WAKEFIELD, Mass., Feb. 5, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- SEMPO, Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization, www.sempo.org, announced today it is adjusting pricing on all its SEMPO Institute online distance learning classes in response to market concerns about the slowing economy. The new pricing structure goes into effect February 6, 2008.
"SEMPO is mindful of business concerns that some sectors of the economy, such as housing sales, have slowed drastically. At the same time, in our research, we are still seeing healthy growth and salaries in the search marketing sector," says Jeffrey Pruitt, president of SEMPO, and iCrossing executive vice president of corporate partnerships.
SEMPO's recent in-house salary survey of search engine marketers showed that roughly one third of in-house search engine marketers are managing monthly budgets in excess of $200,000, an indication of the health of the search marketing sector, Pruitt says. It also reinforced SEMPO state-of-the-market survey data that shows current trend projections that SEM spending will double by 2011, to more than $18 billion.
That being said, search marketing professionals, and those considering entering the profession, have indicated they want more affordable pricing for career-enhancing education. As a result, SEMPO Institute, www.sempoinstitute.com, is adjusting pricing on its three online courses:
- Insider's Guide to Search Marketing (formerly Fundamentals of Search Marketing), from $499 to $399
- Advanced Search Engine Optimization, from $1,750 to $1,399
Advanced Search Advertising, from $1,750 to $1,399
"We want to encourage anyone who is considering getting into the growing field of search marketing to take our classes to gain the necessary entry level skills," says Katie Donovan, SEMPO Institute business development manager. "SEMPO Institute also is committed to helping search professionals gain greater insights into the practice and business of search marketing, in order to advance their careers. We are reducing class costs to ensure that as many professionals as possible can have the benefit of our classes."
SEMPO Institute classes are peer reviewed by the top practitioners in the field, and unlike for-profit, consultant-sponsored classes, its online classes give students certification from the pre-eminent, non-profit, global search engine marketing professional community, www.SEMPO.org. Membership is not required to be a SEMPO Institute student. Classes are ongoing and students can register at any time, at https://www.sempoinstitute.com/search-marketing-enrollment/default.aspx
About the Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO)
SEMPO is a global non-profit organization serving the search engine marketing industry and marketing professionals engaged in it. Its purpose is to provide a foundation for industry growth through building stronger relationships, fostering awareness, providing education, promoting the industry, generating research, and creating a better understanding of search and its role in marketing. Representing thousands in over 30 countries, SEMPO has over 720 members. It represents the common interests of companies and consultants worldwide and provides them with a voice in the marketplace. SEMPO's education and outreach initiatives are sponsored in part by Microsoft, Yahoo!, Google, SMX, Superpages.com and Search Engine Strategies. For more information, or to join the organization, please visit http://www.SEMPO.org.
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