Add You - Business

Web Branding Matters -- Part Two
Brands grow in time. They appear over night but they can die as fast if you fail to address at least four of the crucial aspects of the branding process:1. You need to understand your clients, their needs and the market. When you write about your products don’t write something like “buy this product because it is good”. Write “this product is good because…” and start naming its features. And ask yourself: is this product really necessary?2. Reinforce your brand with online and offline communication tools: emails and newsletters (opt-in based, and not bought from who-knows-what traffic exchange firm). All aspects of the customer service should be branded: ask your employees to answer the phone by first providing the name of the company, then their own name. That works for “first-time” emails as well: always attach a signature, always write intelligent messages, and reaffirm your business statement.3. If your slogan is “light and beauty” stress it in a newsletter by writing: to bring light and beauty in your lives we have created this product and link to the product. Beware: all your branding efforts mean nothing if the product you sell is inferior and if you don’t keep your promises. All your promo

rs to fill them. This extreme demand means Search Engine Marketers can pick and choose their jobs and/or clients. The more skilled marketers are head-hunted regularly. For Search Engine Optimization firms, there are more than enough clients to go around and rarely a need to advertise for new business. That's why you often find SEOs turning away clients or recommending their competitors during extremely busy periods.

Experts in select specialties such as Pay Per Click Advertising (a sub-set of Search Engine Marketing) are currently enjoying even higher demand than usual, as advertisers out-bid each other to have their site shown for popular keyword searches on Google, Yahoo! and MSN. Another indicator of high demand is the sheer number of search-related job postings seen on employment sites such as those listed here: http://www.searchenginecollege.com/hub/weblinks.php?cat_id=45.

9) The Industry is Hip and Groovy

There's something very trendy about people in search that I can't quite put my finger on. There's a constant buzz around them. If you've ever been to a search engine conference or to Google’s headquarters you'll know what I mean. Maybe it's the fact that they've come from so many different professions. Or that the age range of search marketers varies from teens to Baby Boomers. Or their whacky dress sense. Maybe it's the smell of money and happiness that they give off. Maybe it's the fact that they are constantly in the media. I don't know. All I know is that it's no longer uncool to be a geek. In fact it's downright hip to be square.

10) The Skills Are Portable and Global

Skills in search engine marketing are portable and global. You don't need to

To Do Or Not To Do, Is Cold Calling a Waster of Time?
Many would say that cold calling is a waste of time in today’s society. That may be driven from a rather narrow perspective. Cold calling takes a lot of different forms.Years ago it was the young potential entrepreneur wandering the neighborhoods trying to set up appointments for their sales staff. There was some physical danger to this as you never knew what you might encounter at 5 pm in the afternoon. Sometimes the knock on the door could result in lovers running to the door in disheveled clothing, who with a very angry look, learn they been disturbed only to talk about the benefits of double glazing. In such cases cold calling is a waste of time.Another knock may have resulted in the innocent entrepreneur being victimized by a bunch of young ladies meeting at home after school. In such case this group would think nothing about pouring jugs of cold water over the idiot knocking on the door. For these kinds of reasons it is not hard to think that cold calling is a waste of time. However, there are many forms of cold calling.Today, cold calling is a waste of time for many appointment setting, or lead gathering organizations, as technology has replaced the need. However, some organizations

Are you currently seeking employment? Looking for a new profession? Considering a career change? Then a job in the field of Search Engine Marketing should be at the top of your list. Here are 10 reasons why:

1) The Search Industry is HOT

The first dot-com bubble may have burst 6 years ago, but the current bubble is getting bigger and stronger every day. One of the main reasons for the current dot-com boom is the skyrocketing growth of the search engine industry. No longer the territory of geekdom, search has exploded into the mainstream over the past few years and businesses are falling over themselves to get seen by online searchers. And they'll pay big bucks to search engines for the privilege. Have you noticed that Google shares recently hit USD 500 EACH? It's not a coincidence. Search giants like Google, Yahoo and AOL can't fail to make money because everybody wants a bit of the search action. There's no denying, search is HOT, HOT, HOT.

2) It's Considered one of Four Jobs on the Cutting Edge

According to a recent article - http://msn.careerbuilder.com/custom/msn/careeradvice/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=788&SiteId=cbmsnhp4788&sc_extcmp=JS_788_home1>1=8421&cbRecursionCnt=2&cbsid=dffd02a7a8aa4561ad84b5dd0251859b-220746271-WF-2 - on MSN Careers, the position of Search Engine Optimizer is considered one of four jobs on the cutting edge right now. Who gave it this title? A representative from the world's largest specialized recruitment firm - Robert Half International Inc.

Search Engine Optimization is considered a sub-set of Search Engine Marketing. If you're unsure what a Search Engine Optimizer (SEO) does, below is a definition provided by MSN Careers:

"Search engine optimizers (SEOs) increase a firm's Web site traffic by improving its search-engine page rankings. This is an especially important task in today's Internet-driven world, where many customers first learn of an organization and its products or services through the Web. Because of a shortage of experts in this relatively new area, many top SEOs receive multiple job offers. SEOs typically supplement their knowledge of how various search engines operate and determine page rankings with strong marketing skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively and program using HTML."

Wikipedia also defines Search Engine Optimizers here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_Engine_Optimizers.

3) The Pay is Fantastic

A job in the search industry can be unbelievably lucrative. As noted recently - http://www.searchengineguide.com/searchbrief/senews/008127.html - by Jennifer Laycock of Search Engine Guide, "There are quite literally more jobs than there are skilled marketers and salaries can skyrocket to almost embarrassing levels."

Have you seen the type of salaries that search engine marketing and search engine optimization consultants are currently commanding in the US? Clearly, the search industry is making some people rich. Here are some typical salaries in USD:

Entry level SEO/SEM position = $30-45K
Three to five years experience / online account managers = $50-75K
Five + years / organic SEO specialists = $75-90K
Senior management level = $70-120K
SEM Director = $95-150K
VP Level = $100-315K

Additional Salary links:

http://www.clickz.com/showPage.html?page=3591061
http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?t=10543

4) You Don't Need a College Degree

Because the search industry is relatively young, there are only a handful of online courses and certifications offered in the field of Search Engine Marketing (Search Engine College - http://www.searchenginecollege.com - being one training provider).

Most search engine marketing practitioners are self-taught, learning the trade by experimenting with their own sites, researching trends, attending conferences and participating in discussion forums and so employers don't generally require SEO / SEM certification or a tertiary qualification as a pre-requisite for a position in the industry.

However, candidates who hold a marketing degree or specific industry certification in Search Engine Marketing may well have an edge over their fellow applicants when it comes to interview selection.

5) You Can Learn it all Online

Everything you need to know to become a Search Engine Marketer, you can learn online. All the information is out there, you just have to find it. To become an expert in SEO / SEM, you need to do research, research and more research. Read everything you can get your hands on relating to search on a daily basis, including articles, forums, ebooks, blogs and newsfeeds. Then you need to put this knowledge into practice by experimenting with your own sites, or finding guinea pig sites to practice on such as those of friends, family or charity sites until you find the methods that give you the best results. Programming knowledge is not a pre-requisite for SEO / SEM jobs, but it does help to learn basic HTML. There are plenty of free HTML tutorials online.

If you don't fancy years of research or are in a hurry to jump-start your career in search, consider taking an online Certification course in one of the many Search Engine Marketing disciplines such as the Certification Pathways - http://www.searchenginecollege.com/search-engine-college-certification-pathways.htm - provided by Search Engine College. These type of courses are usually tutor-led and designed to fast-track your training and ensure you gain the right type of skills to make you immediately employable within the search industry.

6) You Can Be Your Own Boss

Because most of the work you'll be doing is online, Search Engine Optimizers and Search Engine Marketers often have the freedom of choice to work for an employer, work from home and/or freelance. Many SEO / SEM freelancers end up hiring workers and starting their own company due to the massive demand. This gives search engine marketing experts the work from home lifestyle that others can only dream of.

7) Search Marketing Has the WOW Factor

Once they know what they're doing, it's very easy for a Search Engine Marketer to wow their clients. The difference that a successful SEO or PPC campaign can make to a client's bottom line is substantial. I've seen online conversion rates for a client zoom from 1% to a massive 5% after just two small tweaks to their web site. And although rankings are not as important as actual conversions, clients still get very excited to see their site listed in the top 10 search results for certain keywords. It's the WOW factor in action.

8) The Demand is Strong and Growing

As mentioned in relation to search engine salaries, there are literally many more jobs than there are skilled marketers to fill them. This extreme demand means Search Engine Marketers can pick and choose their jobs and/or clients. The more skilled marketers are head-hunted regularly. For Search Engine Optimization firms, there are more than enough clients to go around and rarely a need to advertise for new business. That's why you often find SEOs turning away clients or recommending their competitors during extremely busy periods.

9) The Industry is Hip and Groovy

10) The Skills Are Portable and Global

Skills in search engine marketing are portable and global. You don't need to

Innovation - Top Ten Tips
Everybody talks about innovation but not many firms can “walk the talk” and turn a creative idea into something of value. According to the Harvard Business Review only 1 in 10 new product introductions succeed in the market.But what makes the difference between success and failure? If we knew the answer we could use innovation to drive faster growth and superior profits.I asked 65 companies world-wide to look back at their recent projects and decide why some projects worked and some didn’t. They include IBM, Microsoft, Lloyds Bank and the RAF. Here are the conclusions of the study:1. Know exactly who will buy your product, under what circumstances and at what price.2. Make sure the product is high on the list of priorities for your customer and they need it urgently.3. Your product should at least save time, save money, be the easiest to use or the most stylish.4. Get evidence of these benefits so you can demonstrate them easily to the customer.5. Build a team with one vision and one goal, where there is trust and everyone is motivated to succeed.6. Make sure everyone in the team has a clear understanding of the aims and objectives of the project, as well as awar

Wikipedia also defines Search Engine Optimizers here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_Engine_Optimizers.

3) The Pay is Fantastic

Additional Salary links:

http://www.clickz.com/showPage.html?page=3591061
http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?t=10543

4) You Don't Need a College Degree

However, candidates who hold a marketing degree or specific industry certification in Search Engine Marketing may well have an edge over their fellow applicants when it comes to interview selection.

5) You Can Learn it all Online

6) You Can Be Your Own Boss

7) Search Marketing Has the WOW Factor

8) The Demand is Strong and Growing

9) The Industry is Hip and Groovy

10) The Skills Are Portable and Global

Skills in search engine marketing are portable and global. You don't need to

Facing The Truth About Paper: What You Probably Suspected, But Hate To Admit!
Losing a piece of paper can cost you piece of mind, a harmonious relationship, valuable time, an account, a promotion, or even your job! October is National Clean-Out Your Files Month -- a great time to face the facts about paper.According to research sited by Abigail Sellen and Richard Harper in The Myth of the Paperless Office (MIT Press 2002), by the year 2005 there will be 50% more paper in offices than there was in 1995. In addition, the average person spends over 150 hours a year looking for misplaced information. It’s clear that the concept of the paperless office is a myth, not to be realized in our lifetime. But let’s face it! Check out the homes and offices all over America and it is imminently clear that using traditional filing methods, the problem of managing paper will never be solved. There simply aren’t enough human resources to make file labels and put files in alphabetical order!An international office products company did a study which rated filing as the most hated job in the office. (I hope they didn’t pay much for that survey!) But the problem is much bigger than that! Here’s the real question: “How do you find the information in the filing system about the company car?”

.com/showthread.php?t=10543

4) You Don't Need a College Degree

However, candidates who hold a marketing degree or specific industry certification in Search Engine Marketing may well have an edge over their fellow applicants when it comes to interview selection.

5) You Can Learn it all Online

6) You Can Be Your Own Boss

7) Search Marketing Has the WOW Factor

8) The Demand is Strong and Growing

9) The Industry is Hip and Groovy

10) The Skills Are Portable and Global

Skills in search engine marketing are portable and global. You don't need to

Going Loco for Logos
You have just opened your business and are about to place your first ad in the newspaper or Yellow Pages. The rep asks you if you have a logo. Gulp. A logo? You panic and realize you have to have one and fast. After all, every business has a logo and look how successful they have become. Check out Coke, Microsoft, Honda, Wal-Mart, and the list goes on and on. So you grab the local directory and pick a graphic designer or ad agency and get moving. Thousands of dollars later, you present the new logo to your ad rep and are well on your way to success, fame and fortune. After all, now you have a logo.Let’s back up. Take a look at the process where a business is born and think about the timeline. When Bill Gates began tooling with operating systems for Microsoft, did he begin by designing a logo? If you look at the first Coca-Cola logos, you wouldn’t even recognize them today. Other companies simply resorted to their initials such as RCA, IBM, or UPS in a slightly distinctive typeface. You see, their focus was actually on the business, rather than the public’s perception. Later, they would hire advertising agencies to do the promotion and, if warranted, promote their logo.Can a logo build a brand and make th

of research or are in a hurry to jump-start your career in search, consider taking an online Certification course in one of the many Search Engine Marketing disciplines such as the Certification Pathways - http://www.searchenginecollege.com/search-engine-college-certification-pathways.htm - provided by Search Engine College. These type of courses are usually tutor-led and designed to fast-track your training and ensure you gain the right type of skills to make you immediately employable within the search industry.

6) You Can Be Your Own Boss

7) Search Marketing Has the WOW Factor

8) The Demand is Strong and Growing

9) The Industry is Hip and Groovy

10) The Skills Are Portable and Global

Skills in search engine marketing are portable and global. You don't need to

Creativity Creates Real Wealth
So many businesses are just plain dull. Totally lacking is that spark of creativity and energy. Instead, an image of decadence and boredom. I try to avoid shopping in these places. I bet many other people do likewise.I'm always on the lookout for the guy who dares to be different. Who believes his customers are entitled to a little theater in their shopping experience.I've been a retailer for 40 years and in that time I've learnt a lot about the retail business. Something which is never fully learnt or even properly understood is the element of creativity. The importance of finding creative ways to attract customers and even more creative ways of selling to them.Retailing is a highly competitive business and the giants in the industry are more like giant killers with their massive buying and selling power. Yet, their size can also be a handicap. The bigger you get, the harder to manoeuvre.There you have it. Problems for the small operators to combat the big guys and problems for the big guys who can't respond quickly enough to counter his smaller competitors. Nobody is immune from competition. No such thing as a monopoly in this day and age.Peter the Painter runs a small paint shop

9) The Industry is Hip and Groovy

10) The Skills Are Portable and Global

Skills in search engine marketing are portable and global. You don't need to be at a desk, in an office or on the phone all day. You don't even need to meet your clients. Of all my clients, I've probably only met 20 percent of them and spoken to half of them on the phone or via chat. You can be on vacation for six months out of the year in various locations and still conduct business. You literally only need a computer and an Internet connection. The Internet is the universal equalizer. You can service clients in any country in the world, in many different languages. You can compete with one man operations and Fortune 500 companies on the same level playing field. The flexibility of the search industry is a huge advantage over other career options. Have laptop, will travel!

11) Job Satisfaction is High

Search is a fascinating industry. With all the hype, daily gossip, corporate take-overs, start-ups and geek toys, I can guarantee that you won't get bored. This combined with the flexible work hours, low start-up costs, ability to be your own boss and the excellent income keeps job satisfaction high for Search Engine Marketers. So what are you waiting for? Go get a job in search!

HTTP = HTML link (for blogs, profiles,phorums):
<a href="http://www.addyou.info/article/9912/addyou-11-Reasons-Why-You-Should-Consider-A-Job-In-Search-Engine-Marketing.html">11 Reasons Why You Should Consider A Job In Search Engine Marketing</a>

BB link (for phorums):
[url=http://www.addyou.info/article/9912/addyou-11-Reasons-Why-You-Should-Consider-A-Job-In-Search-Engine-Marketing.html]11 Reasons Why You Should Consider A Job In Search Engine Marketing[/url]

Whether you keep track with a pencil and a pocket notebook, a PDA, create a spreadsheet, or use one of several software packages, keeping track of every penny coming and going will transform your finances and build your financial acumen faster than any ten books on the subject.

Do you run a business that is centered on other businesses? If so, you likely offer services that many businesses and business owners need. These services may include anything from handling the overflow of customer phone calls to the scheduling of customer appointments. One service that you may want to consider offering, if you don't already offer it, is voice mail service.

All too often business owners get confused and ultimately dejected because they can't get a peace about investing or not investing in a creative marketing/design project. I've developed an easy, logical and methodical approach to help you decide which marketing and design projects you need to invest in.

Tags

Links

Add You - 11 Reasons Why You Should Consider A Job In Search Engine Marketing

Related Articles: