When your customers are searching for a solution online or begin to research your company, they usually turn to a search engine. Therefore, what shows up on that front page is very important. Using the following tools and procedures, you can stay on top of what the Internet is saying about your company or yourself.

continue reading "Do It Yourself Reputation Management with Google Reader"

The following is guest post by Emily Thompson:

Local search is becoming one of the most affordable and simple ways for local businesses to connect with prospects and get involved in their community. Did you know that 82 percent of local searches online result in further action: a phone call, site view, in store visit or immediate purchase?* With statistics like this, creating and optimizing your local presence is more important than ever.

The reality is, there are many facets to optimizing for local- including on-page factors such as title tags and meta data, and utilizing your geographic modifiers with your keywords as you optimize your content. While each component is important, one of the most critical pieces is off page: your local listing. For Google, these listings are often given prime placement- right at the top of the page. This placement is key, providing local businesses with visibility that was previously unattainable.

continue reading "10 Simple Tips for Local Listing Success"

This post is both a strategy and practical guide based mainly on my experience and those I’ve worked with for the purpose of allowing anyone to understand how to execute a complete Internet Marketing campaign for any type of business or organization.

The structure of this guide is strategic, in that I look at each component of an Internet Marketing campaign from a high level. But included in each component are resources that will give you the necessary information and tools to execute, whether you want to do it yourself or hire help.

Please feel free to add to this guide in the comments section or at the public Social Media Marketing Wiki. In both cases, I will provide a do-follow link to your website in thanks.

continue reading "Internet Marketing: How-to"

This was the question explored by David Coleman during a fantastic Webinar yesterday. Enjoy the slides and join in on the conversation.

I usually ignore all of the FW: emails I receive, until recently, when a mentor whom I respect greatly, asked me to view his and give him some feedback so that he can discover what my sense of humor was like.

I began to notice that much of this content is the same stuff I’m seeing on Digg.com, with the latter appearing in blog format. This got me to thinking (serious) if seeding your blog post within a community of “FWerders”  (for lack of a better term) would cause a viral effect. Particularly if seed the content as often as you receive FW: emails.

What do you think?

Andrew Warner of Mixergy.com has put together some incredible interviews with some amazing people with purpose of helping entreprenuers create better Internet companies. Amazingly, all of the interviews are free!

There was one issue I encountered that minimized my joy a tiny fraction at finding this treasure trove; 1) not enough time to listen to them all right now! and 2) no one place to go for an easy short list of all of the interviews (this is undoubtedly because Andrew is busy creating awesome interviews!)

In this post, I have created a list of all the interviews in a easy to browse format that takes you directly to the interview page for your convenience. On that interview page, Andrew has an introductory video, written summary of the interview, streaming audio and download link. Enjoy! I sure am.

continue reading "70 Interviews to Help You Build an Outstanding Internet Company"

This post takes a look a both the strategy and the tactics for promoting local events: First I discuss some general conventions regarding promoting events, then I elaborate on specific tactics and tools. The goal of this post is to serve as a checklist for anyone that needs to promote a local event.

continue reading "How to Promote a Local Event"

This was the topic at the most recent Tech Biz Connection event in Aliso Viejo, CA. Here are the notes I took from listening to the panelists and their interactions with the audience.

continue reading "Marketing and Promoting Your Company On a Small Budget"

Scott Hamilton of Allign, recently spoke about Internal Branding at a CICAMA meeting. Following are some insights I gleaned from that talk. Enjoy!

continue reading "Internal Branding"

Yesterday, at Digital Hollywood, I interviewed Brett Wilson, founder of TubeMogul.com. He explained what TubeMogul is all about and offered some examples of how TubeMobul has been used along with some tips on how to maximize its usage. If you are looking for a way to boost traffic and SEO for your website, then you must give TubeMogul a try.

continue reading "Using TubeMogul to Increase Traffic and SEO"