Over here at First Page Digital, our people of different backgrounds bring a wealth of experiences and perspectives to the table. We interviewed our colleague, Robert, in our multinational team to gain a deeper insight into what it is like working in a fast-paced agency environment.
Tell us more about yourself.
I’m Robert Nichols and I’m 44 years old this year. I have been working as an SEO Strategy Manager in the company for the past three years.
What does an SEO Strategy Manager do in an SEO agency?
My role at First Page Digital is an SEO Strategy Manager. I provide well-rounded support to Enterprise campaigns and the overall SEO team. I also constantly monitor and check in on existing campaigns to see if more can be done to improve the results since we always strive to go above and beyond for our clients.
Constant development of the team is essential. This means ensuring proper sharing and implementation of successful client case studies with my Tech colleagues. It’s important to take the time to examine each case study in depth, identify the key takeaway points, and then create actionable steps that can be implemented going forward. By understanding what worked well for a particular client, we can replicate the successes and ensure a positive outcome for current and future projects.
Staying on top of SEO trends is very important as well. The world of SEO is always changing. What worked last year may not work this year, and what works today may be obsolete tomorrow. By keeping ourselves updated, we’ll also be better equipped to handle any changes that Google or other search engines make to their algorithms.
I’m also involved with pitching for new, exciting projects where my team and I will do well-backed research like SEO audits, Google ads audits, and competitor audits to better understand the project requirements and the client’s needs. This in turn helps us to create strong, well-thought solutions for our potential clients.
How did you start working in Singapore and First Page Digital?
Before working at First Page Digital, I worked for a small start-up company. The company did not keep its Kickstarter promises, which led to its closing.
At the same time, I applied for a Sales role at First Page Digital, where Chief Executive Officer Shane interviewed me. However, the role didn’t suit me. After a week or two, Shane offered me a role as an SEO Tech due to my prior SEO experience in a previous digital marketing agency.
I gladly accepted, allowing me to transition from my last job to First Page Digital seamlessly.
What made you continue working in First Page Digital and Singapore?
Many contributing factors led me to continue working at First Page Digital. The main factor, however, is the company culture. Company culture refers to the personality of a company. It is the way the company interacts with its employees and customers, which then influences the working environment.
In my previous agency, a friend once mentioned that sometimes it’s not about the money but the culture. I had no idea what he meant at that time, but I fully understand its importance now. Your monthly salary doesn’t matter as much if you are unhappy, stressed, depressed, and not excited to come to work. The light switch finally turned on for me as I spend over 40 hours a week working with my managers and colleagues.
Other than culture, factors like great colleagues and collaborative learning environment keep me going. For example, we hold weekly sessions where an expert member from every team will share with the entire company the best practices of search engine optimisation (SEO), social marketing for Meta, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram, reputation management, Google ads, and much more. This keeps us engaged and motivated to stay ahead of the curve. It also allows us to have a peek into their different job scopes, which is very interesting.
What’s the most memorable incident you have at First Page Digital?
My most memorable moment was our First Page Digital overseas team bonding trip to Bali, Indonesia. When it comes to team building, there’s no substitute for a good bonding trip. This moment ties into the company culture I was speaking about previously. Sometimes, the best way to build team morale is to get out of the office and explore the world together. It gives us the opportunity to unwind and relax, away from the everyday pressures of work.
I was able to experience first-hand the fun side of my colleagues during this 3-day team bonding holiday. Spending time together in an unfamiliar setting also helps us get to know each other on a deeper level. And of course, there’s nothing like shared experience to create a strong sense of camaraderie.
What are the most challenging aspect(s) at First Page Digital?
One of the most challenging aspects at First Page Digital has got to be working on multiple challenging Enterprise campaigns.
When I joined this SEO agency three years ago, the company’s portfolio comprised more SME clients, without many Enterprise campaigns. Fast forward three years, the tables have turned and we now have a very high number of Enterprise clients.
With the increase in Enterprise clients, the campaigns become more technical, with many moving parts and challenging tech issues to resolve. However, though it’s difficult and oftentimes painful, work isn’t fun if you don’t have any challenges to look forward to everyday. It’s important to have something to strive for, whether it’s a big project you’re working on or a small goal you want to achieve.
What does a job mean to you?
A job means an opportunity to provide for my family at a place I’m passionate about spending most of my day. My philosophy is to work in a company that still gives you the same level of excitement and passion even if you aren’t getting paid. Working at the First Page Digital means so much more to me as I enjoy what I do regardless of the salary.
