115 - How to Build a Team for Search Marketing in AI Times with Wil Reynolds

In episode 115 of the SEOLeverage Podcast, Gert Mellak and Wil Reynolds discuss building a successful search marketing team in the era of AI. They cover the challenges of rapid technological changes, the importance of integrating company culture and values, and effective hiring practices. The conversation emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and supporting employee growth.

In today's episode, Gert had an interesting conversation with fellow SEO expert, Wil Reynolds. Wil started Seer Interactive as a one-man operation but now, Seer is home to over 200 team members across Philadelphia, San Diego, and Remote.

Wil shared some valuable insights on the hiring process, promotions, building a team and creating a company culture based on values and collaboration between innovation and the teams. He believes that company owners need to celebrate not just people who get promoted, but also those who choose to stay in their roles, helping others to get promoted and really loving the work they are doing.

Podcast Highlights:

00:00 Prologue

01:02 Podcast INTRO

01:12 Introduction of the episode and the guest

02:26 The future of search marketing, its disruptive changes and what Wil Reynolds thinks of it?

04:28 Automation vs growing the marketing team

06:02 The rapid pace of change and why Wil see it as a massive reset?

08:05 How did Wil Reynolds grow his team to 200 people?

12:37 Embracing change and innovation in a growing agency.

14:28 Will the people that lean on innovation drivers be the better team leaders?

15:48 A collaboration between innovation and the teams

17:12 How does Wil integrate company culture and values to over 200 team members across Philadelphia, San Diego, and Remote?

22:32 What a good hiring process should look like, according to Wil?

28:16 The downside of having a group of unicorn style people.

30:32 There is a need to celebrate those who chose to stay in the same role, helping others get promoted and are happy with what they are doing.

33:53 Putting a systemic schedule in place, say six months to check in with employees about their career growth.

35:31 Where to connect with Wil Reynolds?

36:49 End

Connect with Wil Reynolds:

Website - https://www.seerinteractive.com/

Website - https://wilreynolds.com/

You Tube - https://www.youtube.com/user/wilreynolds

Medium - https://wilreynolds.medium.com/

Connect with Gert Mellak:

Website: https://seoleverage.com/

Email: info@seoleverage.com