Person of Interest: Rand Fishkin
AKA: The Moz
Known Associates:
Profile: The Wizard of Moz, also simply known as "The Moz," Rand Fishkin is the founder and CEO of SEOmoz, a premier Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and social media software company. With his industry-leading blog on the importance of SEO and the power of inbound marketing, Rand had earned himself the high rank of SEO grand master among the very best inbound marketers. Akin to other inbound marketers-turned SaaS company CEO's, Fishkin built SEOmoz from the ground up and now offers a full suite of keyword optimization and social media management tools.
Fishkin is a college drop-out who left school to focus on SEOmoz in 2004. However, Fishkin has been a part of the internet marketing scene, in one capacity or another, since 1993. Getting his start in website design and consulting local Seattle-based businesses in the very early 2000s, Fishkin eventually found his true love; internet marketing and the world of SEO. Partly through his very active participation in SEO forums, Fishkin honed his search engine optimization and marketing skills while building his audience. He eventually began publishing his SEO reports and data online, which would eventually become SEOmoz.
Fishkin has also co-authored the book by O'Reilly Media, Art of SEO, as well as co-founded a live update service of all inbound marketing information called Inbound.org, and remains quite active on Twitter and Google+. He has traveled all over the globe, preaching the SEO gospel at different conferences, and contributes regularly to the non-profit SeeYourImpact, which helps a local Seattle Children's Hospital.
From the early days of SEOmoz, Fishkin has been a regular on the conference circuits, attending SES Toronto, New York, and San Jose, and continues to have a very active speaking schedule. His specialty, the importance of inbound marketing and how it ties to his beloved SEO. Through his efforts, Fishkin has become one of the most sought after inbound marketing and SEO experts, raking among Godin, Clark, and other premier authorities on the topic(s).
Current whereabouts have him located in Seattle, Washington.
Last Seen:
- SEOmoz -- SaaS, SEO, and social media firm.
- Inbound.org -- The most relevant and timely articles on inbound marketing can be found here.
- Twitter -- Fishkin is most active on his Twitter feed.
- Google+ -- An early adopter of the social network, Fishkin can be found frequently updating from here.
Notes: Fishkin began online at a very young age. His understanding of the inner workings of website design, User Interface implementation, SEO, and internet marketing are a likely result. despite his success, and the acclaim that has come with it, Fishkin has remained a very humble man. He has attributed his first real successful conference (which, in part, led to the rapid growth of SEOmoz) to Danny Sullivan, a fellow inbound marketer who created Search Engine Land.
Many of today's great inbound/internet marketers have had symbiotic ties to one another throughout their respective careers. An attribute many modern-day marketers would do well to emulate. In fact, most of SEOmoz's marketing strategies (and Fishkin's philosophy) finds its foundation built upon this seemingly simplistic idea that a rising tide lifts all boats. User-generated content, helpful and freely available information, public speaking engagements, and a tightly-knit group of like-minded content/inbound marketers are all cornerstones in the company culture build by Rand Fishkin at Seomoz.
Distinguishing Characteristics, etc: Fishkin is well-known by his yellow Pumas at conferences and events, which he says helps people put a face to a name (or shoes).
This post is part-one of the 11-part blog series "The Inbound 11," a collection of today's best inbound marketers as seen through the eyes of Magnetic MarCom. You can learn more about upcoming "Inbound 11" profiles by visiting our introductory post.
