Interview with "Search Engine Expert" from India, "Afzal Khan".Here is the first interview with Indian SEO Expert, Afzal who has been around the Indian Search Industry Arena for quite a while, probably longer than 7 years. He has worked with well renowned organization like Hexaware Technologies, SIFY technologies, Reliance Infostream, SEOValley Solutions. At present he decided to take things into his hands and started his own SEO Consulting Firm with virtual team of 5 members. Afzal has a great blog you can read Online Business Marketing Guide.
Here are few things which I asked Afzal:
Tell me something about your self?
Well to brief about me - I am an Electrical Engineer by education and perusing my PGDBA (marketing) from Symbiosis. After finishing my BE, I choose to be in marketing stream and from there I started my career and worked with well renowned organization like Hexaware Technologies, SIFY technologies, Reliance Infostream, SEOValley Solutions to name a few.
Being an engineer I was always interested to join such organization who can offer me something technical & marketing related stuff to work on. That's why from one of my friend's recommendation I was able to get introduce & selected by SEOValley Solutions which is Interactive Marketing field from more than 7 years. That's how my journey to online world started, where I learned about SEO, SEM and other online marketing strategies. Since after gaining exposure from where various industries I decided to start firm of my own (http://www.afzalkhan.org). At present I work as independent consultant with a virtual team of 5 members working for me.
I remember late 2005 when Blogger was launched and I started to learn more in detail about blogging, with continuous experiments & exposure I was able to turn myself into professional blogging and being writing over blogs. My main blog is www.toprankseoblog.com where I write on regular basis. (Recommendation received from some blogger's - http://www.ranjanblog.com/2008/03/best-of-indian-business-blogs-weekly_31.html)
Regarding my family background - My father expired early when I was in 7th standard (around 13 years of age) and since after that it was all because of my mother effort I was able to complete my education and turned myself to reach this position. We are 3 siblings & I am the elder one in my family. Last year only I got married.
How you came into Internet Marketing?
Ans: As I told previously, it is due to one my close friend who introduced me to online industry, coz my previous work background was into event promotion, brand advertising and marketing. Plus I was holding technical degree and internet was not new thing for me, which I was using early since 1997 I came into this field.
Why you choose this field?
Ans: Because of the beauty of SEO industry to Keep yourself always on a sustainable technology edge. What worked last year or last quarter, may not work next quarter or next year. Continuous knowledge development about every industry and too some extent because of my passion & keen interest towards online marketing.
Where do you see this industry going in the next 5 years?
Ans: Everyone is aware of this, Online industry is the next boom where day by day people, companies are heading into online world. According to me this industry is going to flourish and grow at a fast clip in the next five years. You too must be having brighter ideas and data then me :-)
Whose your favorite blogger?
Ans:- There's many but to name a few Matt Cutts (www.mattcutts.com/blog/), Rand Fishkin (www.Seomoz.org), Aaron Wall (www.seobook.com), Amit Aggrawal (www.labnol.org), Shama Hyder (www.afterthelaunch.com), Rohit Bhargava (www.rohitbhargava.typepad.com)
Who do you feel is a leader in this industry and why?
Ans:- I feel Danny Sullivan (www.searchengineland.com), Bruce Clay, Jill Whalen (www.highrankings.com), Aaron Wall (www.seobook.com), Rand Fishkin (Seomoz.org), Lee Odden (www.toprank.com) are few who pioneer in SEO industry. They are the leaders and especially Danny Sullivan who is well known technologist on Search Industry and recognized globally as the leader.
