May 8, 2012 – The much anticipated Members Appreciation Night took place this week with Bing’s Duane Forrester sharing his insights on how search engines work – specifically Bing – and how we can apply that knowledge to successful search results. Duane began by calling out a mistake that too many search professionals make.  We often get caught up with details such as site index and meta tag updates.  In reality, though, content is still king.  Consider, for example, that MSN’s website Read more [...]

Rapidly-growing data-driven digital marketing agency located in Portland, Oregon specializing in Search Engine Optimization, Paid Search Marketing, Content Creation and Distribution, and Social Media Marketing is looking for proven individual with industry experience and strong technical PPC skills to implement and manage online campaigns for world-renowned client roster. Open, energetic career environment. Competitive salary and benefits. If you have this: • Advanced Paid Search Marketing Read more [...]

For today’s search agencies, there’s no shortage of information, advice and opinions on the best way to optimize your clients’ campaigns for greater value, or to make the latest Google algorithm tweak work better for you. What there isn’t a whole lot of, however, is information on how to improve the business side of your search agency.  As the search landscape continues to evolve—adding mobile, social, display and more along the way—those on the executive team at search agencies Read more [...]

April 10, 2012 – The focus at this month’s SEMpdx event was pay-per-click ads.  Ryan Campbell, from Amplify Interactive, guided us through a few quick and easy ways to set up a campaign on Google’s Display Network.  Tips included selecting 5-20 keywords per ad group and allowing Google to identify relevant websites for a larger net of possibilities.  After the campaign is launched and bids have been adjusted (based on the average cpc), check the automatic placements report.  If you sort Read more [...]

“A crowded street An empty train A fool for love You cry in vain”…Bryan Ferry ‘Fool For Love’ It had been 6 weeks since Jackie and I broke up. And, I admit, I wasn’t doing too well. Everywhere I went and everything I experienced, I found some way to connect it back to when we were still together, making me feel real sad. Going to the mall was particularly painful since Jackie and I frequently went there either for dinner or to see films. I had avoided the mall for about Read more [...]

Top 6 Reasons to Take the SEMPO State of Search Marketing Survey today 6) Your feedback is important, this SEMPO Survey reveals a great deal about the industry and where it’s going. Your contribution is essential to gathering great data to share with you, our members and the industry. 5) Upon completion, you’ll be entered to win a new iPad. 4) Upon completion, if you belong to a Regional or Local Search Marketing Organization, just add your Organization name to the final page of the Read more [...]

SEMpdx and Portland State have teamed up to offer a scholarship twice per year to students who wish to take the Search Engine Marketing course in the PSU Digital Marketing Strategies certificate program.   The current scholarship covers the course fee ($650) for the Search Engine Marketing course taught on 3 consecutive Fridays, April 20 through May 4.  Click on the scholarship link to complete an application. All applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 30.   The winner will be selected Read more [...]

Speakers: Marshall Simmonds, Define Media Group Rhea Drysdale, Outspoken Media   Summary Marshall and Rhea provided cutting-edge strategies and tactics to maximize your exposure in non-traditional results like News, Images, Videos, Blogs, and Maps in this presentation at Search Fest 2012.   Marshall Simmonds Nov. 2011 – Google releases freshness update which includes trusted resources almost immediately. 25% of queries were fresh results Fast-forward to Feb. Read more [...]

Analytics creates the ability to track and measure revenue from a lead to completion focus. The Advanced Analytics session reviewed important metrics to emphasize when analyzing your data to minimize confusion and map your digital business plan. Conrad Saam, the Director of Marketing at Urbanspoon, discussed analytics from his perspective, which involves translating the data between people who are actually doing it and high level executives. The main points emphasized during his presentation Read more [...]

Local/Mobile Strategies & Tactics Chris Silver Smith of Argent Media Local and Social: Trends and Tips for Growing Your Business Google Local Rankings 2012 Now over 200 Ranking Factors used Human ratings of webpages included Humans perform varying levels of local listing verifications too. Classic SEO elements still effect local rankings: Title, description meta, domain name, image alt text, keywords in text, etc. Categories that Influence Local Ranking Factors Relevance: Read more [...]