The Talents of a Good SMO

As Google continually attempts to threaten SEOs with "algo magic" that doesn't actually work, many are moving into secondary areas. Some are picking analytics, some PPC, and of course social media. However, social media takes certain talents to do it right. Many companies are now looking to ditch their linkbuilders in exchange for those with social media talents. If you want to become or are looking to hire an SEO, there are certain character traits that should be present in order to pile on the links and reap the social media rewards you read about.

The Talents

Passion About the Content: This is a no brainer. It's certainly not mandatory, but an SMO that is passionate about their content will have it al lot easier.

Social Butterflies: You want to see some sign that an SMO is actually SOCIAL. It's unrealistic to believe that a person will broaden your reach and influence through the social media channels if they have 2 friends, and haven't updated their Twitter status in 9 months. This is where many people come up short, including me. I'm just not that social. I really do try, but the thought of sending someone on Facebook some weird, widigity, digital trinket makes me want to vomit. It's not me. Good SMOs love that kind of stuff. However, be careful with this one because some people are shy in real life, but light up the boards when on the net. Look for offline or online "butterflies."

A Marketing Mind: This is one of those where you get it or you don't. Regardless of degree or school, there are some people who were born marketers. The instinctively want to learn the ins and outs of their target market, and look for a way to develop a competitive advantage that delivers value to that market.

Internal Locust of Control: Some people see that world and believe that it effects them. This is called an external locust of control. Others believe that they effect that world, and this is an internal locust of control. SMO is currently very ambiguous. There is no stack of work to do for SMOs. There are not well defined steps to take on well defined projects. The goal is to "get links" and "get people to talk about us." People with an ILC are more entrepreneurial and opportunistic, and can carve their own path without a lot of direction in these circumstances.

I was hoping for a fifth to make it 5 Talents of......, but hey, like I said, I'm no good at this social media stuff :)