Search engine optimization has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade. The face of the Internet continues to change and evolve. The same happened in the film industry when the first Oscars was held in 1929. By 1953, the Oscars were televised and people were eager to find out the names of the people who were considered leaders in the movie field. As webpreneurs continue to learn how to harness the power of the Internet, we have a lot to learn from the Oscars.
Don’t Let the Cat Out of the Bag
Sometimes SEO efforts become excessively obvious and we put too much out there. The result can be a penalty from Google that causes your website to be downgraded or even eliminated from search engine results. This over-zealous approach proves you can’t climb to the top overnight. SEO pros are not the only ones who let the cat out of the bag. There was a time when the Academy Award winners names were released to the press at 11 p.m. on the night of the awards. When the Los Angeles Times announced the winners before the ceremony started, Academy changed their approach. Since 1941, a sealed envelope has been used to reveal the name of the winners.
There is always an online entrepreneur who resembled the Los Angeles Times. This is the SEO pro who dives onto the latest strategies and uses them to an extreme. When keywords were the focus, they saturated content with keywords until became foggy for visitors to read. Taking SEO strategies over the top and exploiting them is referred to as black hat SEO. White hat SEO takes time and follows a certain protocol but you’ll gain long-term results using these type of strategies – without the worry of being discovered with your hand in the proverbial cookie jar.
Unlikely Winners
Often people give up on their websites before they even get started. They try a few basic link building and SEO tactics, see little or no results and quit. It can take months to establish and maintain a strong SEO campaign. Slow and steady can win the race. The Internet is a place where fledgling businesses can make a name for themselves and get noticed if they are determined. Sometimes the winners are not large corporations but smaller businesses with wisdom and tenacity. The Oscars have proved to us there are often unlikely winners.
Remember when Hilary Swank appeared in “The Next Karate Kid,” people might not have expected she would win the Best Actress Award in 2000 and 2005. While she had a humble start, she is now a two-time Oscar winner. In 1991, Kevin Costner surprised everyone when he won Best Director for the classic film, “Dances With Wolves.” We all have the ability to stick to our guns and keep pushing for what we want. Staying power is crucial if you want to achieve online success.
Keep Your Eye On The Prize
Actors, actresses, directors and other film professionals work relentlessly with the hopes of someday winning an Oscar. Even being nominated is a great honor. Everyone likes to get recognition for doing a stellar job. In the film industry, winning an Oscar is the pinnacle of success. Everyone in the field knows you are doing a superior job. It is imperative to keep your eye on the prize when you start a small online business.
What are your goals? Do you have a certain income you want to earn or are you seeking to raise awareness about a particular subject? Define what you want to achieve and never stop going after your prize. Recognize milestone moments and reward yourself for them. While there might not be any Oscars for online entrepreneurs, you never know what the future will bring. An increasing number of SEO gurus are getting recognition and respect in this growing field. Someday you could be one of them – if you work hard enough and have integrity every step of the way.
Much like Oscar winners, never let fear get in the way of pursuing your online goals. Even if you make a few mistakes along the way, learn from them and don’t be afraid of change. In a fast-paced online world, the only constant you can depend on is change. Rolling with those changes will help you establish a strong online presence and achieve greater success.
[box type=”shadow”]Main Takeaway:The Oscars can teach webpreneurs and small business owners about the right way to approach success. Always keep your eye on the prize, avoid being overzealous and set definitive goals to see real results. Also, remember you never know who the ultimate winners will be![/box]
