http://www.conversationmarketing.com/ Ruminations on the world of internet marketing, by a grown up. We won't use the word 'synergy' once, we promise... en Copyright 2010 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:16:36 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.23-en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss March 12, 2010, Seattle, WA - Ian Lurie, CEO of Portent Interactive B-list SEO geek, has catapulted himself into the limelight by suing every business using words that contain 'ian'. The lawyer-turned-marketer wants all businesses using words containing 'ian' to request permission, first. According to documents leaked to the media, http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/03/breaking_news_ian_lurie_filing.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/03/breaking_news_ian_lurie_filing.htm Blogging Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:16:36 -0800 Whenever I read a book on SEO, I want to slap the author. First there's the inevitable reference to keyword meta tags. Then there's the "Write great content" line. And the "put more keywords on every page". Or there's great stuff like "Exchange links with other sites". Bleah. So, when http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/03/art-of-seo-book-review.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/03/art-of-seo-book-review.htm Search Marketing Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:38:32 -0800 The biggest mistake I see SEO's make: They focus on keywords first and foremost, ignoring opportunities that exist right in their own analytics data. This is my presentation from SMX West 2010, where I talk about analytics strategies for SEO. It'll help you get out of the keyword abyss. I http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/03/seo-analytics-smx-west-2010.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/03/seo-analytics-smx-west-2010.htm Web Analytics Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:41:11 -0800 A bunch of random facts about internet marketing, all of which are worth knowing, regardless of their randomness: Internet marketing is hard. Really hard. It's not something that easily succumbs to a 'miracle system'. Guys like Shoemoney have it right - they have systems, but they don't say it's easy. http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/03/25-internet-marketing-facts.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/03/25-internet-marketing-facts.htm Internet Marketing 101 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:07:52 -0800 Plot synopsis: Drunk Google engineer, me trapped in window seat, 90 minutes stretches out like years. That's the short version. Here's the long one: Have to give Rand Fishkin credit for the title 'Captain Crazy Pants'. Rand was sitting across the aisle and heard some of the goings-on, so you http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/03/captain-crazy-pants.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/03/captain-crazy-pants.htm Blogging Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:28:31 -0800 One innocent Tweet and everyone went nuts. Sheesh. The YouTube Video Optimization session at SMX West today kicked butt. Out of many cool tidbits, one really stood out: Matt Ballek pointed out a Forrester study showing that an optimized YouTube video is 50x more likely to get onto page 1 http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/03/youtube_videos_are_50x_more_li.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/03/youtube_videos_are_50x_more_li.htm Search Marketing Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:21:42 -0800 This post is somewhat advanced - I geek out quite a bit. If you don't know what a server log file is, read about that, first, then come back. Yesterday I explained why, in internet marketing, attribution is a mind-sucking pain in the ass. Not very satisfying, I know, because http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/03/attribution-part-two.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/03/attribution-part-two.htm Web Analytics Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:08:28 -0800 The worst job in the world? President. I'd rather be a telemarketer (been there, done that). It's not the assassination threats, or the constant hounding by the press, or the fact that you can blow up the earth about 40 times over. It's about attribution. You get 'credit' for things http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/03/attribution-part-one.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/03/attribution-part-one.htm Web Analytics Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:52:51 -0800 Soooooo, I started this tutorial with every intention of being serious. But it's been a long week, I was up at 4:30 AM and I had Evan in the tutorial. Things went downhill fast. Regardless, it still shows you how to install Google Analytics on a regular web site and http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/google-analytics-tutorial-redux2.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/google-analytics-tutorial-redux2.htm Web Analytics Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:53:05 -0800 Linda Lybert knows sales. I mean she really knows sales, the way a history professor knows history. She wrote a brilliant, brief white paper about sales, titled "Are you going to sell to me the way you want to sell or the way I want to buy?", and she was http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/sell_the_way_your_customers_wa.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/sell_the_way_your_customers_wa.htm Internet Marketing 101 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:16:31 -0800 Lucky for all of us, I'm a pathetic weakling. Still, I am blogging angry. Furniture-throwing, people-punching, burn-your-business-to-the-ground and then watch you weep over the ashes angry. Your typical plagiarism I can deal with. I booby-trap pages and send pissy e-mails. I'm OK with all of this. Most of these people http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/content-thieves-want-punc.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/content-thieves-want-punc.htm Blogging Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:47:00 -0800 In the next 2 months, I'm speaking all over the place: SMX West, Pubcon South, SEMPDX Searchfest, IMC Calgary and the Gig Harbor Web Design Meetup. It's presentation pandemonium. Here's the list of dates and places, and what I think I'll be presenting. SMX West: March 2-4, 2010, Santa Clara. http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/see_me_speak_i_never_shut_up.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/see_me_speak_i_never_shut_up.htm Internet Marketing 101 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:04:15 -0800 I spent the evening tonight working with my son, Harrison, as he tried to complete a report about a particular kind of wood. Harrison's pretty sharp (of course!) and I didn't have to help much. So I got to observe as he struggled with Google, Bing and Yahoo! to find http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/search-has-a-long-way-to-go.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/search-has-a-long-way-to-go.htm Search Marketing Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:39:50 -0800 http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/dilbert_on_seo.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/dilbert_on_seo.htm Search Marketing Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:27:17 -0800 This is part of my ever-growing list of tips for developers building e-commerce sites. I cover a lot of territory in one list, so be gentle folks. Use SSL only within your cart. There's a hell of a lot of debate around this. But one fact is clear: SSL page http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/24-e-commerce-development-tips.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/24-e-commerce-development-tips.htm Web Design Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:40:42 -0800 Last week I gave a 1-hour presentation about social media to Lenora Edwards' roundtable group. This is a recording (warts and all) in two parts. I cover a lot of territory, from 'what is social media' to a couple of templates for using social media to grow your business. Have http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/social-media-seminar-rebroadcast.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/social-media-seminar-rebroadcast.htm Internet Marketing 101 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:43:56 -0800 Remember how I once said I'm not mean, I'm just angry? Well, this is definitely one of those times when I go from 'just' angry to 'volcano' angry. A while back, Scott Hendison, an SEO down in Portland, caught a company (who shall remain nameless) being a bit naughty in http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/thou_shalt_not_mess_with_each.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/thou_shalt_not_mess_with_each.htm Blogging Sun, 14 Feb 2010 11:47:31 -0800 Grandma knows best. This is my presentation from SEMPDX this week: Link Building using the stuff you already have, but didn't know about (aka Finding Links Between the Cushions): Link building sucks. It's hard, it's not fun, and the payoff is a long way away. So why not learn to http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/link-building-strategies-video.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/link-building-strategies-video.htm Search Marketing Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:12:50 -0800 When Google announced Google Buzz, I groaned. Another tool to work with. Another reputation management timebomb. Another place for people to spam me with ridiculous miracle marketing plans. I have a modest proposal: Let's kill all social media platforms save 1 or two. I don't even care which ones. Just http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/social-media-monopoly.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/social-media-monopoly.htm Blogging Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:58:02 -0800 I'm one of the panelists tonight for SEMPDX's Link Building Six Pack. I feel I must warn everyone that, after driving down here, while eating a McDonald's lunch and listening to SEO Rockstars on Webmaster Radio, I'm feeling a bit, er, cursey. Is that a word? I'm not sure. Anyway: http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/presenting_tonight_at_sempdx_e.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/presenting_tonight_at_sempdx_e.htm Blogging Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:08:48 -0800 This is really, really geeky stuff for a Friday. Plus, I had to dig waaaay back to my college Sociology courses to figure it out. You've probably heard a lot about the fact that a person can only maintain relationships with 150 people before their brains are frappe'd into cottage http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/dunbars_number-warp-drive.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/dunbars_number-warp-drive.htm Blogging Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:45:10 -0800 One tradition in marketing: If something works, you beat it to death, and then some more, until it's a broad, flat spot on the ground. So, after folks loved my first piece, 10 questions to evaluate a social media expert, I've decided to do another about SEOs. Face it: If http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/10-questions-to-evaluate-an-seo.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/10-questions-to-evaluate-an-seo.htm Search Marketing Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:43:37 -0800 I'm talking about the movie Groundhog Day, not the day when we try to predict the weather using a large rodent (I know it's not really a rodent, but come on). Quick synopsis: Bill Murray lives through the same day again and again as the universe tries to show him http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/groundhog-day-fat-free-guide.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/groundhog-day-fat-free-guide.htm Internet Marketing 101 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:53:53 -0800 I'm probably way too excited about this, but hey, it's stuff like this that compensates for lots of nights writing blog posts. Thanks to everyone who voted for my post, 10 Questions to evaluate a social media 'expert'. http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/2010_semmy_winner_you_like_me.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/02/2010_semmy_winner_you_like_me.htm Blogging Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:06:52 -0800 Rey Ybarra of the New Media Radio Hour interviewed me last week. Here's the recording, if you want to listen: http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/my_blogtalkradio_interview_wit.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/my_blogtalkradio_interview_wit.htm Blogging Sat, 30 Jan 2010 10:12:15 -0800 At Pubcon Las Vegas 2009 I gave a presentation about copywriting and SEO. I finally had time to re-record it. Here it is, minus my quick work as a tech support specialist: Good copywriting and SEO don't get along. That's what folks want you to think, anyway. Good copy and http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/how-seo-ruins-copy-and-how.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/how-seo-ruins-copy-and-how.htm Search Marketing Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:47:35 -0800 Blake Cahill of Visible Technologies invited me to present tomorrow in the first of his 2010 webinar series. The subject: The disappearing divide between search and social. I'm going to talk about how you use social media to boost your SEO efforts. Plus, I guarantee at least one photograph of http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/webinar_tomorrow_the_disappear.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/webinar_tomorrow_the_disappear.htm Blogging Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:09:05 -0800 I used to do these ultra-marathon cycling events. 'Used to' means '16 years ago', by the way. You'd get up in the morning, ride 200-500 miles in a single day, and then go pass out. Insanity. But I learned something really important: No matter how long the ride, the second http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/internet-marketing-and-the-sec.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/internet-marketing-and-the-sec.htm Internet Marketing 101 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:17:41 -0800 SEO is really, really hard. Not because it's mysterious: If you can't do the math there are always smarty pants out there analyzing the algorithms. You can always just read their stuff and learn. No, it's hard because it's nearly impossible to figure out where to start. Here are the http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/9-seo-upgrades-you-can-make.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/9-seo-upgrades-you-can-make.htm Search Marketing Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:56:14 -0800 There have been a lot of rumblings lately about eHow, one of many massive content farms, hurting their writers' revenue. Accusations include: Copying articles from the US site (where writers get paid for pageviews) to the UK site (where they don't); Keeping their payment algorithm a mystery, so no http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/ehow-i-call-bullshit.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/ehow-i-call-bullshit.htm Blogging Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:11:22 -0800 My post, 10 Questions to Evaluate A Social Media 'Expert', is in the industry section finals of the Semmy Awards. If you know what the Semmys are, you know why I want to win. If you don't, then just trust me it's about time that I stop being the Susan http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/vote_for_me_in_the_semmys_pret.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/vote_for_me_in_the_semmys_pret.htm Blogging Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:21:02 -0800 I think it's time we all moved on. I'm going to stop bitching about the phrase 'social media'. In exchange, you're all going to stop pondering whether you need a social media strategy. The term social media is here to stay, clearly. And it is critical as new potential customers http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/zombies-social-media-buying-cycle.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/zombies-social-media-buying-cycle.htm Internet Marketing 101 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:58:54 -0800 Mark Anderson created a great comic about blogger's block (bloggage, in my own unique language). It's fun to look at, but more important, he points out great, time-honored tricks for any creative type who's stuck for an idea. I've used them from time to time and they're lifesavers: Combine, like http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/six_stunning_secrets_to_bloggi.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/six_stunning_secrets_to_bloggi.htm Blogging Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:04:07 -0800 Update: The New York Times just announced their new 'metered pricing' plan, which does the opposite of my idea by charging the more loyal readers more than the one-stop lookie-loos, and offering no reward whatsoever. Read it here. Actually, it's my plan for how the New York Times can http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/save-the-new-york-times.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/save-the-new-york-times.htm Internet Marketing Strategy Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:18:57 -0800 I'm an idiot. Last week, someone commented on a post I wrote for SEOMOZ's YouMOZ service that they'd like a Google Analytics Cheatsheet. I wrote back "OK, I'll do it." Guess what? Google Analytics has a ton of features. And even more tricks and hacks that folks have developed over http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/google-analytics-cheatsheet.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/google-analytics-cheatsheet.htm Web Analytics Sun, 17 Jan 2010 14:19:38 -0800 Todd Mintz interviewed me for Search Engine Journal. The interview includes nuggets like: "when I meet them I get an immediate desire to hit them with a chair. It's some kind of superpower, I guess." and "It all comes together eventually. I hope. Cough." Great reading if you want heckling http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/interview_on_search_engine_jou.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/interview_on_search_engine_jou.htm Blogging Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:10:54 -0800 I just published a new post up on SEOMOZ's YouMOZ. It's worth a read if you're looking for a way to find pages on your site that have not received any clicks from organic search. Find Invisible Pages Using Google Analytics http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/find_the_pages_search_engines.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/find_the_pages_search_engines.htm Search Marketing Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:01:09 -0800 This one's an experiment: I'm going to spend this and the next few HTML Basics lessons showing you how to use WordPress to apply the HTML stuff you've learned in the last 4 lessons. An introduction to using WordPress to add and edit content on the web. Please let me http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/using-wordpress-html-basics-video.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/using-wordpress-html-basics-video.htm Tutorials Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:19:04 -0800 Google's pissed at China. China is trying to pretend they don't care. Under all the high school drama there's a serious change, though, that I can't ignore. So I'm putting on my historian hat for today's post. Read it anyway. History is fun, when you look at it the right http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/google-vs-china-data-state.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/google-vs-china-data-state.htm Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:07:47 -0800 Chris Brogan is one of the 'it' guys in social media right now. So when he and Julien Smith published Trust Agents, I figured I should give it a read. Julien is on a podcast called Media Hacks. He curses a lot, which makes me like him. I am, as http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/read-trust-agents.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/read-trust-agents.htm Internet Marketing Strategy Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:30:32 -0800 Just a random, too-early-in-the-morning post to point out that I still have this internet marketing book you can read, online, for free (as in beer): Conversation Marketing: An internet marketing strategy that works You can buy a copy, too, of course. But for some reason folks prefer the free version. http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/a_blast_from_the_past.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/a_blast_from_the_past.htm Internet Marketing 101 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:47:51 -0800 Seriously, this is not, and never has been, an 'adult' site. K? You're wondering why I even have to say that? Well, today I innocently took a glance at my Google Analytics referring keyword report, and look at my #1 keyword for the last 30 days: I thought maybe http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/this-is-not-a-porn-site.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/this-is-not-a-porn-site.htm Web Analytics Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:04:22 -0800 Today's post is more of an observation than anything else. Now that I'm back on the bike, I've started training using videos from a clever company called Sufferfest Studios. Their videos are... ...hard to describe, unless you're a cyclist. Basically, they're training videos make you mash the pedals until you're http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/mashups-are-everywhere.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/mashups-are-everywhere.htm Blogging Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:56:43 -0800 Who's Blogging What put together a cool survey regarding social media. It's got all the smart people in the business, plus me: Social media collective wisdom survey 2010 http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/social_media_collective_wisdom.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/social_media_collective_wisdom.htm Blogging Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:53:33 -0800 Congratulations! You've hired a social media manager! Now you can stop wasting your time talking to customers online, or blogging, or anything else in that weird online world. She can handle it all, right? Wrong. If your company has a 'social media manager', and she's responsible for all online http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/fire-your-social-media-manager.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/fire-your-social-media-manager.htm Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:35:59 -0800 Congratulations! You've hired a social media manager! Now you can stop wasting your time talking to customers online, or blogging, or anything else in that weird online world. She can handle it all, right? Wrong. If your company has a 'social media manager', and she's responsible for all online http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/fire-your-social-media-manager.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/fire-your-social-media-manager.htm Internet Marketing Strategy Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:35:59 -0800 Junta 42 has published an ebook version of their 2010 marketing predictions. Look who are paired up on facing pages: http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/5e19c2ad#/5e19c2ad/6 http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/me_and_seth_were_like_that.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/me_and_seth_were_like_that.htm Internet Marketing Strategy Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:23:03 -0800 I just guest posted on Knowem's blog about Google Real Time Search, and the fact that they've created the ultimate smear weapon. Check it out here. http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/google_real_time_search_screws.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/google_real_time_search_screws.htm Blogging Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:25:22 -0800 Flush with my 2009 success, I'm heading straight into my predictions for 2010. These are the trends I think the pundits will yell about even as they slip gracefully beneath the waves, never to be seen again: Bing versus Google. Bing came out swinging, took one on the chin and http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/internet-marketing-trends-2010.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/internet-marketing-trends-2010.htm Internet Marketing 101 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:45:43 -0800 Every year, I write a list of trends to utterly ignore, dismiss and otherwise mock relentlessly. You can read my 11 2009 trends to ignore here. So, how'd I do? Not too bad, actually: Analytics. I said that a lack of standards would make analytics a contentious issue in 2009. http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/2009_trends_to_ignore_how_i_di.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/2009_trends_to_ignore_how_i_di.htm Internet Marketing 101 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:13:23 -0800 It's a shock, I know. What IS shocking is just how accurately Dan Zarella's new tool, Tweetpsych, has me pegged: You can see the full profile here: tweetpsych.com/?q=portentint. PS: Dan also has a nifty book on social media, which you can buy here http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/tweetpsych-says.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/tweetpsych-says.htm Blogging Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:08:39 -0800 Later this month, I'll be on Rey Ybarra's New Media Radio Hour, talking about the Web Marketing for Dummies All In One Desk Reference, and providing my usual, sober look at the world of internet marketing. Further bulletins as events warrant. http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/on_the_interwebs_radio.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2010/01/on_the_interwebs_radio.htm Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:57:39 -0800 You may think that, with Google Analytics, you don't need your server log files any more. Or, as someone who runs a web site for your business, you may not even know what log files are. They're redundant, right? Wrong. You still need those log files! What's a log file? http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/analytics-you-need-log-files.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/analytics-you-need-log-files.htm Web Analytics Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:27:24 -0800 Lessee, so far we've talked about creating a basic web page, working with headings and paragraphs, and creating links. On to lists: If you can work with lists in HTML you can make your blog look better than 90% of your competition. Here's how: Learn to create ordered and unordered http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/html-basics-working-with-lists.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/html-basics-working-with-lists.htm Web Design Wed, 30 Dec 2009 08:44:00 -0800 90% of web marketers, designers, developers, SEOs and such are going to screw you. Actually, I'm being charitable. It's closer to 99%. Since the first copy of Microsoft Frontpage appeared on the shelves at Toys R Us, everyone who can type has assumed they're fully-qualified internet marketers. They'll nod vigorously, http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/hiring-a-web-professional.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/hiring-a-web-professional.htm Internet Marketing Strategy Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:49:50 -0800 Now you hopefully know how to do headings and paragraphs. Time to move on to links, which are not nearly as scary as they may seem. If you're blogging, a well-placed link can draw folks deeper into your site, get you more attention and make a post more 'sticky'. As http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/html-basics-creating-links.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/html-basics-creating-links.htm Web Design Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:42:58 -0800 This is the next video in my HTML basics series. If you're a blogger, you must learn to use headings and paragraphs. Watch this video and you'll no longer have to format your posts by making something large bold italic blue underline type. You can just put a little 'H2' http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/html-basics-headings-video.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/html-basics-headings-video.htm Internet Marketing 101 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:34:33 -0800 I've been helping the middle school class at my children's Montessori learn to write basic HTML. The goal: Get them to the point where they can work comfortably in WordPress. The result is a slowly growing series of videos on the subject. If you're a wannabe blogger/geek and don't know http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/html-basics-video-tutorials.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/html-basics-video-tutorials.htm Featured Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:10:05 -0800 A lot of folks are freaking out about Google's personalized search rollout to all users (even those who aren't logged in). I've heard quotes like: "Oh, great, now Google knows everything about my life." The fear: Personalized Search is based partly on the searches you perform and sites you visit http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/google-personalized-search-fud.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/google-personalized-search-fud.htm Search Marketing Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:25:25 -0800 Crows amaze me. They've turned survival into an art form. How? They don't fight the ecosystem - they join it. Watch Joshua Klein's TED talk on the subject if you want proof. Make sure you watch from minute 5:25-6:08. Crows learned to wait by the curb to cross the street http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/internet-marketing-ecosystem.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/internet-marketing-ecosystem.htm Internet Marketing 101 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:18:25 -0800 I may not be able to summon sufficient grumpiness for a while. I came home today, and my family had gotten me 2 kittens as a surprise Hanukkah present: Better photos eventually when I can get them to stand still. http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/kitten_alert.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/kitten_alert.htm Blogging Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:02:11 -0800 Shoutout to LyndiT for pushing me to write this via Twitter. The year's not even over but we've already beaten the crap out of so many phrases I figured I'd better get started. So, in no particular order, here they are: Engagement. Marketing isn't combat, or marriage. Stop trying to http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/18-most-abused-phrases-2009.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/18-most-abused-phrases-2009.htm Internet Marketing 101 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:19:25 -0800 We're in a quickie culture, and I'm sick of it. Just once, I'd like to see a businessperson or marketer interested in building truly lasting wealth or a lasting organization. "Lasting" means "past my next bonus check" or, God forbid, "past my retirement/death". Seriously. The last few years have http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/im_sick_of_quickies_-_a_market.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/im_sick_of_quickies_-_a_market.htm Blogging Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:41:15 -0800 Dear Target, You are currently spending, the pundits say, over $250,000 per day on pay per click marketing. That may well generate a decent return. I dunno. Given past ppc issues you've had (cough negative keywords cough), I'm willing to bet you can improve. But that's beside the point. If http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/target-stores-seo.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/target-stores-seo.htm Search Marketing Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:19:37 -0800 When discussing social media marketing, lots of folks, including me, say things like 'be authentic' and wave our hands around. That makes you want to kick me in the coccyx, I'm sure. So, here's a list of 45 specific things you should be doing. Learn HTML. Learn. It. It's http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/the-social-media-marketing-list.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/the-social-media-marketing-list.htm Internet Marketing Strategy Wed, 09 Dec 2009 08:35:33 -0800 I need to clear the air. I. am not. mean. Ask my kids. While I may have the title "The un-fun parent" (see below for a full explanation) they've never accused me of meanness. Lately, whenever I get on the phone with a new consulting client, or do a site http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/im_not_mean_im_just_angry.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/im_not_mean_im_just_angry.htm Blogging Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:39:20 -0800 Link related content together and it's 10x more powerful as an SEO tool. So why doesn't anyone ever do it? It's easy. Here's how you create a 'hub' page and use it to boost your rankings, improve your site for readers and get that warm tingly feeling inside: You've got http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/seo-copywritings-secret-weapon.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/seo-copywritings-secret-weapon.htm Search Marketing Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:04:17 -0800 See this? This is my ego: You can help it grow, or at least dry out a bit, if you just vote for me in Invesp's Top 100 Online Marketers of 2009 contest: Yeah, it's just a link play, I know. But it's kind of neat, and gain, my sad http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/vote_for_me_please.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/vote_for_me_please.htm Blogging Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:39:12 -0800 Mwahahahahaha. See. I TOLD YOU ALL that site performance mattered in SEO. Did you listen? Nooooooooo. Well suck on this: Google just announced a new site performance report in their Webmaster Tools control panel. With it, you get a nifty overview of your site's load speed: You can find http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/google-adds-site-performance.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/google-adds-site-performance.htm Search Marketing Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:32:10 -0800 "Do this bit of work for me for free. It's a huge opportunity! You'll get rich! I swear!" Uh-huh. David Thorne wrote this hilarious piece about an alleged exchange with someone who wanted some free design work. While it may be an utter fabrication, it got me thinking: In 15 http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/great-opportunity-rarely-is.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/12/great-opportunity-rarely-is.htm Blogging Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:49:35 -0800 OMG I CAN'T THINK OF WHAT TO WRITE!!!!!! We all say it. Truth is, it's not that you can't think of what to write - you don't want to think of what to write. Every day you're bombarded by potential ideas for articles and blog posts. Here are a few http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/9-copywriting-ideas.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/9-copywriting-ideas.htm Blogging Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:12:16 -0800 Filtering isn't enough. 99% of social media users don't get it, though, so their attempts at outreach fail. Filters are passive. Some stuff passes through. Some stuff doesn't. But a filter doesn't add anything. Most bloggers grab lots of links, post 'em up on the page and leave it be. http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/filtering-isnt-enough-why-your.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/filtering-isnt-enough-why-your.htm Blogging Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:10:15 -0800 Use Twitter auto-follow tools. Cut other people down. Sell products you know are crappy. Don't take advice. Ever. WRITE E-MAILS IN ALL CAPS. Misuse words. Amelioratingly. Latch onto one idea and don't let go. Two legs good, four legs baaaaad. Whatever you do, never admit you're wrong. Whatever you http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/11-ways-to-be-a-schmuck.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/11-ways-to-be-a-schmuck.htm Internet Marketing Strategy Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:09:02 -0800 I'm here tonight to clear up a little misconception: Douglas Karr wrote an article a few days back titled "Is Google really trying to make the web better?" He talked about Matt Cutts' implication at PubCon that site load speed is becoming a search ranking factor. Karr implies that http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/speed-factor-google-algori.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/speed-factor-google-algori.htm Search Marketing Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:16:48 -0800 If you want to learn about StumbleUpon and what it is, read my previous article about Stumbleupon traffic quality.. StumbleUpon is my friend. In a weird, they-just-showed-up-and-were-nice-to-me kind of way. I'll write an article about, say, The Plague that is Powerpoint. Nothing happens. I shrug and move on to the http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/7-tips-for-stumbleupon-success.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/7-tips-for-stumbleupon-success.htm Internet Marketing 101 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:50:07 -0800 I go to conferences, eat the dry sandwiches, sleep in the hotel room and then head home. Usually, it's a wash - I learn a thing or two, bounce around outside the circles of the 'in' people like the smallest puppy in the litter, and that's it. This year, though http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/7-reasons-pubcon-is-a-must-for.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/7-reasons-pubcon-is-a-must-for.htm Blogging Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:03:23 -0800 Quick post tonight: I've been using eBay's keyword research tool for a while now. It may just beat the more established toolsets when it comes to commercial keyword research. Here's how you use it: First, go to http://labs.ebay.com/raghavgupta/demoto/to?. Type in your query: When you click 'submit' you'll get a report http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/a-great-e-commerce-keyword-res.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/a-great-e-commerce-keyword-res.htm Marketing Tools Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:24:45 -0800 I'm speaking at Pubcon tomorrow in the Real-World Content Creation Tactics session. I'm going to focus on how you avoid destroying copy with SEO, and how to do great analytics-centric SEO. If you know me, you know I rehearse, in part, by writing. So here you go - a preview http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/analytics-driven-seo.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/analytics-driven-seo.htm Search Marketing Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:38:06 -0800 Access to real, accurate, useful, transparent query data. For all snake oil sellers to shag off. For all people who say all SEO is snake oil to shag off. A Google webmaster tools API that actually lets me read data. A real competitor to Google. Not that I don't http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/12-seo-things-i-want.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/12-seo-things-i-want.htm Search Marketing Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:36:08 -0800 I'm sitting here watching CSI (ironic, since I'm going to Las Vegas tomorrow for Pubcon). What makes this show so damned compelling? The sneak peek plus a dose of authenticity. The sneak peek builds the connection You have a job, a career, or a business. You love it, but you http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/want_to_be_a_great_internet_ma.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/want_to_be_a_great_internet_ma.htm Internet Marketing 101 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:21:41 -0800 This guest post is from Sarah Edwards, a writer and SEO at the Creare Group. You have to check out their SEO Song. It's like marketing combined with American Bandstand. With so many search engine optimisation companies around, it can be difficult to know which ones are protecting your best http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/i_got_snake_oil_in_my_black_ha.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/i_got_snake_oil_in_my_black_ha.htm Blogging Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:21:27 -0800 Yep, my least favorite marketing term finally gets its own list. Aside from my occasional outpouring of hatred. Truth is, though, whatever you want to call it, social media is teaching us how marketing should work, and how it's always worked. Here's a list of my thoughts on the http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/14-social-media-lessons-we-can.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/11/14-social-media-lessons-we-can.htm Blogging Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:27:14 -0800 After a few years in marketing, it's hard to say any of these without blushing. The louder we say it, the more you can depend on the fact that we're lying: We care about your business. Typically said as the customer service department shoves something splintery into whatever orifice http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/8-marketing-messages-that-are-lies.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/8-marketing-messages-that-are-lies.htm Blogging Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:25:27 -0800 Update: RFPs Suck now out in paperback 11.30.09: RFPs Suck is now out in paperback, folks. Recent events have only proven to me that Tom's formula really works. If nothing else, you can read his book to screen for RFPs you should - or shouldn't - respond to. RFPs are http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/rfps-suck-book-review.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/rfps-suck-book-review.htm Marketing Tools Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:12:12 -0800 Sound Transit is soliciting comments and ideas to improve their web site. I've long seen this site as a blight upon all public transit, so I did a special edition video review. Note that I am having a crappy week, and it's only Monday, so any harshness is totally 100% http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/sound_transit_web_site_review.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/sound_transit_web_site_review.htm Internet Marketing 101 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:02:58 -0800 Yo, realtors: You guys rock. You help people make the biggest purchase of their lives. But you don't understand marketing. Or at least it seems that way. Here are a few tips: Don't send me canned e-mails with the same content that every other realtor is sending me. It does http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/13-internet-marketing-tips-for-realtors.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/13-internet-marketing-tips-for-realtors.htm Internet Marketing Strategy Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:39:16 -0800 The submissions are in, the judges (well, judge) has decided. The winners of a free 10Things web site review are: Cherryloop.com, because they bought a copy of my book. LaurelCrown.com, because Laurence's post made me laugh. Alex Hardy, even though he spells 'favorite' funny. I'll contact each of you no http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/free_web_site_review_contest_t.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/free_web_site_review_contest_t.htm Blogging Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:06:03 -0800 This weekend, my wife and I bought a flat-screen, LCD TV set. Hard to believe, but Ian Lurie, ubergeek, has never owned a TV larger than 36", and hasn't bought a TV since 2002. We got it home, did all the hookup stuff. Turned on the TV. And our jaws http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/internet_marketing_is_like_hid.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/internet_marketing_is_like_hid.htm Internet Marketing 101 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:15:41 -0800 I'm on a panel in about 2 hours at REBlogworld. The panel I'm on will discuss the relationship between branding and social media. So I've been thinking a lot about the intersection of brands and social media. Here's the thing: Your brand is not your logo. Your brand has always http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/social-media-branding.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/social-media-branding.htm Internet Marketing 101 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:22:20 -0800 The nice folks at Wordcamp.tv recorded my presentation at WordCamp Seattle 2009. You can watch it right here: Or in larger size here. Note how I skillfully conceal myself behind a concrete post at least 3 times in the presentation. I thought that was pretty damned clever. PS: I'm in http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/watch_me_hide_behind_a_concret.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/watch_me_hide_behind_a_concret.htm Blogging Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:46:00 -0800 This post assumes you're a Feedburner user. If you're not, here's the short version: Feedburner gives you a bunch of free tools to enhance your site's RSS feed. You can read more and get set up (for free) here. Everyone brags about their Feedburner subscriber numbers. Too bad those don't http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/3-feedburner-engagement-stats.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/3-feedburner-engagement-stats.htm Web Analytics Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:52:48 -0800 This week's site review is OneTakeMedia.net. Solid site but it has the potential to grab a top 10 ranking for their best phrase with a few tweaks. And yes, that's my head talking in the video. Let me know if it's eerily horrifying, helpful or not worth the effort of http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/seo-title-tags-and-rankings-cm.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/seo-title-tags-and-rankings-cm.htm Search Marketing Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:18:10 -0800 I don't have anything against developers. What drives me up a wall are people who think they're developers because they can drag and drop controls in Visual Studio or Dreamweaver. If you're not a geek yourself, though, it's hard to figure out who's full of knowledge and who's full http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/dork-detection-10-questions.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/dork-detection-10-questions.htm Internet Marketing 101 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:09:27 -0800 It's not just you - as reported by The Guardian and a bunch of other publications, Twitter is having some kind of bizarre problem. Again. If I had $100 million in investment dollars, my web site would never ever go down. I'd put servers in orbit, for God's sake. http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/yep-twitter-down.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/yep-twitter-down.htm Blogging Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:10:28 -0800 Update: Submissions are now closed. I'll be announcing the winners on October 21st (or 22nd). Thanks everyone who submitted. I am, by the way, still accepting bribes. Something's wrong with your web site. Let me restate that: Something's wrong with your web site. There's always room to improve your search http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/get_a_500_website_review_free.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/get_a_500_website_review_free.htm Internet Marketing 101 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:44:57 -0800 I did Wordtracker a disservice in my keyword research tools showdown last week. I am a long, long-time fan of their toolset. So long, in fact, that I'd neglected to thoroughly examine the slick new interface they've got, as well as a couple of additional tools. I'm a little embarrassed, http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/update-keyword-research-tools.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/update-keyword-research-tools.htm Search Marketing Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:10:50 -0800 I don't buy the whole "Gourmet was a luxury brand in a recession" economy argument. How'd they get through the 70s? The 80s? The early 90s? They're dying, in part, because the publisher refused to accept the Internet as a business channel. Here's a quote from CBC News: "The magazine http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/why-gourmet-died-publishers.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/why-gourmet-died-publishers.htm Internet Marketing Strategy Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:17:44 -0800 I publish every reasonable (and some unreasonable) comments on my blog. My tolerance for dumbassery is pretty high: But some tooth-grinding commenting habits cause immediate deletion. If you: Grammar that know sense makes use. I like Yoda and all, but please at least proofread your comment? If I can't make http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/10-comment-habits-i-hate.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/10-comment-habits-i-hate.htm Blogging Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:28:37 -0800 My first Internet marketing book, Conversation Marketing, is now out on Kindle. It costs a whole $1.99 You COULD read it for free, but for $1.99, why not buy it? Then you can geek out about reading an Internet marketing book on your Kindle, instead of reading plain old HTML. http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/conversation-marketing-kindle.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/conversation-marketing-kindle.htm Blogging Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:22:56 -0800 Disclaimer: Thar be affiliate links here. I have to support this blog somehow, so some of the links in here will earn me a buck or two, should you choose to sign up for the relevant service. But that in no way affected my review. K? At a recent event, http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/keyword-research-tools-showdown.htm http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2009/10/keyword-research-tools-showdown.htm Search Marketing Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:42:53 -0800