Resources for Continuing Education: Learning about the Game

While I may be an EXCELLENT source of information, a veritable guru on 7Search capability, I don’t have all the answers. PPC is a big world, and changes, updates, breakthroughs, and strategies come and go. There are a lot of experts out there with good ideas that are willing to share insight. I believe in exploring all the information and using what works best for you. Now, don’t be intimidated if you do not have a large body of knowledge. Luckily, the device you are using to promote products can also supply you with research material and perspective. Let me share some sites that I refer to for my own edification.

Searchengineland.com This is a great site that supplies information on all things internet-related. There are sections devoted to search engine marketing (SEM), search engine optimization (SEO), and pay per click. The writers and bloggers do a great job of sharing their expert insight into their particular field. One particularly useful section is the PPC Academy (http://tinyurl.com/ydqsmzq). This is essential reading, especially for novice 7Search advertisers. This section does an amazing job of explaining the bare bones of pay per click advertising.  Broken down into parts, the academy takes you through all of the factors that contribute to success with your promotions.

SEL also has sections for special features, social media, and a dedicated column on Google. The latest features discuss the latest trade show in New York and why you should attend, and the celebrities that are on Google + and Twitter (http://searchengineland.com/features-analysis). The social media sections covers the latest sites making waves, like Digg, Foursquare, and Twitter. The columns section features advice from industry professionals, and allows you to chime in with your opinions.

SEOMOZ.org This site features software to help you manage your optimization efforts, but also has references to help you improve your marketing. The software offered, called SEOmoz PRO, “combines campaign-based monitoring, actionable recommendations, and premium access to the web’s largest SEO community.” A trial basis option is available.

The other sections available include a community section (www.seomoz.org/community) that features a blog that visitors can contribute their own posts. This fosters sharing ideas and opinions that can prove to be really helpful. There is even a section for job seekers for industry types!

The Resources section is a nicely organized, easy to navigate area that beginner marketers can refer to for ideas. You can gain access to webinars (online classes or information sessions), videos made by industry professionals that provide tips on SEO factors, and a Q&A section, a bulletin board where you can ask questions of the community to find answers.

Searchenginewatch.com Here is another well-stocked resource for the latest news and trends on all devices online. There are sections that cover the SEO/PPC aspect of internet commerce, as well as industry news and trends. This also features sections for Analytics, Local traffic, Mobile traffic, as well as PPC and SEO. These sections provide articles on how to decipher your reporting, the benefit of targeting local traffic, and how to target mobile traffic. You won’t find this kind of information available everywhere, and can be to your advantage to explore.

There are sections for online Q&A forums, a Newsletter sections where you can sign up to receive updates on SEO articles in your email, as well as a Jobs section for industry types. There is also a Newswall section, a cool page that is laid out to allow you to click on any thumbnail image connected to an article of interest. It’s like having an archive turned inside out and plopped in front of you to skim over.

Another interesting section is the Stats section, an area dedicated to Search engine ratings and stats, which is really valuable information to help you improve your visibility on search results. The Tools section gives the read hard techniques to improve their choices in their platform use. Articles include 5 Tips for Selecting PPC Keywords (http://searchenginewatch.com/article/2096672/5-Tips-for-Selecting-PPC-Keywords), how to capitalize on your competitor’s mistakes (http://searchenginewatch.com/article/2096698/SEO-Strategy-How-to-Capitalize-on-Your-Competitors-Mistakes), and improving your ad copy (http://searchenginewatch.com/article/2095610/How-Do-You-Spell-Website-Success-Correctly).

There are answers out there. If you have questions, do some research on the subject. You might be surprised to learn that the issues you are having are quite common. These sites and others like them are free and constantly updated. No one will ask you to sign up, or purchase something. Help yourself and your business by continuing your education.