Diplomacy and Collaboration: Navigating SEO Team Dynamics

In this insightful episode of our podcast, "Diplomacy and Collaboration: Navigating SEO Team Dynamics," Mark A Preston and Lily Ray explore the delicate art of critiquing and collaborating with in-house SEO teams. This episode is a deep dive into the sometimes challenging interactions between external consultants and internal teams, highlighting the importance of diplomacy and constructive feedback in SEO.

Lily Ray shares her experiences and the lessons learned from instances where her team's audits and recommendations led to friction with internal SEO teams. She emphasizes that their primary goal is never to undermine or belittle the efforts of in-house teams. Instead, they aim to provide a fresh perspective, identify overlooked opportunities, and enhance existing strategies.

The conversation reveals that technical SEO often becomes a hotbed for such tensions. Lily explains that even the most skilled web developers may lack specific SEO knowledge, not due to incompetence but because it's an entirely different skill set. She shares anecdotes about working with developers, including her brother, highlighting how SEO considerations can sometimes be enlightening even for seasoned professionals.

Lily and Mark discuss strategies for presenting audit findings and recommendations in a way that is supportive and collaborative rather than accusatory. They stress the importance of framing suggestions as opportunities for improvement rather than criticisms of past mistakes. Lily provides insights into how her team communicates with clients and internal teams, ensuring that the focus remains on shared goals and mutual growth.

This episode is crucial for anyone in the SEO industry, whether you're part of an in-house team, an external consultant, or navigating the space in between. It offers valuable lessons in communication, team dynamics, and the importance of a united front in the ever-evolving world of search engine optimization.

Tune in to "Diplomacy and Collaboration: Navigating SEO Team Dynamics" for an engaging discussion full of practical advice and real-world experiences. Subscribe to our podcast for more episodes where industry experts like Mark A Preston and Lily Ray share their insights into the nuances of SEO and digital marketing.

Want to talk more about SEO? Continue the conversation on Bluesky, X or check out old episodes of Unscripted SEO by SEO Arcade