By: Arthur Cooper
Submitted: 2010-10-11 14:29:05 | Word Count: 664
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) targets the natural (organic) listings of the major search engines i.e. Google, Bing and Yahoo. SEM (Search Engine Marketing) is a broader t term that includes both SEO, Sponsored Search also known as Pay per Click (PPC), Affiliate Marketing, Social Media Marketing and other online marketing methods. Terminology aside, training for SEM is for those who seek to develop themselves into full time internet marketers and decidedly NOT for those who are running an online business.
Search Engine Marketing is a multi-faceted, multi-dimensional set of specialties and sub-specialties all focused on being found primarily on the first page of the search engines for targeted keywords and phrases. It is expensive to outsource and takes considerable time before you can see significant results. You also can’t stop doing SEO because you will lose visibility since your competition most likely will not stop.
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Even though these clear obstacles exist, there are a number of companies / websites that offer seminars, webinars and classroom training for SEM. These companies are responding to the false notion that you can get to page 1 and run your business all at the same time with a few hours of training.
We feel that SEM methodologies need to be not only understood, which a training course may be suitable for, but must be implemented on a daily basis over a considerable period of time before anyone can consider themselves trained for SEM. In addition there are so many processes and specialties involved that it is not likely that one person will be able to master all of them and still run a business; let me go further … its downright impossible.
Rather than seeking SEM training, we suggest starting “at the source” by becoming familiar with the Google Webmaster Tools. It’s free and easily available through the Google site. It is clear and comprehensive and it is certainly from an authority; after all, they control the algorithm.
If you are serious about training to become a full-fledged, full time SEM Professional, you should only seek comprehensive training that focuses on the following areas that are actually important for all areas of internet marketing:
* Keyword Research – the cornerstone of all Internet Marketing including SEO
* Onsite Optimization – this is the geeky part of SEO; those on-page items such as titles, descriptions, keyword density, metatags, W3 Validation, dynamic site maps … just to name a few.
* Offsite Optimization – this is all about Backlink Growth. Make sure that the course emphasizes the importance of content indexation and syndication.
* SEO Copywriting – fresh updated content is critical i.e. articles press releases, blogs, etc.
* Analytical Software and Conversion Optimization – all SEO is predicated on website analysis to understand and respond to the actual human interaction with each webpage. Where did the visitor come from? What keyword / phrase was used? Did the visitor engage or bounce from the page? There are dozens more questions answered by great analytics.
* Other Online Marketing Mediums – Affiliate marketing, social media, social bookmarking and etc.
While there are many additional areas, these are the ones that should guide your quest for great SEM training. These are also the key areas that Optimum7 writes about all of the time and is posted in our articles section of the website and in our blog.
There is also the issue of staying up to date and understanding trends and changes. In the past year Google Caffeine and Google Instant are both major developments that no training class in 2009 could have trained you for. No training course you take in 2010 will foretell new developments in 2011 and beyond. So, you need to attend conferences, webinars and more to stay close to the facts and be prepared to respond to these developments on the fly.
If you are an owner of an online business this is probably not for you. Seek a Professional SEM firm; a full service Internet Marketing Company. Seek proof i.e. page 1 results for existing clients as well as proof of ROI. Interview them too!
You can always contact us if you require SEM training for your IT Department or your staff. The initial phone consultation is free. You can call us at 1-800-736-9618.
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