Pay-Per-Click (PPC)Marketing is a sub-set of search engine marketing that promotes a Web site by paying for the extra exposure. Samples include click-on advertisements that display in response to keyword searches and having your site listed above search results, under the heading "sponsored results" or "featured listings."

A job in this industry can be unbelievably lucrative. As noted by Jennifer Laycock of Search Engine Guide, "There are quite literally more jobs than there are skilled marketers, and salaries can skyrocket to almost embarrassing levels."

This extreme demand means search engine marketers can pick and choose their jobs and clients. The more skilled marketers are head-hunted regularly. Experts in select specialties like pay-per-click advertising are currently enjoying even higher demand than usual, as advertisers out-bid each other to have their site shown for popular keyword searches on Google, Yahoo!, and MSN.

Job candidates who are certified in pay-per-click marketing may well have an edge over their fellow applicants. The Pay-Per-Click Marketing Online Training Program is designed to help you jump-start your career path in the fast-paced search-engine industry.

The Pay-Per-Click Marketing program consists of three modules:

1. Pay-Per-Click Marketing 101
2. Pay-Per-Click Marketing 201 
3. Keyword Research 101

Pay-Per-Click Marketing 101 will give you the knowledge necessary to set up, monitor, and maintain a successful campaign to promote a Web site on pay-per-click search engines and their network of partner sites. You'll learn the step-by-step process of setting up a PPC campaign from scratch on the two most popular services, Google AdWords and Yahoo! Search Marketing.

Pay-Per-Click Marketing 201 will take your knowledge of PPC to the next level by teaching you how to improve the return on investment of your PPC campaigns. You'll learn how to improve your ad click-through and conversion rates, create effective landing pages, measure campaign effectiveness, conduct split testing, and tweak your campaigns for better performance.

Keyword Research 101 will teach you the process to come up with appropriate keywords and phrases to target in search engines, whether through search engine optimization methods or pay-per-click advertising. Learn to select keywords that are geared specifically toward your particular niche markets and that bring you a substantial amount of site traffic. You'll also discover how to integrate these search terms throughout your site without compromising search engine compatibility.

Upon registering, you're given an initial twelve months to complete this program.  Should you need more time beyond the twelve months, an extension may be available.  Extensions are done on a case-by-case basis. 

Upon successful completion of this program, you'll be able to:

• Set up, monitor, and maintain successful pay-per-click advertising campaigns
• Improve click-through and conversion rates
• Conduct split-testing
• Select effective keywords and integrate them throughout a site
• Bid on specific keywords and phrases on the world's most popular search engines and directories
• Prepare to start your own search engine marketing business or apply for a job as an SEM (search engine marketer), PPC marketer, or online advertising executive

1. Pay-Per-Click Marketing 101
   1. Introduction to Pay-Per-Click Marketing
   2. Pay-Per-Click Campaign Preparation
   3. An Introduction to Google AdWords
   4. How to Set Up an AdWords Account
   5. An Introduction to Yahoo! Search Marketing
   6. How to Set Up a Yahoo! Sponsored Search Account
   7. Keyword Research for PPC Campaigns*
   8. Ad Copy Creation for PPC Campaigns
   9. Landing Page Creation for PPC Campaigns
   10. PPC Campaign Conversion and ROI Measurement
2. Pay-Per-Click Marketing 201
   1. Overview of PPC Marketing
   2. Pay-Per-Click Search Engines
   3. Key Elements of a Successful PPC Campaign
   4. Building Effective PPC Ads
   5. How to Structure Your PPC Campaign
   6. Effective PPC Bidding Strategies
   7. How to Create Killer Landing Pages
   8. Tracking PPC Conversions
   9. A/B Split Testing
   10. How to Measure ROI on PPC
3. Keyword Research 101
   1. Introduction to Keyword Research
   2. Keyword Research Basics
   3. Campaign Requirements
   4. Keyword Research Tools
   5. Digging for Keywords
   6. Narrowing Down Your Keyword Selections
   7. Integrating Your Keywords
   8. Using Keywords in PPC Campaigns
   9. Tracking Your Keyword Traffic
   10. Tweaking and Testing Your Keywords

*Please note the PPC Pathway consists of three individual courses:  PPC101, PPC201, and an elective of the student's choice.  The Keyword Research 101 course is NOT a compulsory elective for PPC Pathway. 

Before enrolling in this course, you should have good keyboarding skills, and you should be familiar with using search engines, Internet browsers, and e-mail. It's an advantage, but not required, to have some HTML knowledge and advanced search engine usage experience, as well.

This program will benefit marketers, advertisers, and anyone else who wants to promote Web sites and learn to use keywords effectively. Webmasters and business owners who want to increase traffic to their sites will also find this course useful.  Additionally, search engine optimizers and search engine marketers who want to learn about pay-per-click search marketing will get what they want from this program.

This program is compatible with the Windows XP and later operating systems and IE 7 and later browsers.

The following items are required for taking this program:

• A PC or Macintosh computer
• A reliable Internet connection (DSL or cable high-speed connection recommended)
• Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader (Click here for free download)
• Access to an e-mail client or Internet-based e-mail account

The following items are recommended for taking this program:

• A word-processing package such as Microsoft Word or Works
• A spreadsheet package such as Microsoft Excel or Works
• A printer (if you want to print the lessons)

This program is tutor-supervised. A tutor will be assigned to you and will guide you through the lesson material and review your assignments. The following materials will be provided within this program:

• 30 downloadable PDF Lessons (approximately 302 pages in total)
• 1 Excel spreadsheets
• 30 interactive online review quizzes
• 10 assignments
• 3 interactive online exams
• 2 case studies
• Extensive Internet-based resources
• 12 months access to online classroom area
• 12 months access to online quizzes and final exam
• 12 months access to lesson updates

To complete the program successfully, you'll need to pass your quizzes and final exam with an overall grade of 70% or better, and you must complete assignments to the satisfaction of your tutor. By doing so, you'll earn the Search Engine College Seal of Certification for display on your Web site, and the Search Engine College Certificate of Training to display in your office or include on your resume.

Kalena Jordan was one of the first search engine optimization experts in Australia and New Zealand. She's well known and respected in the search engine industry, particularly in the U.S.

With her in-depth knowledge of Internet marketing techniques and a decade of experience in search engine optimization for client Web sites, she decided to specialize and set up her own search engine marketing company (Jordan Consulting Group) in 1999.

In addition to being co-founder of Search Engine College, Kalena is director of studies and a tutor for all SEO and PPC programs. Her previous roles have included SEO manager for a Web development firm, public relations consultant, freelance Web site designer, marketing manager for a computer systems firm, and five years as public relations advisor to the royal Thai government. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from the University of Newcastle, Australia.

Kalena is a member of SEO Consultants and SEO Pros and has spoken at the popular Search Engine Strategies Conferences. She's also a moderator at the Search Engine Watch Forums. Kalena is the author of The Search Light newsletter and the popular "Ask Kalena..." search engine advice column.