Hi Mickey
Thanks for the post I must admit I joined freelanceuk after reading some of your post
I must clarify that I never intended to give in-depth advice as this would really pee off my fee paying clients, I did assume that the advice would be for people with limited knowledge (as the replies have show I was correct)
In direct reply to your questions: I have been using
seo techniques for 6 years (although for the last 4 years I have outsourced all the leg work) and as I am sure you are aware it is a job where you are constantly playing catch up to the search engine algorithm.
Depending on who you talk to the advice varies as to whether you use an on or off site blog so I use both. There is a chance that google will disregard one blog so it is always advisable to have varying content on both avoiding duplicate content penalties.
Whilst google will find your site (it can take up to 3 months) adding your url will speed the process up. I have recently read an old article from matt cutts about this but sods law I have not been able to locate it again.
I do believe the last paragraph sums up the essence of
SEO and any following that will not go far wrong.
Thanks
Rick