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Managing digital marketing campaigns is no easy task what with SEO and social media algorithms constantly changing, and we are so grateful to have our director of search marketing, Ray St. Amand, on staff. Ray manages all aspects of our pay-per-click advertising, social media marketing, and SEO efforts and oversees four digital marketers. He always make it point to educate himself so our team can stay ahead of the curve. Today we decided to sit down and interview Ray about his role at Sperling Interactive, how he develops marketing strategies, and his personal interests.
Where are you from?
I was born in Salem, Massachusetts but grew up in Beverly, Massachusetts.
What does your day-to-day life look like as the director of search marketing for Sperling Interactive?
My day-to-day is always evolving. One day I could be focusing on a new campaign launch for a client while the next day I could be having client calls and meetings throughout the day. Guiding and mentoring my team is always my top priority as well. Each day is different which makes me love my role.
What is your favorite part about search engine marketing?
I personally love conducting website audits and finding new ways to improve the sites’ functionality and user experience. I also enjoy developing content plans. There is just something calming and satisfying about clicking through every page of a website and thinking as a user would.
Digital marketing is one industry that changes all the time. How do you keep up and continue learning?
I am always reading new articles, subscribing to weekly newsletters from popular marketing blogs like Search Engine Land and Neil Patel. From there, I take the things I’ve learned and put them into action while testing my own creative ideas at the same time.
What do you wish people knew about search engine marketing?
Just like Rome wasn’t built in a day, a search engine marketing strategy takes time to progress. It isn’t like flipping a switch and being flooded with leads and results. It takes time to mold our strategy, analyze the data, and make adjustments when necessary.
What’s your favorite thing about Salem?
The beautiful history of architecture. I love walking around some of the old neighborhoods and imagining what it looked like hundreds of years ago. My favorite area is the Wharf area and Derby Street. I lived off of Derby Street for three years and loved how the Willows, the Commons, the waterfront, and Downtown area so close in proximity.
What is something no one knows about you?
That’s a tough one. I’d have to say my passion for cars. My father was a mechanic in Salem back in the 70’s and 80’s and growing up we’d always work on the family cars together (mostly me handing him tools and finding the bolts and nuts that fell in tight places).
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