Being extremely interested in social media and search engine marketing, it was suggested that I check out SEMpdx, which is a local organization “whose mission is to inform and educate area businesses on the benefits of SEM to bottom line revenue.” They have a great deal for students and my membership only set me back $25, which was more than worth it for last nights event alone. I am learning SEM on my own and hearing some experts was really helpful. Some of it was outside my beginner knowledge, but here are my takeaways from the night:

1. If you can, create your own URL shortener for your business so you don’t lose the link juice from using someone else’s.




2. Increasing your website traffic alone is not the end game. Without increasing conversions you’re missing the boat.




3. You can’t just use a loud speaker and spout your message online. You have to find WHERE your customers or target market is online and go play. Become an active voice in the space and the followers, leads and love will find you.




4. New blogs for the feed:

• Search Engine Land
• Marketing Sherpa
• Emarketer
• Marketing Charts

I want to thank the four panelists for sharing their knowledge and time. Their twitter accounts are @kentjlewis @matthewjbrown @annekennedy @audette if you want to find them.

In my marketing strategy class we started a simulation that our entire class is competing in. We get to research fake products that have different dimensions and satisfy five different segments that the software outlines. This is already proving useful in giving us an opportunity to see how our decisions as managers effects our company’s bottom line. Not only that, but the decisions that we make are weighted against our competition to make it even more real. This term is chopped full of fun software and simulations that will give me way more insight into business, marketing and management. I love grad school!

Reasons to work from a marketing plan:

1. Track your goals and objectives-Many small businesses just do advertising when a local rep walks through the door or when they think about it…Never. By having a plan to review and work from, it gives you or your marketing team vision, check points and a light at the end of the tunnel.

2. Create a budget and spend it-Sit down and look into your crystal ball(Facebook)…Now stop stalking your X and focus on 2010. We need to be realistic. If you don’t spend any money on marketing and advertising how do you expect to create leads, donations or sales?

3. Start the conversation-If Noah had tried to build his Arc in a few days, his ship would have sunk. Sitting down with the decision makers can be a stressful and even aggravating experience, but you have to do it. Start explaining social media, the importance of marketing and how the people who increase their marketing/advertising budgets are the ones who will survive the coming flood.

4. Your competition is cutting marketing. If your competition cuts their marketing then it opens the door for you to their clients. If they are not willing to fight for each new lead, then it makes it that much easier to sway new clients to your company. Don’t give in to the dark side and use the force(marketing) already!