6 replies to this topic

[Jill]

Just noticed this post on Ian McAnerin's blog from a week or so ago.

It's with a very heavy heart that I was forced to dissolve the Search Marketing Association of North America (SMA-NA) today.

I'm the last man standing from the Board, and the only communications I've received from members recently have been requests to cancel their subscriptions. So that's it. I really wish it were different.

http://mcanerin.blog...-dissolved.html

On the one hand, sorry to see you go. On the other, we haven't really heard much out of you after the initial push, so I don't think that it will be hugely noticed.

[mcanerin]

Unfortunately, that's pretty much been the response from everyone, which is why I dissolved it

Well, I learned a lot from the experience, I guess that's something...

One of the main things I learned was that people in this industry really don't have a lot of time on their hands, so you need actual employees to get anything done. Which means wages. And money. <sigh>

Ian

[Jill]

Ain't that the truth, Ian!

That's why with SEMNE, we chose to do it more as a business and not try to recruit volunteers. There was some initial interest from people wanting to help, but we all know how that goes!

[Ash Nallawalla]

One of the main things I learned was that people in this industry really don't have a lot of time on their hands, so you need actual employees to get anything done. Which means wages. And money. <sigh>

Sorry to hear this news but it's the same with volunteer groups in general, including some I am involved with which have some paid help. For a while it looked like only SMA-EU and SMA-UK were moribund.

[nethy]

What was the purpose/goal of 'Search Marketing Association of North America'

[mcanerin]

To represent the interests of search marketers in North America, especially the smaller companies and solo SEO's. We were trying to get things like discounts, medical benifits, legal help etc.

I'll be bringing as many of those resources and contacts as possible (and wanted) over to SEMPO, in hopes that our hard work will not go to waste.

Ian

[Jill]

That's a good idea, Ian. I think SEMPO has really gotten their act together in the past couple of years.