How long does it take to rank #1?
It depends on how competitive your keyword is, your level of skill as an SEO, and how much you're willing to put into it. For a noncompetitive keyword, it's possible to achieve #1 in mere hours. On the other hand, even with loads of money and tons of talent, a highly competitive keyword may not be acquired for years.
Remember that for every keyword that has value, there's someone out there trying to be #1 and reap the rewards. Don't give up hope! That person may be by themselves and not very good at what they do. If you work smart, do your research, and put in the time, I'm certain that any keyword is obtainable. After all, someone is ranking #1 for it right now!
Researching your competition is a good idea. If you can successfully duplicate your competitor's steps, you'll remain #2 at best. Why? Because they did it first! If you're able to watch what they did, then make similar steps in a brighter way, you're sure to beat them.
