onsite SEO work as well as web development for our clients. I also work closely with the team to assist with onsite SEO and web development strategies. In my spare time I help James annoy as many people as possible by flying RC helicopters throughout the office.
Michael: You often like to tell me that you’ve been in this field since I was a little kid with a paper route (Editor’s Note: I never had a paper route). Tell us a little about your prior experience.
Jason: I think I actually say “since you were doing wheelies on your bike,” but yes, I’ve been a SEO since 2001. I started in web development in 1998 after getting bored with my job as a desktop support technician. Shortly after learning HTML, I discovered SEO and other forms of internet marketing including PPC. I worked as an in-house SEO and web developer for a couple of years before starting my own company, Tidal Wave Media. Long story short, I love internet marketing and could never see myself doing anything else.
Michael: On the side you own and operate the ClickToTweet Twitter program. How would you evaluate the success of that venture?
Jason: Well, ClickToTweet is such a simple Twitter tool that it’s tough to really evaluate its success. In terms of traffic and users, the site has been extremely successful. As far as revenue generation, not so much. Right now the site earns revenue solely from advertising, but I have plans to launch a Pro version in the not-so-distant future.
Michael: Around the office, your long golden locks are often admired. How do you get your hair to be so perfectly straight?
Jason: Ha, I think I must be the first guy with long hair that you’ve ever been around, because you seem to have an unnatural obsession with my hair.
Michael: You have lived with your fiancée Courtney for 13 years. Do you ever plan on getting married for real or will this just be the longest running engagement, The Office-style?
Jason: We’ve certainly taken our time with marriage and we’re still in no hurry. We already consider ourselves married after living together for over 13 years now, just without the required paperwork. It took Courtney 10 years to get me to finally pop the question, so it will probably take her another 10 to get me to marry her.
Michael: Tell us about your relationship with Vertical Measures employee Scott Wells.
Jason: There really has to be a better way to phrase that … not that there’s anything wrong with that question, but Scott and I have known each other since junior high school. We grew up fairly close to each other and although we attended different high schools, we had a ton of friends in common. We didn’t keep in touch after high school, so it’s great to reconnect with an old friend (and we’re talking OLD here, that guy is ancient) after so many years.
Michael: You’re a partial owner of the LeBron James unofficial fan site. What are your plans for the site in the future?
Jason: I partnered up with a friend to create a fun site to highlight LeBron James’ total domination of the sport. Love him or hate him, you have to admit that he’s an amazing athlete. We will begin to focus more on quality content and not worry about monetization since it’s just a hobby for us at this point.
Michael: What’s your favorite sport and why?
Jason: My favorite sport is hockey, hands down. Hockey is by far the most physical and, to me, most exciting game to watch. My favorite team is of course the Phoenix Coyotes, although this season isn’t going quite as well as I’d hoped.
As far as sports that I can actually participate in, skateboarding and snowboarding would be my choices. I’ve been skateboarding since I was 8 years old, while on the contrary I just recently picked up snowboarding. If anyone ever tells you that the two sports are very similar, they have no idea what they’re talking about.
Michael: I know you recently bought a couple of condos for dirt cheap. Are you going to become a real estate mogul on the side?
Jason: I’ve always been interested in real estate and currently have a very diverse investment portfolio including domain names, websites, stocks, commodities … even collectibles like guns and comic books. Adding a few rental properties to the mix is, in my opinion, a wise decision considering how far prices have fallen in the Phoenix metro area and the fact that the rental market isn’t as soft as it was a few years ago.
Michael: Like many people at VM, you possess a love of canines. Tell the good people a little bit about your dogs.
Jason: Courtney and I have two rescue dogs and strongly feel that adoption is the only way to go. Peanut (pictured to the right) is a male black and tan dachshund mix while Tinkerbelle (like the sailboat and not the Disney character) is a purebred miniature black and tan dachshund. They’re definitely more than just dogs to us but we try to keep the spoiling to a minimum (I said try, not succeed).
Michael: What do you like about working at Vertical Measures?
Jason: I really like the fact that we have specialists in every discipline of internet marketing, so there are plenty of great minds to learn from. I also enjoy the family vibe and team atmosphere that the office has because it’s completely opposite of some of the stuffy corporate environments I’ve worked in.
In this edition of our monthly interview series, I talk to Vertical Measures project manager Ardala Evans about her newfound love of the Internet marketing industry, her Guitar Hero prowess and hula hooping.
Michael Schwartz: What has attracted you to the Internet marketing field?
Ardala Evans: This field keeps you on your toes, not unlike a pair of ballerina shoes. You must keep researching, experimenting and learning. You can never stop and slow down; otherwise the internet world will pass you and your tutu by.
Michael: When you were first hired at Vertical Measures, it was to help edit articles. Now you manage the internship program and perform on-site SEO reviews and keyword research. Tell us about some of the most fascinating things you’ve learned at VM.
Ardala: The intricacies of what makes a great site successful. I have truly enjoyed learning more and more about the hundreds of pieces of the SEO puzzle that, when put together correctly, create a terrific user experience and also help a site rank high in the search engines. I then enjoy sharing what I’ve learned with clients.
Michael: Before your Vertical Measures career started, you worked a number of years at a career college. What did you do there and how did that work prepare you for your current career?
Ardala: I spent 10 years at the college; first working in academics. We operated multiple campuses and I was in charge of checking the academic progression of the students and also made sure that they met all the qualifications to graduate from our program. I then worked for several years in financial aid, and became the Director of Financial Aid for all of our campuses. Compliance, audits and loan paperwork, oh my! In other words, every “t” crossed and every “i” dotted. Both of these positions required a keen attention to detail. This skill is well used with Vertical Measures as I make sure that all content placed for our clients is high quality and editorially correct.
Michael: When you came first started working here you weren’t exactly tweeting like Ashton Kutcher. But I understand you’re developing a growing appreciation for Twitter. What do you like about the microblogging site, @AZArdie?
Ardala: I had set up my Twitter account just before starting to work at Vertical Measures. You are correct; I didn’t get it at first. It actually wasn’t until a friend introduced me to Hootsuite, and then, bam! A little bird told me about things in France, the local food scene, SEO tips, whether Matt Cutts was bald this week, what my friends were up to, what other dog owners did when their dog……well you know. People started posting pictures, so I joined in. Then, wow, I started to get followers, which made me want to tweet more and follow more. I really enjoy the little snippets of info on all the things I’m interested in. It’s fun and it’s useful. I have seen how Twitter can be used for businesses; nothing works better to spread the word.
Michael: A fun Ardala fact is that you are an avid jump roper. Tell us about your jump roping exploits.
Ardala: Ah, excuse me, you mean hula hooping, right? Jump ropes are so yesterday (exasperated sigh)! I’m not talking about the Wham-O hula hoops you buy in a toy store. I use larger weighted hoops that are actually easier to use. I crank up Don Omar, Ozomatli, Shakira, Kat DeLuna and Pitbull and let it rip. Much more fun than the treadmill!
Michael: Like many people here at VM, you are a real lover of dogs (which you even display on your license plate!). Tell us about your animals and a little bit about your love for canines.
Ardala: I can’t imagine living without a dog. When there isn’t a dog in the house, it feels strange to me. When I was growing up, our family dog, a mutt named Jacob, slept on my bed, sat with me on the couch, ate my lima beans that I slipped him under the table, and was basically my best buddy. Jake was still alive when I got married and moved out and sadly couldn’t take him with me. When my son was born, his first word was not “Mommy” or “Daddy”, it was “Goggy” which he said very excitedly as he pointed at Jake. Evidently this dog loving thing is genetic. Like the Brady Bunch (work with me here), my life became the story of a lovely lady dog named Penny (Shetland Sheepdog) and two rambunctious boy dogs, Charlee and Elliot (American Eskimo Dogs). What fun; chasing, barking, growling and howling. I loved it! But dogs age too quickly; they are not with us near long enough. We now just have Elliot with us who is 15, and I cherish every day with him. Our dogs have given me joy and the biggest laughs; my life has been better because of them.
Michael: You are a big fan of OK Go and these two videos in particular. What about this creativity appeals to you so much?
Ardala: These guys don’t care what other people think. They do want they want and what they like. They have a great appreciation for their fans, which they share through their awesome site and web presence. Their videos all have that “home made” appeal which make them so fun to watch. They are geeks in rockers clothing and they’re not afraid to let that shine through, or maybe it’s the other way around in the marching band video…… Anyway, I proudly display an autographed picture of them in the purple marching band uniforms above my desk here at Vertical Measures!
Michael: In the office we have heard rumors of your Guitar Hero prowess. What do you like so much about this game?
Ardala: Oh, office gossip….. I don’t know about prowess, but I do enjoy it. Sometimes I play until my fingers bleed! Well, until they’re numb anyway. I think maybe I was a member of Metallica in another life. I have a musical background and have tried to teach myself to play guitar, but it just never happened. So Guitar Hero is the next best thing. I live vicariously through a piece of plastic! After a stressful day at Vertical Measures …… a Guitar Hero performance is just the thing. There’s something so satisfying when you see “YOU ROCK” on the screen.
Michael: We here at Vertical Measures KNOW you’re a great baker because of all the little treats you bring in on occasion. What would you say is your favorite sweet to bake?
Ardala: I do like to bake. It’s like your kitchen is a lab and you’re doing experiments. You measure out all the ingredients, mix them together and heat them up. My favorite experiment is the Graham Streusel Cake. I’ve been making this cake for many years. I wish I had kept a tally on the recipe card for each time I’ve made it. It’s one of those desserts that is requested for every family get-together.
Michael: Many people think your name is Italian, but that’s not true. So tell us Ardala, how exactly did you get your name?
Ardala: From a comic book. When my Dad was growing up he was a huge fan of the “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century” radio show and comic books. Buck, of course, was the hero. Killer Kane, with Ardala as his love interest and trusted sidekick, was Buck’s nemesis. So, yes folks, I’m named after a villain.
Michael: As mentioned earlier, you run the internship program at VM. How have you seen this program grow since we launched it in January?
Ardala: Our internship program has grown by leaps and bounds. Because colleges don’t provide classes to teach what we do, our program is such a unique learning experience. From the webinars, workshops, Lunch and Learns, staff meetings, Vertical Measures library, completing assignments and AZIMA presentations, interns can get fully immersed in the internet marketing and link building experience. Where we started with one intern, we have had as many as four and we recently saw our first intern become a full-time employee. That was exciting!
Michael: And finally, what do you like so much about working at Vertical Measures?
Ardala: We are encouraged to follow and expand on our interests. Everyone is always open to sharing his or her knowledge with each other. We each have our strengths and specialties, and when we all come together we make one heck of a great team. You know, kind of like on “Heroes.”
