Cue suspenseful music...
Her heart nearly jumped a beat as he leapt onto the stage, his eyes dancing across the room, crying out for silence and attention. As she watched, a small device moved from his right hand to his left and then, without warning, it began... With the deftness of an acrobat and the cadence of a poet, he swept her away to a world where anything was possible, where even the greatest challenge was surmountable.
In the end, she felt powerful, in control, ready to storm the Bastille single-handed! Her wits, cunning and guile had carried her this far, but now she had what she needed to reach the top. A smile swept across her eyes and she burst forth with confidence, ready for the road ahead.
I predict that the above shall be only the start of the magnificent reviews our SEO Training Seminar in October will receive.
No, don't worry, the trip to Google & Yahoo! hasn't gone to my head; I'm just being facetious. While I do think we'll have a terrific time and provide a lot of value to attendees, I certainly don't expect to have the blogosphere buzzing with film-noir-esque writeups.
Although Scott technically announced our seminar last Friday, he asked me to write a bit more in-depth about the specifics, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to outline not only what I'll be covering, but what I think is truly important to move from basic knowledge of search marketing to an intermediate or advanced level. The seminar itself is focused on exactly that - transforming attendees who have some experience with SEO into real authorities on the subject. No, you won't become an expert overnight, but you will come away with a lot of answers, teh right questions and the knowledge of where and how to solve them.
Here's what I plan to cover:
- Introduction to Search Engine Marketing (~30 minutes)
Stats, basics and a solid background on the goals and processes critical to good SEO - Search Engine Algorithms (~40 minutes)
We'll dive right into relevancy and popularity, sorting out how the engines rank their content and what elements are playing large and small roles in the ordering - Search Engine Friendly Design (~35 minutes)
To insure there's no confusion, I'll cover some of the basics of search-friendly website creation, as well as some more advanced tactics for search targeting and promotion - Keyword Research & Targeting (~25 minutes)
You might know the basics of keyword research, but this session will showcase some of the best tools on the web to use and methods for determing value & importance, along with recommendations for how to utilize keywords on your sites and pages to maximum effect - Content Development Strategies (~50 minutes)
With a heavy focus on viral content and link-worthy content creation, we'll pour over the various styles and tactics that can earn rankings, both for small and large scale sites - Social Media Marketing (~40 minutes)
Now that we've covered viral content creation, we'll shift over to promotional tactics, including how to market your content successfully on the big social portals and the niche sites as well - Blogging & the Blogosphere (~40 minutes)
With blogging becoming such a big part of SEO and corporate outreach strategy, I'll spend a significant chunk of time diving into how to make a blog work and build a community that will reward and link to your blog's content - Analytics (~20 minutes)
Measuring success in the right ways is critical to the SEO process, so we'll take a look at how to show off the impressive stats you earn to the management and make yourself a star - Site Clinic (~60 minutes)
One of my favorites - we'll take hands from the audience, throw a site on the screen and spend some time diving into SWOT analysis to find ways for you to specifically improve
After each individual section, there will be a short break for Q+A (10-20 minutes per session) - in the past when I've run a format like this, it's been fast and furious with a very high energy environment. The one thing I can promise is that no one will be falling asleep :) Our plan is to start at 9:30am and run until 5pm, with an hour break for lunch between 12:30 and 1:30pm.
Then, of course, there's the fun part - an all expenses paid party with the SEOmoz crew and your fellow attendees, including Monday Night Football on big screen TVs, pool, darts, free drinks and a ton of opportunity for networking and one-on-one time.
Now a little business transparency in keeping with the spirit of "moz."
When you look at the prices ($199 for premium members, $349 for the public), it may seem like a much lower priced offering than any of the similar SEO training session in the wide world. That's not because it's less valuable - we're actually doing this without profit. Our plan here is to test the waters and only take enough to cover the venue and the after-party (with a little bit of buffer room). The goals are to earn a bit of goodwill with the seminar and to produce some video material that we'll repurpose later on. We'll see how this trial run works out and potentially run one of these each year. However, I suspect that we'll be very unlikely to offer it at these rates again.
If you've got feedback or suggestions for the seminar, please feel free to leave them below. And if you're thinking about joining us, you can save $50 (premium member or not) by signing up by August 2nd (Thursday). For those who might be particularly price conscious, I've grabbed a few travel searches from Farecast & Kayak to find the rates on flights and hotels.
Flights (roundtrip, arriving in Seattle on Sunday & leaving Tuesday)
- Chicago to Seattle - $259
- New York to Seattle - $299
- Dallas to Seattle - $233
- Atlanta to Seattle - $339
- Los Angeles to Seattle - $199
- San Francisco to Seattle - $199
- Boston to Seattle - $300
Hotels (two nights, Sunday & Monday)
- 3 Star - from $110 / night
- 4 Star - from $170 / night
- 5 Star - from $250 / night
At under $1,000 including flight and lodging, this is probably one of the least expensive ways to boost your hands-on SEO expertise. Here's the page to signup - SEOmoz Premium SEO Training Seminar.
If you're considering coming for the weekend before to see the sites in Seattle, I highly recommend it. The last weekend in September has historically had very few tourists and very good weather (though, since it's Seattle, I wouldn't count on anything).
p.s. A few folks have been emailing me about the seminar asking if they should go if they consider themselves an SEO "expert." My advice would be - if you think the networking alone is worthwhile, come, if not, stay home. You'll probably pick up a few tips and have a great time to boot (plus it's a great tax write-off), but this material is geared more towards the intermediate and starting-out crowd.
Sounds like you need to understand what you are selling? You might find out if the people who do your "dirtywork" really are doing dirty work.
Your personal rep is on the line. What would happen to you if they tank the site of a great client?
It might also educate you and kick your conversion rate up a notch. The better you know something the better you can sell it.
How about a streaming webcast version for us broke brits who can't afford the airfare?
I'm so envious of the people who get to go to this, its the most reasonably priced seminar i have seen and I still can't afford it
How about a streaming webcast version
This is a fantastic idea - one im sure would more than pay for itself.
I am so there! I'll be the 6-month pregnant chick waddling to the bathroom every half-hour. :D
Fancy staging one in London?
;)
NB - really must read other comments before commenting!
I also look forward to seeing this in London ;)
". . . but you will come away with a lot of answers, teh right questions and the knowledge of where and how to solve them."
Just for those whose memories don't stretch to last Friday the seminar is on October 1st. I think October is as accurate as it gets in the post above.
I'm in the same boat as you Special K. Though I still have hopes of making in to the future of web apps conference in London a couple days later so I can't complain too much. Just need to get the time off.
Unlike alot of you, I live down the street from the MozPit here in Seattle.
I currently am involved with selling SEO/SEM to car dealerships, although from a technology standpoint, I'm very green (I have a SEO 'team' on the East Coast that actually does the dirtywork). I read multiple SEO blogs and postings regularly to feed my head with info.
What would a sales bozo like myself gain from attending this SEOMoz party?
Inquiring minds want to know...
Patrick,
EGOL's dead on the mark. Even if you don't do SEO yourself, this sort of educational seminar will definitely help your sales skills. We'll help you better understand your product, give you a background so you can hold your own against any tech/SEO savvy sales prospects, and teach you a few awesome ways to demonstrate the power and potential ROI of an SEO campaign to prospective clients.
Keep in mind, even SEO practitioners need to sell their services to clients, and the biggest part of that is having a thorough understanding of SEO best-practices and outcomes in order to be able to tailor a campaign to the clients needs, and sell them on the likely results and outcomes.
I was very excited when I read this on my feed reader today. I do some SEO already, but I hope this event will fill some gaps. Just registered. Looking forward to be there.
What hotels are you guys working with? I'd like to get the flights and everything booked as soon as possible.
Christoph
Christoph,
We're still working with a couple of different properties to negotiate the best rate. We'll post concrete deals early next week. Glad you plan on attending!
Hi Guys,
how the last decision about:
- Streaming webcast
- upload online the training
- coming to Australia?
Cheers
Lucio Dias Ribeiro
The name badges should have our avatars, as well as our names. Easy way to recognize who is who.
Count me in!
Is it possible to post all powerpoints on the site, or do you plan on doing a tour to Austalia any time soon :)
Ohh, I'm so in!
The best part of these events is getting to meet all the people behind the avatars.
Now, I just gotta go grovel for the days off.
For those who get in early I will throw a pre-party.
Thanks for the info Rand. I'm planning on staying for an extra few days (see my YOUmoz post) and without repeating my entire post, does anyone have suggestions on areas in Seattle to stay in? I'm looking for hotels and want to choose a good area that might be in walking distance to shops (for the wife of course), sites, etc. Also, there was mention that you may get a group rate somewhere (on the seminar page)?
Thanks for the offering though, for those of us not already established as full-time SEOs this is a great opportunity at an unbelievable price (and like you said, hello business expense). I'm really looking forward to it.
It sounds like "MozFest" will be much fun, and in-fact, I'd like to come for just that - fun (& networking). I am in the process of relocating to the Southwest (Mesa, AZ) and starting a new In-House SEM Management position so I am not sure if I will be able to sneak away.
I'm planning on coming out a few days early with my wife to see the city also. One of my clients is in Vancouver, so we'll probably go up there for a day.
I'm really looking forward to the networking, and hopefully picking up a few extra tricks. Just one little thing can pay for the whole trip 10x over.
I agree w/ BlueAcorn...what are some of the hotels close to the office?
It sounds very useful. I will not be in Seattle, but I sure wish I had a book that covered these things. I am one of no doubt many people from outside the field who have been tapped by their employers to do this sort of work rather than hiring a specialist, and I have been unable to find a written document with the information. or, hey, a glossary so I could read the online info more successfully. Is it that things change too quickly for the publishing process? Or can you recommend something? Maybe a participant at the seminar could take good notes...
Rhaden - check out DrDave's SEO Glossary right on this very website. I'd also then recommend starting with the SEOmoz Ranking Factors.
Thanks!
Wish I could join you Rand....SES San Jose is taking a big chunk of my budget and I really want to get to SMX West.
I will anxiously await to read the recap's here and at other Mozzer's blogs!!
Do you calculate profit after subtracting salary?
Just kidding ;) It's great to see an affordable event being offered on the topic of SEO. I commend SEOMoz for providing a valuable service at an affordable price rather than trying to "skim" the market like some other SEO speakers.
And don't be ashamed to use the word profit! You worked hard to get where you are, and should be rewarded accordingly.
Rand was actually being dead honest, this is a not-for-profit event for us...we'll likely just break even.
I'm sure people would have readily paid more. *pictures mozzers homeless, eating out of garbage cans* "Well, at least we kept the cost of our seminar low!"
This is our first foray into hosting a large-ish public seminar, so we're basically doing it at cost to see if we like doing it and want to offer more seminars in the future. If/when we offer these classes again, I can pretty much guarantee they'll be quite a bit more costly.
so who is the major target audience? I know you said those with fairly basic to intermediate knowledge, but...
webmasters/site owners, in-house seo's, agency? does it really matter?
As the seminar page says, this is for anybody who wants to improve their level of SEO skill and knowledge. Doesn't matter if your the head of a marketing department and want the background to be able to hire and manage an in-house SEO, you're an independant consultant or in-house SEO who wants to broaden or refresh your skill-set, or anyone else who wants a quick way to greatly improve your skill and knowledge level. The goal of this seminar is to take beginning-to-intermediate level people up to an early-advanced level in one in-depth day...and have a huge networking party with them afterward.