30 replies to this topic

[projectphp]

That, and it would be self promotion

In any case, Ammon has put together a new form of training:
SEO Intern Training and SEO Intern Scholarships.

Feedback and comments welcomed (And appreciated).

[lee.n3o]

He told me these were coming... Lets hope I can get on the list... Actually lets hope I can convince my current contract company to subsidise it :rofl: :flowers:

[Nadir]

That's an immense opportunity for people willing to learn SEO or improve their skills. If someone asks me if I know a programme to learn SEO, I will sure send them your way Ammon.

[cre8pc]

I'm visualizing how cool it would be for students to be able to say, "I interned with Ammon Johns" in a job interivew. In the industry, there isn't much opportunity for something like this. There is little formal education, many misunderstandings by businesses on what SEM is and its hard to know who to hire.

The programs dreamed up by Fresh Egg will have long term benefits and offer, I think, integrity to an industry still surrounded in mytery.

Congratulations to Fresh Egg!

[Black_Knight]

Thanks Kim, (and everyone else too of course).

to be able to say, "I interned with Ammon Johns" in a job interivew

They can actually put us down as previous work experience on their CV, and if they say so, we'll provide a reference to any company they ask us to, just as with an employee. Whatever the value in saying they interned with me (allow me my modesty), it can only be helped by the fact I can provide a job reference for them.

Of course, this training isn't just for people wanting to get a start in the SEO industry itself. It can also offer a great deal of value to web developers and designers who want to know what we'd do with their sites, so they can do it themselves.

It is even a valuable course for people who intend to manage outsourced SEO campaigns, of course, because it gives unrivalled inside insight into how a professional SEO company runs, how it delivers value to clients, and how it integrates effectively. Any manager who managed to find time to take this course would be a powerhouse of knowledge in what SEO services really add value, how to best manage integration and performance, and all kinds of issues, because they understand both sides of the equation.

[randfish]

Oi, oi, oi; I'm sending some mozzers out there and I expect it will be the best travel dollars we've ever spent. I'm hoping they come back not just with experience in SEO, but badass South London eyebrow patterns and thick accents, too.

It's an amazing opportunity - I'm guessing Ammon will be raising those prices very, very soon. The month-long internship in particular is probably the closest you can get to guaranteeing yourself a highly paid position in SEO right from the start.

[Black_Knight]

Oi, oi, oi; I'm sending some mozzers out there and I expect it will be the best travel dollars we've ever spent. I'm hoping they come back not just with experience in SEO, but badass South London eyebrow patterns and thick accents, too.

Well, if you really insist, I know some great tattoo artists in Brighton... :rofl:

I'd be almost surprised if they don't come back with some great new words in their vocabulary, or at least new usages for words. Soon, they too will be referring to a 'numpty', or a 'link dropping muppet', and all in the right accent for maximum effect of course.


Regarding the prices, we really don't want to raise them if there is any alternate way we can find to manage demand. We really want this course to remain practically free and thus accessible to those without big budgets and savings. The cost for the standard Internship really is going on the expenses such as accommodation, resources used, the printing of materials they get, etc. We're not providing this training as a business model, but as an investment in the future of the industry.

That said, if there is demand, we are thinking of providing a 1-Week "Intensive Imersion" course, for those who cannot afford to contemplate spending two weeks. (i.e. for those people where 2 weeks away from their main job is costing them way more than £1,000 and is impractical). If so, then that one will carry a significantly higher cost, because it does take up even more of our work time. I can't easily see a price for that one being possible at any lower than £2,500 for the week simply because we'd be spending the entire working day with the trainee in this scenario (only possible way to try to cram a two-week programme of content into just one week) and thus losing a lot of productivity.


Once we have measured the impact on our business, the satisfaction of trainees, and generally determined if this is a practical idea for other leading SEO companies to think about, we'll share as much of that information as we can, hoping that other leading SEOs can then provide similar opportunities to invest in the future pool of talent, all around the world.

[earlpearl]

A spectacular opportunity!!!!!

[Black_Knight]

Thanks, Dave.


This whole thing excites the heck out of me. No other company I have been with would have been willing to have undertaken this kind of initiative - not without slapping a high-profit revenue stream into it to justify the risk and costs.

The level of faith, vision, and support that the Directors at Fresh Egg have lent to this whole project is just wonderful. It is their gift, because it is they that pay for the time of myself and Lee Colbran (himself one of the Directors), the office space, and indeed the clients. So it is to them that any thanks must really go. I merely had the idea - it is Fresh Egg that has made an idea into a reality.

[Black_Knight]

Quick update:

Rebecca from SEOmoz arrived in London five days prior to starting training and seems to have enjoyed herself.
Day 1 was yesterday. She's already teasing Rand about staying here. Who'd have thought that brown sauce and tea were so attractive?

[bragadocchio]

Excellent news.

I hope that Rebecca has a great time, and learns a lot, and gives your intern training program glowing reviews.

Nice posts, Rebecca.

What is this brown sauce, exactly? I think the Ketchup industry has effectively kept it from crossing the Atlantic.

[eKstreme]

This program is an amazing opprotunity for anyone serious about SEO. Imagine scientists being trained by Newton, or Watson and Crick, or Alexander Fleming. No doubt it's that kind of level.

What is this brown sauce, exactly? I think the Ketchup industry has effectively kept it from crossing the Atlantic.

Ask Rebecca to bring some over for you.. and some marmite too.

Rebecca: Welcome to Blighty. I'm glad the English Weather™ has been welcoming enough for you.

[randfish]

I'm not sure if TSA would let "brown sauce" through security. It sounds dangerous.

We sure do miss Rebecca over here in Seattle, but at least she's missing the worst 7-day stretch of weather I can recall. Thanks for your hard work and generosity, Ammon

[Black_Knight]

I think you'll find the generosity is yours. There'll be more than one SEO or web developer reading about this and just wishing their boss were as generous and caring of their employees as to provide them such opportunities.

However, I'm making sure she brings plenty back for everyone.

[bwelford]

What a great endeavour.

.. and Rebecca's blog entries are certainly a great way to get a feeling for what it's all about.

I don't think the U.S. is missing anything by not having brown sauce. Now 'custard'. There's a different story.

[Ruud]

Now 'custard'. There's a different story.

Custard is gold. It gave us vla

By the way, is this intern thing a one-timer or an ongoing or recurrence project?

[Black_Knight]

It is completely ongoing, Ruud. Just as Rebecca will finish her training, the next person, BJWright, is arriving (from Idaho) to take up a full length Scholarship offering and will be with us until mid-December.

We wind down over the Christmas period, (clearing projects so that we can relax for the holidays), so have avoided booking in any interns until after the New Year. But in January the next intern will hopefully be coming in to study. We have enquiries up to March so far, but haven't made final decisions for anything after the New Year yet. A certain flexibility to take the most deserving, the ones who can benefit the most, has always been intended.

I'm looking forward to reading Rebecca's write up as much as anyone. With just as little idea of what to expect. Of course I hope the whole experience will be something that thrills her. But I'm also looking for any criticisms, or areas for improvement. I'm even a little nervous, but don't tell her.

[Rebecca Kelley]

Too late, Ammon, because I just found out! I'll definitely use your nerves for leverage...just kidding

[joedolson]

Heh ... can't keep secrets on the internet!

Welcome to Cre8asite, Rebecca! Hope you stick around! Looking forward to your write-up, though: your summary report on your trip at SEOMoz was hilarious!

(Ammon's really just trying to get more people involved here, right? The whole "SEO Training" thing is just a red herring...)

[Respree]

Welcome, Rebecca. What a rare opportunity to study with one of the best. You're a lucky woman.