If you have a website today you know the importance of getting found online.

However, to many Search Engine Marketing is some kind of "black hat voodoo thing" that some people can do and others can not.

But the truth is, it is not all that mysterious. You just need to know where to go to find the information you need to get the job done.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get Informed - Find out where to go to get information

One of the first things you will need to do is start small. There are a few authoritative sources out there which many webmasters and search engine marketers turn to when they can not easily find an answer. So, why not use these same sources to your own benefit?

I recommend: these sources for information for beginner and advanced users:

Search Engine Watch started by industry expert Danny Sullivan before there was a search engine marketing industry. Also, check out their forums where many of the best search engine marketing experts share their knowledge.

Be sure to watch new sites as well

Sometimes new sites can be just as informative as more established ones.

I recommend: Danny has recently left Search Engine Watch to started another industry watch website called Search Engine Land which is sure to become yet another great resource.

Visit a few webmaster specific sites as well

Don't think that you need to visit search engine marketing only webistes. Sometimes others provide as much, or more, information.

I recommend: Webmaster World which keeps its eye on the comings and goings of the search engines. They too have forums and while some may seem a little over your head at first, there is still plenty of useful information and help when you need it.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Sometimes there can be a lot of information to absorb so do not try to do it all at once.
• •  Be sure to register for a free account on the forums. That way when you have a question you can ask. And while most people are supportive, the appreciate it if you look around the site to see if your question has already been answered BEFORE you ask it.
• •  These sites and others offer feeds of their most recent content. Search Engine Watch also offers feeds of their forum posts. Therefore, to keep up to date, try subscribing to a few of the feeds. This can save you time because you don't have to visit the sites as often.