56 replies to this topic

[Jill]

Sounds like it's already incorporated as "professionals" and it's doubtful it would be worth the trouble to them to change it.

Too bad, as it truly might be worth the trouble. If nothing else but to get the "ethical" seos off their backs!

Jill

[Scottie]

Let me expand on that a little more...

If the current membership were opposed to the title Promotional because they were counting on the credibility boost of a Professional organization, i.e., the implication of standards, then those are exactly the kind of folks I would not want to be associated with.

If, on the other hand, the current membership thinks it is great to call the org what it is- a group dedicated to promoting the SEM industry, then I'd be more likely to join. I might even volunteer...

I know nothing about the current membership BTW. I haven't looked at the list and I'm not making any judgements as to why the current group has joined, just giving my own personal thought on the matter.

[projectphp]

This debate about what a letter stands for in the Acronym "SEMPO" is definitely a lively one, but I want to know why no one has answered Alan Perkins Question

Do you know who is doing the educating/informing/representing, what these things comprise and how your membership fee is spent?

So let me answer: No I don't know. Not at all. Not even close! (and I have read every page on that site)

It is often easier to discuss the unresolvable, such as attempting to change what teh P stands for, simply because it is unresolvable. However, beyond the issue of one letter in an Acronym, I think Alan's question is fundamental to an undeerstanding of what the organisation stands for.

So can someone with an inside understanding have a go?

IMHO, unity is important for any professional organisation. Unity is not, and should not, be given like faith. We aren't joining a church, but an organisation that represents the aspirations of a group of people with a common profession. Unity, in this case, stems from a common goal, and the understanding that to unify is the best way to achive such a goal (See unions, political movements, lobby groups etc). Not having a "best practises" standard for membership may help to garner some sort of unity within the industry.

However, without a "best pratices" requirement, what is left to unify people? The goal of promoting the industry is, or at least should be, universal. But without knowing precisely who will be doing the promoting and educating, the "what, where and when" that consists of, and what the ROI is of membership, joining simply becomes an exercise in faith. I for one am not inclined toward faith. Surely, with the funds so far collected via X number of "circle members", such a manifesto could be created.

In the end, it will only be from a defined set of common goals that any real uniting of the various elements will be achieved. 

[Jill]

You make some good points, PHP!



Jill

[toprank]

Despite the ambiguity of the details on what SEMPO membership provides, we signed up on the cheap to see what was behind the curtain. Understandably, this early in the game it's not much.

However, after reading the recent article by Kevin Lee on Clickz.com, Search Marketing Organizations: A Road Map a new prospect arrived at our site via our SEMPO listing and we're now going to be doing a nice bit of business with them.

At this point all I can say is that so far, the ROI has been very nice, just from the link standpoint (via the Clickz article). I am looking forward to whatever the SEMPO site and initiative can bring positively to SEO and SEM in regard to promoting the industry.

That said, getting listed with seoconsultants.com was FAR more satisfying.

[MakeMeTop]

To me - all these issues can only be solved by consensus of the membership. It is all very well pontificating about possible rules/standards/ideals when the organisation was under discussion. Now it is up-and-running. People (for better or worse) have joined. Some have paid fairly substantial sums to sit at the table (including me).

Personally, I'd love this to be an organisation that only included a select few (including me) - but the only way that ideas will evolve, charters introduced, standards of behaviour laid down (which I believe is inevitable - the members will demand it - in time) is through membership agreement.

I (for one) would feel a little peeved if (having paid up) rules were changed without me being consulted, purely because of perceived pressure from non-members!

Want to change things? Join!

(All IMHO)

[Alan Perkins]

Thanks for your long and detailed reply, Ian. As I see it, the CBA has it easy in comparison to SEMPO, because the CBA's industry is defined for them, and with this definition comes some implied or even expressed standards.

The Search Engine Marketing industry has no such thing, which is why SEMPO has it tougher. What is the Search Engine Marketing industry? In many ways the SEMPO membership might be said to define it ... :doh:

Want to change things? Join!

Want me to join? Change things!

Or at least tell me who is doing the educating/informing/representing, what these things comprise and how my membership fee would be spent. Is that too much to ask?

[projectphp]

MakeMeTop, I personally am not interested in a name change, and I think that issue has run its course and has nothing left to give. What a "P" stands for is neither here nor there. What Alan Asked, and what I concur with, is the notion that an organisation with the stated goal of educating is all good and well, but what EXACTLY does that mean?

Do you know? You Paid a pretty penny to join, so surely you know the answer, yes? If not, then I am curious to know if anyone knows the answer to the question. If there is some sort of short, medium and long term goals for the organisation, specifically i regards to what "educating" means, and the methods employed to achieve said goal, I'm all ears. At this point, with enough members to at least secure SEMPO's short term future, surely this can be fleshed out. even if the answer is just "we have not yet formalised timeframes for what the education will entail, and we are seeking member input" that would be a start.

I am all 4 SEMPO, I truly am, I am just curious as to what form achieving the stated charter will take. That no one has attempted to answer this question, even to say it is on the agenda, is to me a bit sad.

[Jill]

I am all 4 SEMPO, I truly am, I am just curious as to what form achieving the stated charter will take. That no one has attempted to answer this question, even to say it is on the agenda, is to me a bit sad.

Not sure that's really fair! Has anyone actually attempted to contact people from SEMPO directly?

Yes, we have a few SEMPO members here, and yes, even Barbara Coll, Chairman of the Board of SEMPO has been in the forum in the past, but we're certainly not the direct ear to SEMPO.

It seems to me that anyone who has questions for them should be on their forum (which I think they have...or it's a Yahoo group or something) and/or be emailing with those in charge directly.

Sure, it would be great to get some answers posted here, but it's not fair to expect that they read here all the time. Maybe they do, maybe they don't.



Jill

[qwerty]

They have a Yahoo group, but the last message I received basically told me goodbye if I didn't choose to become a member.

As I understand it, the plan is to shut down the Yahoo group and replace it with something that will be accessible only by paid members.

[projectphp]

Yes, we have a few SEMPO members here, and yes, even Barbara Coll, Chairman of the Board of SEMPO has been in the forum in the past, but we're certainly not the direct ear to SEMPO.

Agreed. I don't necesarily want it answered here. That has limitted usefulness.

So, where is best answered? Well, shouldn't what SEMPO plans to do be clear from their site? A website should answer all the questions a person has about a business / organisation, or at least the most obvious ones. Or do I have the goal of a website wrong? Surely their intended plans fall within these bounds, especially as time goes on, and SEMPO's future is assured (which surely it now is).

IMHO, this is essential information that people need before making a decision about joining. If the SEMPO website can not provide me with that information, and remember, this is a site created by people whose businesses revolve around marketing websites, what good is it?

To me, it is like an eCommerce site with products for sale that wont offer any information on the products. "We got widgets, in lots of colours and styles. Feel free to buy some, but if you want to know the specs or anything about them, you have to email us."

Besides, SEMPO aren't the only ones who should be able to answer these questions. Any member should be able to, especially any member that outlaid significant coin. If they can't, then why did they join?

For an organisation that is asking others to join with no immediate benefit, surely the organisation's plans need to be clear, and the reasons for joining obvious. The harder the sell, the better the copy needs to be. A vague statement such as "to educate and promote" isn't enough. OK, I get it, educating. I really do think that is an excellent idea. But the question still stands: educate and promote what exactly, how and by whom?

[Jill]

IMHO, this is essential information that people need before making a decision about joining. If the SEMPO website can not provide me with that information, and remember, this is a site created by people whose businesses revolve around marketing websites, what good is it?

Now that I agree with!



J