Leeds SEO

Hot on the heals of the Ciarán’s SEO.BIO, I have managed to break free of my bad luck with the ladies and snagged myself the wonderful Hannah Smith (aka Hannah Bo Banna).

For those who haven’t been paying attention, tell us a little bit about your background in online marketing.

My background is in good old fashioned offline marketing. I spent ten years in the betting industry, originally as a betting shop manager; then in retail marketing – sales promotion, point of sale etc; and latterly in telephone betting – direct mail – (yep snail mail!), advertising, etc.

Having spent my whole working life in betting I figured it was time for a change. I headed up the marketing team at a niche online job site for around a year before coming to my current agency, Gravytrain.

I still feel very new to the industry. But online marketing is just a different channel. Ultimately the same marketing principles apply. Marketing is about engagement not selling.

What areas of search marketing do you get involved in the most?

I’m not the most technical of people (I can’t even get my iPod to work), so I get involved mainly in strategy and leave the technical implementation to the people who know what they’re doing.

That aside I spend a good deal of time on content creation for clients – article writing, blogging etc; and manage some of our client’s PPC accounts which I really enjoy.

Where did they “Bo Banna” bit come from and do you think Ms Montana’s name was inspired by you?

*hangs head in shame*

It’s the name game – Hannah Bo Banna Banana Fanna Foe Fanna Fee Fie Moe Manna; or sometimes Hannah Bo Banna Stick a Lanna Fie Fanna Hannah.

I picked Hannah_Bo_Banna on some social networks because the infinitely more sensible Hannah_S was taken and I wanted something I could remember easily.

It’s a bit embarrassing when I introduce myself and feel the need to qualify that I am indeed Bo Banna ?

The people behind Ms Montana have a lot to answer for. It’s opened up a whole new world of pain for girls called Hannah across the globe – Hannah Banana was bad enough.

Had any other insurance companies spamming your blog recently?

Ha! Nope, I think that they’re steering clear of me now. I think in retrospect it was an honest mistake as I’ve not seen any evidence of it elsewhere and lots bloggers picked up the meerkat thang. Now I just get the regular spam.

Tell us a little about your theatrical endeavours.

Since 16 I’ve been a member of various amateur theatre groups in my local area. One such theatre group ask me back every now and again (even though it’s a youth theatre and strictly speaking I’m far too old).

I did a production of Crave by Sarah Kane this year, which we’re taking to the Woking Drama Festival; and I’m hoping to get cast in a production of Talking Heads by Alan Bennett (cross everything – including your eyes) which will be on in the Autumn.

You can often be found at LondonSEO events, commenting and posting on SEOmoz and of course on LeedsSEO. What are the best things you’ve learned from the SEO community?

As a complete novice I learnt pretty much everything I know from the kind and extremely patient peeps on SEOmoz and at the LondonSEO drink-a-thons. I love the share and share alike mentality of the people involved in the industry.

Best things? Probably Google Analytics tricks from RobBothan, tips to help solve international SEO problems from Lisa Myers (nee Ditlefsen), how best to deal with low quality content without losing rankings from Rob, Tom and the gang at Distilled.

A special mention also has to go to Rishi for being perhaps the most helpful person on the planet.

There’s tons more people who helped me over the last year and a half. You’re all fab.

How do you feel when Google offers up “gravy train lyrics” when you search for “gravy train”?

We’d have gotten away with it if it weren’t for that pesky band!

If you were a Simpsons character, which one would you be?

My brother would say I was most like chain-smoking Selma Bouvier, or perhaps Troy McClure the washed up actor. He’s very supportive

Tea or coffee?

Tricky. I drink both, but to be honest I don’t really like the taste of either. I like the taste of sugary milk. So latte’s rock, and when I make tea, I just show it the bag – if it looks like chicken soup – that’s perfect.

If the Internet was shutdown, what would you do?

Shutdown permanently? I’d get really good at pool, then hustle for a living.

What is your number one tip for people learning about online marketing?

Go get yourself involved – online and offline. SEOmoz is an amazing community, and the people there are incredibly generous. Once you’ve got to know people there, you can then start following them on twitter and other social networks. Likewise, go to the meet ups. It’s not nearly as scary as it might seem. Everyone’s very friendly.

Thanks for the great SEO.BIO-banna Hannah. If you’d like to get to know her better, why not follow her on twitter.