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Category: News

Mardi Gras Season At Search Influence

Here in New Orleans, we celebrate a few extra holidays. Mardi Gras, otherwise known as Carnival Season, began on January 6th this year with the Phunny Phorty Phellows parade. The season culminates tomorrow, with Mardi Gras Day itself, otherwise known as Fat Tuesday.

Tradition

In addition to the parades, drinking, parties, and mass amounts of tourists that make Mardi Gras special, we also eat a LOT of king cake. This cake, baked in honor of the three kings, is an oval shaped cinnamon cake decorated in the traditional Mardi Gras colors: purple, green, and gold. Each cake has a small plastic baby hidden inside, and tradition states that the person who finds the baby in their piece of king cake will have good luck (and they’ll have to supply the next king cake).

King Cakes

Obviously, we don’t want to mess with tradition at Search Influence, so king cakes have taken over the office for the past few weeks. Not only have we eaten traditional king cakes, Influencers have also gone above and beyond to provide the most decadent, most beautiful, most delicious variety of king cakes around! Almost every day of the week our team enjoys king cakes from any one of the following places:

Rouses
Haydel’s
Meche’s
Manny Randazzo
Domenica
Maple Street Patissierie
Whole Foods
Nonna Randazzo’s
Tastee McKenzie’s
Breads on Oak
JCB Creations
Gambino’s
Hi-Do
La Boulangerie
Ye Olde College Bakery
And More!

As team building is an important part of the Search Influence community, bringing employees together with a new and exciting king cake every day has been a great part of Mardi Gras. Hopefully, as our team continues to grow, the number of king cakes we eat will too!

Do you have a favorite king cake? Let us know in the comments!

March 3, 2014
Part Time Influencer on Balancing Work and School

It’s no secret that college students are busy. There is an old diagram that portrays this pretty well. Students want good grades, a social life and a good night’s sleep, but only have the time to choose two of those.

These days, the pressure on students is higher than ever before. We have more than just grades and a social life to worry about. There are also jobs, extracurricular activities, housework, exercise, cooking, volunteer work, dating, hobbies, keeping in touch with family, and so much more that college students must handle.

I am a senior marketing major at Tulane, but I also work 25-30 hours a week at Search Influence, in addition to several other activities and an attempt to maintain a social life and enjoy some free time. This can be stressful and it certainly keeps me busy, but maintaining all of your commitments while in college is very feasible. I am one of three influencers who work part time while also attending school.

Keeping busy keeps me focused.

When I have too much free time it is easy to procrastinate and get sidetracked from my obligations. A heavy load of classes and work forces students to adopt good time management habits. With limited free time, I make sure I get my work done efficiently so that I have an opportunity to spend time with friends, enjoy hobbies, or catch up on sleep. Learning how to focus and allocate your time also increases productivity and makes enjoying yourself much easier.

Productive Procrastination

I’ll admit it, I procrastinate all the time. It is so easy to get off task in college. There is always some social event or movie on Netflix calling your name. When I have a major assignment due that I just can’t wrap my head around yet, I try to procrastinate in a productive manner. This may sound like an oxymoron, but it is totally possible. Rather than browsing social media or watching TV, focus on smaller homework assignments or clean your room. These less stressful tasks can help turn your lazy mood into a productive one. Once you start on something productive, it is easier to move on to other tasks. When you finish that stressful assignment you will have a clean room, too!

Got any other time management tips? Let us know in the comments!

February 27, 2014
New Influencer Faces: February 2014

We’re still growing over here at Search Influence! We’d like to introduce our five newest employees to join the team!

Sydney Lippman has been hired as a Junior Account Assistant. Originally from Atlanta, Sidney moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane University where she is pursuing a degree in communications and a minor in business. Prior to joining Search Influence, Sydney has worked as an marketing intern for DEL Development Corp.

Jakia Norah has been hired as a Junior Web Developer. She is a New Orleans native and recently graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Computer Information Technology at Delgado Community College with a concentration in Web Design. Prior to working at Search Influence, Jakia was a sales representative at T-Mobile in Metairie.

Alessandra Madrid has been hired as an Account Associate. Born and raised in Guatemala City, Guatemala, she moved to New Orleans nine months ago. Alessandra has also lived in San Antonio, TX and Barcelona, Spain. She attended Trinity University where she earned a B.S. in Business Administration with concentrations in International Business, Marketing, and Communication Management. Before joining Search Influence, Alessandra worked at Colgate-Palmolive and Burson-Marsteller, where she developed a passion for the world of marketing and communications.

Nakia Thomas has been hired as an Internet Marketing Associate. Born and raised in Louisiana, Nakia received her bachelor’s degree from LSU in Communication, She started her career in sales and marketing then slowly spread her wings into the writing world. Nakia is excited about making the shift from a freelance content writer, ghostwriter, and editor to a Search Influence team member.

Alexander Talbot has been hired as an 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. Alex previously worked as a marketing representative for Samsung and has played music in several different bands locally for the past 8 years. Alex is excited to further his professional experience in order to reach a deeper understanding of the world and how to aid in its betterment.

Welcome to Search Influence, Sydney, Jakia, Alessandra, Nakia, & Alexander!

February 24, 2014
Lunchtime at Search Influence’s NEW Office Space

When I first started at Search Influence back in October, I was employee #50. Now, just four months later, we’re nearing 70 employees! As a result, 8120 Oak Street has turned into a veritable can of sardines. Check out this picture from our most recent company meeting…

Our Direct Team (along with a few others, most notably Will & Angie, our founders) even work in what is essentially a converted attic – cleverly nicknamed The Treehouse.

As Search Influence continues to grow, so must our office space. While it’ll be hard to say goodbye to the many memories we’ve made on Oak Street, we’re all looking forward to some room to breathe.

Where are we headed next? While nothing is confirmed quite yet, it looks like we’ll be headed downtown, to the CBD, or Old Metairie.

Lunchtime is something we take very seriously here at SI. Every Influencer has their favorite lunch spot – whether it’s Jimmy John’s delivery, pho from the cleverly named Pho Bistreaux or a juicy burger from trūburger (perfect for Fat Fridays). I’m here to assure you that all of our potential new locales have plenty of lunchtime options.

Downtown

Brave the lines at Mother’s (401 Poydras) for one of the best po-boys the city has to offer. In addition to serving up delicious tacos, Felipe’s Taqueria (301 N. Peters) is the perfect place to grab a margarita after work. Who knows, maybe it’ll even be the next Carrollton Station? Can’t tear yourself away from your desk for more than a minute? There’s sure to be a Lucky Dog cart nearby!

CBD

The Store (814 Gravier) has some great lunch specials and a semi-secret taco bar in the back. Missing Pho Bistreaux? Don’t worry, Viet Orleans Bistro (300 Baronne) is just a few steps away. There’s also a Jimmy John’s (900 Poydras) and a Reginelli’s (930 Poydras) right around the corner.

Old Metairie

In addition to coffee shops, there’s Zoës Kitchen (701 Metairie Rd. Suite 1A103), Naked Pizza (701 Metairie Rd. Suite 2A105) and Lee’s Hamburgers (1507 Metairie Rd.). On hot days, venture down to Sal’s Sno-Ball Stand (1823 Metairie Rd.) for one of Metairie’s best kept secrets.

Stay tuned for more once our new location has officially been announced!

February 21, 2014
A Drive Down Leigh Circle

If I know one thing about Search Influence, it’s that we would be nothing without the help of our Development Department. Starting with one member, Luke Ledet, in 2010, the department has grown quickly to 11 people in correlation with our expanding company. They work tirelessly to improve not only our client’s websites, but also our company’s website, software, and many things I could never dream of comprehending.

(more…)

February 19, 2014
Why You Wish You Could Work on Oak Street

To those of you who are not familiar with New Orleans and all the wonderful neighborhoods, shops, restaurants, activities, and festivals, you’re missing out. Though I’ve only lived in New Orleans the last year and a half, I’ve become very familiar with this awesome city and what it has to offer. Each week there is new festival or fun event to attend, and it is literally impossible to eat at every restaurant in the city in a lifetime.

While there are many great areas and aspects to the city, my absolute favorite is Oak Street. This is where my second home (work) is and where my coworkers and I spend most of our free time. Nestled snugly between the streetcar line and railroad track, Oak Street is located in the Black Pearl neighborhood which is very close to Tulane and Loyola Universities, Audubon Park, and the zoo. This also lends to a diverse mixture of age groups living within a few block of each other.

Food And Drinks

The variety of people in the area leads to an eclectic blend of businesses on Oak Street. There really is something for everyone. For instance, Oak Wine Bar below our office is a staff favorite for their happy hour drink specials. And they hosted our most recent company holiday party!

Maple Leaf Bar is a great place for live music or to kill time while you wait for a table at the famous Jacques-Imo’s, a popular tourist spot and a local favorite! The lucky few get to eat in the truck!

The majority of my favorite memories are taking a long Friday lunch break at either Tru Burger or Cowbell. While on opposite ends of Oak St. and very opposite in menu and style, they both make a great burger! Both are great places to stop and enjoy a meal.

Old school charm is what makes Oak St. businesses stand out, even the newest business on the block, a chain restaurant called https://mellowmushroom.com/location/la-new-orleans-8227-oak-street-70118/, feels like its been here forever.

Shops

In addition to the amazing restaurants and bars on Oak, you can also find a wide range of shops. The chic furniture shop Eclectic Home is great for the urban dweller looking to liven up there living space. Situated a few store fronts down is the always delicious D’ Juice. Boasting the freshest smoothies blended with fresh fruit and veggies, it is a great stop for a refreshing recharge. Located just across the street from D’ Juice is the Castellon Pharmacy. Stepping in there feels like a blast from the past. This old pharmacy continues to maintain its unique charm in the ever changing world we live in.

Culture

The unique culture of New Orleans and Oak St. could not be better represented than by the enormously beautiful Catholic church, Mater Dolorosa. The church takes up a good portion of the block and it’s chorus of singing church bells can be heard many blocks away. The church and the eclectic shops are a constant reminder of the city’s rich history rooted in many religions and long time acceptance of all cultures.

Events

Once a year Oak Street gets even more exciting, playing host to the famous Po Boy Festival. The Po Boy is unique to New Orleans and is a favorite dish amongst locals. Restaurants from all over the city gather to share their own creations with festival goers as live music blares from a stage set up smack in the middle of the road.

The reasons we love the Oak Street and working here every day are endless. There are so many great places to enjoy and there is something here for everyone. I know our time on Oak Street will come to an end one day, but until then I plan to take advantage of all the great things it has to offer.

February 17, 2014
Watch the Possibilities Unfold

For many years we’ve considered the fold, or the first 600 pixels of content on a website, to be the gateway for user interaction and hopefully the production of leads. To take advantage of this, we’ve filled this space with as many buttons, forms, and click-through opportunities as humanly possible. The result, oftentimes, was a cluttered site with so many calls to action that viewers didn’t know where to look first.

So what’s changed?

Tablets and smartphones have helped us by naturally encouraging users to scroll. These smart devices have not only made it easier to scroll, they’ve also made it fun! Because of this, the purpose of those 600 pixels has changed. Instead of using the space above the fold as the one and only location for possible lead generation, we can use this area to help direct the viewers’ eye down the page to discover more.

How do we do that?

Have you ever seen a social media contest that directs you to “like” the page and enter to win? The designs for these ads usually include a directional arrow that points up to the “like” button, to help you understand exactly where you need to go next. Often times the call to action for this type of contest will be sometime similar to ”Like & Enter” or “Like us to find out more.” The need for a clear call to action on websites such as the ones used for contests is now more important than ever.

An even better example of a great call to action is Amazon’s graphic to get customers to take a look inside of one of their books.

What is it about Amazon’s call to action that makes you want to click on that book? How can you achieve a similar effect? Here are three tips for creating a successful call to action:

1. Use a Contrasting Color

According to The Institute for Color Research, we subconsciously make judgments about people, products and their environment within 90 seconds of seeing them. Between 62% and 90% of that initial judgment is based solely on color.

The most important thing to consider when selecting your call to action color is to choose one that will stand out on the page. If most of your page has varying shades of blue, a bright green button will do the trick, or a golden shade of orange. As KISSmetrics highlights in their infographic on color, this can be achieved by using analogous colors for the background of the page’s main content, while using a complementary color as your call to action color.

Take a look at the Amazon example again. Did the contrast of the blue and the orange catch your attention?

2. Remember these 3 C’s: Clear, Compelling, and Concise

“Read the Case Study”
“Try it For Free”
“Take a Tour”

All three calls to actions are common, but effective. They tell the user what they will be doing: reading, trying, and touring. By eliminating the concerns of the user, you compel them to want to find out more. Case studies, free trials, and tours are great ways for the user to find out more information. If you can do compel the readers clearly and be concise in your wording, you will have successfully created a perfect call to action.

Amazon’s example achieves this in two ways. The call to action, “Click to Look Inside” is to the point, but they’re actually able to abbreviate this even more by emphasizing “LOOK INSIDE.”

3. Give Directional Cues

Whether you’re attempting to get your customer to scroll down the page or trying to direct them to your form, you need to use directional cues to show them where they need to go next. From arrows that point to the call to action, to imagery that implies the need to scroll down to see more, people subconsciously want to be prompted towards their next step.

The arrow for Amazon’s click to look inside serves two purposes. It implies the action of opening a book while also directing customers to click on the image of the book to see what’s inside.

Another great example of directional cues is on the Nike Better World site. While there is not an arrow or obvious directional cue, customers will subconsciously want to scroll through the page because of the visual implication of movement. They use a very subtle, but effective approach for directing their customers to look further to see more.

Michael Lykke Aagaard, a A/B testing guru, blogged about testing he did on the positioning of a CTA. He states that this test showed a 304% increase in conversions for the placement of the CTA under the fold. If that isn’t proof enough, try it for yourself and watch the possibilities unfold.

February 11, 2014
Welcome to “Can’t Code”

Lessons, Musings, and Complaints about Digital Technology

I started working at Search Influence a few months ago. Before that, I had a lot of web design experience, but all of it was very informal and self-taught. Due to budget cuts at the University of New Orleans, my graduate department asked me to volunteer as their “web guy” when they were unable to afford a real administrator. This meant that I had to do some very quick, ad-hoc studying in order to fulfill this role. Up to that point, I’d learned a lot about the most basic architectural features of the internet, like HTML and CSS, but it took a lot of research before I could make sense of the web’s more sophisticated components. At the time, PHP, Javascript, the infamous WordPress “Loop,” and other institutions of cyberspace appeared to me like confusing, mystical clouds of information.

I felt simultaneously intimidated by these topics and ashamed to inquire about them because I felt I should already know the answers. Finally, out of necessity, I set aside my ego and asked my more well-informed peers to share their skills with me, a request that was, of course, met with enthusiasm. The process of learning these skills was still challenging, but being open and honest about my ignorance was my shortest path to success (think I saw that on a poster somewhere).

That experience made me reflect on the “digital divide.” Even as someone who was raised on computers, I struggled to understand how people operated behind the point-and-click Windows interface that I grew up on. I could only imagine how difficult this same endeavor would be for, say, my grandparents, or my childhood friends whose families were too poor to have a Nintendo, much less a laptop. Even though digital technology has permeated some of the hardest-reached socioeconomic crevices of our society, the standards of what constitutes “literacy” in a rapidly evolving economy is a moving mark. While many people are becoming comfortable with the Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) created to help them interact with digital information, knowing a little code helps to fully participate in and understand the digital spaces of our lives.

What Now?

Beginning with this post, I’d like to share what I’m learning as a Junior Web Developer at Search Influence, in the hopes that others with a low to moderate level of computer literacy may learn something. Future posts will appear monthly on the Search Influence blog and cover various facets of the digital technologies that I use to complete my daily tasks. Some posts will describe what these technologies are used for, some will provide a tutorial on how to use them yourself, and others may simply give commentary on the history and social implications of these technologies.

Next month, I plan on covering the very basics: ones and zeros. We commonly see long strings of 1’s and 0’s in the popular media that are meant to represent some form of digital information. But where does this code come from, and why is it used?

Stay tuned for the answers next month! And for any code questions you want answered, comment below.

February 10, 2014
HAPPY FRIDAY, BOYS! (and girls)
Here at Search Influence, we’re all about tradition.

We’ve got loads of candy in the kitchen, an anonymous question of the day on the community whiteboard, king cakes all Mardi Gras season long, double booked conference rooms, and every single Friday afternoon ends the same way.

No matter what you’re doing, or how busy and stressed out you are, you’ll know when it’s five o’clock. You’ll hear it coming loud from the Development Department. It’s time to listen to “This is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan. It’s a tradition that began with a former Influencer that we refuse to break (Shout Outs, J-Luft!). I mean, seriously, is there any better way to start off your weekend!? It’s 3 minutes and 59 seconds of head bobbing, hand waving, and lip syncing – or loud singing – bliss. In that moment you forget everything that you’ve ever known and remember what’s important in life. The weekend.

While this doesn’t exactly mean it’s time to pack up and go, because let’s be real, we’ve still got stuff to do, it’s a signal of what’s to come. You may think that we’ve grown tired of one another after spending over 50 hours a week sitting two feet apart, but that’s not the case. For some odd reason, some of us just can’t seem to get enough.

So after we convince ourselves that we’ve accomplished all that we can in a workweek, or slowly peer pressure one another to leave, one-by-one we head on down three blocks to the station. Carrollton Station.

While I could go on for days about all of the fun things that have happened, conversations we’ve had, or the moments we can’t quite seem to forget (or remember) at the station, instead I’ll fill you in on the reasons why we keep going back.

Activities

After sitting at a computer for over 8 hours a day, it’s time for a little cardio. On any given Friday, you can see Influencers doing any combination of the following:
- Ping Pong Tournaments
- Darts
- Shot skis – For added team building
- Buying drinks for co-workers – Because you owe them for helping you out that week
- Starting/Building Fires in the back patio area – It’s cool, we have Boy Scouts on the team
- Watching the Saints – Vuvuzela horn every time they score and free shots after the game
Conversations

While we try to avoid talking shop, it’s inevitable. The nights always seem to begin with those topics, because it tends to take a few drinks for us to forget about the work week. But those stories always lead to funnier stories, which turn into inside jokes we laugh about for years. This is the time when you really get to know your co-workers and decide that you’re also friends.

Food & Drinks

I guess it’s more drink than food…but it’s alright! We worked hard this week and we’re sleeping in tomorrow.
- $1 Tacos – Pretty self explanatory
- “Blue Moonshine Death Berries” – Everclear soaked berries in some concoction of a drink
- Jello shots – Randomly passed around for free
- Fireball, Fireball, Fireball, SHOTS
Music

Most nights involve some sort of live music. If there’s not some crazy Russian band or local New Orleans brass group lined up, the ‘skinny thigh guitar guy’ will start his acoustic jams. If for some reason there’s nothing on the schedule, there’s always the jukebox. It’s important to mention that the Dev boys always end up singing “There is A Light That Never Goes Out” by The Smiths.

The Usuals

Since it’s a neighborhood bar, you typically end up seeing the same faces or hearing familiar sounds. Outside of the SI group and the usual three bartenders (shout out Lillian), you’ll probably spot the bar cat, named Powder Cat, roaming around the backyard and patio. “Wait, did I just hear a dolphin?” Nope. That’s just the sound of a frequent patron’s laugh that we all know and love. And don’t forget about our friend, Harvey. He keeps talking about rounding people up and having some pajama party at the Station? (Not sure what that’s all about.)

After Party

There’s no telling what mood will strike, who will stay out, or where you’ll end up, but it’s possible that you’ll find yourself at one of these places:
- Kajuns – For epic karaoke nights
- Snake and Jake’s – For those really late nights
- Treasure Chest Casino – For the night that you’ll only hear stories about
At Search Influence we work hard and we play hard. We’re all about teamwork and team building, and if you make friends along the way, well that’s even better! As the company continues to grow, so do our weekly gatherings at Carrollton Station. If you’re in the neighborhood on a Friday, stop on by. The more the merrier!

What’s your favorite memory from a Friday night out with co-workers?
February 7, 2014
5 Management Tips (from a New Manager)
I’ve been at Search Influence for just over a year and a half. However, in the last four months my role has changed from managing clients to managing people: exciting and terrifying all at once. It is one thing to be great at your job, but it is another to be great at teaching other people to excel at their jobs.

Management decisions are not always clear, and in a managing role you will discover, at times, you need help to know the right resolution. Over the past several months I’ve taken note of what has been successful for me in my new role.

Look Up

Pull inspiration from the people above you. Everyone has a boss or a supervisor, use their experiences and successes to help guide you. Most likely, they have dealt with many of the problems you will face and can be a mentor for your tough decisions.

Take note, there is no standard style of management, however, discussing difficult situations and seeking encouragement from someone you look up to will build your confidence as a manager.

Change Your Focus

News flash: Your role is no longer about you! Before becoming a manager, your success was measured by task completion and things like client happiness or productivity. Now, you are measured on how well the people you manage can perform.

Making the switch from focusing on your own successes and failures to those of your team can be difficult, especially for young managers. Your successes are now graded upon how well your team succeeds. However, once you accept this, the “ah ha!” moments from your employees, will be incredibly gratifying experiences.

Get Help

Find blogs, news sources, and email alerts on management styles and approaches.

Great resources include:
Communicate Often

Be honest with your employees. Don’t be afraid to set expectations, give constructive criticism, or shower them in praise. When they are doing something right, acknowledge it, and acknowledge it publicly. Words of affirmation give encouragement and continue the preferred behavior. On that same note, don’t be afraid to take charge and have the more difficult conversations. Explain to your team what you expect from them. If they are not meeting your expectations, give them the resources and guidance on how to improve.

Ask for Feedback – And Use It

In the same vein of giving feedback, go out and ask for it! No one expects you to be perfect, but how can you get better without knowing your shortcomings and successes?

For many people it can be intimidating and difficult to hear what you need to improve upon. However, in the long run you will appreciate being able to create the right type of management skills.

Managing a team isn’t always easy. However, if you give yourself the right tools, you and your employees will have a better chance for success!
January 31, 2014