Business Coach Houston
Almost weekly I have one or more conversations with small business owners who are wrestling with the decision to spend money on internet marketing. When I ask them what they know about search engine marketing (or SEM) they typically get the deer-in-the-headlights look and say something like, “Well, it’s where you pay somebody you don’t know a lot of money to do something – but you don’t know what – that get’s you business from the internet – but you don’t know how.”
Most owners have an intuitive sense that they need to be marketing themselves on the internet but they don’t know how! Unfortunately, this makes them prime targets of unscrupulous vendors who want to take advantage of them.
Now there are a lot of reputable SEM companies today and they are worth every penny they charge for their services. However, I have seen many business owners taken advantage of, and that’s why I’m writing this! Let me start with a simple definition.
Some people use the term SEM in contrast to SEO, referring only to pay-per-click advertising or some other paid component. This creates confusion in conversations so be sure you both are speaking about the same thing. However, most professionals view SEM as a comprehensive term (see: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SEM.html.)
The goal of SEM is to increase your visibility on the search engine results page (or SERP.) Good visibility along with a good website (e.g. attractive, clear call to action, and good content) will result in new business. Companies or people who do this professionally are referred to as search engine marketing management (SEMM) professionals.
Before you jump out and spend a lot of money on something you don’t know much about, educate yourself! As a business coach, helping my clients make wise, strategic decisions is one of the most valuable services I provide for them! Make sure your marketing dollars produce new business!
Tags: Marketing