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Category: News

SEO Helps You Say “I Do” with a Wedding You’ll Never Forget

Mardi Gras is winding down, so it’s time for the second most festive time of year in New Orleans: wedding season! February is National Weddings Month, and happy couples all over the country are prepping and planning for their upcoming big day. For many brides- and grooms-to-be, this process begins online with vendor research, decor inspiration, and even placing orders for things like guestbooks and cake toppers. To see how their expertise in SEO and Internet-driven business affected their plans, I decided to ask several of our recently wed Influencers how the Internet shaped their wedding day dreams.

Nothing Like an Old-Fashioned Google Search

You’re recently engaged and you have no idea where to start to plan your wedding, so you turn to your go-to resource of infinite knowledge: Google. As Influencer Chris and his wife found out when they were planning their wedding a year and a half ago, sometimes a basic search is all you need to really get the ball rolling.

“New Orleans has a ton of wedding resources, and there were often many options to look at when searching for things like ‘wedding photographer New Orleans’ or ‘popular New Orleans wedding venues,’” he says. In big cities or popular destination wedding locations, the list of available vendors is seemingly limitless, so those with higher SERP rankings really beat out the competition for customers who don’t have the time to thoroughly investigate every result.

When there are so many options, it’s good to find techniques for narrowing your search down to exactly what you want. Influencer Alison knew she wanted to get married in her church and needed a photographer who would capture the day perfectly. When it came time to search for a photographer, she explains “I was hoping to find one that had photographed weddings at my church before (they would know best angles, nuances of the church layout, etc.).”

To find the right person, she searched for “Mater Dolorosa + wedding photos” and found several photographers who had worked in her church before. This search technique is also helpful for viewing potential venues full of people and activity instead of trying to imagine it on a site visit. It is essential for photographers to have their images optimized so they show up in searches like these.

Pins on Pins on Pins

While Google searches were the most popular way to find specific vendors near the wedding location, Pinterest provided plenty of inspiration for our Influencer brides. The image-based format of Pinterest means that thousands of ideas for flowers, decor, fashion, favors, and dramatic exits can be explored, compared, grouped, and saved. Many of these pins also include a link to Etsy or another location to buy the depicted object or instructions on how to copy the look yourself. Influencer Kari had a small, DIY-style wedding and used Pinterest for all her decor inspiration, and she even found a DIY wedding veil. Another Influencer, Michelle, also used Pinterest for design inspiration, allowing her to source most of her ideas from other sites, including a donut-shaped bride and groom cake topper from Etsy and scratch-off save-the-dates.

Tying the Knot

No discussion on modern wedding planning could be complete without mentioning The Knot. For nearly 20 years, the husband and wife team behind this site have culled countless wedding resources, inspiration, advice and etiquette tips, and organization tools into the ultimate wedding planning portal. Influencer Laura testifies to its power: “I … used The Knot a great deal to conduct searches, make lists, check items off said lists, and place bulk orders of favors, stationery, decorations, invitations, etc. The Knot is awesome because it helps you stay organized and provides links to external vendors to best meet your needs.”

The lists of vendors proved helpful to most of our Influencers. Vendors are searchable by location, price, and style considerations, and each vendor’s page on The Knot includes basic information, photos, a link to the vendor’s website, and customer reviews. Good reviews from other couples often tipped the scale when it was down to the final decision. The Knot also selects the “best of weddings” in each vendor category every year, providing a credential the vendor can put on their website.

Utilizing SEO techniques not only helps wedding vendors as they compete in a heavily saturated market, but it also makes things easier for brides and grooms. Wedding planning can be stressful and overwhelming at times. From optimized searches to social media engagement to customer testimonials, the Internet has quickly and efficiently brought resources from all over to couples, hopefully alleviating that stress and putting the focus back on fun and love.

February 16, 2016
4 New Influencers Join the SI Krewe

It’s that time of year, and Search Influence is more than ready to start the Mardi Gras season—and we have four new krewe members to join in the celebrations! Get to know a little about our new Influencers:

Candice Perkins – Junior Internet Marketing Associate

Candice is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After receiving her MFA in fiction from the University of Southern California, Candice moved to New York City where she worked in publishing and as a freelance writer. Recently, she moved back home to Louisiana and is enjoying being closer to family. Candice has a one-year-old puppy, Mariana Rivera, who her husband insisted on naming after the famed closing pitcher for the New York Yankees. Candice also always has a sweet tooth and enjoys dance, random indie films, and hot tea.

Johanna Duggan – Junior Internet Marketing Assistant

Johanna is working part-time on the tech team as she finishes up her last nine credits at Loyola University! She also works part-time at GNC on Magazine Street. She is from a small town in Connecticut and is not really sure how she ended up in New Orleans. She loves lifting weights and tries to peer pressure her friends into lifting with her (Stephanie Burnison, looking at you)!

Kiara Ray – HR Intern

Originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, Kiara was raised in New Orleans. She is a business administration major with a concentration in human resources, and she will be graduating from UNO this spring. In addition, she is the co-owner of Port City Cafe’ of Gretna on the Westbank, and she is also a retail sales manager at Ann Taylor LOFT. She is very involved in her church, where she is in charge of the youth and young adult ministry. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, singing, and finding new mom-and-pop restaurants to eat at.

Rachel Marsh – Junior Internet Marketing Assistant

Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Rachel is currently finishing her senior year at Tulane University, where she is studying English, psychology, and Spanish. Some of her passions include reading everything she can get her hands on, discovering new restaurants around New Orleans, and devoting way too much time to her a cappella group, Them.

Welcome to the team, Candice, Johanna, Kiara, and Rachel! We look forward to all of the great things you will accomplish at Search Influence.

January 29, 2016
Search Influence Reviews: 10 Spots to Snack During Your Break in Downtown NOLA

It’s good to get out of the office sometimes. There’s scientific evidence about getting up and moving around from your desk. In my personal opinion, the best use of that time is to get coffee or snacks. Down in the CBD of New Orleans, there are many places to grab a cup of joe or some Cajun-flavored treats. Here are some hidden and not-so-hidden gems that you should give a visit if you only have 15 minutes to spare:

1. Walgreens and CVS

These two big chain drug stores were picked for their sheer stock of anything you could want or need. Craving some peanuts? They got you covered. Need some allergy drugs for a sudden pollen strike? They’ve got you. Forgot a birthday card for your coworker? They’ve got you. Need a Mardi Gras tutu and don’t time after work to shop? They. have. got. you. covered. With multiple locations around the CBD, you are only a couple of blocks away from what you need.

2. Starbucks

Starbucks is inevitable for any list of break spots: it’s one of the reigning kings of coffee on a global scale, and its holiday cups spark a national debate. With mobile ordering, they reduced those long wait times for any busy professional so they can get in, get out, and get on with their day.

3. PJs

PJ’s is a local favorite of many New Orleanians. They have seasonal coffees that run with New Orleans-specific holidays and events, which means much more distinctive flavors than pumpkin spice. They have multiple locations throughout the CBD and a few tucked into hotels, so they could be right next door to you and you wouldn’t even know it.

4. Rouses

Yes. It’s a grocery store, but…have you ever had a weird craving for a snack that no place around you offered? Rouses has got you covered, since it’s a fully functioning grocery store. They also offer a buffet for meals, including breakfast. You can’t deny anywhere that offers bacon regularly. You might not think that you can get in and out in 15 minutes, but they have a nice, small register made just for that near-the-meal offering so you can avoid those long grocery lines.

5. Jamba Juice

I like to pretend I am healthy sometimes. I’m usually pretty good about getting my vegetables, but fruits are a struggle for me, and that’s why I love having Jamba Juice around. They even have juices that smuggle in vegetables if you don’t like broccoli as much as me.

Now that we have those chains out of the way, let’s get down to unique CBD gems!

6. Merchant

I literally stumbled onto this place one day on a break, which is a testament to my clumsiness and New Orleans sidewalks. I got pulled in by the architecture and stayed for the food and coffee. With sweet and savory crepes, there is a little bit of something for every palate. They even have gluten-free crepes—so very hip, and so very accommodating!

7. Cleo’s Mediterranean Cuisine

I have to be honest: I have never eaten at Cleo’s, but I have heard great things about it. If you only have 15 minutes and really want an adventure in the CBD, you have to check out the little grocery in Cleo’s. It’s full of international snacks and candy, some with labels that aren’t even in English (so be warned if you have food allergies like me). You can take a visit to the UK, Japan, and Greece and be back at your desk by 3:30.

8. HARO coffee & chocolate

This place was on my list to visit since I first saw it from the street car. Who can argue with somewhere with coffee and chocolate in the name? They offer a great selection of pastries and coffee for any mood or weather. The vibe reminds me of the coffee shops that I frequented in high school…especially since I seem to time my visits at the same time as the students from the International High School, which is right next door.

9. G&O Food Company

This was my first break hang when I first started working in the CBD, since it is tucked into the bottom of the building where I work. Their breakfast smells amazing (and tastes it, too) and makes everyone walking into work exceptionally hungry. They sell their sides in little to-go containers, so if you forgot something, you can take a quick break and pick up something delicious.

10. Dee’s Coffee

I came for the Vietnamese iced coffee and stayed because their coffee is amazing. As they proudly display, it has been voted one of New Orleans’ “best-kept secrets.” They have local flavors that you can customize any drink with and a changing menu that always has something exciting to try. On my next trip, I’m going to try out something with their bananas foster flavor. The only issue I have ever had here is not being able to decide on which coffee I want to try next.

Bonus: any building’s sundry shop

Now, this is only really for those of us who work in the CBD, but we all know what I’m talking about. There are sundry shops in all the major buildings like Shell Square, Capital One, and the Exchange Building (where SI is located). The sundry shop in the Exchange Building offers some breakfast and lunch food as well some quick snacks and ice cream. They even sell lotto tickets, which was really popular for that most recent Powerball craze.

January 27, 2016
5 Reasons You Want to Work at Search Influence

Perhaps the single most valuable component to an enjoyable work environment is the people with whom you will work every day. Upon entering the Search Influence office space to interview for a position on the content team, I was consumed by the company culture on display. From the art on the walls to the big, bright orange couch, I knew this was a space I would enjoy coming to every day, and I knew I had to get this job.

1. Co-Workers: I’ve Got Friends in All the Right Places

People often ask me what I love the most about working at Search Influence. I never hesitate to say that the people I call my co-workers make even the toughest workdays delightful, and that is definitely something to give a sweet, humble brag about! If you don’t like who you work with, it doesn’t matter what you’re doing—it’s not going to be pleasant, right? The regularly scheduled team-building events and ever-evolving, even encouraged camaraderie of Search Influence definitely speaks for itself, and you just know it the moment you walk into the office.

2. A Decade of Honorable Company Culture

Along with a large staff of genuinely great folks, Search Influence boasts a decade of applause-worthy company culture. As the largest online marketing company on the Gulf Coast, Search Influence was commended for being a breastfeeding-friendly workplace champion, as well as having been selected for the 2015 Inner City 100 by Fortune and the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City.

3. Training: Get Paid to Learn the Ins and Outs of SEO

Perhaps one of the most beneficial parts about working for Search Influence is how much you’ll learn upon getting the green light. To put this into perspective, just last year we provided over 14,000 hours of job training to 36 new hires.

4. Grow with Us in this Expanding Industry

As the ultra-competitive industry of online marketing continues to grow expeditiously, we do, too. In fact, just last year, Search Influence was named one of America’s fastest-growing private companies for the fifth time by Inc. 5000. As previously mentioned, the ICIC and Fortune also selected Search Influence for the 2015 Inner City 100, a list of the fastest-growing inner city businesses in the nation. With a current staff of 85 full-time, in-house employees and 125 freelance writers, our sights are set for further expansion in 2016.

5. Power to the She in Tech: 70% of Our Staff Members Are Women

Even in today’s age, men outnumber women 7 to 3 in the technology industry. However, at Search Influence, we like to break stereotypes and advocate for women empowerment and gender equality. Having said that, we love to share that women make up a whopping 70% of our staff. Our COO and co-founder, Angie Scott, recently earned the title of 2015 Woman of the Year by City Business.

Join Our Team of SEO Rock Stars Today

With a decade of milestones and monumental growth in the rearview, the future is bright for Search Influence. No time is better than now to join our ever-growing staff of company culture-surged, online marketing rock stars whom you’ll soon call your friends, and not a whole lot could be better than that—so why wait? Find the job opening that best fits your interests and skill set, and apply today.

January 21, 2016
Search Influence Turns 10, Gives Away $10K to Local Business
This past Wednesday was National Make Your Dreams Come True Day. Three lucky people won the largest Powerball payout in the history of the world, an estimated $1.6 billion. While none of my co-workers have come forward with a winning ticket, we all were lucky enough to attend Search Influence’s 10-Year Anniversary Celebration here in our New Orleans office. And what a party it was.

More pics can be seen here.

Influencers, along with clients, city officials, family, and friends, enjoyed finger foods and adult beverages while reminiscing about how much we have accomplished in just 10 short years. A company timeline can be viewed here. It’s amazing that what began in a spare bedroom in Will and Angie Scott’s home after Hurricane Katrina has now grown to be the largest online marketing company on the Gulf Coast. Guess their idea of helping businesses succeed online had merit! Search Influence now employs 85 full-time employees in New Orleans and 150 contract writers. Not too shabby, huh?

Other highlights include the following:
- May 2007 – Search Influence hires its third employee, Amy Arnold. As the longest tenured employee, she has since logged over 17,850 hours toward SEO research.
- June 2010 – With 14 employees, Search Influence outgrows its home office and moves to new digs on Jackson Street.
- February 2011 – One of the biggest SEO changes occurs—Google’s Panda launch—and it is a big deal. It targeted high-quality sites, pushing them up to the top of search results. To date, Search Influence has helped its clients maneuver 22 major Google updates.
- June 2011 – Having outgrown the office space in just 12 months, Search Influence packs up and moves to Oak Street with 33 employees.
- August 2011 – Inc. magazine releases its 30th annual Inc. 500, an exclusive ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. Search Influence is included as an honoree on the prestigious list.
- June 2012 – Search Influence is named in the first ever Flyover 50, a list compiled by Five Elms Capital to highlight the 50 fastest-growing companies in the middle of the country. Only two New Orleans companies make the list.
- August 2012 – Search Influence becomes the Gulf Coast’s largest Google AdWords Certified Partner. Today, we have five Adwords-certified professionals on staff.
- December 2013 – Will and Angie Scott are included on the Silicon Bayou 100 list of the most influential leaders in Louisiana’s startup, entrepreneurial, tech, and digital communities.
- July 2014 – Search Influence moves from its beloved Oak Street office to the 13th floor of the Exchange Centre in the Central Business District. Our offices currently take up over 14,000 square feet.
- September 2014 – Search Influence is named one of the 12th annual Best Places to Work honorees by New Orleans City Business.
- August 2015 – Search Influence is chosen as one of 29 New Orleans-based startups named to the NOLA100, a group of companies leading the local entrepreneurship movement.
- October 2015 – The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) and Fortune announce that Search Influence was selected for the 2015 Inner City 100, a list of the fastest-growing inner city businesses in the U.S. Search Influence ranked 51 overall on the list of 100 and was one of only two LA businesses.
To commemorate the event, Search Influence also gave away $10,000 worth of free online marketing services to one New Orleans-based business in our “Make Your Dreams Come True” 10K Giveaway. New Orleans Shotokan Academy won the contest by receiving the most number of votes via Search Influence’s Facebook page between December 28, 2015, and January 8, 2016. Other finalists included Jolie & Elizabeth, Red Stick Gutters, Offbeat Media, and Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana.

“We are happy to be celebrating 10 years in business and are thrilled that we can offer another small business the chance to grow,” said Will Scott, CEO and co-founder of Search Influence. “New Orleans Shotokan Academy will be able to redeem the $10,000 prize for online marketing services, including search engine optimization (SEO) and social media management,” he added.

According to New Orleans Shotokan Academy Owner Dimitri Papadopoulos, “This is a dream come true. Winning this contest will bring our program to new heights and give us opportunity to establish our company in the New Orleans community.”

I am looking forward to see what Will, Angie and the team will be able to accomplish in the next 10 years (2025—can you imagine what online marketing will look like?). For now, I am happy to be working at a place that values culture, celebrates milestones, and gives back to the community like Search Influence does. #WhoNeedsPowerball #DreamJob

Photo cutline: Search Influence, the largest online marketing company on the Gulf Coast, recently awarded $10,000 in online marketing services to New Orleans Shotokan Academy in its “Make Your Dreams Come True” $10K Giveaway. Pictured are New Orleans Councilman-At-Large Jason Williams, Search Influence COO and Co-Founder Angie Scott, Search Influence CEO and Co-Founder Will Scott, and New Orleans Shotokan Academy Owner Dimitri Papadopoulos.
January 15, 2016
Think Your Coworkers Have Cool Hobbies? Check Out These Interesting Influencers!

As the largest online marketing firm on the Gulf Coast, Search Influence has attracted an eclectic group of employees with an array of talents. While our clients know our team members as talented online marketing experts, our Influencers’ talents extend beyond the friendly confines of our 13th-floor office. Since January is National Hobby Month, I spoke with a few Influencers about their hobbies outside of work.

Influencer: Shaye

Department: Production

Hobby: Drawing and art are some of Shaye’s most notable hobbies. Recently, Shaye showcased at the New Orleans Comic and Zine festival and sold works at a local pop up shop called<100, which aims to promote gender wage equality.

Quote from Shaye: “I started out just doodling on everything. You should see my meeting notes. All my friends and family have been incredibly supportive of my art. My partner bought me a graphics tablet this year, and everything took off from there. I still can’t believe I was able to showcase next to so many amazing artists at NOCAZ and at <100.”

Influencer: Meaghan

Department: Production

Hobby: Meaghan has been swing dancing for roughly five years and has learned all the major swing dance types, including lindy, balboa, blues, and solo jazz, which she believes is her best dance. Meaghan has also done a bunch of other partner dances like the waltz, foxtrot, and tango, as well as the salsa and cha cha.

Quote from Meaghan: “Sometimes dancing feels more natural than walking. The music comes on, and it’s automatic and instinctual. When you dance with a partner, you end up sharing that with another person. So then it’s like nothing exists except your connection and the music, and there’s nothing that makes me feel more alive, or more human in a way.”

Influencer: Maggie

Department: Account Management

Hobby: Maggie plays in a cornhole league with a number of her Search Influence coworkers! Search Influence prides itself on a collaborative team environment, so it’s no surprise that Maggie and her coworkers form one of the most imposing cornhole squads you’ll see in the Crescent City.

Quote from Maggie: “We all have a great time cheering each other on, and competing against each other too! It’s a great way for us to relax after work, especially since cornhole is a leisurely and (mostly) no contact sport.”

Influencer: Serena

Department: Account Management

Hobby: Serena plays roller derby for the Big Easy Rollergirls AllStars, New Orleans’ premier women’s flat track league. Serena is all business in the office and on the track, so if you come at her, you better come correct.

Quote from Serena: “I love playing roller derby because it makes you part of a community that promotes more than just being athletic (but that helps too!). I’ve skated alongside so many amazing women from many backgrounds over the last six years, and roller derby teaches you not only about teamwork but about yourself. It’s about empowering women to be real, strong and revolutionary–on skates and off! Come see the Big Easy Rollergirls skate at the Lakefront Arena in 2016!”

Influencer: Gabrielle

Department: Account Management

Hobby: In her spare time, Gabrielle is an avid runner. She recently ran the St. Jude Marathon and asked her fellow Influencers to support the cause. Thanks to her team’s support, Gabrielle raised $330 for a worthy cause. Around race season, Gabrielle participates with her coworkers in SI Running Club to train for 10Ks and half marathons. They even have team shirts, too!

Want to be part of our dynamic and talented workforce? If you can visualize yourself as a member of the Search Influence team, check out our current openings for your chance to shine!

January 7, 2016
Search Influence Gets Three Special Christmas Gifts—New Influencers!

We are very excited to announce three new members who have joined the ever-growing Search Influence team this Christmas!

Alex Michael – Business Development Associate

Originally from Natchitoches, Louisiana, Alex graduated from LSU in 2011 and moved to New Orleans in 2012. He has worked in sales for three years and is excited to join the Search Influence team. He has a six-year-old Catahoula, Jabarkus, that takes up a good chunk of his free time. He enjoys staying active, critiquing LSU’s athletics in a relatively constructive manner, seeing live music, eating Chipotle, and spending time with friends.

Alex Talbot – Internet Marketing Associate

Born and raised in the New Orleans metropolitan area, Alex graduated from Loyola University in May of 2013 with a double major in marketing and economics. He has played in several different bands for the past 10 years, which has afforded him the opportunity to travel through most of the US as well as eight other countries.

Ariel Tusa – Account Associate

Ariel is a New Orleans native who grew up just north of the city in Abita Springs. After receiving her bachelor’s in art history from American University in Washington, D.C., she returned to New Orleans to pursue her master’s in art history. She loves traveling, foreign languages, and trying new cuisines. She’s always on the hunt for the Manhattan and will try to adopt every and any cat she meets.

Join us in welcoming these new faces to Search Influence! If your New Year’s resolution is to be a part of a great workplace that delivers powerful SEO to all, consider joining our team in 2016!

December 30, 2015
A Series of Influencing Events: Search Influence Pros Take to the Road

Search Influence’s reach is expanding around the country!

Whether you’re on the East coast or the West coast, there’s an Influencer coming near you this spring! CEO Will Scott and Director of Account Management Paula Keller will be representing Search Influence and imparting their local search wisdom in Williamsburg, Seattle, Portland, San Jose, and Nashville in 2016.

Read more below to find out which conference most speaks to your marketing strategy needs!

Seattle: MozCon Local – February 18 & 19, 2016

Diving deep into the world of local marketing and SEO, MozCon is hosting a local-focused conference, MozCon Local, at their world headquarters in Seattle. Gauged at the intermediate to advanced crowd, MozCon Local isn’t your average search conference. Moz has gathered a well-rounded crew of experts to provide you the opportunity to participate in live Q&A, meet and network with fellow industry players, and consult with expert publishers and analysts.

Moz has teamed up with LocalU to bring you workshops on Thursday and a full-day conference of hand-selected speakers on Friday.

Local Search Processes – Expert Panel/Q&A – 12:55 p.m.

Paula Keller, Director of Account Management at Search Influence, joins industry experts Darren Shaw of Whitespark, Mike Ramsey of Nifty Marketing, and Aaron Weiche of GetFiveStars for a panel discussion and Q&A on best practices and best processes to use in marketing your local business online. It’s a powerful info session you won’t want to miss!

Fake It Til You Make It: Brand Building for Local Businesses – Seminar – 2:05 p.m.

Paula will provide real-world examples and success stories about local businesses establishing brands that both customers and Google will recognize and reward! Learn what you can do to keep up in this changing world of ranking factors. As Paula strategizes with businesses on improving their search, social, and online ads results, she lends credible knowledge to the subject matter and will share tactics on how she manages her team’s 800+ local business clients.

Local Targeting of Paid Advertising – Workshop – 2:50 p.m.

Now it’s time to break out and ask your questions directly. If you run or want to run an AdWords campaign for your local business, you have or will very soon realize that Google puts a lot of options in front of you—but you may not be sure how to best leverage them. Paula will be ready to answer your AdWords strategy questions and share her tips for local targeting from choosing the right ad extensions to when to use increased mobile bidding.

Register now for MozCon Local!

San Jose: SMX West, Local Search Advantage Workshop – February 29, 2016

Heading to SMX West in San Jose this year? You will want to arrive one day early and attend the Local Search Advantage Workshop. Will Scott will be on-hand at this action-packed event to offer practical advice and best practices for digital marketers, brands and business owners of all sizes looking to be found by online buyers. Sessions range from local presence management and mobile SEO to localizing social media, reputation management and multi-platform attribution.

Register now to attend the workshop or get an all-access pass and stay for SMX West in San Jose.

Williamsburg: LocalU Advanced – March 5, 2016

Meet with all of the experts in the local search game! No matter the size or type company you work for, your search marketing questions will be answered at LocalU Advanced in Williamsburg, VA. Order your tickets for info-packed presentations featuring all of the most up-to-date information about what’s working and what’s not in local SEO. Join experts like David Mihm, Mary Bowling, Mike Blumenthal, Search Influence’s own Will Scott, and more for an informative and fun day!

Search Fundamentals: Inspired Local Linkbuilding Tactics – 9 a.m.

Will Scott joins Mary Bowling of Ignitor Digital, Mike Ramsey of Nifty Marketing, and Mike Blumenthal of GetFiveStars to discuss the power of locally relevant links that build value for your business. If you’re looking to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the power of link building in today’s algorithmic world, look no further!

Deep Dive: Competing And Winning in A Pay-to-Play World – 11:30 a.m.

After the joint session, Will’s going solo! “It’s been said time and again that there’s no such thing as a free lunch.” Learn what it means to join the pay-to-play world of social media marketing and come away with some key strategies for utilizing paid platforms to generate leads for your local business. Leave your preconceived notions about content marketing, social engagement, and lead delivery at the door, and get on the right track so you can stay afloat in the ever-changing world of online marketing.

Register now for LocalU Advanced!

Portland: SearchFest – March 10, 2016

Join the marketing experts at SearchFest, hosted by SEMpdx, at the Sentinel Hotel in Portland to experience multiple learning tracks, including workshops and panel sessions designed to provide direct insight into the most up-to-date strategies and advancements in SEO, SEM, and social marketing. You’ll find some of the biggest names in almost every niche of online marketing at SearchFest.

Lifting Your Local Brand Above the Internet Cesspool – 11 a.m.

Paula Keller shares the stage with Cori Shirk of Seer Interactive to educate us on how a local business can “act” like a big brand and how a big brand can “act” like a truly local business. No matter the size of your business, make sure you’re expressing your brand properly so you can attract the most qualified audience and enhance your ROI.

Beacons & Retargeting – 2:45 p.m.

Take a dive deep into the technology of the “Minority Report” society we live in. Will Scott will discuss the intricacies of retargeting the right audiences, and using actual beacons of technology to deliver your message. Don’t miss this one!

Register now for SearchFest in Portland!

Nashville: Hospitality Marketing Symposium – April 5, 2016

The HMS is a conference focused on Internet marketing and technology and purposely crafted to benefit innkeepers, owners, marketing staff, and vendors in the hospitality industry. Will Scott will lead a session on social media marketing trends, and will provide practical tips and tricks to stay one step ahead of the competition.

Register now to reserve your seat for the HMS in Nashville.

We can’t wait to see you on the road! However, if you can’t meet us in any of these locations, you may want to make plans to attend one of our new Search Influence University webinars, the first of which is on February 25. Click here to see a list of our upcoming topics.

December 29, 2015
Spirit of Giving: Good for Your Business, Better for Your Community
When you work with great people, not only do you produce great work and have fun doing it, but together as a team you can do great things outside of the office. This year, my colleagues came through for two families in need, and I’m so proud to tell you this story.

If you follow our blog, you may remember our employee-driven holiday charity drive last year benefitting the Covenant House of New Orleans. To shake things up this year, we chose to “adopt” two families in need through The Salvation Army of Greater New Orleans. In our two families were a total of nine “angels,” children ranging in ages from 12 months to 12 years. Without the support from The Salvation Army, these families would likely not have experienced a holiday like yours or mine. Santa may have only been able to deliver essentials like shoes, coats, and food.

Source: giphy.com

Once again, we focused the drive to a one-week period, which really kept the momentum going in the office. We dubbed it “Operation: Santa’s Got a Brand New Bag!” and kicked things off by setting up our office tree and setting a goal fundraising amount. My co-lead Gabrielle and I weren’t afraid to grovel a bit on behalf of our adopted kids! We stopped by each department’s morning meetings to tell the team about our families.

Slowly but surely throughout the week, the donations racked up. On Friday, we were close to our goal but worried we’d be short of providing the gifts and clothes we hoped to purchase for the families. Back to groveling it was. We passed our donation boxes around the office, willingly accepting loose change. Shout out to our Production team, who donated the entire contents of their “rude jar” to our cause! The “rude jar” is comparable to a swear jar, where team members have to make a contribution each time they are rude or demonstrate negativity. They’d been collecting all month and planned on using the funds for a happy hour but chose to support our adopted families instead.

In less than an hour, by passing the donation box and collecting loose change, we raised an additional $100 and came darn near close to our overall goal.

All that was left to do was to go shopping and deliver our gifts to The Salvation Army. Three of us headed to Target, where we were able to purchase three toys and some clothing for each child, gift wrap, and a $100 Visa gift card for each family. It was so rewarding to see everything come together and to think of the joy these gifts would bring to the kids! Major thanks to Gabrielle Benedetto and Amanda Ball for helping to bargain hunt and find all the perfect gifts!

Why Workplace Charity Is Good for Business

Many studies have shown workplace charitable giving and community involvement can have a tangible impact on employee morale and retention. Making sure the work and the company contribute to a greater purpose is important, especially in companies like ours that are filled with a majority of Millennial employees.

Ensuring employees have something good to focus on (and helping make sure the focus is there) can actually relieve stress and enable employees to detach from their work at the end of a day or week.

“What most people don’t realize is that positive experiences—even small ones—provide you with valuable resources that can be used to reduce stress, including physical symptoms such as headaches or muscle tension. They make it easier for you to detach yourself from work at the end of the day,” says Joyce E. Bono and Theresa M. Glomb for the Harvard Business Review.

Source: giphy.com

If you’ve ever been challenged by low morale in your office, you know it can be damaging and difficult to keep your team engaged in the work. Charitable giving can be a great, positive thing your employees can remember in times of stress or low morale.

Starting a Charity Drive in Your Office

If you’re wondering how you can get your company involved this holiday season or beyond, here are a few tips for how to engage your company in a charitable giving drive. You may even see an increase in employee engagement, morale, and retention as a result!
- Choose your cause. Find a cause that means something to your company’s mission or your employees. Consider your company mission or the time of year you want to implement your initiative.
- Identify an organization in need. Research non-profit organizations focused on your cause of choice. Depending on the size of your organization, you may even opt to have employees nominate or vote on the organization to benefit from your company’s support.
- Make it 100% voluntary. It’s important to make the effort voluntary and make it possible for employees to donate anonymously if they choose. You don’t want to create undue pressure or stress.
- Set a goal and make it known. Setting a goal helps employees understand how much their contribution means in the big picture and increases motivation to participate.
- Keep employees updated on progress. At our company, we talk about metrics and goals quite a lot. Keeping everyone aware of our collective progress toward the goal helped to increase participation. Our team stepped up in the last hour when we had some more ground to cover.
- Drum up some friendly competition. One idea is to get the various departments in your company engaged in a friendly competition to see who can raise the most money or accumulate the most volunteer hours. One great idea I saw recently was called “penny wars” where each group had a jug to fill with loose change to donate to charity.
- Keep it going beyond the holidays. Charitable giving doesn’t have to focus on the holiday season, although about 34% of all charitable giving is done in the last three months of the year. Some companies offer ongoing charity opportunities for employees, and the most successful make it easy for their employees to participate.
How YOU Can Help Outside of Work
- Support the Salvation Army red kettles and bell ringers this season. As you shop for gifts, you might encounter some bell ringers outside of popular retailers. Instead of just passing by, drop in your spare change or a few bucks. Every little bit helps.
- Skip Secret Santa. This time of year, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and constant retail advertisements for stuff on stuff on stuff. Try to remember the reason for the season! Many families or groups of friends will participate in gift exchanges or “Secret Santa” games. Consider skipping it this year and collecting the money everyone would have spent on their gift to donate it. My family chose to do so this year, and as a result, we’ll be helping to fund the New Orleans Mission’s annual Christmas dinner.
- Donate Online. Consider making it a holiday tradition to donate to an organization that supports your cause. There are so many organizations doing good, so choose one that means something to you or your community.
To support the Salvation Army of Greater New Orleans, visit the website to find out how you can help. A donation of just $65 will support a hungry family in the area with a basket of food and gifts. Thanks for reading, and happy holidays from me to you!
December 21, 2015
This Is How We Do It! Search Influence Works Hard and Plays Hard

When I was hired at Search Influence, I knew I could look forward to an exciting company culture. Having watched movies such as The Internship and The Social Network, I was excited to be a part of a tech company with a cool culture and quirky traditions. I envisioned seeing my co-workers sitting on bouncy balls at their desks, cool art on vibrantly colored walls, and a super friendly team-environment—and that’s exactly what I got!

My first week, I learned more about SEO than I thought was possible, and it was awesome! Before I knew it, it was 5pm on Friday. I was getting ready to leave when I heard it: “This is how we do it. It’s Friday night, and I feel alright!” began roaring across the entire office.

If you stick around after Montell, the Account Management department keeps the after-party going with tunes from DJ Bene. Every Friday afternoon, Gabrielle Benedetto, a four-year veteran of the AM team, transforms into DJ Bene. Everyone at Search Influence knows Gabrielle for her charismatic personality and witty comments, which makes her not only an invaluable member of our team, but also an excellent DJ! Being a new member of the team, I wanted to find out how it all started, so I interviewed the DJ herself, and here is what she had to say:

How did you think of the idea of “DJ Bene’s 5 @ 5?” How long has this tradition been going on?

GB: I have a motto to live by: “There is nothing in life a martini, music, and little bit of lipstick can’t fix.” During the summer of 2015, our team experienced a higher-than-average workload. Let me just brag about our account management team for a minute. They are amazing and some of the hardest-working people I know, and I’m honored and proud to call them my co-workers. Our average account manager handles up to 40 accounts, supports in training new employees, and is constantly looking for opportunities to improve our internal processes and system, all with a smile and phenomenal attitude. I should change my motto to “There is nothing in life a martini, music, little bit of lipstick, and an SI account manager can’t fix.” #yolo

Back to that heavy workload. I knew our team had a higher-than-normal stress level, but naturally they didn’t complain. In an effort to boost morale and end the week on a high note, I so proudly launched DJ Bene’s 5 @ 5 Challenge.

DJ Bene (d/j ben-ie): A personality that arrives at 935 Gravier at 5:04 after “This is How We Do It”

I can’t take credit for the roar of Montell Jordan. “This is How We Do It” has been playing at 5 o’clock longer than I have been at SI. But after Montell drops the mic, DJ Bene picks it up.

What is the purpose of The Challenge?

GB: The idea behind DJ Bene is simple and much like any other DJ request. Give me a good reason to play your favorite song. I, however, am so much nicer than those DJs at bars that would always tell me and my friends to stop spilling drinks and back away from the DJ booth. #rude

With over 35 account managers, everyone wanted to hear their favorite song after a busy workweek. But I wasn’t so much concerned with “What song do you want me to play?” but “What amazing thing did you do this week that deserves your song to be played?” I created a spreadsheet for everyone to drop in their request and give a reason why their song should be played. I would only pick five songs, so the reason better be good!

Just like that, I started spinning the tunes with a mini speaker connected to my laptop. Congratulating team members on promotions, acknowledging members for going above and beyond, and welcoming new people to the team are just some of the requests we started to get. Some songs are themed to complement the reason (for example, “I’m So Proud of You” by Drake was requested to congratulate employees on a promotion) and others are just to hear their favorite band (i.e. anything 1D). And just like that, DJ Bene was born.

GB: The challenge has been a hit so far! Any Friday that I’m out of town and can’t DJ, the speaker is passed around to fellow team member to keep the beat.

DJ Bene’s 5 @ 5 Challenge has been a really enjoyable part of working at Search Influence. I love being a part of a company that not only works hard, but also plays hard!

Image Credits:

Montell GIF

December 17, 2015