Seeking SEO / PPC / SEM Projects for Jobs Board

If you're a regular reader of Ask Kalena, you're probably already aware that we have a Jobs Board on Search Engine College. Membership to the site is free and there is no charge for advertising positions vacant. What you may not be aware of is that we recently added a special forum dedicated to short-term and freelance search engine marketing projects.

As well as the ability to advertise full-time positions vacant, employers and agencies can now post any short-term projects (including both paid and volunteer) that they are seeking help with. Search Engine College students are encouraged to use this feature of the Jobs Board to volunteer their services for projects as a way to test and hone the skills acquired during their training. The Jobs Board is also open to the public, so it's a great way to find high quality, inexpensive freelance staff for your projects.

If you've got a SEO, PPC or SEM project that you need help with, please create a free account on our Jobs Board and post your project. We'll make sure it gets in front of as many eyeballs as possible.

Subscribe via: Yahoo Feeds | Feedburner | Technorati | Bloglines

Top 20 Most Ingenious SEO Company Names

Think your company name is pretty clever? In my experience, the most inventive company names are devised by SEO and SEM companies. Here are my Top 20 favorites in reverse order:

20) Beyond Ink
19) eTraffic Jams
18) eMergent Marketing
17) GetToTheTop
16) Pure Visibility
15) Page One Results
14) Raise My Rank
13) We Build Pages
12) Beanstalk Search Engine Positioning
11) TopSpot Internet Marketing Solutions
10) FoundPages
9) High Rankings
8) Prominent Placement
7) Pole Position Marketing
6) 2B Interactive
5) Right Now Communications
4) Tidal Wave Media
3) Think Prospect
2) Haystack in a Needle

And my vote for the most ingenious SEO company name goes to... (drumroll please)

1) InnVisibility - a company offering what else but SEO services to inns, B&Bs and other accommodation providers.

Clever huh? These sure make my company name Jordan Consulting Group seem uninspiring!

Know some others that should be in the list? Add them to the comments on this post.

Subscribe via: Yahoo Feeds | Feedburner | Technorati | Bloglines

Search Industry Job Of The Week: SEO Specialist

Job Title: Search Engine Optimization Specialist
Job Reference #: Unknown
Position Type: full time
Name of employer: DigitalGrit
Location: New York/New Jersey Metro Area
Date Posted: 15 October 2007
Position description:

DigitalGrit is an innovative, cutting edge, fun and smart company extremely dedicated to our employees' and clients' satisfaction. We were named one of the Best Small and Medium Companies to Work for in America by SHRM in 2006. We've also been named among the top 5 Best Places to Work in New Jersey in 2005 and 2006. Plus, we've made Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 for New Jersey for the last two years, too. But we don't want to brag.

DigitalGrit Inc., is a leading full service interactive marketing company serving Fortune 500 clients, and part of a larger Digital Marketing Services and Technology company, Adverb Media. We are looking for highly motivated and experienced Search Engine Optimization Experts to join our growing and dynamic team. DigitalGrit offers a work environment that fosters and rewards innovation, creativity, and leadership. This fantastic career opportunity awaits the right candidate.

Job Responsibilities

• Translating the client's goals and objectives into overall strategies and then executing on those SEO Initiatives
  
  
• Keyword analysis and selection
  
  
• Site side analysis and recommendations
  
  
• Link analysis and recommendations (usually through the DG New Media team but not necessarily)
  
  
• Integration with New Media and SEM Reporting and analysis, client communication and presentation
  
  
• Program scope and management
  
  
• Meet or exceed client goals
  
  
• Maintaining client relations

Requirements Needed

• Extensive knowledge of the search engine marketing industry
  
  
• Expert in natural search engine listings and search algorithms (3+ years exp)
  
  
• Ability to reverse engineer Google, Yahoo, MSN, Ask search algorithms
  
  
• Deep understanding of key factors, on-page and off-page, that influence organic search rankings (5 forces +)
  
  
• Up-to-date knowledge of events, trends, and changes in algorithmic search industry
  
  
• Strong knowledge in Internet and web development technologies: HTML, XHTML, Java, CSS, Flash, ASP, PHP, etc.
  
  
• Demonstrated results increasing site rankings and search traffic
  
  
• Ability to measure results and assess ongoing strategy
  
  
• Skill managing and consulting with Fortune 1000 level clients
  
  
• Adherence to the highest ethical standards

If you are looking for an opportunity to become a major player within a great company, then consider applying to DigitalGrit. New Jersey and New York applicants accepted. Tremendous career growth opportunities, a competitive salary, Fortune 500 level benefits package (including retirement savings accounts, dental and full medical coverage) await the right candidate.

Salary range: Unknown
Closing date: Unknown
More info from: [http://www.seoconsultants.com/jobs/digitalgrit/]
Contact: Send resumes with cover letter to: dgresume[at]digitalgrit.com

For more Search Industry jobs visit: Search Engine College Jobs Board


Subscribe via: Yahoo Feeds Feedburner Technorati Bloglines

Search Industry Job Of The Week: PPC Specialist

Job Title: Pay-Per-Click Specialist - Experienced

Job Reference #: Unknown

Position Type: full time

Name of employer: ROI Revolution

Location: Raleigh, NC

Date Posted: 4 October 2007

Position description:

Experienced Pay Per Click Specialist needed to join the winning team at ROI Revolution immediately!

As a Google Analytics Authorized Consulting partner (read our blog, study our website), ROI Revolution is experiencing rapid growth. Further, we are often privy to cutting-edge developments in the ever-changing Internet landscape. When you join the ROI Revolution team, you'll have the opportunity to help us help our clients achieve ROI-driven marketing results, learn about ground-breaking announcements before the news goes public, and meet industry leaders and Google insiders.

ROI Revolution is a rapidly-growing company composed of a tightly-knit 13 person (and growing!) team and an innovative work environment. Enjoy complimentary company lunch on Fridays, a very casual dress-code, and a break room stocked with free snacks, sodas, and other goodies. Work with friendly, fun, yet passionate/focused colleagues.

We have an immediate opening for an internet savvy and energetic team player who is a creative and proactive thinker to plan, manage and optimize successful Pay Per Click marketing campaigns. We are searching for a talented, creative individual with at least 12 months experience with pay-per-click advertising to join our team. Compensation commensurate with experience and ability.

Work hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities include:

Create, categorize and refine keyword lists to create a comprehensive campaign that drives qualified visitors to client sites. Implement successful bidding strategies and effective keyword management. Continually monitor, revise, and optimize ad text as necessary. Analyze and assess the performance of campaigns and translate quantitative and qualitative data into recommendations and plans for revising the campaign strategy. Communicate regularly with clients on status, timeline, budget, deliverables, performance reporting, and competitive intelligence analysis.

Job Qualifications:

Analytical and problem-solving skills to find solutions to various pay per click advertising problems and prioritize work. Self-starter with “can-do” attitude and strong work ethic. Excellent phone ability; extreme Internet and e-mail proficiency. Strong knowledge of business and an excellent command of the English language, both oral and written.

Education and Experience Requirements:

Bachelor's degree from 4-year accredited college Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher 12 months or more of Pay Per Click experience Preferences: Google Adwords Certification a plus. Knowledge and experience with HTML and Google Analytics is also a plus.

Computer Equipment and Software Requirements:

Proficiency with Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Office Tools Suite. Intermediate Excel skills.

This is an immediate opening. Relocation assistance is not offered with this position. Please do not apply unless you live in the Raleigh, NC area or are ready to move to the Raleigh, NC area in the next two to three weeks.

This job description reflects the current assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned, and may be revised, at any time, as business needs warrant.

Salary range: Negotiable

Closing date: Unknown

More info from: [www.roirevolution.com]

Contact: Send resumes via online form to: [www.roirevolution.com]

For more search industry job vacancies visit: Search Engine College Jobs Board

Subscribe via: Yahoo Feeds | Feedburner | Technorati | Bloglines

Q and A: How do you handle clients that pay late?

Dear Kalena...

Can I ask how you handle clients that pay late? Not so much those that are a week or two but those that are a good month or more. It's one part of the business I just don't seem to have a handle on.

Anonymous

Kalena's Answer:

Dear Anonymous

We used to have problems with SEM clients paying late, but it seemed to stop when we started using Freshbooks for all invoicing. The system allows you to pre-configure up to 4 invoice reminders that go out at certain time intervals e.g.

- Your Account is now 7 days overdue. Please pay your Account as soon as possible, thanks.

- Your Account is now 14 days overdue. Please pay your Account as soon as possible, or advise us of a problem via return email, thanks.

- Your Account is now 30 days overdue. Please pay your Account immediately to avoid penalty interest, or advise us of a problem via return email.

- If your Account is not paid within 7 days it will be passed on to our creditors for default collection.

We have also introduced very strict terms and conditions where invoices beyond 30 days overdue attract interest calculated daily. A link to these terms are on all invoices and business proposals. In reality, we rarely charge the interest as long as clients let us know they will be paying late, but it acts as a good deterrent!


Need more than advice? Take a Search Engine Marketing course online

Subscribe via: Yahoo Feeds | Feedburner | Technorati | Bloglines

iProspect Open Office Down Under

I just heard the news that search marketing power agency iProspect have opened an office here in Australia. It was a study by iProspect of the search engine visibility of the Fortune 500 firms in the US that inspired me to conduct a similar study of the web sites belonging to Australia's Top 100 companies back in 2002.

I take this news as a positive sign that the SEM / SEO market in Australia is finally maturing.

Need more than advice? Take a Search Engine Marketing course online

Subscribe via: Yahoo Feeds | Feedburner | Technorati | Bloglines

Q and A: As a freelance SEM, how should I structure my fees?

Dear Kalena...

I've been running PPC campaigns and advising my employer's clients on SEO for a while and last month I finally decided to go freelance.

Something you may be able to help me with is how I should structure my standard charges for new clients? The fees charged by agencies vary enormously so it would be good to get your opinion on what constitutes a 'realistic' pricing structure for a freelancer. What works best for you?

Some SEM's charge a CPA but while this may at first seem attractive to some clients, I'm not convinced it's always as transparent as they are led to believe. Is an hourly rate better? Should I charge differently for SEO? Sorry for so many questions, but I'd really appreciate your advice.

Thanks
Giles

Kalena's Answer:

Hi Giles

It's really difficult to advise on fees because SEM and SEO consultants all work differently. The way you structure your fees should reflect both your working style and the projects you take on. I used to quote every client on a project-by-project basis, which required me to conduct a full analysis of each site up-front, for no fee (as this was technically pre-sales activity).

I soon learned that this was not cost-effective for me. I now charge an hourly rate and quote projects based on the estimated hours each will take. But some clients may not like an hourly rate. When it comes to freelancing, here are my tips:

1) Don't provide a fixed quote for any project, always provide an estimate in case the work takes longer than you expect.

2) Don't undercharge for your work. Quote a rate that you're worth or you will resent the project and the client. If you lose a project to undercutting by a competitor, let it go! It's not worth compromising the value of your expertise.

3) Unless you have full access to the client's site metrics, a solid understanding of and respect for their product and access to their current and future online sales figures, avoid any cost-per-acquisition or commission-based deals.

4) An hourly rate is often more cost-effective for you and easier for your clients to understand.

5) Try to quote in hours, not in dollars. This makes it easier to divide larger projects into smaller jobs and helps the client understand how valuable your time is.

6) Keep strict timesheets when working on a project to ensure you don't undercharge. A fantastic online tool for keeping timesheets and invoicing clients based on project hours is Freshbooks.

7) A monthly retainer for clients can often work well, with the ability for clients to top up hours as needed.

8) Allow clients to buy your hours in bulk for a discount e.g. 10 percent discount for a block of 10 or more hours.

9) Always ask for a percentage of the costs up front e.g. five retainer hours towards the project.

10) If a client is asking for exclusivity in their industry or market, don't be afraid to charge extra for the privilege. After all, it may mean you have to turn down future work.

Need more than advice? Take a Search Engine Marketing course online

Subscribe via: Yahoo Feeds | Feedburner | Technorati | Bloglines

Q and A: How do I start a SEO business?

Dear Kalena...

I want to ask how do I start a SEO business? I've got some knowledge and background as I'm going through some training about SEO and would like to know more about it. Do you have any advice? I'm currently in Indonesia and I'm Chinese.

Proson

Kalena's Answer:

Dear Proson

Assuming you already have good SEO skills and experience, you shouldn't have any problem setting up on your own. Start off by becoming a freelancer, bidding for projects and doing SEO jobs wherever you can find them. Read my posts about SEO /SEM jobs for more information on setting out on your own. I also recommend reading my article 11 Reasons Why You Should Consider a Job in Search Engine Marketing.

If you think you need more SEO training, you might want to consider taking one of the Search Engine Optimization training courses we offer at Search Engine College. Our Advanced SEO course even has a bonus chapter on starting your own SEO business.

If you'd like to consider alternative training options, my article SEM Industry Training: What are the Options? should point you in the right direction.


Subscribe via: Yahoo Feeds | Feedburner | Technorati | Bloglines

Q and A: Where can I find search engine optimization services at low cost?

Dear Kalena...

How can I find someone to optimize my site at a low cost? You listed 11 things (a Google penalty, dodgy code, hidden text, new competitors, 404 errors, keyword stuffing, fast acquisition of links, domain issues, major hosti­ng outages, over-optimization and code bloat) in your Site Pro News article. I wouldn't know where to start.

I am going to Africa for three months and I need someone to optimize my site while I am gone. How do I find someone to work on my site at a low rate?

Don

Kalena's Answer:

Dear Don

There are plenty of smaller SEO companies and freelance SEO experts that I'm sure would be interested in helping you. A good place to start is ELance, where you can post your project and let people out-bid each other to do the work. You can choose who you want to complete the project based on costs, experience and a host of other factors.

Failing that, you can search the SEO Consultants Directory for a lower cost SEO provider. All companies listed in the Directory are required to meet stringent ethical and professional SEO standards before being listed.

Keep watching our Search Engine College Jobs Board because soon we will be launching a new projects area on there where companies can list small jobs and SEM projects they need help with.

Need more than advice? Take a Search Engine Marketing course online

Subscribe via: Yahoo Feeds | Feedburner | Technorati | Bloglines

Q and A: What should we look for in a web design company?

Dear Kalena...

I've been reading your blog for a few months now and I just want to let you know how much I enjoy it. I have a few broad questions for you. But I'm donating you 2 coffees for your help to get you through them.

Ok, here it goes: Dr. Bell, the owner of the business, really wants to redesign our site. He wants a fresh clean look that people will want to checkout frequently. We want someone local, so we can talk face to face with them. My questions are, What should we look for in a website design company? We have a pretty big site, we are willing to pay good amounts to get a really nice job done, but what is a realistic but fair price(so we don't get ripped off)? Is there anything else that we should know or do? Thank you so much for your help.

PS I really liked the new newsletter and I'm happy you are back and healthy.

Thanks Again
Victoria

Kalena's Answer:

Dear Victoria

Choosing a web design firm is a big decision. A US client of mine just went through the selection process and evaluated the candidates based upon five criteria:

1. quality
2. price
3. flexibility
4. reputation; and
5. ability to meet timeframe

They eventually narrowed the field down to two candidates, one close to their own location in the US and the other in Australia. Their gut instinct told them the Aussie firm would be a better fit but they were concerned about how the time difference would impact on their relationship with the designer and their ability to meet deadlines.

Interestingly, they ended up choosing the Australian designer, despite their concerns about ease of communication with the time difference. So what made them choose a company thousands of miles away? Several reasons:

1. They weren't convinced that the local firm understood their target market and the importance of site conversions to their business. In their proposal, the Australian designer addressed site usability and conversions as crucial to their approach.

2. While the local company provided a portfolio of impressive site designs they had developed, the Australian designer had an excellent global reputation for creating beautiful web sites that were also search engine friendly.

3. The Australian designer had several US clients who gave glowing references from both a professional and personal perspective.

4. In her proposal, the Australian designer demonstrated that she understood the client's primary objectives and future goals for the site.

5. The Australian designer proved she was flexible regarding potential communication issues. During the final selection process, she worked with the client to verbally address any remaining concerns.

6. The Australian designer came across as honest, warm and friendly on the phone and established a good first impression with the client.

The point here is to use selection criteria to choose your candidates, but go with your gut on the final choice. They need to totally *get* your business and your online goals before they even flesh out a basic site map. Don't let money, size or locality be the deciding factor in your decision.

You need to be able to work with these people closely for some months and develop a good rapport with them. A designer that can meet most of your criteria and with whom you can have an enjoyable conversation may well be a better fit than a firm that meets all your criteria but whose staff seem impersonal or bored.

Oh and one more thing: ALWAYS get client references. Call or email some of their clients and ask about what they are like to work with, if they are happy with the design, etc. If you do a Google search for "what to look for in a web designer", you'll find even more advice.

Subscribe via: Yahoo Feeds | Feedburner | Technorati | Bloglines

Q and A: Where can I find a draft SEO contract?

Dear Kalena...

I’m looking for a good draft of an SEO contract. Do you have any suggestions about where I can obtain one? I’ve found a few on the internet but they’re not quite what I was looking for. I know that whatever I get I will end up adapting it.

Gary

Kalena's Answer:

Dear Gary

I was on a similar search for a good SEO contract a few years ago when I stumbled across Proposal Kit. They include a very detailed SEO contract within their Proposal Kit Pro product and their Contract Kit Pro.

Here is the review I wrote about Proposal Kit's SEO contract. Please note that the links in that article are my affiliate links so I get a small commission if you purchase from them.

But if you happen to like their proposal packs and DO decide to purchase, make sure you mention coupon code WEBRANK to get 10% discount on your purchase.

Subscribe via: Yahoo Feeds | Feedburner | Technorati | Bloglines

Q and A: What is the status of the search industry in Asia?

Dear Kalena...

What would you say about the current status of the search industry in Asia?

Pooja

Kalena's Answer:

Dear Pooja

I can't say I have my ear to the ground in Asia, so I really couldn't tell you about the status of the SEM industry there. I have noticed a huge increase in Indian firms offering SEO services and contract staff to SEO/SEM firms in Australia, Europe and the U.S. so my guess is that India is ahead of the curve.

China is also developing quite a big SEO market, judging by the attendances at the Search Engine Strategies conferences held there to date. For more insights into the Chinese SEM market, I suggest contacting David Temple of China Search Marketing Tour.

Add to: Digg | Del.icio.us | Ma.gnolia | Reddit

Subscribe via: Yahoo Feeds | Feedburner | Technorati | Bloglines

Q and A: What is a reasonable budget for web site marketing?

Dear Kalena...

Love your website. I have been searching for good web marketing companies online and found that most of them charge upwards of $300 a month to give provide you with high rankings. Being an expert, what would you recommend is a reasonable budget for web site marketing? I have just started a website and I am overwhelmed. I contacted similar websites but I have been turned down. What is the trick to getting links? Should I only link with like-minded websites?

Abdi

Kalena's Answer:

Dear Abdi

Asking what a reasonable budget is for web site marketing is a bit like asking "What is a reasonable price for a steak?". It depends. Do you want to do all the work and cook it yourself? Do you want to have it in a burger joint with fries? Or do you want it served rare with a red-wine glaze in a 5 star restaurant? There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

Marketing your web site can be a full-time job, whether you have a 5 page hobby site or a 50,000 page shopping site. You need to decide what you actually want your site to achieve before you decide how to market it. Ask yourself:

- Do I want to attract more traffic?
- Do I want to convert more sales?
- Do I want to attract more sign-ups?
- Do I want more leads?
- How much time can I contribute to marketing?

Then think about what type of budget you can afford monthly and allocate it to in-house or outsourced marketing staff according to your priorities. Search engine marketing is less focused on gaining high rankings these days and more focused on ensuring your site is search engine friendly and user-oriented so it converts to more sales/sign-ups for you. What's the point of achieving high search rankings if the new visitors to your site leave immediately?

Regarding links - there is no point in swapping links with sites that have zero to do with your own site. I've ranted about this before. Concentrate on attracting one-way links from niche search engines and high quality sites with a similar theme to your own. Search my previous posts about link building.

Subscribe via: Yahoo Feeds | Feedburner | Technorati | Bloglines

A Job With Jill Whalen

Ever wanted to work with the First Lady of SEO, Jill Whalen? Well now's your chance.

Jill is currently seeking a Search Marketing Associate to work directly with her on client SEO/SEM accounts at her SEO consultancy High Rankings. The job is based in Framingham MA and you'll need a degree and 1-2 years experience. See the link above for how to apply.

Add to: Digg | Del.icio.us | Ma.gnolia | RawSugar | Reddit

Subscribe via: Yahoo Feeds | Feedburner | Technorati | Bloglines

Q and A: Can you recommend any SEO companies?

Dear Kalena...

Can you recommend any SEO companies and/or consultants? Preferably affordable ones.

Tom

Kalena's Answer:

Dear Tom

I'm not in the habit of recommending one SEO firm over another (especially as I run my own SEO consultancy!). But what you probably want is a list of sites that each have a substantial list of recommended SEO/SEM companies.

---------------------------

[If you found this post helpful, you might benefit from downloading our free Search Engine Optimization lesson]