Searchcowboys, Bas van den Beld an interview

Tell me about your searchcowboys.com?

Searchcowboys is currently one of the most popular sites in Europe when it comes to search engine marketing and social media subjects. At Searchcowboys we have a European focus. This means we will look at what’s going on in Europe in search and social media. That doesn’t however mean we do not look outside Europe, we do, but we will always keep the European focus. For example if something goes on in the US we will write about it but will also look at how that will affect Europe. We now have over 1200 articles written in the last year and are a well known brand in Europe and beyond. A nice insight: the second largest group of visitors are those coming from the US :). 

Since a couple of months we also started a radio show on Webmasterradio.fm,  in which we weekly discuss what is going on in the world of search.

Which conversations on searchcowboys.com are you most proud of?

There are several which come to mind. The first one which ever ‘hit gold’ was a post on Analytics by Martijn Beijk, How to track Universal Search traffic with Google Analytics. Also because that was the first ‘big one’ but also because of the quality off course :). Others I like are the columns by Lisa Myers and some of the great coverage we do for events. I really believe there is no other site which does that like we do. 

What is the biggest tip you would give to a newbie blogger?

The biggest tip would be: don’t give up. It takes a lot of hard work to make a success. That doesn’t “just” come, you have to work for it. Second, find yourself a niche or a topic that will make you stand out.

What is the biggest tip you would give to a newbie SEO? 

Don’t say you will get your clients on a number one spot ;). SEO is more than just ranking one page for a particular keyword, its about getting your word out there.

What do SEO’s do that you wish they wouldn’t?

Hehe good question and difficult to answer. I would probably say they should be less focussed on their own success and more on that of those they work with. A good SEO doesn’t have to say he’s good, if you know what I mean ;). 

Where do you see growth in the SEO field? 

Social search is very interesting. Still too many people look at their own site to optimize, they should be looking much wider.   

What do you think about the idea of Blogging Buddies?

I like the idea that its about the conversation. Some might think its all about linking to each other, but its much more if you look behind it. I do think time will be probably the biggest issue for most. 

One quick through about https://www.majesticseo.com ?

I got to know Majestic through my good friend Dixon Jones. I must say I’m impressed what they’ve done so far. It will take a bit more time though for them to really make the big step I think, they have some steps to take, but I know Dixon and the gang are working on that :).

What do you do to improve the world?

Oeh, is that a trick question? :). I guess the best way I try to improve the world is to raise my kids with the proper way to look at the world and act on it.

What is one thing about you that not many people know?

I’m pretty open I guess, but that would probably be that I’m a pretty good cook.  

If you had to say one type of biscuits represented you what would it be and why?

haha, again a difficult one, I would say home made biscuits 😉 

What are your contact details (email, company, blog, facebook, myspace, forums, etc)?

My company is NetTraject and Searchcowboys: http://www.nettraject.nl (.com is on its way) and http://www.searchcowboys.com

My personal blog: www.basvandenbeld.com and http://www.basvandenbeld.nl/ if you speak duch 🙂

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/basvandenbeld

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/basvandenbeld and http://www.twitter.com/searchcowboys

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/basvandenbeld  

What events do you go to?

Many! In the coming months you can find me at the International Search Summit, at SES Berlin / London / New York, at Le Web in Paris, at SMX London and A4U Expo. And probably some more :). 

How do you prefer to communicate?

In person or via Twitter or email 

Who would you recommend, and why?

Joost de Valk (@Yoast) for his WordPress knowledge & because he is a great guy 

My co-host at webmasterradio Roy Huiskes (@chapter42) because he knows what he is talking about & because he is a great guy 

Dixon Jones (@receptional), smart guy and good company 🙂

The Myers family: Jon Myers, (@jondmyers) smart guy and good company 🙂 and Lisa Myers, she knows her way around search

Dave Naylor (@davenaylor): probably one of the smartests SEOs in the business

Mikkel deMib (@demib): funny guy and knows his business

Will Critchlow (@willcritchlow): very smart guy and as English as you can get them 🙂

Chris Sherman (doesn’t Twitter I believe): not only a smart guy but a very nice guy also.

Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) who I actually never met, but is the godfather of search

Matthew Wood (@matthewwood) who organizes A4UExpo and does a really great job

And the rest of the people I follow on Twitter but have left out here. 

Who do you want to talk to and what would you like to talk about?

As said I have never met Danny Sullivan in person though we have been in touch a couple of times. I would love to meet him and talk about how he does his work, I think I can learn a lot from that. 

What is one thing people can do for you?

For me? Just be nice 😉