The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

The Search Engine Optimization training series has been developed in direct response to the skyrocketing growth of the search engine industry.

No longer the territory of geekdom, search has exploded into the mainstream over the past few years and businesses are falling over themselves to get seen by online searchers. And they'll pay big bucks to search engines for the privilege. Search giants like Google, Yahoo and AOL can't fail to make money because everybody wants a bit of the search action.

According to a recent article on MSN Careers, the position of Search Engine Optimizer is considered one of four jobs on the cutting edge right now. Search Engine Optimization is considered a sub-set of Search Engine Marketing. Below is a definition of SEO provided by MSN Careers:

"Search engine optimizers (SEOs) increase a firm's Web site traffic by improving its search-engine page rankings. This is an especially important task in today's Internet-driven world, where many customers first learn of an organization and its products or services through the Web. Because of a shortage of experts in this relatively new area, many top SEOs receive multiple job offers. SEOs typically supplement their knowledge of how various search engines operate and determine page rankings with strong marketing skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively and program using HTML."

A job in the search industry can be unbelievably lucrative. As noted recently by Jennifer Laycock of Search Engine Guide, "There are quite literally more jobs than there are skilled marketers and salaries can skyrocket to almost embarrassing levels."

This extreme demand means Search Engine Marketers can pick and choose their jobs and/or clients. The more skilled marketers are head-hunted regularly. Experts in select specialties such as Pay Per Click Advertising (a sub-set of Search Engine Marketing) are currently enjoying even higher demand than usual, as advertisers out-bid each other to have their site shown for popular keyword searches on Google, Yahoo! and MSN. Another indicator of high demand is the sheer number of search-related job postings seen on employment sites.

The Search Engine Optimizer series consists of the following 3 individual courses:

1) Search Engine Optimization 101

2) Search Engine Optimization 201

3) Web Site Copywriting 101

I. Search Engine Optimization 101
a. Course Introduction
b. Introduction to SEO
c. Search Engine Basics
d. SEO Requirements Gathering
e. Keyword Research
f. Title and META Tag Creation
g. SEO Copywriting
h. SEO Integration
i. Search Engine and Directory Submission
j. Search Engine Spam
k. SEO Reporting and Conversions

II. Search Engine Optimization 201
a. Course Introduction
b. Overview of SEO
c. Site Architecture
d. Text Content
e. Dynamic Content
f. Graphics
g. Flash and Splash Pages
h. Frames and Tables
i. Link Popularity
j. Pay For Performance
k. Measuring SEO ROI
l. Starting Your Own SEO Business

III. Web Site Copywriting 101
a. Course Introduction
b. THE Most Important (and most overlooked) Aspect of Copywriting
c. Discover What Copy Type Fits Your Target Audience Best
d. Guess What? Men and Women Are Different!
e. Writing to Please Everybody
f. Headlines - The Beginning and the End
g. Features vs. Benefits - Do You Really Know the Difference?
h. Adding Emotions & Dreams and Tugging On Heartstrings
i. The Power Points of Your Copy
j. A.I.D.A. and the Buying Process
k. Search Engine Optimization - Copy Is Crucial
l. Final Thoughts