Meet the team: Dan

1. What is your role at ClarityDX?

SEO Strategist for ClarityDX & Clarity Performance, our specialist B2B tech digital marketing team.

2. What does an average day for you look like?

Having only been at ClarityDX & Clarity Performance for a couple of weeks and given the current pandemic situation, there’s not much that’s “average” about my days at the moment. Nevertheless, my time is currently spent on getting to know the team, providing SEO recommendations for ClarityDX site builds and working with Darren to develop and refine Clarity Performance’s digital marketing strategies.   

3. What’s the most challenging part of your job?

Prioritisation. When it comes to SEO there are hundreds of factors that can affect a website’s success in the search engine results pages. Everything from blog content to page speed to backlinks play a part in where your website ranks for particular search terms. Knowing what optimisations to prioritise given the time and resources available is key to an effective and enduring SEO strategy. 

4. Any advice for those who want to do what you do?

Just get involved. Familiarise yourself with the tools of the trade and the companies or people that are successful in their field. There is so much information online that you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to acquiring the knowledge and skills you need to have a successful career in marketing. This line of work is so expansive and amorphous that you can create your own niche around your skills and interests. Everyday is a school day, especially in the innovative world of digital marketing. Read around the subjects you like, develop the necessary skills and you’ll have people fighting to hear your insights in no time.  

5. What future design and/or technology developments in the industry are you excited about?

Voice search is going to be an interesting one. As the Internet of Things and smart devices play a bigger part in our daily lives, we will be talking to our tech in much the same way we talk to each other. The difficulty when it comes to SEO is that smart devices can’t list the millions of results that search engines currently do. That top spot will become increasingly sought after as our expectation of the best, most relevant search result grows ever greater.

6. What are your passions/hobbies/interests?

I like reading and writing. I love learning too, especially about history or politics or science. I’ve lost some of my better years down Wikipedia rabbit holes. I’m a big fan of movies and comedy and I have a deep and enduring love for Robin Williams. 

7. What’s your favourite thing to read in print/online?

For news I generally stay away from the tabloids and try to stick with more impartial outlets such as the Independent or BBC News. For something lighter Cracked can be fun but it’s hard to beat Twitter for a proper laugh. In terms of digital marketing and SEO, I’m a fan of Search Engine Land and Moz (especially their Whiteboard Fridays).  

8. What music is currently trending on your playlist?

It really depends on my mood. I’ve been working to a lot of London Grammar recently as it’s ambient and relaxing. I’ve also been listening to lots of 80s synthwave with some classic country thrown in. It’s hard to beat legends such as Johnny Cash or Patsy Cline.  

9. Tell us a random fact about you…

I’ve been on You’ve Been Framed.