Skip to main content


Stay tuned:
Persistence alwayspays offin SEO success.

Written by Dominik Breitbach on March 17, 2025. More in SEO Magazine.
loading="lazy"

In over 500 interviews with exceptionally successful people, American author and communications guru Richard St. John identified eight characteristics that are key to these individuals' success. We present persistence and perseverance as the last in our series on SEO success factors.

1.Perseverance in search engine optimizationhasmany names

Perseverance, persistence, tenacity, patience, and staminathese terms describe essential qualities for SEO experts on their path to success. In the world of search engine optimization, numerous challenges must be overcome, from internal barriers and technical hurdles to external criticism and rejection.However, giving up is not an option for a dedicatedSEO consultant.

Successful SEO strategies oftenrequirepatience, especially when it comes to waiting for changes to search algorithms to be recognized and rankings to improve. In other cases, it isperseverance that is necessary to repeatedly carry out optimizations and adjustments, even if the first attempts do not immediately bear fruit.

Sometimes it is persistence that drives an SEO expert to continuously knock on the doors of potential customers or test new marketing strategies until success finally comes. Theability to endure hardship and persevere is a trait shared by many of the extraordinarily successful peopleRichard St. John hasspokento. In this article, we summarize his valuable insights to helpSEO agenciesandSEO experts achieve their goals andsuccessfullyoptimize theironline presence.


2. What do you actually haveto go through as an SEO?

Not everyone is born with a natural gift for perseverance; many acquire it over time.Ann Turner, founder of a successfulrecruitment firm, emphasizes that perseverancedependsheavily onmindset:"Determination is the path to tenacity. If you want to achieve your goal, you have to persevere despite all the hurdles and difficulties."Inthe SEO industry, it is inevitable that you will encounter barriers on the road to success. The challenge is to prepare yourself mentally for these obstacles. So what are the specific challenges that SEO experts have to overcome? Richard St. John highlights the following points in general:

standthe test of time

According to Richard St. John's research, it often takesten years to achieve a major personal breakthrough. This period of time has been deemed necessary by dancers, runners, researchers, CEOs, and surgeons in order to build the necessary skills, develop technologies, or perfect techniques.It'sno different inonlinemarketing. It takes time to perfect SEO strategies, implement technological developments, and ultimately determine whether a particular digital marketing strategy is successful. During this time, many less persistent competitors drop out of the market. SEO experts must therefore learn to be patient and continuously hone their skills in order to be successful in search results in the long term.

Putup with poor rankings

IfAlbert Einstein hadpassed theexam to study electrical engineering, the theory of relativity might never have been developed. Similarly, poor rankings in SEO can be discouraging at first, but they are also extremely valuable. They show where optimizations are necessary or whether a completely new SEO strategy is required. Here, too, it is crucial to persevere with tenacity and perseverance in order to improve rankings and ultimately achieve success.

OvercomingSEOmistakes

Mistakes are an integral part of the SEO process. Without them, there is no progress. We have alreadyseenthis with the success factor ofcreativity. Accepting mistakes, learning from them, and using them as steps toward further development is essential for SEO success. Even though mistakes can be demotivating, perseverance helps you stay on track and make continuous improvements.

Trust criticismfrom otherSEO experts

Not everyone will be enthusiastic about a new SEO strategy or SEO campaign from the outset, which often leads to criticism.However, thiscriticism can be beneficialandcontribute to improving strategies. It is important not to be discouraged by negative feedback. Perseverance is a valuable trait that enables SEO experts to continue refining their projects despite criticism and possibly even draw useful insights from constructive criticism.

Accept rejection in SEO

A potential customer decides against your SEO agency, or a desired business partnership doesn't materialize? Rejection is inevitable on the road to success in search engine optimization. It is crucial that SEO experts learn to deal with rejection. Richard St. John recommendswearingevery rejection like a badge of honor—asign of courage and perseverance. EvenJohn Grisham, whose books have sold millions worldwide, received30 rejections before his first novel was published. Through his perseverance, he was ultimately able to publish numerous bestsellers. Similarly, SEO experts should view rejection as part of the process and continue to persistently pursue their goals in order to ultimately succeed in Google's search engine.


3. Effectivestrategiesforpersistence

Richard St. John's arguments for developing thick skin and strong perseverance are also convincing for SEO experts. But how can persistence be put into practice in search engine optimization, especially after setbacks? Here are some proven strategies that St. John has gathered from successful personalities, adapted for SEO experts:

  • Take small steps.InSEO, it is more effective to make small optimizations continuously than to plan major overhauls. Celebrate small victories, adjust your online marketing strategies regularly, and stay flexible—this will help you stay on track.
  • Quitophobia.This term, coined by Richard St. John, describes the fear of giving up. For SEO experts, this means not letting challenges discourage them and continuing to work on their strategies, even if search engine results are slow to materialize.
  • Never give up.Thismotto is especially important on difficult days. Repeat it like a mantra to help you push through challenging SEO projects.
  • Resilience.Theability to quickly recover from mistakes is crucial in SEO. Learn from criticism and mistakes and use these experiences to improve your SEO strategies.
  • Stubbornness.InSEO, stubbornness, in the sense of perseverance with proven methods, can be helpful, especially when data-driven results confirm the effectiveness of these methods.
  • Be impatiently patient.Demandshort-term improvements and results while remaining patient in the long term and pursuing strategic goals. This balance helps to achieve sustainable SEO success.
  • Don't look back.Learn from the past, but focus on what lies ahead. Avoid dwelling too long on old mistakes or outdated SEO strategies and ill-conceivedbacklink strategies.
  • Be prepared to navigate challenging terrain.SEO is often a turbulent field with many uncertainties. Accept this and remain committed to your strategic path, even when it becomes difficult at times.
  • Keep moving forward.Stay determined and focused, like extreme runnerPam Reed, who simply kept going while others took a break. In SEO, this means continuously refining your online marketing techniques and driving digital innovation, even when others are resting on their laurels.

Many successful SEO consultantshaveachieved their goals and beyond throughperseverance. You can do it too! Be inspired by the tenacity and other seven characteristics of successful SEO experts. In our magazine , we have reported on all the factors that Richard St. John discovered in his comprehensive interviews. In his book "The 8 Traits Successful People Have in Common: 8 To Great," he provides further details and inspiring quotes. Are you ready to embark on the path tosuccess with online marketing? Then we look forward tohearing from you.

SEO Dominik Breitbach

Dominik Breitbach

34, Munich

Want to stay up to date? Listen to our SEO podcast!

0%