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People who have an interest in search marketing can learn or refine their skills over the Internet as the Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization launches its training arm, SEMPO Institute.

SEMPO perceives a demand for people with search marketing skills, thanks to a burgeoning online economy. Enrollment has been opened for the online distance learning program through the SEMPO Institute page.

Dana Todd, SEMPO president, told WebProNews that they had seen early interest from about 400 people in such an offering from the organization. She also noted that the major search engines had been helpful in determining that the Fundamentals content suited what search marketing pros should be doing, and cited Matt Cutts and his team at Google for specific praise here.

Those who want to give SEMPO's offering a try can sign up for Fundamentals of Search Marketing, the first course presented through the Institute. They have priced the course at $499; SEMPO offers military and full-time student discounts of 50 percent on course fees.

Membership in SEMPO is not a requirement for taking a class through the online campus. However, they have sweetened the appeal of membership by slapping a 20 percent discount on course fees for SEMPO members, even those who join up as they enroll for Fundamentals.

Corporate members of SEMPO at the "Circle" level receive a 30 percent discount on course fees. Some 55 companies like Hewlett-Packard, Nielsen//NetRatings, and Avenue A/Razorfish hold Circle memberships, for example.

Terry Plank, Dean of SEMPO Institute, cited figures from Jupiter Research regarding online business growth. That report noted how some 78 percent of small businesses use the Internet, and a primary driver has been online spending. Jupiter said 2005 small business spending online topped $43 billion for the year.

"It's not only consumer spending now," said Todd. "Business to business transactions are also contributing mightily to the Internet growth, opening up another avenue for marketing jobs."

In late March, SEMPO plans to debut a couple of new courses. Advanced SEO and Advanced Search Advertising will launch as multi-lesson classes available through the online Institute.

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David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business.