SEO Christmas Wishlist : Perfect Presents for an SEO

Every year as the holiday shopping season ramps up, people ask me the same question over and over again “ What do you want for Christmas this year? ” I consider myself a pretty simple fellow, and always have a difficult time answering this question for a couple of reasons : one because I’m not used to getting gifts, and two because most of the gifts I receive I never use, and they end up in my misfit toy chest, packed away somewhere with my mini-DVD camcorder, PSP, iPod Shuffle, collection of hats too small for my enormous head and other stuff I just do not use or is outdated. Then I think about the stuff I really want, like the new Rolls Royce Ghost or a HAL Robot Suit , and as those items are just way too over the top, I keep my mouth shut, go into “aww shucks” mode, and end up with a giftcard or something. So while the rest of the world is busy preparing a wish list for Christmas (or the winter holiday of choice), I got to thinking about how SEO is not just a job, but also a way of life, and how us “Google nerds” had better be smart in wishing for things you want this year. And if you play your cards right and ask Santa for the right things, your next year in SEO could be an easier passage. So I’ve made a list of 5 things that I believe can help me, in the coming year, to retain my sanity as well as my hair, and improve my standard of SEO life. 1. Verizon MiFi The Mifi is one thing that I definitely want from Santa this Christmas. For the (un)blissfully unaware, the Mifi is a tiny portable device that can convert incoming 3G signals to a small Wi-Fi network which can then be accessed by my laptop, notebook or tablet. MiFi’s are basically mobile hotspots, that I own and control, and keep me online almost anywhere the Verizon network has connectivity (sorry AT&T). The Mifi is, actually, a battery powered modem that you can use to latch on to WiFi networks using a simple Wi-Fi radio. What this means is that now I don’t have to worry about signal drops or connectivity issues as long as this gadget is in my pocket. The Orioles have moved their Spring Training home to Sarasota, which is about an hour from Search & Social’s Tampa office, and I forsee myself attending many Spring Training games and working on location. Furthermore, with all of the travel people in this industry seem to do, this tiny gizmo in my pocket can put paid to a lot of worries at conferences, where wireless connections are always an issue. 2. Subscriptions to Inc, Fortune, Wired, Webmaster Magazine I spend a lot of time in front of the computer, but when I’m away from the screen, like on Sundays, I enjoy reading or watching business related media that sparks my interest and can also get creative biz ideas flowing. This may sound lame, but I like to sprawl out on the couch on Sundays, put football on, and thumb through Inc. and Fortune. Sometimes at work I’ll go eat lunch away from my desk and flip through Wired. Every once in a while I’ll come across an SEO related story, which really gets me excited, almost as much as the time I heard NPR report on Yahoo dropping Google search earlier in the decade. That stuff just gets me excited. What’s kind of nice is that magazines like Fortune, Wired, Webmaster Magazine and Inc don’t cost much if you get a subscription (I suggest Subscription.com ), and they are all vital sources of information. The ROI is huge! Mix the magazines with episodes of Shark Tank & CNBC specials, and you’ve got a recipe for success! 3. Head Massager Like I said earlier, I’ve been losing quite a lot of hair, lately, probably due to the brainstorming sessions we have here at Search and Social, working across from Dave Snyder and simple genetics. This one makes my wish list because it promises me the elixir I’m looking for to regain my lost hair, youthful looks and sanity. Skeptics might argue on this one, but I’m going to include this in the wish list, because, even if I don’t stop losing hair, I can, at least, go to sleep earlier with a soothing massage. Furthermore, head massagers can really be great in the middle of the day, when you are starting to get your headaches or eyes are hurting from staring at the monitor, slap one of these babies on your head and relax for 10 minutes, dreaming of links & rankings. I suggest the Head Spa Massager as featured in Skymall, another one of my favorite magazines. 4. Google Socks This might come as a surprise to many of my friends, peers, and competitors and even Santa himself when he sees this on my wish list, but I just think that Google Socks are the collest thing ever! Do they come in size 16? The fact is…the gentle, grateful soul that I am, acknowledging the power of Google and paying tribute to the search giant by wearing a pair of Google Socks with the Google colors is my way of showing my gratitude, if only they could be pulled up all the way to my knees and not ankle socks. I think I’ll take some Google Beanbags too! So those are the four things I want on my Christmas SEO Wishlist, but I’m sure that other search marketers also want other things for the holidays. So I asked on Twitter this morning, and here are the responses : @ themlsmith I want a Chrome cookie jar. oh an more seo extensions too @ monicawright Painless SEO reporting. Oh and @ lisabarone ’s writing skills. @ davesnyder an android tablet http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/20/icd-ultra-android-tablet-hands-on/ @ mjleonard I want one of the electric Google scooters. I believe they have been banned due to colliding Googlers. Makes them more enticing. @ leeodden Good service from ATT in NYC! @ creditgoddess Maybe some SEO certification courses http://tinyurl.com/y8p7oqf or extension on SEO Dojo membership http://tinyurl.com/yeaqsn4 What’s on your SEO Christmas Wishlist? Check out the SEO Tools guide at Search Engine Journal . SEO Christmas Wishlist : Perfect Presents for an

5 Ways to End 2009 with a Bang

Life is a funny thing! As humans we all want to be successful and happy. Each year goes by (faster than we would like) full of goals, failures and accomplishments. Ultimately it is up to us as individuals to reach for the stars and fulfill our desires. Below you will find a list of five things that you can do to end this year in a way that will make you happy, successful and ready for the New Year! But remember, it is up to you and no one else to make it happen. If you are reading this, more than likely you are a Business, SEO, or Social Media minded person; and for that very reason I have focused the items below on you. 1. Life – The number one item that you need to do today to end this year with a bang is to evaluate your life. The reason why this is number one on my list is because if you can’t take care of yourself, then how are you going to take care of your family, job, or business? Focus some time today on going back through notes, files, and papers, really anything that you can find that has your 2009 resolutions or goals that you set earlier this year. If you can’t find anything or you didn’t put anything together then that is just fine, stay with me though. Next thing you need to do is review your resolutions or goals.

DIY SEO: Create Your Own Keyword Tracking Master Feed

There are plenty of tools that help you track a keyword mentions either for reputation management or for keyword research. But you know what, if you want something done well, you better do it yourself. So here’s a quick tutorial on creating your own keyword tracking master feed : Step One: Collect the

The Perfect SEO Pitch

Agency side, it’s not unusual to find yourself going up against a fellow SEO agency for new business. What factors will ensure you capture this new business opportunity and leave your competing agency in the metaphorical dust? I recently read The Perfect Pitch by Jon Steel of WPP, and it’s got me thinking about how I sell my agency when presenting to potential clients. Namely, that it’s of the utmost importance to go in understanding (to whatever degree possible) what a client is looking for and customize your pitch to fit their needs. Below are some of Steele’s main points: Practice . Have at least 2 practice pitches before presenting to a new business opportunity. Steel even advocates writing scripts so Bobby knows he’s talking about the agency’s blue chip PPC experience while Amanda is confident in detailing Social Media opportunities. By practicing, everyone knows what to expect when the actual pitch occurs and no one will be re-hashing points others have already made. Many Slides Does Not a Presentation Make. In the past, I’ve worked at agencies with a long standard “This is How SEO works” presentation chalk-a-block full of text and ripped SEOmoz images. While it’s great to prove to the client “we know lots of stuff “ to follow that with “And now, we will have an SEO brain dump on you to prove we know lots of stuff” isn’t going to leave new business opportunity gasping for more (probably just overwhelmed). Steel wants to make sure the presenter is the focus of the presentation, not the slides. He argues that in PowerPoint presentations the “bullet point dilutes thought,” and suggests the majority of text be deleted in favor of images. This way, the presenter is the focus of attention and not the words behind them, which appear by tacky transitions and are often accompanied by cheesy Clip Art. Owning the Room . Don’t be afraid to move furniture and reconstruct rooms to fit your needs. If the projection screen points to an awkward wall, ask to have it repositioned, if the chairs are uncomfortable ask for different ones. Organising the chairs “in the round” encourages audience participation while the typical speaker standing in front of the audience is less engaging. Best Sellers May Not be the Most Senior People Office politics often dictate who should meet and present to a client, but you may be loosing out on some of the best talent in your agency/department! Have the presentation given by those who present best, who appear naturally confident in front of an audience, who deal well under pressure and can think on their feet when the questions start rolling in. This may be a mid level PPC expert, and not the assumed Senior Search Marketing Consultant. Encouraging and handling questions . Make a list of popular questions clients ask with correct answers (“Our competitors have a blog, do we need one?” “If we had to pick PPC or SEO…”). Whether you prefer to handle questions at the end of a presentation or encourage them to be asked as they pop into clients heads – be careful not to go off on too far a tangent. This can kill the sense of direction of an otherwise strong pitch. Thank You. The next day, be sure to send a card or make a phone call which reiterates your agency’s core message from the day before. This is also an opportunity to address any concerns the client raised which perhaps couldn’t be answered during the pitch. Ultimately, there are a million ways to customize a pitch for a client which this post barely skims the surface of. A pitch, like any good content, is about holding a conversation with the receiving end, not talking them to death with how well qualified your agency is. Please let SEJ know what your tips are on how to improve an SEO pitch? If you’re an SEO client, what was it about your SEO agency that really grabbed your attention? Looking forward to your comments! Check out the SEO Tools guide at Search Engine Journal . The Perfect SEO

Using the Power of Attraction Marketing to Get Your Prospects to Buy

So you’ve build a list of highly targeted subscribers, now what? A lot of people face problems when it comes to turning their subscribers to customers. This is where comes in the power of “Attraction Marketing” to help you shoot up your sales. Let’s admit it, getting your opt-in subscribers to actually buy from you is

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Using the Power of Attraction Marketing to Get Your Prospects to Buy

Microsoft Powerpoint Training For Busy People

by Carol Alexander The use of presentations and slideshows is gaining in popularity. Many people are finding themselves with the Microsoft Powerpoint program but need to find a Microsoft Powerpoint Training class or program to get them started in using the program effectively. There are many colleges and training centers that provide training to individuals seeking Microsoft Powerpoint Training. The purpose of these courses is to provide individuals with the basics of using the program so that they can return to their home or business and experiment with the program. In most of the classes the special functions that are taught are those that are used most by people who use Powerpoint on a regular basis. Sitting with someone who has used the Powerpoint program for a long period of time is a great way to get effective Microsoft Powerpoint Training. These people know many different functions that a person who does not use the program on a regular basis would not know. They can teach an individual how to get faster results or produce more effective presentations in fewer keystrokes. When one is using the program they will also find that there is a tutorial available within the program. If one reaches a function or feature that they do not understand or cannot manipulate it is possible to switch the tutorial on and get a walk-through on how to make the function work properly. Should a person wish to learn the complex intricacies of the program it is always wise to purchase books and manuals specifically designed to provide Microsoft Powerpoint Training. These books often discuss particular features in more detail than might be covered in other types of training programs. Microsoft Powerpoint Training does not end. There is always something new to learn with the program and a new method for creating exciting presentation, slideshows, brochures, and pamphlets. When an individual gets to a point where they feel they have learned all that they want to know they can stop. About the Author: Do you need with a UK IT training company offering Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 training courses , as well as Microsoft Excel training in London and throughout the UK.

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Microsoft Powerpoint Training For Busy People

Microsoft PowerPoint: The Only Presentation Tool That You Will Ever Need

by Lynne Kramer Being armed with Microsoft PowerPoint training is one big help when it comes to creating powerful presentations. If you are one who is new to versions, or one who is new to using PowerPoint altogether, here are a few helpful tips. Microsoft PowerPoint users will notice the quick access toolbar has the easiest functions of any program. You have the ability to customize and will not have to click menus and sub menus using the shortcuts. Your choice of functions is creating reviews, animations, text, video, audio, and tutorials. All this is made easy with the actions found under the toolbar tabs. Students and teachers use the program for quizzes, tutorials, and to create videos. Many companies provide slide shows and run them automatically while people mingle. The shortcuts using the CTRL or Control button in older versions still intact. If you do not know much about them yet, Keyboard shortcuts are also part of the Microsoft PowerPoint training found on line. You can choose from choices in layouts, designs, and the type of presentation. Create charts and add graphics with links. You can use your own artwork through scanning in the images or use the art available. When you choose your design for a slide, your focus should be on how it communicates a message. Use the design as a decoration in a business will most likely lose the point you are trying to make. The wonder of technology let us who are not able to draw our art create professional designs. We can create art with the methods already established for success. Positive messages and simple designs are the key to creating the perfect presentation. You have everything you need to use Microsoft PowerPoint and tips for success and hints to get you around any difficulties are all on line twenty four seven. About the Author: Do you need an IT training company that can offer you Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 Classes , as well as Microsoft Excel courses in London and throughout the UK.

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Microsoft PowerPoint: The Only Presentation Tool That You Will Ever Need