Meet Chris Galis, Senior SEO Specialist & Team Lead at Studio!

How did you get started in your industry? (Alternatively: what’s your background?

Creative writing degree, I used to write for music blogs and magazines. When I moved to Austin, I needed some supplemental income to pay the rent so I was taking freelance writing gigs online. My first job was to write duplicate pages for a site called Yigdigs.com (they did For Sale by Owner content)

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I really like the autonomy here and that if you see a problem, you can create a solution without having to jump through hoops. Really makes things move quickly.

What’s the funniest interaction you’ve ever had with a client or a coworker?

I used to work on a site that sold BDSM jewelry. The client went by Mr. Beast online. On the phone he was a very nice, soft-spoken guy who really wanted to sell his handmade jewelry.

What’s one thing about (SEO/PPC/Social/Design/whatever) you wish everyone knew?

Anyone can do SEO, it’s really a bunch of best practices, guidelines, and standards that follow. It’s not a hard skill. The experts are just the people who have been learning about it and staying on top of the trends.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I play in a band!

What’s your proudest moment while working here? (client interaction, completion of a project)

Most of the interns I’ve worked with have become full-time members of our team.

What’s something interesting no one knows about you?

I own a 24′ sailboat and don’t know how to sail.

What song title best describes your personality?

Desperado

What advice would you give to people just starting in the online marketing & design industry?

Read, listen, and watch everything you can. That’s really the only way to learn things and get ideas to “click.” You should also start a blog and write about the things you’re learning about, then keep track of it. It will help you learn more about the industry, look good on your resume, and will teach you how SEO works.

What’s your favorite restaurant in Austin?

Thai Khun

Do you have any pets?

2 dogs, 4-5 porch cats at any given time.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Slow down time, or make the time you have in a day longer. Even when I’m not at work, it never seems like I have enough time to do what I want.