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TRAINING: SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMISATION (SEO) ALUMNI ONLINE 'CONNECT & ENGAGE' WEB DEVELOPMENT MASTERCLASS
HOW TO USE SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMISATION (SEO) FOR YOUR ALUMNI NETWORK ASSOCIATION'S WEBSITE & INTERNET PRESENCE
ABOUT THE SEO COMMUNICATIONS WORKSHOP TRAINING
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is concerned with the search results provided by Google and other search engines to their users. These are the main body of links generated when the user searches for information using key words or phrases. The links are ranked by relevance by each of the search engines according to their particular ranking criteria (using algorithms).
 SEO "good practice" therefore involves writing and designing your website in such a way that search engines rank it highly enabling your alumni and prospective donors to find it easily.
It is widely reported that up to 90% of all sites are not optimised, so even basic optimisation can help get you ahead of the other 90% of websites that are vying for the attention of your target audience(s)!
On one level it is simply about establishing web links and predicting and including on your website the key words, phrases and terms etc that people use to search for your offering, so that the search engines (such as Google, Bing (MSN), Yahoo! Search and Ask Jeeves) judge your site the most relevant and present your website first to their users, at the top of the results.
Inevitably, however, it is more complex than this as there is huge competition to achieve a high search engine page ranking for key search terms with 1000s if not millions of results for any particular search but by employing a range of techniques and best practice (encompassing a variety of disciplines ranging from Web design and development to Public Relations) you can influence search engine ranking positively for your association's web presence.
CUT TO THE CHASE FAST
Attend this intensive 3 hour SEO Alumni Relations Masterclass Training Workshop for your comprehensive introduction to Search Engine Optimisation and ensure former pupils and graduates find you easily online. Scroll down this page to read all about the Workshop or click on the sub-headings below to be taken to a particular section:
[READY TO BOOK? Please click here to go straight to the "BOOK HERE" section. AVAILABILITY - we currently have some availability on all dates.]
WHY SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMISATION (SEO)?
Search Engines are only popular if they deliver relevant results. Google is so incredibly successful because people are happy with the service they get from it, search after search. The search engines are therefore designed to sift information on websites for relevancy and to downplay websites that do not appear to be relevant to their users, promoting those that are.
 The objective of organic SEO is to increase the number of people visiting a website from the search engines by achieving a higher position in the rankings and getting as many web pages and associated documents indexed on the search engine as possible.
A lack of understanding of how the search engines work can mean your website is never found, never seen by your target audience(s). Worse, poor Search Engine Optimization techniques can not only result in low page rankings but also websites being "blacklisted" by the search engines.
Investing your time, effort and resources in effective "organic" (natural) optimisation for search engines can therefore reap huge benefits for your website and your association, given that approximately 90% of all online traffic is achieved through the various search engines.
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is one of the most cost effective promotional tools in for generating a higher volume of web traffic to your site and there is no doubt that Search Engine Optimization can help achieve maximum visibility for your website within the major search engines including Google, Bing (MSN), Yahoo! Search and Ask Jeeves as you will discover during this intensive 3 hour SEO Alumni Relations Training Workshop.
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WHY ATTEND THE SEO ALUMNI RELATIONS MASTERCLASS WORKSHOP?
During this intensive 3 hour Search Engine Optimisation alumnionline 'Connect & Engage' Workshop we will explain SEO and set out the good practice and techniques that, when employed effectively over time, can influence your website's search engine page ranking positively and boost your Internet presence, delivering the results you want through the engagement of your target audience, whether alumni, former parents, former staff and potential donors. SEO does not happen over night, it takes time but the marketing ROI can be massive.
 Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is not a science but neither is it a black art. Nobody knows for sure how the search engines work (and don't believe anyone who claims they do) as they are constantly tweaking and changing their alogrithms but at the heart of successful SEO is good basic marketing communications.
A website that has amazing graphics, photos, animations and music may make a positive impact but none of these attributes will boost the website's search engine ranking, and without a high ranking prospective traffic to the site, measured in page hits and uniques users, will be much less than expected. Search Engine Optimization is not about manipulating search results, Search Engine Optimisation is really about ensuring that your website delivers what the user wants - fast, straightforward access to the key information they are looking for.
 Organic Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) can can deliver increased exposure for your website and association... and you can do it yourself inexpensively "in-house", or by using consultants and agencies - we will show you how by providing guidance on the most effective techniques, tools and methodologies to adopt, and the strategic planning and resources required for maximum impact at minimum cost.
We aim to explain SEO in terms you understand, in a language you know and a context that is relevant to your role and organisation.
By the end of the Search Engine Optimization workshop:
- You will understand the basics of SEO and be able to plan and implement a Search Engine Optimization plan for your network's website, or to review an existing one, and to prioritise SEO within your Internet strategy and any proposed web development.
- You will be familiar with the main SEO techniques such as copy writing, key words and phrases, web links, web design etc and the most useful Search Engine Optimisation tools.
- You will be ready to make the necessary changes, tweaks and improvements to your website and broader Internet presence to achieve higher search engine page ranking and to train others in your organisation in effective SEO techniques, as well as being ready to revise your association's communications policies inline with good SEO practice.
 Information will be clearly presented in a non-technical way in a context relevant to those attending, using case studies and examples.
We have kept the SEO Marketing Masterclass Workshop price as low as possible, we are limiting the number of people attending and we are using a specialist Computer Training Centre to provide a high quality "hands on" training environment.
The price for attendance can be as low as £75+Vat (for "Early Bird" bookings) and includes:
- Your place on the Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Alumni Relations Masterclass Workshop,
- Tea/Coffee and Pastry (AM) or Fruit (PM),
- A copy of our SEO 'Connect & Engage' Guide,
- Certificate of Attendance,
- Access to further materials, case studies and tips and techniques on our website (the normal cost of membership of the OMTAC Client Area is £195+Vat per year).
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WHO SHOULD ATTEND THE SEO WORKSHOP?
 The workshop will be of particular interest to:
- Alumni Secretaries
- Alumni Officers / Managers and Alumni Directors
- Alumni Representatives and Alumni Association Committee Members
- Fundraising Officers / Managers and Fundraising Directors
- Development Officers / Managers and Development Directors
- Senior School/College/University Management
- Head Teachers and Principals
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WHAT WILL BE COVERED IN THE SEO MASTERCLASS?
 We will give tips and techniques for alumni associations large and small - SEO may be useful to your network in one or more ways.
During the workshop we will address all the key SEO techniques, tools and methodologies including:
- How Do Google And Other Search Engines Work?
- Search Engine Spiders (GoogleBots etc)
- Registering With Search Engines
- HTML, XHTML, Flash, CSS
- Page Titles
 Meta Keywords- Meta Descriptions
- Using Keywords & Key Phrases
- Describing Images
- Describing Links
- Site Map
- “Destination” Websites
- Website Linking
- Blogging and Vlogging
- Really Simple Syndication (RSS), Podcasting, Social Networking etc
- Keeping It Fresh
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Tools
- Site Statistics (Google etc)
Throughout we will examine how member associations and networks, educational institutions, companies and organisations are already using SEO, and how you can learn from best practice.
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WHO WILL LEAD THE WORKSHOP?
The 'Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Alumni Relations Masterclass Workshop' training will be will be lead by Matthew D'Arcy, Managing Director for OMTAC Ltd.
Matthew will draw on his broad experience of the worlds of Education, Alumni Networks, Social Networking, Professional Networking, Marketing and the Internet to present a relevant, informative and dynamic Workshop with useful, practical advice and examples from considerable research he and his team have undertaken on the use of SEO by networks, institutions, companies and organisations of all sizes.
Matthew has worked in a number of industry sectors, from website development to online marketing and ecommerce, from recruitment to hospitality and event management, from education to alumni membership services, from retail to consultancy services, from FMCG to brand development and distribution. Please click on the link for more about Matthew.
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SEO WORKSHOP INFORMATION - DATES & BOOKING
We are offering a choice of dates between now and December 2009 for our SEO alumnionline Communications Masterclass Workshop which will take place in Central London.
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
 Various discounts are available, with places costing as little as £75+Vat.
Please click on the link for full booking information - including dates, timing, venue and pricing - and to make your booking.
If you are also interested in attending a masterclass training workshop on one or more other key online marketing platforms/channels please click on the links below:
- Facebook Alumni Relations Masterclass Workshop Training
- Audio/Video/Pictures Alumni Relations Masterclass Workshop Training
- Twitter Alumni Relations Masterclass Workshop Training
ANY QUESTIONS? CONTACT US
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email us by clicking here or call us on 0845 058 39 85 (Local Rate Call).
Thank you for your interest in our online 'Connect & Engage' Masterclass Workshop series, we look forward to confirming your booking and to meeting you soon.
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