How many blog posts and articles do you think the SEM industry produces in a given week? Hundreds? What about a month? A full year? Whatever the answers are, the numbers must be pretty staggering. How on earth do you even try to hand out awards for great content when there’s so much content to track?

It’s an impossible task, but I’m sticking my neck out and — with the help of more than two dozen friends and fellow search marketers — giving it a try. Introducing The SEMMYS.

The SEMMYS are annual awards that will honor the best Search Engine Marketing content in a variety of categories. Since SEM has grown to encompass much more than just SEO and PPC, the SEMMYS include categories for Reputation Management, Blogging, Social Media, and more. In all, the nominees for the 2008 SEMMY Awards include 127 authors from 111 blogs/sites. (Yes, I know a lot of great content wasn’t nominated. See About the SEMMYS.)

Right now, the judges are reviewing all the nominees. They have a week to choose finalists in each category. Once the finalists are posted on SEMMYS.org, you’ll have a week to vote for a winner in each category.

I would like to extend my deepest thanks to David Mihm for his wonderful work on the layout and design of www.SEMMYS.org and for putting up with me during development. Thanks also to the 25 fantastic judges who are choosing finalists. You folks are the cream of the crop where search marketing is concerned, and I’m honored that you accepted my invitation to be part of the awards. And last, but not least, thanks to Logoworks for producing an excellent logo for the SEMMYS.