The latest podcast on IPOD media really lays it on the table. In the recent weeks things are beginning to heat up. If our recent trip to NYC was any indication companies are looking to put their products and services online.
Little known to those who want to beat the high cost of broadcasting is that this is a totally realistic possibility. The time to take action is now.....
Check out our latest podcast on the subject:
http://911copywriter.podomatic.com/
Posted by Ted Cantu and SEO Search Quest on May 20, 2007 at 9:23 pm.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Link Buying Catastrophes And Other Acts of Bravery
".... Like Doing The Texas Two Step In A Mine Field.... (Oh So I Hear...)
BRING ON THE "EXPERTS"
Its always refreshing to see the dawning of a new age. Internet marketing is on a new plateau and smart companies have latched onto it. But along this winning curve comes a sinister shadow lurking in the background.
In a recent bid for new projects The University of Michigan reared its ugly head and butted into a few of my business deals. Apparently these guys have self nominated themselves as "experts" in the field of Search Engine Marketing... and that alone is laughable.
Even stranger yet as I drove by their media department on State street last week I noticed the entire building was in a state of rubble. The U of M have sided with the State of Michigan and they are deciding whats in YOUR best interest when it comes to online marketing.
These guys may have good intentions but its downright frightening when you bring on these technocrats into the picture. The "scene" is doomed from the start when you have individuals who self nominate themselves as experts in the field. Its the consumer who ends up getting screwed, even if they agree to pay half of the bill.
The criteria they base their knowledge on is very limited. They simply have no concept of what it takes to make a page rank properly. There is a kick back system in place that is not too well known but its crap business
Your state.... Illinois could be next.
MORONS COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES
You don't have to wait for the State to come and stomp your company into the dust. Your enemies in the big city come in many different shapes and sizes. In most common cases they come in the form of Advertising Agencies.
A recent post on Craigslist got my attention. This large advertising agency has declared themselves the new "Bad Boys" of Search Engine Marketing. Only one little problem. These guys were awarded a large amount of money to start up a department and have no idea what they were doing. I was exchanging emails for a while with the "CEO" of this new partner and startup.
It didn't take me too long to figure out this guy had no idea what he was getting himself into. The questions I will post below should wake you up and startle you a bit.
** "What exactly is a blog ??"
** "Are site maps really necessary??"
** "How do I get our sites into the right directories??"
Good lord. And this guy was trying to dangle a golden carrot of only a thousand bucks a week to hold his hand through this SEO Process. Yes I know after four months I will be "fired" because thats how these heathens operate.
Word to the wise -- "You're going to need a BIGGER carrot".
By the way, these groups and so many others I talk to say that buying links is A-OKAY. But before you take their "advice" and get yourself banned and blacklisted. I want to take this to the REAL expert.....
Check this out....
Matt Cutts, (Google Kingpin) on Link Buying
http://www.seobook.com/archives/002232.shtml#start_comments
Don't be a sucker.
Posted by Ted Cantu, on May 16, 2007 at 8:45 am and can be found at http://www.1seomichigan.com
BRING ON THE "EXPERTS"
Its always refreshing to see the dawning of a new age. Internet marketing is on a new plateau and smart companies have latched onto it. But along this winning curve comes a sinister shadow lurking in the background.
In a recent bid for new projects The University of Michigan reared its ugly head and butted into a few of my business deals. Apparently these guys have self nominated themselves as "experts" in the field of Search Engine Marketing... and that alone is laughable.
Even stranger yet as I drove by their media department on State street last week I noticed the entire building was in a state of rubble. The U of M have sided with the State of Michigan and they are deciding whats in YOUR best interest when it comes to online marketing.
These guys may have good intentions but its downright frightening when you bring on these technocrats into the picture. The "scene" is doomed from the start when you have individuals who self nominate themselves as experts in the field. Its the consumer who ends up getting screwed, even if they agree to pay half of the bill.
The criteria they base their knowledge on is very limited. They simply have no concept of what it takes to make a page rank properly. There is a kick back system in place that is not too well known but its crap business
Your state.... Illinois could be next.
MORONS COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES
You don't have to wait for the State to come and stomp your company into the dust. Your enemies in the big city come in many different shapes and sizes. In most common cases they come in the form of Advertising Agencies.
A recent post on Craigslist got my attention. This large advertising agency has declared themselves the new "Bad Boys" of Search Engine Marketing. Only one little problem. These guys were awarded a large amount of money to start up a department and have no idea what they were doing. I was exchanging emails for a while with the "CEO" of this new partner and startup.
It didn't take me too long to figure out this guy had no idea what he was getting himself into. The questions I will post below should wake you up and startle you a bit.
** "What exactly is a blog ??"
** "Are site maps really necessary??"
** "How do I get our sites into the right directories??"
Good lord. And this guy was trying to dangle a golden carrot of only a thousand bucks a week to hold his hand through this SEO Process. Yes I know after four months I will be "fired" because thats how these heathens operate.
Word to the wise -- "You're going to need a BIGGER carrot".
By the way, these groups and so many others I talk to say that buying links is A-OKAY. But before you take their "advice" and get yourself banned and blacklisted. I want to take this to the REAL expert.....
Check this out....
Matt Cutts, (Google Kingpin) on Link Buying
http://www.seobook.com/archives/002232.shtml#start_comments
Don't be a sucker.
Posted by Ted Cantu, on May 16, 2007 at 8:45 am and can be found at http://www.1seomichigan.com
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Getting a 10% Keyword Density !!!
"These People Are Nuts !!"
The mere idea of it is totally nuts. The consistent arrogance of this radical idea is just flat out crazy. But just recently a few SEO firms in our area - as well as a few well picked over national experts are doing just that.
This goes a little beyond just keyword stuffing, (titles, tags, headlines etc.) this also goes into the body copy. Over using keywords in every facet of your online presence is not only risky but very stupid and dangerous.
10% is like.... A LOT OF KEYWORDS to use in one shot. Depending on your overall word count in your sales copy you are still looking at a very dense page. There are about over 100 uses of the same keywords in your sales copy and this can get you blacklisted, (banned ) and get your pages yanked offline.
Coming Up Next Time:
How To Destroy Your Credibity !!
Posted by Ted Cantu on May 14, 2007 --- Cantu can be found at Http://www.1seomichigan.com
The mere idea of it is totally nuts. The consistent arrogance of this radical idea is just flat out crazy. But just recently a few SEO firms in our area - as well as a few well picked over national experts are doing just that.
This goes a little beyond just keyword stuffing, (titles, tags, headlines etc.) this also goes into the body copy. Over using keywords in every facet of your online presence is not only risky but very stupid and dangerous.
10% is like.... A LOT OF KEYWORDS to use in one shot. Depending on your overall word count in your sales copy you are still looking at a very dense page. There are about over 100 uses of the same keywords in your sales copy and this can get you blacklisted, (banned ) and get your pages yanked offline.
Coming Up Next Time:
How To Destroy Your Credibity !!
Posted by Ted Cantu on May 14, 2007 --- Cantu can be found at Http://www.1seomichigan.com
Friday, May 11, 2007
"Does Your Site Deserve To Be Seen Onilne?"
"What Does Your Company Really Deserve?"
A pat on the back or a shoe to the pants?
Thats pretty blunt but we're used to straight talk in the city of Chicago. Unfortunately a lot of companies fall into the 'shoe to the pants' category when it comes to Search Engine Optimization. There is really no sense in playing - Hide and Seek - when you are running a business online.
Here is some rather disheartening information on the matter....
"Search engines are fast replacing the yellow pages as a place for consumers to find businesses. People Google everything – from a business name to find the phone number, to product names to find companies that sell a certain model, to types of services to find companies offering them. But when you’re not selling online and you don’t have locations across the country, does it make sense to be found in search engines like Google? Let’s look at offline buying and how location matters."
Source:
http://www.bigoakinc.com/seo-articles/should-be-found-search-engines.php
The article doesn't really go off into the price gambit which in reality reaches startling heights. Running full page ads, quarter page ads and even double full page ads can be extremely costly. How costly? You can put your business in the Yellow Pages for 17k a month. The smaller ads will only run you 4k depending on what market you are in.
Its a scary proposition. But its one that needs to be addressed. So lets start thinking about the following scenario. What does it take to get your business noticed?
* Val Pak Ads - $4,000 depending on area
* Full Page Ads - $3,000
* Crains List Online - $2,500 - $5,000
* Postcard Mailers - 20,000 deployment on .29 cent stamps
These types of marketing forget to mention on critical factor. You will need to hit the marketplace at least three times before there is any visual stickiness going on. They will have to get comfortable seeing you and be able to recognize who you are as a marketer. This is going to be a real hard pill to swallow if you are on a very tight budget.
Its hard to get "familiar" when you are on limited funding. You need to be tenacious and look for a back door. There is a little more on this at:
http://911copywriters.blogspot.com
A pat on the back or a shoe to the pants?
Thats pretty blunt but we're used to straight talk in the city of Chicago. Unfortunately a lot of companies fall into the 'shoe to the pants' category when it comes to Search Engine Optimization. There is really no sense in playing - Hide and Seek - when you are running a business online.
Here is some rather disheartening information on the matter....
"Search engines are fast replacing the yellow pages as a place for consumers to find businesses. People Google everything – from a business name to find the phone number, to product names to find companies that sell a certain model, to types of services to find companies offering them. But when you’re not selling online and you don’t have locations across the country, does it make sense to be found in search engines like Google? Let’s look at offline buying and how location matters."
Source:
http://www.bigoakinc.com/seo-articles/should-be-found-search-engines.php
The article doesn't really go off into the price gambit which in reality reaches startling heights. Running full page ads, quarter page ads and even double full page ads can be extremely costly. How costly? You can put your business in the Yellow Pages for 17k a month. The smaller ads will only run you 4k depending on what market you are in.
Its a scary proposition. But its one that needs to be addressed. So lets start thinking about the following scenario. What does it take to get your business noticed?
* Val Pak Ads - $4,000 depending on area
* Full Page Ads - $3,000
* Crains List Online - $2,500 - $5,000
* Postcard Mailers - 20,000 deployment on .29 cent stamps
These types of marketing forget to mention on critical factor. You will need to hit the marketplace at least three times before there is any visual stickiness going on. They will have to get comfortable seeing you and be able to recognize who you are as a marketer. This is going to be a real hard pill to swallow if you are on a very tight budget.
Its hard to get "familiar" when you are on limited funding. You need to be tenacious and look for a back door. There is a little more on this at:
http://911copywriters.blogspot.com
( I talk a bit about building online Blogging Uber Networks - with RSS and Social networking. )
Are People Really Reading The Yellow Books?
What are people picking up to find your company - a phone book or a mouse? These ads are very expensive to start and maintain. The popularity of phone books and ads that are found in them are declining.
More and more people are going online to get their informtion on different topics and subjects. There is a very good reason for this......
- People can get services explained
- Customers can read online and look for advantages vs disadvantages
- It takes your company out of the "price game"
- You can run consumer reports right off the sites
The most important reason for adding search engine optimization then becomes a different ball of wax altogether. Its NOT about getting to the top of the search engines - although that CAN happen. But however, it is more about getting the right type of clientele to get into contact with you and making deals.
It reverses the lead funnel approach. It makes you the center of attention who is reaching out to the customer base and extending an offer for free information exchange. And the best part is that your people can subscribe to you directly while making a decision on whether or not they want to buy your product or service.
Anonymously.
Ted Cantu posted this on May 11, 2007 at 7:29 am. He can be found at http://www.1seomichigan.com
Thursday, May 3, 2007
The Disappearing SEO Directories
"Where Are All The Great SEO Directories Disappearing To?"
Between you and me I am spammed out. I have just spent the better part of the evening looking for great places to promote my site. Even some of the best places that looked good to me have turned up missing all of a sudden. There are a lot of great SEO directories popping up MIA.
What gives?
Where oh where can you promote your site these days? You better break out a pen and paper and start creating a great directory for yourself. These places are coming and going and you want to take note of where your site is being listed.
What is the Problem With Free Directories?
A lot of directories have good intentions but no cash coming in. This means that a lot of them are destined to become cyberdust in a few months. This can be bad news for you.
Another problem is that a lot of them do not have people to manually post the entries. They are always looking for editors who want to do this job.. in some cases for free. This can be very advantageous for you to take this on. But between your blogging and podcasting and updating your web pages do you have the time?
Paid Directories Cost.... eeeek MONEY!??
Some paid directories are worth the money. This is particulary true with niche markets and industry specific markets. This definately holds true for even other SEO people out there. It not only gives your site a nod to the search engines but also lends credibility.
The game keeps changing. Be prepared.
Ted Cantu posted this on May 4, 2007 at 1:18 am. He can be found at http://www.1seomichigan.com and has a podcast show at http://www.podomatic.com
Between you and me I am spammed out. I have just spent the better part of the evening looking for great places to promote my site. Even some of the best places that looked good to me have turned up missing all of a sudden. There are a lot of great SEO directories popping up MIA.
What gives?
Where oh where can you promote your site these days? You better break out a pen and paper and start creating a great directory for yourself. These places are coming and going and you want to take note of where your site is being listed.
What is the Problem With Free Directories?
A lot of directories have good intentions but no cash coming in. This means that a lot of them are destined to become cyberdust in a few months. This can be bad news for you.
Another problem is that a lot of them do not have people to manually post the entries. They are always looking for editors who want to do this job.. in some cases for free. This can be very advantageous for you to take this on. But between your blogging and podcasting and updating your web pages do you have the time?
Paid Directories Cost.... eeeek MONEY!??
Some paid directories are worth the money. This is particulary true with niche markets and industry specific markets. This definately holds true for even other SEO people out there. It not only gives your site a nod to the search engines but also lends credibility.
The game keeps changing. Be prepared.
Ted Cantu posted this on May 4, 2007 at 1:18 am. He can be found at http://www.1seomichigan.com and has a podcast show at http://www.podomatic.com
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