Before I get started, I’d like to mention that this article may be a bit difficult to follow at first, especially if you haven’t been in the internet marketing game for a while. Just reread it, and really think about what I’m trying to say and eventually it will all make sense.
Every day someone sits down with the intention of writing a couple of search engine marketing articles. The sad part is that when they finish writing about “search engine marketing”, the article in front of them is COMPLETELY off-topic.
Let me explain…
Actually, they are writing about SEO. There is a BIG difference between search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM). What most people don’t know (and most search engine marketing articles don’t tell you) is that they are 2 completely different strategies.
The number one position in Google for highly searched keywords is a very profitable position to be in. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the PROCESS of doing what it takes to get your web page to rank in that number one position. (or on page one for that matter)
The focus with SEO is usually one or two keywords, and once you hit the top spot, it’s just a matter of maintaining that spot. Once you do this, find another keyword to start the SEO process.
Nothing new here… Just a typical SEO talk, right?
So what makes me think that most search engine marketing articles are wrong?
The fact that they call it a SEARCH ENGINE MARKETING article is the main reason. SEM is not a process. It is a marketing strategy. Just like video marketing, social media marketing, and article marketing, SEM is a STRATEGY.
It can be hard to tell the difference between the two, but TRUST ME, there is. The main reason it’s hard to tell the difference is because the “O” in SEO stands for OPTIMIZATION and this is the main ingredient needed to put together a successful SEM strategy. (The “M” stands for MARKETING)
In many cases, SEO is an ongoing process targeting one or two specific keywords that often have a lot of competition. it never ends. On the other hand, SEM targets many different “hot” keywords with relatively low competition, and they use these high rankings to build an email list or make sales.
The SEM strategy of many marketers is to jump from product launch to product launch and soak up as much of that search engine traffic as possible while the keywords are hot. Once the buzz dies down, they move on to the next one.
We hope this article has been useful to you and that you now know the difference between SEO and SEM. Never give up and keep learning, growing and prospering.
