Comments on: Reader Poll: Can SES, SMX and Pubcon Coexist? http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/ Grow your business with TopRank Online Marketing tips, articles, & expert information on social media, content marketing & search engine marketing. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:17:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Reader Poll: Trends in Search Marketing for 2008 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-299865 Reader Poll: Trends in Search Marketing for 2008 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 22:13:09 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-299865 [...] marketers are thinking. Popular polls have included the rating of favorite resources like whether multiple search conferences can exist and succeed to the best keyword research [...] [...] marketers are thinking. Popular polls have included the rating of favorite resources like whether multiple search conferences can exist and succeed to the best keyword research [...]

]]> By: SEM training overload, who will survive? » SEM Training & Certification http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-236705 SEM training overload, who will survive? » SEM Training & Certification Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:55:17 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-236705 [...] on over here to add your thoughts to the variety of responses he’s already received or go here to take his poll and add you two cents worth. Can market demand support the growing number of SEM [...] [...] on over here to add your thoughts to the variety of responses he’s already received or go here to take his poll and add you two cents worth. Can market demand support the growing number of SEM [...]

]]> By: Ayat http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-222955 Ayat Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:00:54 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-222955 Yes for now, I'm not sure later. It's still very surprising to see the number of people that are becoming more aware of Search Engine marketing and strategies. However, even now we are findiong more and more people that don't attend those conferences for educational purposes since they are in the know-how, but rather as a networking event. I've heard from many attendees that they thought many of the lectures were dull, repetitive, etc. So although there are still many out there (now) that may not have a clue and need that education, but soon enough barrier will filled giving the conferences the challenge of changing direction, adding new information and ideas, and marketing to a new audience at a different level. Yes for now, I’m not sure later. It’s still very surprising to see the number of people that are becoming more aware of Search Engine marketing and strategies. However, even now we are findiong more and more people that don’t attend those conferences for educational purposes since they are in the know-how, but rather as a networking event. I’ve heard from many attendees that they thought many of the lectures were dull, repetitive, etc. So although there are still many out there (now) that may not have a clue and need that education, but soon enough barrier will filled giving the conferences the challenge of changing direction, adding new information and ideas, and marketing to a new audience at a different level.

]]> By: Mutiple Conferences, One Window; We can All Get Along at Hello, My Name Is… http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-220756 Mutiple Conferences, One Window; We can All Get Along at Hello, My Name Is… Thu, 27 Sep 2007 15:12:24 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-220756 [...] respected voices, author of the Online Marketing Blog and CEO of TopRank Online Marketing asks in this reader poll post if multiple shows servicing the same sector can [...] [...] respected voices, author of the Online Marketing Blog and CEO of TopRank Online Marketing asks in this reader poll post if multiple shows servicing the same sector can [...]

]]> By: Ben Lloyd http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-213531 Ben Lloyd Wed, 19 Sep 2007 18:50:32 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-213531 Interesting question and one that my peers @ SEMpdx have a keen interest in. We started our local SEM organization (www.sempdx.org) with the intent to raise the level of awareness & education surrounding SEM in our local market (Portland, Oregon). We put together a full-day multi-track SEM conference of our own (SearchFest) and attracted some pretty good to great speakers including Rand Fishkin, Matt McGhee, Jeff Pruitt, etc. As we plan our 2008 SearchFest event while I continue to regularly attend SES etc, I always begin to wonder when this market is going to reach the complete saturation point. Then we put on another one of our regular monthly events and attendance just keeps growing. Then you ask "who has done keyword research for their site?" or "who knows what a title tag is?" and you get completely baffled & mystified looks. I think we have a long way to go before we hit the saturation point. Interesting question and one that my peers @ SEMpdx have a keen interest in. We started our local SEM organization (www.sempdx.org) with the intent to raise the level of awareness & education surrounding SEM in our local market (Portland, Oregon). We put together a full-day multi-track SEM conference of our own (SearchFest) and attracted some pretty good to great speakers including Rand Fishkin, Matt McGhee, Jeff Pruitt, etc. As we plan our 2008 SearchFest event while I continue to regularly attend SES etc, I always begin to wonder when this market is going to reach the complete saturation point. Then we put on another one of our regular monthly events and attendance just keeps growing. Then you ask “who has done keyword research for their site?” or “who knows what a title tag is?” and you get completely baffled & mystified looks. I think we have a long way to go before we hit the saturation point.

]]> By: Mary Bowling http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-212649 Mary Bowling Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-212649 Competition is good. It will let the good shows thrive and the poor ones waste away. Like most other things, as long as the buyers perceive good value for their money, they'll keep coming. Competition is good. It will let the good shows thrive and the poor ones waste away. Like most other things, as long as the buyers perceive good value for their money, they’ll keep coming.

]]> By: Joe Dolson http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-212632 Joe Dolson Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:38:18 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-212632 I certainly don't question that it will become a valuable resource --- my question is more concerning the scope of the program. How many people can it really serve? Most of the existing programs are operating on a relatively small scale --- conferences help broaden the resources available to learn. I certainly don’t question that it will become a valuable resource — my question is more concerning the scope of the program. How many people can it really serve? Most of the existing programs are operating on a relatively small scale — conferences help broaden the resources available to learn.

]]> By: Lee Odden http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-211898 Lee Odden Mon, 17 Sep 2007 20:51:16 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-211898 Whew! I have some comment catching up to do! Joe, I am of course, biased about the DMA training program and since Matt Bailey is involved with the "architecture" of the Advanced modules, I'm sure it will become a valuable resource for that niche. Dana, Donna and Charlie, I am with you on the notion that multiple conferences serve different needs. I think that's the winning formula in that each conference should focus on specializing in some way. Either with content or the audience they're serving. Erica, you're such a troublemaker. :) Actually, I've had that experience myself when I spoke at Jill Whalen's workshop and also at Search Insider Summit. It was another group of speakers and refreshing. Julie, I think you're on to something and I know one thing the smaller events could do a much better job of, and that's their PR. With more media exposure, the niche events would be more credible and it can be a lot easier to "sell the boss" on an event if they've heard of it before. Whew! I have some comment catching up to do!

Joe, I am of course, biased about the DMA training program and since Matt Bailey is involved with the “architecture” of the Advanced modules, I’m sure it will become a valuable resource for that niche.

Dana, Donna and Charlie, I am with you on the notion that multiple conferences serve different needs. I think that’s the winning formula in that each conference should focus on specializing in some way. Either with content or the audience they’re serving.

Erica, you’re such a troublemaker. :) Actually, I’ve had that experience myself when I spoke at Jill Whalen’s workshop and also at Search Insider Summit. It was another group of speakers and refreshing.

Julie, I think you’re on to something and I know one thing the smaller events could do a much better job of, and that’s their PR. With more media exposure, the niche events would be more credible and it can be a lot easier to “sell the boss” on an event if they’ve heard of it before.

]]> By: Julie Kosbab http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-211847 Julie Kosbab Mon, 17 Sep 2007 19:46:26 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-211847 One reason I think SES gets so many first-timers/new-to-conferences attendees is that it's the most 'corporate' of the shows, and thus easiest for a lot of people to justify to their leaders. A lot of people I've run into at SES events aren't what we'd consider 'SEOs' so much as they're mainline marketers who have been told they have to worry about web initiatives. One reason I think SES gets so many first-timers/new-to-conferences attendees is that it’s the most ‘corporate’ of the shows, and thus easiest for a lot of people to justify to their leaders. A lot of people I’ve run into at SES events aren’t what we’d consider ‘SEOs’ so much as they’re mainline marketers who have been told they have to worry about web initiatives.

]]> By: Erica Forrette http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-211743 Erica Forrette Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:59:02 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-211743 What I also like about the plethora of conference options (from a content as well as location perspective) is that often times, the smaller, more nichey conferences have different speakers than "the usual suspects" so often featured at the big conferences. Yeah, I'm talkin to you Odden. Just kidding! :-) The OG speakers are all really good, but it is nice to see some fresh faces on the podium. What I also like about the plethora of conference options (from a content as well as location perspective) is that often times, the smaller, more nichey conferences have different speakers than “the usual suspects” so often featured at the big conferences.

Yeah, I’m talkin to you Odden. Just kidding! :-) The OG speakers are all really good, but it is nice to see some fresh faces on the podium.

]]> By: Charlie Ramsey http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-211521 Charlie Ramsey Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:40:39 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-211521 As always content is king. Which ever show provides the most ROI will win. Its an investment to go to a show and if i don't get what i pay for i wont go again. So i think these shows are going to have to diffentiate themselfs from each other in order for them to survive together. As always content is king. Which ever show provides the most ROI will win. Its an investment to go to a show and if i don’t get what i pay for i wont go again. So i think these shows are going to have to diffentiate themselfs from each other in order for them to survive together.

]]> By: SEM training overload, who will survive? » SEM Training & Certification http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-211520 SEM training overload, who will survive? » SEM Training & Certification Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:39:49 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-211520 [...] programs wither on the vine? Head on over here to add your thoughts to the variety of answers or go here to take his poll and ad you two cents worth. Can market demand support the growing number of SEM [...] [...] programs wither on the vine? Head on over here to add your thoughts to the variety of answers or go here to take his poll and ad you two cents worth. Can market demand support the growing number of SEM [...]

]]> By: DazzlinDonna http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-209902 DazzlinDonna Sat, 15 Sep 2007 02:17:09 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-209902 I think we'll see more people attending more shows, but the mix is going to get larger. Yes, we can continue to support several search related conferences, but there will have to be differentiation between them. In addition, I think we'll see the same folks attending marketing type shows that aren't specific to search, rather than attending multiple search related conferences each year. More shows...fewer that are strictly search. I think we’ll see more people attending more shows, but the mix is going to get larger. Yes, we can continue to support several search related conferences, but there will have to be differentiation between them. In addition, I think we’ll see the same folks attending marketing type shows that aren’t specific to search, rather than attending multiple search related conferences each year. More shows…fewer that are strictly search.

]]> By: Dana Lookadoo (PixelBella) http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-209771 Dana Lookadoo (PixelBella) Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:31:13 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-209771 Having just attended SES San Jose, I don't see San Jose on the 2008 line-up yet, so maybe that's part of the "cut back." I'm looking forward to SMX in Santa Clara and prefer a 3-day venue rather than 4. It's like eating...snack throughout the day so you can digest and assimilate. I feel like I've just eaten a Thanksgiving meal after leaving SES. The addition of niche shows is also a plus - attended ClickZ's Email Marketing Conf in SF and absorbed a lot. Add Internet Retailer Conference to the line-up for e-commerce focus. Multiple shows fill many needs. Challenge: Finding time and budget to make it to all the show. Thank God for blogs! Having just attended SES San Jose, I don’t see San Jose on the 2008 line-up yet, so maybe that’s part of the “cut back.” I’m looking forward to SMX in Santa Clara and prefer a 3-day venue rather than 4. It’s like eating…snack throughout the day so you can digest and assimilate. I feel like I’ve just eaten a Thanksgiving meal after leaving SES.

The addition of niche shows is also a plus – attended ClickZ’s Email Marketing Conf in SF and absorbed a lot. Add Internet Retailer Conference to the line-up for e-commerce focus. Multiple shows fill many needs.

Challenge: Finding time and budget to make it to all the show. Thank God for blogs!

]]> By: Joe Dolson http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-209732 Joe Dolson Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:37:14 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-209732 Until there's a solid and consistent educational program set up for SEM --- one which can keep up with the rapid pace of change in the field --- there will be plenty of room for SEM-focused conferences. The traditional university-type program, with curriculum reviews and all the related difficulties of establishing programs years (or even semesters) in advance simply won't work - so something needs to step into that educational space. The DMA program is one example starting to fill in that space, but at this point there isn't really a lot out there. A dozen relatively small programs can't handle the demand. Mass educational opportunities like conferences can fill in the gaps, for the moment. Until there’s a solid and consistent educational program set up for SEM — one which can keep up with the rapid pace of change in the field — there will be plenty of room for SEM-focused conferences. The traditional university-type program, with curriculum reviews and all the related difficulties of establishing programs years (or even semesters) in advance simply won’t work – so something needs to step into that educational space.

The DMA program is one example starting to fill in that space, but at this point there isn’t really a lot out there. A dozen relatively small programs can’t handle the demand. Mass educational opportunities like conferences can fill in the gaps, for the moment.

]]> By: Lee Odden http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-209705 Lee Odden Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:03:36 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-209705 Michael, I think that's spot on. Keep costs low for entry and then provide a weekend of useful info to inspire confidence in your abilities. Some will be able to implement on their own and some will outsource. It's a model that's already in place with the High Rankings seminars and several others that recently popped up this year. Michael, I think that’s spot on. Keep costs low for entry and then provide a weekend of useful info to inspire confidence in your abilities. Some will be able to implement on their own and some will outsource. It’s a model that’s already in place with the High Rankings seminars and several others that recently popped up this year.

]]> By: Matt McGee http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-209680 Matt McGee Fri, 14 Sep 2007 20:15:47 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-209680 My only fear is that, at some point, we'll all just be talking to ourselves at one of these. But as long as those hands keep going up (from new attendees), we'll be fine. My only fear is that, at some point, we’ll all just be talking to ourselves at one of these. But as long as those hands keep going up (from new attendees), we’ll be fine.

]]> By: Michael Dorausch http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-209678 Michael Dorausch Fri, 14 Sep 2007 20:11:11 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-209678 I forgot to mention this earlier. Go niche and run a 2-day weekend program for small business owners. A good SEO firm could attract many new clients and "own" an entire space if they stayed focused and ran an efficient program. I forgot to mention this earlier. Go niche and run a 2-day weekend program for small business owners. A good SEO firm could attract many new clients and “own” an entire space if they stayed focused and ran an efficient program.

]]> By: Lee Odden http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-209676 Lee Odden Fri, 14 Sep 2007 19:59:44 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-209676 With bigger shows, I suspect a lot of the money is made from exhibitors and sponsorships. Niche events can provide specialized information and low operational costs. I would think large events would need substantially more marketing and speaker firepower to attract mass audiences. With bigger shows, I suspect a lot of the money is made from exhibitors and sponsorships. Niche events can provide specialized information and low operational costs. I would think large events would need substantially more marketing and speaker firepower to attract mass audiences.

]]> By: Jon Kelly http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-209638 Jon Kelly Fri, 14 Sep 2007 19:12:20 +0000 http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/09/reader-poll-can-ses-smx-and-pubcon-coexist/#comment-209638 I think there will have to be consolidation. Particularly for exhibtors & sponsors fewer/bigger shows are preferrable. Daver may be right that it just takes the form of specialization, with each circuit developing a brand to hit a particular segment. I think there will have to be consolidation. Particularly for exhibtors & sponsors fewer/bigger shows are preferrable. Daver may be right that it just takes the form of specialization, with each circuit developing a brand to hit a particular segment.

]]>