Get this entire blog in an e-book!
You are here: Home / Reviews / Books / Duct Tape SEO | Book Review and #giveaway

Duct Tape SEO | Book Review and #giveaway

By Brankica Filed Under: Books

Have you met James Hussey yet? I can’t remember the first time I ran into him. It’s been several months now. But we got connected and I often read his blog. He has the style I really like, every-day-talk as I would call it, where he makes everything sound simple and easy.

He wrote his book in the same style. I got a free copy of his book to read with no obligation to write about it, but I think it is good enough to actually tell you about it. So this is it, the review :)

Duct Tape SEO

James wrote a book about SEO and optimizing your WordPress blogs on a shoestring budget. He started his online ventures and learned along the way which obviously worked for him, since he is doing it full time now.

The name of the book is Duct Tape SEO so it gives you an idea what will you learn from it straight away.

He covers WordPress and its functionality in depth with special focus on SEO, including keyword research. The main goal of the book though isn’t just to teach you SEO, it is to teach you how to do it if you can’t afford Market Samurai, for example.

One of the things I really liked about the book is that he goes into details on keyword research but then also tells you when to follow your guts.

Another thing I like is the money aspect of the book, or better said the money saving aspect of it.

When you are starting your online ventures, you will often start barely having the money for the domain and hosting (how many of you started with a free blog because they could not afford a paid one?).

So once you get into all this and then learn that you need hundreds and hundreds of extra dollars to buy this and that tool or you will fail, you get discouraged and some even give up.

James is showing you the ways to do it without investing hundreds and hundreds of dollars into your blog. Sure, some things take longer if they are free but it is good to have that option.

Who is the book for?

I always learn something new, from almost every book written by a blogger, because all of us have different experiences and focus on mastering different things.

So I can find some interesting points to take home from this one as well. But I believe the book is better for those who are starting out, than seasoned bloggers.

Not because it doesn’t have any advanced tips, it does, but because it is going into a lot of details that you may not want to go through.

Which brings me to the only thing I don’t like about this book. OMG, it is way too long. It has 292 pages!!!

I felt like such a bad person for postponing reading the book and it took pretty much months for me to finish it. It was a good read but with all the online and offline life going on, I just didn’t have time to sit down and go through 292 pages. At the same time I wanted to make sure I know what is in it before I recommend it to anyone.

So bottom line, I do recommend this book to all those who are starting out with their WordPress blogs and don’t want to pour too much money in them but at the same time want to get something out of it.

The real experience James has, that he gained while trying and testing different things is what makes this book valuable. He is making a living online from it and if it worked for him, it may work for you too.

Win a free copy

James was nice enough to let me give one copy away and I wanted to make it easy for you to enter.

So, if you want to win a free copy of this book, all you have to do is retweet this post OR share it on Facebook OR share it on Google+. Not all 3, just one. If you do all 3 that is 3 entries for you.

I will pick a random winner using Random.org, on Friday December 02nd.

Once you retweet or share the post, post the link to it in the comments. How to find a link? In all three networks, the post will have a time of the posting, when you click it, you will be taken to the post URL. Copy the URL and post it in the comments below. I will count up to three entries for each person (one RT or one FB share or one Google+ share).

Have you read this book yet? If you haven’t, don’t forget to enter the giveaway!!!

Pin It

Related posts:

  1. Blog Post Promotion book | Review of Kikolani's Ultimate Guide
  2. If There Was Only One Book in The World, I Wish it Was This One

Sign up to receive

extra marketing, social media and money making tips, delivered straight to your inbox!

Comments

  1. Jane | Problogging Success says:
    11/28/2011 at 12:19 PM

    OK Pit, I’ve tweeted the post

    https://twitter.com/#!/ProblogSuccess/status/141201313366163456

    Hope to get a copy of the book :)

    Cheers,
    Jane.

  2. Victoria @ The PLR Boutique says:
    11/28/2011 at 12:56 PM

    Tweeted as requested!
    http://twitter.com/#!/mydailycuppa/status/141212919739330560

    Good luck everyone.

    Victoria :)

  3. Martin says:
    11/28/2011 at 2:13 PM

    Tweeted : https://twitter.com/#!/martinsaysjump/status/141232910157090816

    Great giveaway.

  4. Sergio Felix says:
    11/28/2011 at 3:30 PM

    Tweeted it, Facebooked it, Googled Plused it!

    Twitter Proof: http://twitter.com/#!/ITSergioFelix/status/141252034740502531

    I don’t know how to show proof for FB or Google Plus though LOL

    Anyway, great share and holy… s… 292 pages… I better not win this! LOL just kidding!

    Take care and have a great start of week Pit! ;-)

    • Brankica says:
      11/30/2011 at 11:36 AM

      +1 doesn’t count :) It is sharing on Google+

      But you got 2 entries, got the Twitter and Facebook!

  5. Thomas says:
    11/28/2011 at 4:08 PM

    Hi Pit
    I normaly love the thing you recommend so I guess I would like this one too.

    http://twitter.com/#!/TechWork_dk/status/141259924058554368
    https://plus.google.com/u/0/?tab=wX#102457028132769572209/posts/6gMCE6X6Xcr

    I am so gonna win this one ;-)

  6. Lori Gosselin says:
    11/28/2011 at 5:07 PM

    Okay – I did it! https://twitter.com/#!/lifeforinstance/status/141276696417542144
    Sounds cool Brankica!
    Lori

  7. John@Comics Art and Web Stuff says:
    11/28/2011 at 6:32 PM

    MUST…WIN…BOOK!!

    http://twitter.com/#!/johngarrettX/status/141293469351149570

    I think that about sums it up!! lol

    Also I thought I plus 1′d this from Triberr but I get over here and it’s not “plused”. Guess I’ll do it again…too lazy to go grab the link though :)

    • Brankica says:
      11/30/2011 at 11:37 AM

      Haha, hate to say it, but +1 doesn’t give a link :) You would need to share it on Google+

      But you are in for Twitter

  8. James Hussey says:
    11/28/2011 at 10:01 PM

    Um – you’re a true friend, Pit – seriously. This is great of you to review the (short?) book. :P

    Honestly I’m thankful for having you on my side (knowing especially you have a mean dog with a serious bite – oh don’t pretend you don’t).

    Too kind of you – and best of luck to the entrants!

    • Brankica says:
      11/30/2011 at 11:38 AM

      OK, I know you shared the post, but you do realize you are NOT in the draw, right, lol

      Oh she does, I tried brushing her teeth the other day and she didn’t appreciate it. My hand hurt whole day how she would not let go ahhaha

  9. Harleena Singh says:
    11/30/2011 at 9:12 AM

    Does sound interesting Branikca!

    I just tweeted about it, though am afraid don’t know how to get the URL link here :(

    Thanks for sharing :)

  10. Shekhar says:
    11/30/2011 at 10:41 AM

    I also want to read this much talked about book by James. Here is my mention of it on G Plus :

    https://plus.google.com/#117053453958717709997/posts

    Let us see if I am in or not.

    Shekhar

  11. Dennis says:
    11/30/2011 at 11:06 AM

    Cant think when will I find time to read this but looks awesome! :)

    https://twitter.com/#!/dleyton/status/141910631409397760

    thanks!!

    • Brankica says:
      11/30/2011 at 11:42 AM

      I can’t see your tweet. Are your tweet protected?

      • Dennis says:
        11/30/2011 at 11:46 AM

        Yes :) But no worries is there! I can send you an screenshot if you want :D (Or follow me back hehe)

        • Brankica says:
          11/30/2011 at 11:58 AM

          I wonder why do you keep your account like that? That actually prevents a lot of people from following you cause a lot of them don’t like to “ask” to follow.

          • Dennis says:
            11/30/2011 at 12:21 PM

            I know, I just want to keep my social accounts away from people at my office :) They they I’ll get to live from my love, I’ll turn it off :)

            If somebody is a friend of mine and he/she’d like to follow me, they will ask, if not, they are not so interested or are not really that related to me

          • Brankica says:
            11/30/2011 at 12:32 PM

            If you are using that account for blogging and social media as I do for example with my account for this blog, that is where it isn’t a great idea. Why not create a “blog Twitter account” and build that brand, without your co-workers knowing it is you?

            Because, you would be surprised how many people simply don’t want to ask to follow you, the “they are not so interested” isn’t the case if you add hoops for them to skip…

            But anyway, sorry, I should not butt in :)

          • Dennis says:
            11/30/2011 at 12:43 PM

            Aaahh, well, first of all, I dont have a blog about blogging, marketting, social media and so on.

            Second, I do have a finess blog and I have twitter, FB and G+ accounts, but it didn´t make any sense to me to share your post with them(also because is a blog in spanish), so thats why I shared it on my personal twitter account where there are more chances someone from my country’s-blog-scene would like it.

            see? :)

            I’m totally not gonna win this book! haha anyway, cool contest

          • Brankica says:
            11/30/2011 at 6:51 PM

            Hey it is a random draw and you are in it! Don’t say you won’t win it till I run that Random.org on you :)

  12. Rajesh says:
    11/30/2011 at 11:23 AM

    retweeted the post.. count me in.. thanks for the consideration..

  13. Bill Dorman says:
    11/30/2011 at 11:27 AM

    Did I win? What if you feel like a seasoned blogger but in reality you are still a rookie? What if you still have a free sight; does that tell you anything?

    That’s ok if you don’t want to do a random drawing and just give it to me; I won’t tell anybody.

    Thanks for sharing; did your dog come to Lakeland?

    • Brankica says:
      11/30/2011 at 11:29 AM

      Hahha, you are in, I saw the tweet, the draw is on Friday :)

      Nope, we didn’t send her. There were too many dogs in the same group that traveled, I didn’t want to stress her out. She isn’t used to such a big crowd, lol

  14. Bellesouth says:
    11/30/2011 at 11:31 AM

    Got it!

    https://twitter.com/#!/bellesouth/status/141916153659408385

    BTW, I am taking the plunge and purchasing a domain, and also switching over from Blogger to WordPress (yay). Have you shared any tips on your blog on how to recover your stats after making the move?

    • Brankica says:
      11/30/2011 at 11:43 AM

      You are in :)

      Which stats are you trying to save? Like traffic?

      • Bellesouth says:
        11/30/2011 at 12:07 PM

        Yes. Well I know my Alexa and PR will go back to the beginning as will my monthly page views. I want to do everything I can to get those numbers back since my work is often dependent on traffic and rankings.

        • Brankica says:
          11/30/2011 at 12:09 PM

          For that, all you have to do is redirect it properly, with 301. Is there a possibility to do that with a free blogger blog?

          • Bellesouth says:
            11/30/2011 at 12:17 PM

            Yep, the gal I’m hiring to do the switch is going to use 301. Along with installing several wp plugins on my blog’s new home.

          • Brankica says:
            11/30/2011 at 6:52 PM

            Nice, can’t wait to see it. Let me know when it is up, I will change all your URLs to the new blog, so you get direct links immediately, so not all your stuff goes through 301s at first :)

  15. Dr. Bob Clarke says:
    11/30/2011 at 11:56 AM

    Hi Brankica,

    Thanks for this opportunity to win a free copy of this book… it looks awesome.

    I tweeted it — here is the link: https://twitter.com/#!/BobandRosemary/status/141861045898711040. Thanks!

  16. Adrienne says:
    11/30/2011 at 12:11 PM

    Just tweeted it! Now wishing myself some luck..Well ok, I guess everyone else too! Lol…Good Luck Everyone

    Thanks Pit,

    https://twitter.com/#!/AdrienneRhodes/status/141923712474677249

  17. Sally Brown says:
    11/30/2011 at 12:18 PM

    Here it is:

    http://twitter.com/#!/slbphoenix/status/141926329087041536

    http://www.facebook.com/slbphoenix/posts/2771868577517

    • Brankica says:
      11/30/2011 at 12:40 PM

      Hey Sally, I can’t see the FB one, your posts are probably not public. You are in :)

  18. Nicole says:
    11/30/2011 at 12:27 PM

    Okay I retweeted your post on Duct tape Seo.

    Nicole

    • Brankica says:
      11/30/2011 at 12:35 PM

      Hey Nicole, got it. Hope you are doing good, I was wondering about you last few days. I see you are kicking a$$ on Twitter :)

  19. Cesar Diaz says:
    11/30/2011 at 12:31 PM

    I tweeted the article; http://twitter.com/#!/cdiaz/status/141931955661975553

    Do we add the facebook and G+ links here on a new comment?

  20. Sissy says:
    11/30/2011 at 12:32 PM

    Thanks for this great contest. Here’s my retweet……..
    http://twitter.com/#!/sissy116/status/141929511875915776

  21. Anne says:
    11/30/2011 at 12:33 PM

    I tweeted it
    https://twitter.com/#!/lunaj1456/status/141932698036994048

  22. Anne says:
    11/30/2011 at 12:39 PM

    I shared on google + also, hopefully I am linking this correctly!

    https://plus.google.com/u/0/104368705815309354391/posts/6VRNz4VENxQ

  23. Steve@Affiliate Marketing Tips says:
    11/30/2011 at 1:04 PM

    Great offer Brankinca,

    James is a great guy who really knows what he is talking about. This book should be a great tool for someones arsenal!

    • Steve@Affiliate Marketing Tips says:
      11/30/2011 at 1:05 PM

      Oops! I butchered your name. Darn big fat sausage fingers.

      • james hussey@Affiliate Marketing Blog says:
        11/30/2011 at 5:35 PM

        Heck yeah, sausage! Yum…

        Oh…not your fingers though. Thanks a ton for the ‘ups’ Steve. I’m looking forward to my first Steve Scott Site-style website to report my findings on, and just for the record anyone who wants to learn a 6 figure way to make money online needs to read Steve’s book (no really though).

        I’m clicking “confirm you are NOT a spammer” even though it looks like Steve paid me for this endorsement – it’s just an awesome book (I think his book is longer). :)

        • Brankica says:
          11/30/2011 at 6:54 PM

          OK, I just ate some cheddar-jalapeno sausages so I can reply to this, lol.

          I read all Steve’s free books and still going through his paid product. Of course, if you didn’t get it James, I think you should, through my affiliate link LOL

  24. Gera@Sweets Foods Blog says:
    11/30/2011 at 1:32 PM

    Hi Brankica,

    Really interesting topic and 292 pages worth reading :)

    I mentioned you on Google Plus, Twitter and Facebook but anyway, here are two addresses:

    https://plus.google.com/u/0/103576168696848381974/posts/PFxfca6zvug
    http://twitter.com/#!/sweetsfoods/status/141944225116852225

    I didn’t figure out how to find the URL on Facebook ;) No case I prefer G plus!

    Wow finally I gave it…
    http://www.facebook.com/sweetsfoods/posts/204775692936773

    Cheers,

    Gera

  25. Tram Tran says:
    11/30/2011 at 4:05 PM

    Just posted about in on my FB page, does it count? http://www.facebook.com/startyoungfinishfirst
    Btw, great blog;) Brankica come say hi sometimes on mine!

  26. Connie Hammond says:
    11/30/2011 at 4:27 PM

    Hey Brankica — quick question: would you mind sharing which google plus plugin you’re using on your site that says “We’re on Google Plus” and lets you add to circles? Love it! Thanks! Connie.

  27. Sergio Felix says:
    11/30/2011 at 6:15 PM

    So I did Google PLUUUUUUUUUUSED now, do I get 4,527 entries now or am I still at 1 from yesterday’s tweet? :D

    Sergio

  28. Deeone says:
    11/30/2011 at 7:36 PM

    A little late, and not even certain if I am doing this right, but I really want that book! :D So here goes…

    https://twitter.com/#!/KingskiddD1
    https://plus.google.com/110262775170662376003/posts
    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1502854985

    That’s three chances!! Awesomeness!

    Thank you Brankica for the opportunity! :)

  29. Bojan says:
    11/30/2011 at 7:55 PM

    I’ve tweeted it, Facebooked it, FourSquared it and LinkedIn-ed it and on top of that I’ve shared it on my FB Page :P

    Amen HootSuite!

  30. Rona Davis says:
    11/30/2011 at 11:57 PM

    Tweeted it:
    @ronadavis Rona Riley Davis
    Duct Tape SEO | Book Review and #giveaway live-your-love.com/duct-tape-seo-… via @liveurlove
    2 minutes ago via Tweet Button Favorite Reply Delete Buffer
    Mentioned in this Tweet

    LiveUrLove
    LiveUrLove Brankica U · Unfollow
    Social Media Sharp Shooter & Online Business Personal Trainer (http://brankicaunderwood.com/)… No, really… I shoot… And have a champion Pit Bull!

    Fb’d it:
    Rona Davis likes a link.
    Duct Tape SEO | Book Review and #giveaway
    Review of Duct Tape SEO book by James Hussey and one copy giveaway.
    Like · · Share · 38 seconds ago

    and Google +’d it:

    Rona Davis – 10:56 PM – Public
    http://live-your-love.com/duct-tape-seo-book/
    Duct Tape SEO | Book Review and #giveaway
    Review of Duct Tape SEO book by James Hussey and one copy giveaway.
    – Comment – Share

    I WANNA WIN!! : D

  31. Jawad Rasul says:
    12/01/2011 at 12:45 AM

    https://plus.google.com/108611980283610389917/plusones
    https://twitter.com/#!/JawadRasul/status/142116584784273408

  32. ScottTheWriter says:
    12/01/2011 at 2:25 AM

    Here is my first entry: Twitter. SEO is something I’ve been telling myself that I have to learn.
    https://twitter.com/#!/ScottTheWriter/status/141955451804844032

    • Brankica says:
      12/01/2011 at 12:08 PM

      This one is in, but the G+ link is pulling an error and FB one says the content is not available. Your post probably isn’t public.

      Thanks so much for entering the give away :)

  33. ScottTheWriter says:
    12/01/2011 at 6:36 AM

    Here is my second entry for the contest – Facebook
    http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1406500909#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=252207924834469&id=1406500909

  34. ScottTheWriter says:
    12/01/2011 at 6:41 AM

    Here is my third entry for the contest – Google+
    https://plus.google.com/#109248820698760257266/posts/JehNX28Uotr

  35. Leanne Chesser says:
    12/01/2011 at 10:50 AM

    Tweeted :) https://twitter.com/#!/LeanneChesser/status/142268786224021504

  36. Barbara says:
    12/01/2011 at 7:30 PM

    https://twitter.com/?iid=am-114225476113226824955793327
    - hope that thing works!

    SEO 292 pages – quite frightening but ready to accept the challenge!

    Thanks, and hope your hand is better!

  37. Barbara says:
    12/01/2011 at 7:34 PM

    No 2 on google+ https://plus.google.com/?hl=en

  38. Barbara says:
    12/01/2011 at 7:41 PM

    No 3 on FB https://www.facebook.com/latenbloomers

  39. Barbara says:
    12/01/2011 at 7:43 PM

    oops, this looks more like it on g+: https://plus.google.com/115617500451536359891/posts?hl=en

  40. Sarah Wood says:
    12/02/2011 at 11:26 AM

    I just tweeted this post – https://twitter.com/#!/SarahWood7/status/142640498442637316

  41. Brankica says:
    12/02/2011 at 11:56 AM

    The winner of the book is Lori G.

    Thanks everyone for participating and I am going to have some more giveaways, one coming next week, so please stay tuned ;)

    • Lori Gosselin says:
      12/05/2011 at 6:07 AM

      Thanks so much Brankica! I’m excited to win the book and to start studying and applying the information! :-)
      Lori

      • Barbara says:
        12/05/2011 at 6:18 AM

        Hi, Lori, how come I am not surprised! Well done, and congrats! Will you do a post on SEO and how it affects your social life? Mind you 292 pages, I am only jealous! Enjoy!

        • Lori Gosselin says:
          12/05/2011 at 7:12 AM

          Hi Barbara,
          I’m going to study the book first and slowly apply what I learn to my sites. If I do it right, you won’t even see the difference – right Brankica? ;-)
          As for how it is going to affect my social life – 297 pages!!! Yep – it’ll take a bite out!
          Lori

  42. Rona Davis says:
    12/02/2011 at 2:43 PM

    Congratulations Lori G.! Okay, now I’m just going to have to go and buy a copy of that 296 page book! : D

    Have a great weekend everyone! Thank you for the contest Brankica!

    Rona the Big Mouth Word Warrior

  43. Jens P. Berget says:
    12/03/2011 at 12:48 PM

    It looks very interesting book. I have just started focusing on SEO with a plugin I bought. It works great, but I need an overview of all the various SEO methods. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  44. Thomas says:
    12/03/2011 at 2:51 PM

    Congratulations to Lori G :-)

  45. james hussey@Affiliate Marketing Blog says:
    12/03/2011 at 3:03 PM

    Thanks, everyone for entering and for Pit putting this up – 93 comments…nicely done! If anyone has questions about the book, I’m on Twitter at TheAvgGenius or contact me at the blog…

    Or James AT TheAverageGenius DOT com works too.