As you might guess, interest is high in speaking at SMX conferences. Here are some tips that will increase your chances of being selected.

Pitch early: Submitting your pitch early gives you a better chance of being selected. Coordinators accept speakers as soon as they identify a pitch that they think best fits the session, just like colleges that use a rolling admissions policy. So pitching early increases the likelihood you’ll be chosen.

Use the form: The speaker pitch form (http://searchmarketingexpo.com/speaker-form) is the way to ask to speak. There’s helpful information there about how your pitch should be written and what it should contain.

Write it yourself and be specific: Lots of pitches come in that are obviously written by staff or not specific to the session. These are two of the most effective ways to ensure that your pitch is ignored. If you’re a thought leader, write the pitch yourself… and make certain that it is 100% focused on the session topic.

“Throw your best pitch:” We’re limiting the number of pitches to three per person, so please pitch for the session(s) where you really feel you’ll offer SMX attendees your best.

If you want to know what we aren’t looking for, see our The Best (Worst) Practices For NOT Being Invited To Speak At SMX.

The speaking pitch form will close on February 20, and we’ll notify everyone whether you’ve been selected or not by the end of February.

Keep reading to learn more about the networking opportunities and then register for your All Access pass to Search Marketing Expo – SMX West, February 28 to March 1 in San Jose, CA.

SMX West Meet & Greet
Monday, February 27 – 6:00PM to 7:30PM
Start your SMX West experience off right! Arrive early and join us for an informal evening reception with fellow attendees, speakers and invited guests. Sponsored by Brafton, Bruce Clay, Inc. and Majestic SEO.

Meet & Eat Networking Lunches and Birds-Of-A-Feather Tables
Tuesday – Thursday, February 28 – March 1
There are two ways to get more out of lunch at SMX than just hot meals! You’re certain to sit with knowledgeable and engaging people.

Like the experience to be a little more structured? Sign up to enjoy lunch at a birds-of-a-feather table. These are a great opportunities to continue the conversation with others who share your interests. Attendees can sign up for their selected topics when registering for the conference – seating is limited!

Expo Hall Reception
Tuesday, February 28 – 6:00PM to 7:00PM
Check out all of the solutions offered by the SMX West exhibitors during the Expo Hall Reception, sponsored by Acquisio. You’ll enjoy drinks and snacks while meeting your fellow delegates and learning about tools and services that can make you a more effective internet marketer!

SMX West exhibitors and sponsors include Premier sponsors Acquisio, Covario and Marin Software, and Gold sponsors Bing, Bruce Clay Inc., Doubleclick Search by Google and Quantcast. See who’s exhibiting.

SMX After Dark
Wednesday, February 29 – 9pm to 11pm
SMX After will include an open bar, snacks, and the opportunity to meet internet marketers from around the world – all thanks to the good people at Covario. SMX After Dark is open to All Access passholders, speakers and press only.

Look for details and additions to the networking activities on our page!

SMX West All Access conference passes are an outstanding value at just $1595 for 3 days of exceptional content and invaluable networking opportunities. You can be confident you’ve invested wisely; we guarantee it!

Register today!

PS: Over thirty organizations are sending groups of three or more. Should your company be one of them? Check out our group discounts of 15-25%.

SMX West offers flexible pass options to fit your needs, budget and schedule. Which pass is your match? Keep reading, and then register today to secure your spot.

The Comprehensive SMX Experience – All Access Pass

• Participate in a smorgasbord of cutting-edge sessions and keynotes covering SEO, paid search advertising, social media marketing and other internet marketing topics, presented by an expert faculty of over 130 speakers.
• Attend all the networking activities, including the “Meet & Greet” kickoff reception, the Expo Hall Reception, Birds-of-a-Feather lunch tables and SMX After Dark.
• Enjoy conveniences like free Wifi, breakfast, hot lunches and snacks.

Three day All Access Passes are available for just $1595, an outstanding value. You’ll be satisfied. We guarantee it!

Have only one day to spend at SMX? One Day All Access Passes are available.

In-Depth Training – Workshop Pass

Take a deep dive into SEO, international search marketing, in-house SEO, advanced AdWords or Facebook marketing by attending a pre-conference workshop on Monday, February 27.

Register for just a workshop or save by buying a combination All Access + Workshop Pass.

Just Getting Started? – SMX Boot Camp

Getting started can be difficult, so we’ve created a one day pass that provides the search engine marketing basics. Attend SMX Boot Camp on February 28 for sessions on paid search advertising, SEO, copywriting and link building.

Attend all four sessions and earn your Certificate of Participation. Boot Camp Passes are only $499.

Find Solutions to Your Business Needs – Expo+ Pass

• Attend the more than 20 presentations in the SMX Theater.
• Visit all of the 40 exhibitors and sponsors, including market leaders Acquisio, Bing, Bruce Clay, Covario, Marin Software and Quantcast.
• Access the keynotes and host of other activities on February 28-29.

Expo+ Passes are FREE when you register online prior to SMX West, $50 at the door. Learn more!

SMX West will be here before you know it! Register online and secure your spot. Have questions? Call us at (877) 242-5242, or email registration@searchmarketingexpo.com

Register Today!

Helpful Links:

• Your peers have raved about SMX West. See what they said.
• Want to bring your team? Group discounts of 15-25% available!
• Top 10 reasons to attend SMX West
• Hotel and travel info
• Get an insider’s view of SMX West

They’ll give an overview of the current mobile landscape, then delve into tactics you can use to maximize the results of your mobile search campaign. Learn how you can capitalize on this rapidly growing opportunity – now.

Register now at Search Marketing Now.

Join us February 28-March 1 in San Jose for:

• Timely programing: 85% of the sessions are new, exploring new developments in personalized search, keyword data blocking and the impact of technologies such as Siri/search by voice. Check out the agenda.
• Actionable tactics, best practices and strategies from over 130 subject-matter experts. See who’s speaking.
• Networking opportunities to connect with your industry peers.
• Access to leading solution providers in the Expo Hall.
• Five in-depth workshops February 27.
• Essential conveniences. At SMX West you’ll be treated right. Hot lunches. Snacks. WiFi access. All *included* with your All Access pass.

Don’t miss your chance to save! Register today to secure SMX West Early Bird rates!

Early bird rates for Search Marketing Expo – SMX West expire this Saturday, January 28. Register now and save!

Here’s why you should join us February 28 to March 1 in San Jose, CA:

• More than 130 of the world’s most knowledgeable search marketers will present at SMX West. They’re selected based on ability AND willingness to share the tactics and strategies that make them successful. See who’s speaking.
• You’ll learn how the experts are prospering in spite of constant algorithm modifications, blocked keyword data and radical changes in personalized search results. The program offers sessions on SEO, PPC, social marketing and more for expert and beginning internet marketers. Check out the agenda.
• Networking, networking, networking! Come renew industry connections and make new ones. SMX West offers a mix of structured and social networking opportunities; there’s no better place to grow your professional network.

Register today and pay only $1445 for a three-day All Access pass.

Rates increase Saturday, so do it now!

Want to send your team? You save an 15-25% when registering three or more people. Check out our attractive group registration rates.

Helpful SMX West Links:

• See what to expect. Read conference chair Danny Sullivan’s preview.
• Access to best-of-breed solutions and tools – view SMX West exhibitors & sponsors.
• Where to stay and how to get there.
• Take a deep dive into SEO techniques, in-house SEO, Google AdWords, international search or Facebook marketing in our specialized, intensive workshops held pre-conference on February 27.
• Still have questions? Check out our FAQ.

They’ll look at emerging social media analytics methods and some tools available to measure ROI and performance of social media activities.

On Thursday, January 26, John Busby of Marchex and Kirby Winfield of comScore present “How to Successfully Generate Phone Calls through Mobile Advertising.”

The growth in smart phones has opened up huge opportunities for performance-based pay per call advertising campaigns. Learn more about performance-based digital call advertising, and how to verify and measure the quality of these campaigns.

Both webcasts begin at 1 PM EST, last about 45-50 minutes, and are free. Register at Search Marketing Now.

Google is blocking some referrer information. Link data has gotten harder to analyze. Google’s Search Plus Your World bombshell promises to take personalization to a whole new level.

Understand the landscape and get the tactics you need to map out a brilliant 2012 and beyond. Attend Search Engine Land’s SMX West, February 28 to March 1 in San Jose.

With nearly 60 sessions across 15 topic tracks on the SMX West agenda, you can customize a program to suit your needs. Whether you’re an expert or new to search marketing, focused on paid advertising, SEO or social media, you’ll benefit from the depth and breadth of content presented.

Early Bird rates expire January 28. Don’t wait – register now! Groups of 3 or more save 15-25%!

On Wednesday, January 18, Rand Fishkin and Katharine VanderDrift will discuss “Content, Freshness and SEO for Large Sites: What’s Important for 2012.” Learn about the latest in Google freshness updates, and how to build freshness into content for a large site.

Both webcasts begin at 1 PM EST, last about 45-50 minutes, and are free. Register at Search Marketing Now.

Understand the landscape and get the tactics you need to map out a brilliant 2012 and beyond. Attend Search Marketing Expo – SMX West, February 28 to March 1 in San Jose.

With nearly 60 sessions across 15 topic tracks on the SMX West agenda, you can customize a program to suit your needs. Whether you’re an expert or new to search marketing, focused on paid advertising, SEO or social media, you’ll benefit from the depth and breadth of content presented.

At SMX West you can expect only the most qualified speakers and relevant topics, programmed by the Search Engine Land editorial team, who have been reporting and analyzing this industry since its inception.

Register Now and Save

Register by January 28 and pay only $1445 for three jam-packed days of exceptional content, invaluable networking opportunities with leaders in search marketing, plus essential conveniences (like free WiFi, free beverages and free food) that make your time out of the office a bit easier. It’s all included in your All Access pass!

Adapt and succeed in the ever-evolving search industry. Don’t take our word for it – see what past attendees have said. You’ll be satisfied with your investment in SMX West, we guarantee it.

Register today!

Helpful SMX West Links:

• Want to send a team? Save 15-25% with our group rates!
• Current list of exhibitors & sponsors
• SMX West FAQ
• Where to stay
• Need approval? Check out the Get the Boss Onboard form