35 replies to this topic

[kurzo]

Hi all,

I have read this forum for some time now, but I have a question for the more established members:

If you do SEO, SEM, Optimisation, etc... do you call yourself a Search Engine Marketer? Web Marketer?

It seems whenever I tell someone in the IT world I do SEM, they roll their eyes and think I am spamming the web with viagra ads

Is the term Searach Engine Marketing getting to be a 4-letter word?

thanks

[ScottSalwolke]

Kurzo, thanks for asking about something I've struggled with. I call myself a SEO consultant, but than I end up having to explain myself to the general population. You call yourself a plumber or a realtor and people know what you do. You say you do SEO or SEM and they get a blank look on their face.

[kurzo]

good point, I referenced my IT collegues' reactions, but when I explain my business to a non-tech person, I just see their eyes glaze over...

There are so many aspects I CAN talk about:

Adwords Management
Content Development
Page Optimisaton
Domain Aquisitions
Link Development
Traffic Generation
Advertising

Usually I try to wrap it up into "Marketing" which, for all intents and purposes, is exactly what this all is.

I find it hard to use "specialist" because other than Adwords, there is no real accreditation you can get to show the non-believers

[Jill]

To the general population (like what I tell people I meet at a wedding) I just say that "I help businesses get their websites found in Google."

To businesses, however, I'm pretty much an SEO Consultant or Search Marketer.

They are perfectly acceptable terms to businesses with websites. Especially when that's what they're looking for to help them with their websites!

[qwerty]

I use SEO, internet marketing consultant, web marketer, and whatever else comes to mind when someone asks. I have yet to find a term that I don't need to define if I'm talking to someone who doesn't do it themselves.

[Scottie]

I tell people I'm an Internet Marketer, then usually go on to explain a little about what that means.

[projectphp]

I say "I work with computers". And the hope and pray the conversation turns to Movies

[Nueromancer]

I say "I work with computers". And the hope and pray the conversation turns to Movies

If you say I work with computers ther is always the danger they will ask you to fix there
computer.

[MaKa]

I'm using "SEO" / "Online Marketing" / "Internet" Consultant. It says Internet Consultant on my business cards.

[projectphp]

If you say I work with computers ther is always the danger they will ask you to fix there
computer.

Oh, I KNOW that!! I just say "I only work with macs". You rarely get unlucky.

If they press me, I just add a more detailed descrition of what I do, but I try to sound so bored they don't ask any more questions!

Edited by projectphp, 30 May 2007 - 03:40 AM.

[donp]

On the back of my business card:
WEB OPTIMIZATION
The art and science of producing targeted website traffic and converting that traffic into sales.

[vtownbarries]

Web Marketing or E-Business works well in South Africa!

[gsimerlink]

I work at an e-commerce company so mine's a bit different, but I go by "Web Content Manager".

[ScottSalwolke]

On the back of my business card:
WEB OPTIMIZATION
The art and science of producing targeted website traffic and converting that traffic into sales.

You must have a really big business card.

[seoruby]

I manage a team so my title is a bit different, but my team members are referred to as Online Marketing Specialists.