If you currently have search engine optimizers on staff or are considering hiring a trained search engine optimizer you probably know they aren't a dime a dozen. They are extremely hard to come by. You likely will be transplanting someone in from out of your area. And they are probably asking for a lot of money.

But that's all just the tip of your SEO iceberg troubles. Hiring an SEO is a lot easier than actually holding on to one.

Have you ever heard the saying that very often your biggest competitor is sitting directly across from you at the negotiation table? If you are in the service business your potential client is often weighing whether or not they should hire you or just do it themselves.

This is exactly the situation with SEO professionals. Everyday that SEO walks through your doors to come to work they are weighing whether or not they should stay with you, go somewhere else or just do it themselves. Like many service professionals today, they don't need the protective cover of a business to make a great living and have a great career. So, keeping your SEO happy and content is going to be your full time job.

Here are 5 recommendations to keep your SEO happy and putting out great work for you.
1. Every search marketing professional that I know wants their work to be appreciated and valued. They HATE when someone brushes off their optimization as just another web page. Make sure you are thanking them often and creatively. Tell them how great they are doing.
2. Set up incremental measurements for success. This is going to make both you and them happy. Find out how much traffic you are currently getting for a search engine key phrase. Set benchmarks for success as that traffic increases. Make sure you are thanking them often and creatively. Tell them how great they are doing.
3. Ask them their top 5 most important aspects of an ideal career. This often is things like: flexibility, being valued, vacation time. Ask them specifically what these things are and post it by your desk. Make sure you are either meeting these desires or have a clear plan to get these in place.
4. The goal of your HR department should be to create SEOs who are more motivated and more trained than what your competitors are doing. Be aware of what the competition is offering their SEO people. I guarantee your SEOs are aware.
5. Did I mention: Make sure you are thanking them often and creatively. Tell them how great they are doing.

Until there is a larger pool of SEO people, these recommendations are an absolute must. They have many options. You want to make sure your option is the best option.

Sage Lewis is the president of SageRock.com. SageRock is a focused search engine marketing firm that's been in business since 1999. They offer a blog of their own here: SageRock Web Marketing Blog. Most posts are video blog tutorials on overall search engine marketing.