SEO In-house Blog

The ROI on Conference Expenses - It would make the Finance Dept. Salivate

SES San Jose 2007 is just around the corner and you may still be fighting for the time off and budget money to make the trek. Here is more information to help your management to understand why it's an necessary investment with an ROI that makes it a no-brainer.

At every conference I get more than my money's worth of networking and innovative ideas. Being at a conference resets your perspective and takes off your "corporate tinted glasses", a dangerous thing to be wearing in the search marketing world - particularly if you haven't taken them off in a while.

I once wondered if there would be day that I don't get enough from a search conference to make it worth-while. After 5 years, I continue to walk away with enough ideas, strategies and new directions to keep a large in-house SEO department busy for a very long time.

To further reinforce that you  get something out of regular attendance at search engine conferences, I want to introduce you to my friend Craig Paddock:

• Craig Paddock has attended every single Search Engine Strategies conference in the US since the conference started. That makes 17 consecutive shows, not including other events such as WebmasterWorld Pubcon.
• Craig sits in sessions ALL DAY, even the early sessions.
• In every single session, Craig is writing non-stop.... OK, he's also checking e-mail :)
• He networks and mingles.
• He leaves every event with new ideas, different perspectives and insight into the pulse of what's really happening out in the SERPs.
• Craig Paddock is not the search marketer I would want to be competing with.

Is it worth attending several events a year? You betcha. And the risk of competing with someone like Craig makes it easy to see why it's an investment with a conversion and ROI that would make your finance department salivate.

If you need specific examples of the type of information and forward thinking ideas you will walk away with, Craig Paddock has a very good recap what he learns by attending SES Conferences regularly. Take note, much of it isn't happening in the sessions on the formal agenda.

See you at the show!

Ladies Luncheon at SES San Jose 2007

Ladies, there's a women's lunch happening at SES San Jose 2007. It's a small group, with a limit of 40 women. RSVP quickly if you're interested.

I will be at this luncheon, and attended the event at SES NYC 2007 (it was refreshing do see a large group of women at a search marketing event).

This event is organized by Li Evans, known for her Women in Internet Marketing interviews.

• WHERE:   The Grill on the Alley, 172 S Market St San Jose, CA 95113  (This restaurant is inside the Fairmont Hotel about 2 blocks from the conference center)
• WHEN:  Monday August 20th, 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.
• MENU:  Right now I have three to choose from they range in price from $20 to $30 (each menu has more for the entrees). Tip of 20% is extra.
• SPACE: We have space for about 40 people, so please RSVP as we filled up very fast at our last event.
• RSVP: Send an email to smg -a-t- searchmarketinggurusDOTcom

Full Women's Luncheon Details

Looking for In-house Search Marketers to Interview

I write the In-house Spotlight column at Search Engine Journal and am looking for experienced search marketers in-house who want to be considered for their moment "in the spotlight."

Just a few notes:

• I am Public Relations friendly - keep them in the loop as much as you like.
• We're interested in knowing about search marketing at your company, things you've learned and tactics that will help other in-house search marketers be successful at executing search marketing activities.
• It's at two-step interview:  (1) Quick chat to learn more about your challenges and unique ways of doing things that others can learn from, this helps me tailor the questions for your interview, (2) I will email you a list of questions that you'll send back.
• Example Articles

I'll be at SES San Jose, so write "interview me" on your card and hand it to me during the conference. 
If you aren't going to SES, you can email me at:  j e s s i c a b o w m a n @ gmail dot com, use "Interview Me" as the subject.

In-house Party at SES San Jose 2007

In-house search marketers, we're moving up in the world!  Thanks to SEMPO we have our very own party at SES San Jose 2007. Vendors/consultants not allowed, which means you get to mingle with people not selling anything, and  who really want to network with other in-house search marketers.

Date:  Monday 8/20  7:30 - 9:30pm

Location: Sainte Claire Hotel,about 2 blocks from the convention center (across from the main Conf. Hotel) http://www.thesainteclaire.com/index.html

Bring: Loads of business cards.

Requirement: Must be a current in-house search marketer.

You do NOT have to be a SEMPO member to attend.   :-)

I will be there and look forward to meeting everyone! 

In-house Speaker(s) Needed in Houston, Interactive Strategies '07 (Oct 25)

Just got word that Chris Ray from Money Management International is looking for an in-house search marketer(s) who can speak at the Houston Marketing Association's Interactive Strategies '07.

Speak on: Experiences, war stories and lessons learned on search engine marketing in-house.

Who: Houston Interactive Marketing Association (HiMA)
What: Speaking Gig: Interactive Strategies '07
Where: Houston, TX

When: October 25, 2007 (Event)
Deadline: August 31, 2007 (Speaker Proposals Due)

Submit Your In-house Search Marketing Speaking Proposal

Questions to ask Prospective SEO Firms

You're an in-house SEO in need of outsourcing services. You could go to the big names, but you get big price tags.  When money is an issue, you have to seek lower priced alternatives. This is when its vital to properly assess a good SEO vs. a bad one.

SEOmoz has a great list of questions to ask a prospective SEO firm. Actually, the story is pitched to answer them before you start charging for services, but it's a great list to field prospective consultants and agencies.

The one question I would add to the list is:  What are your thoughts about PageRank?  I'm shocked at the answers I get for that one. For the record, here is  my two cents on Google PageRank.