What Does An SEM Specialist Do For A Living?

You’ve more than likely heard of SEO (search engine optimisation) but quite a lot of people aren’t quite so familiar with SEM (search engine marketing).

So, what’s the difference?

Basically, it all boils down to one word, which is ‘marketing’.  Search engine marketing (SEM) is a combination of paid search and organic search engine marketing.  While search engine optimisation (SEO) includes all types of online content marketing, website page and keyword optimisation.  SEO also incorporates pay-per-click or paid search campaigns which are highly targeted ads that show up on the search engine results pages.

To fully understand the many aspects of digital marketing, especially SEO and SEM, it’s vital to complete a digital marketing course in order to get the best results possible out of your SEM efforts.

What is SEM?

SEM (search engine marketing) is an all-inclusive digital marketing approach to increase your site’s visibility and therefore website traffic.  There are many benefits related to search engine marketing that it’s impossible to list them all in this blog.  But with around 3 billion Google searches done daily, being part of this gigantic platform is by far the best benefit.  It’s also important to constantly monitor and track your search engine advertising as this can quickly get out of control and go beyond your digital marketing budget.

Here are a few more benefits of SEM techniques:

• Cost-effective – With so many digital marketing tools available these days, search advertising is one of the most cost-effective forms. That’s great news for a budget-sensitive marketer.
• Flexible – Digital marketing is constantly changing, so a really great benefit of search advertising is its flexibility.
• Control – Every aspect of search advertising can be controlled. The advertiser has complete power over keywords, ad extensions as well as the landing page for their ad.
• Measurable outcomes – Measurable data on your search advertising allows you to analyse what’s working and what’s not with your search advertising and therefore tweak accordingly.

The importance of SEM

SEM is a key component of any successful digital marketing strategy and must be incorporated in both organic and paid search digital marketing strategies.  Well planned, developed and executed SEM strategy will bring more qualified leads to your website, increase conversions and improve your search engine rankings.

What does an SEM specialist do for a living?

Now that you understand the importance of search engine marketing (SEM) it’s also important to understand exactly what is involved in being an SEM specialist.  You’re more than likely reading this blog because you’re keen on becoming an SEM specialist or perhaps your business is now in the position where it needs the skills and services of an SEM specialist.  Either way, this blog will bring you up to speed on what an SEM does for a living.

First of all, you’ll be pleased to know that an SEM specialist has fast become one of the most important jobs in the digital transformation and marketing world.  The great news is, no modern business can survive without incorporating paid media advertising in their overall digital marketing strategy.

Now, let’s take a closer look at what an SEM specialist does for a living.

An SEM specialist fully understands the varies techniques and strategies which are needed to improve the ranking of a website.  This is vital in today’s highly competitive online advertising platform.

Here are a few of the most important skills that an SEM specialist must possess:

• Creative copywriting – An SEM specialist must have a strong grasp on language skills and fully understand how words create interest and can make the difference between a successful ad campaign or a failure.
• Sharp organisational skills – Being an SEM specialist involves handling many digital marketing projects at the same time, so great organisational skills are a must.
• Digital understanding – Knowledge of basic HTML writing is needed as well as an understanding of CCS is included in the tasks of an SEM specialist. Also, a thorough understanding of how websites work is important.
• SEO skills – Search engine optimisation is a vital part of SEM; therefore, an SEM specialist must fully understand how SEO works and have in-depth knowledge of new SEO developments.
• Communications ability – There are many parts of digital marketing and a soft skillset of sound communication ability is needed.

Get in touch with the Digital School of Marketing

Want to know more about SEM? If so, then check out our Paid Advertising and Web Analytics course. For more information, please follow this link.