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Category: News

  • Google “My Social Circle” Invading The SERPs

    Google Buzz with its “Connected Sites”option is deeper, and perhaps more insidious, than we thought. It appears, that in addition to insinuating itself into Gmail, Gchat and Google’s mobile services, through Google My Social Circle Google Buzz is picking up information from sites listed in your Google Profile and including “Social Content” in the actual search results, blended as they might News or Video content.

    My Mumbai Social Circle
    My Mumbai Social Circle

    I was reading a blog post from Small Business SEM’s Matt McGee this morning in which he referenced a search result for “small business reputation management“. So I clicked the link and got the following results set:

    Results for Small Business Reputation managerment
    Results for Small Business Reputation managerment

    In case it’s not obvious, you can see in the image above two referenced blog posts from sites I frequent run by industry friends Matt McGee and Outspoken Media (Lisa Barone).

    My first thought was “Wow, that’s kind of cool. I wonder why Mat Siltala’s not there” ;).

    And then I drilled down to see what was driving this particular social graph. It’s interesting to see where Google draws data regardless and in this case, more so because assumptions are being made about my likes and dislikes in this Google, My Social Circle by inference from other sites I frequent.

    My Social Circle - Reminiscent of LinkedIns Degrees of separation
    My Social Circle – Reminiscent of LinkedIn's Degrees of separation

    As you can see My Social Circle includes:

    • Direct connections from Google Chat buddies,
    • Direct connections from sites such as Twitter and FriendFeed (that’s a lot of data)
    • Secondary Connections linked by inference to my direct connections

    So basically, Google has digested all of the data from those accounts I have listed on my personal Google Profile page and used them to assemble this My Social Circle idea. And, with my social circle defined, my search results are further personalized.

    This is a good thing right? Google’s trying to help out and give me what I’m looking for, right?

    Maybe.

    At this point the implementation is pretty mild. It’s a nice leverage of the data available thanks to the Google Personal Profile page – personal profile pages which are all the more prominent thanks to buzz. And, my position that the implementation is mild is based on my usage.

    I’m a business user and I keep it clean. I may be occasionally smart-alecky but other than that I don’t have anthing online I don’t want my mother to see.

    If this isn’t you if you might have something to hide, and particularly if you browse on a public or work computer, you may want to reconsider whether Buzz is for you. While the idea of my industry friends who blog showing up in search results is OK for me, it might not be OK for you. And, even if you’re squeaky clean, Google sometimes gets it wrong.

    Have you seen any examples of this? What searches? I’d love to see screen shots.

  • NASMM (Senior Movers) Conference Las Vegas 2010 – Presentations

    Below are the slides from my presentations to the National Association of Senior Move Managers last weekend.

    This is my second year talking to the Senior Movers and they’re a great, very appreciative crowd. This year, I spent about 3 hours after the presentation doing review / recommendation sessions with attendees and it was FANTASTIC!

    Because these files are so big I decided to post them here. They’re referenced from Google Docs, which I like better than SlideShare given SlideShare shows other, competitive stuff next to your slides.

    NASMM-Website Promotion Basics

    Social Media – What’s in it for YOU?

    I’ll update with more detail later.

    I’d love feedback on these presentations and if you attended NASMM Las Vegas 2010, I’d love to hear your impressions.

  • What’s the (Google) Buzz?

    As anyone with Gmail or their ear to ground has realized Google Buzz has been released.

    The Buzz on Google Buzz

    I was both excited and hesitant to try it out. I was excited because Chrome in all its sleek simplicity has been my chosen browser for a few months, and Gmail and Google Talk have also been a daily mainstay for some time now. I was hesitant because Orkut never clicked with me and most importantly I really don’t want yet another social media hub.


    The main features as noted in the Buzz launch video are:

    1. Auto following

    2. Rich, fast sharing experience

    3. Public and private settings

    4. Inbox integration

    5. “Just the good stuff” – recommendations , 3 word status collapsed at the bottom

    The auto follow feature I can give or take. I see a small value in this but to me it’s nothing to write home about. We were all able to kick start all our other social media sites with little trouble. The next two features: Rich, fast sharing experience and the public and private settings don’t’ seem much different from Facebook. There maybe be small differences but again nothing ground breaking.

    Trying to see what the Buzz is about


    Inbox integration is a little tricky to gage in value. It is interesting that you get interactive buzz message directly in your inbox. But Google Buzz is one button away from my inbox, it shows up and crowds my inbox just like any other alert but it does offer some ease of use.


    Buzz includes “just the good stuff?” According to whom? I guess if I were going to let someone choose what I want to see and not want to see it would be Google. They seem to have done a decent job thus far. I primarily use their search engine. Did I just welcome Big Brother? Anyway, I am questionable about the way they achieve giving you “the good stuff.” If your friends buzz on something then it shows up for you even if you don’t follow the person who originally buzzed, I can deal with that but in one part of the release video they mentioned reducing noise in social media which makes this sound counter-intuitive. The other way they dictate “the good stuff” is by collapsing “boring” comments to the bottom.

    Boring to me seems pretty vague. In the launch video he used a “3 word update” as an example. I don’t like this because I love cryptic 3 word updates. I really do. Cryptic song lyrics are more interesting to me typically than knowing that you just washed your dog and it looks adorable wrapped in a blanket. This feature leaves me on the fence.

    My initial impression after playing a little was: a little Twitter and a little Facebook with a boring layout– but it’s accessible, since I already live in Gmail. I might try it for a while and see where it goes.

    Short on style but might look good after some time
    Short on style but might look good after it grows out.


    Then… I saw the mobile version and the sky lit up with rainbows. Unicorns jumped from cloud to cloud and I saw Google Buzz in a whole new way. Well, almost… the mobile app for iPhone and Android does look really impressive. The integration of Buzz, Place Pages and Google Maps looks amazingly useful. So, next time I’m bored on a Saturday night I can check to see who’s buzzed nearby and might be talking up a happening spot within my vicinity. I can then check the Place Page to see a review on their location and what others have to say about it. If it suits my mood off to the party I’m going. Then I can even buzz where I’m going and see if any friends want to join me.

    Yes, it does sound a bit Twitter-ish but with some added convenience. I haven’t tested this yet but at writing it’s Mardi Gras weekend. I plan on keeping an eye on the local buzzes and see what I can get myself into. If you’re in New Orleans this weekend buzz about it and lets see how this thing works!



    The app on android even has voice recognition so you can speak your buzz and post. I wonder if you can hold it in the air and post cryptic lyrics straight from the stage? As I mentioned before, you can seek out user updates based on location, find businesses close by, and view their Place Page and see Buzz updates regarding that business on the Place Page.

    We’ve all seen most of these things to some extent in a lot of other apps but after thinking about all the different apps that do various things you have to stop and account for the fact that this is one app that does all of it and its integrated with my already existing email.


    The first Buzz I saw upon signing up was “Hi, I‘m Google. I’m ripping off twitter and spamming all gmail users about it with a splash screen in front of their inbox. Have a nice day.” Earl’s comment made me laugh. I think I might have been ready to react the same way but I’ve decided to check it out for a while.

    One of the forward facing aspects of Google Buzz is their development of “a suite of open protocols to create a complete read/write developer API.” So, it looks to me like it will be up to the developers of the world to make it really take off but so far so good.

  • Triumph of the WhoDat Nation, The Saints & New Orleans

    Who dat?

    Who dat?

    Who dat say dey gonna beat dem saints?

    #whodat - from Maitri
    #whodat – from Maitri

    The above is my best approximation of the phonetic for the entire “Who Dat” chant. Who Dat, used to be a very personal, private New Orleans thing. I was in New York a few weeks ago visiting my mother and she asked “What’s this ‘Who Dat?’ thing all about”?.

    And yes, I use my mother as my barometer for ubiquity. For instance, when my mother’s on Facebook everyone is on Facebook.

    The New Orleans Saints have been a source of pride and frustration for the city of New Orleans since their founding 40-some years ago. I did not grow up in New Orleans but have lived here better than half my life and New Orleans is my home and the Saints are my team.

    “Who Dat?” was a direct opposition to the “Ain’ts” contingent who would go to the games with bags on their heads for shame.

    The Saints are making our city proud, and the nation is screaming Who Dat?

    Sorry Indianapolis, this wasn’t your year.

    But what is this symbolic of really? It’s symbolic of a New New Orleans – the kind of New Orleans which is nurturing of Entrepreneurship. The kind of New Orleans where we have a Mayor’s race with nearly a dozen candidates with many great options.

    And then, this. The best belated Christmas present imaginable. Better than 100 golden King Cake babies. The New Orleans Saints have brought it home for the WhoDat Nation and won the Super Bowl.

    This surely bodes well.

    Isnt that just awesome?
    Isn't that just awesome?
    Now Thats a New Orleans Saints Fan
    Now That's a New Orleans Saints Fan

    Shame on you NFL.

    Shame on you NFL
    Shame on you NFL

  • Local Search Summit at SES Chicago

    I’ll be making a very quick trip to Chicago on Monday to do a couple presentations at the Local Search Summit.

    I’ll be solo presenting with Steve Espinosa moderating on uses of Social Media for local search.

    And, I’ll be jointly presenting with Steve on Mobile applications and their importance for local search.

    Sadly I won’t have any time to spend with Mat Siltala who will be there Monday, but is leaving Tuesday AM. Perhaps a little dessert!

    And, if I had a personal jet I’d definitely go to the Kelsey Show in LA to hang out with David Mihm and Andrew Shotland. If anybody at NetJets would like to trade a couple rides for a completely unbiased review of the service I’d totally change my mind about Kelsey (ok, it might be a lttle biased).

    While we’re on the subject even if NetJets doesn’t come through I’d be happy to Yelp about a Chicago Limousine Service if I could get a ride y’know (might be worth a review on Yahoo! CitySearch & Google too).

  • Will Scott to Speak on Local Search Ranking Factors at SMX East

    President and founder of the New Orleans SEO company Search Influence, Will Scott often participates in conferences and seminars. Oct 5-7, he will be presenting at the Search Marketing Expo East 2009 on how important local search ranking factors help drive traffic to small business Web sites.

    In a recent press release announcing the session, Will Scott talks about the Local Search ranking factors – 49 of them thought to make or break local business listings.

    He also points out the increasing competition for Internet traffic and business visibility on the web. By using the local search ranking factors, companies like Scott’s own Search Influence can maximize the effectiveness of website promotion for clients. He also says that “collaboration, as in the Local Search Ranking Factors study, can help us predict trends in adjust our tactics accordingly.”

    There are negative factors that can prevent visibility too or example, more than one business with the same name or having an 800 number as the primary contact number.

    Will joins a star-studded panel including:

    SMX East is jam-packed with very current information. Some of the brightest minds in SEO will be presenting.

    Some of the presentations we’re really looking forward to (and there are a ton more):

  • As soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there

    I was once asked why I don’t participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I’ll be there.

    Mother Teresa

    http://www.woopidoo.com/business_quotes/authors/mother-teresa/index.htm

  • Maximizing that Press Release Link – Janet Meiners Thaeler

    Matt Siltala of Dream Systems Media
    Matt Siltala of Dream Systems Media

    On our pal and colleague Matt Siltala ‘s site, Dream Systems Media, they just posted a great article from Janet MeinersThaeler, @NewspaperGrl on press releases and their SEO value.

    We LOVE online PR around here!

    The post is about online PR and how a press release can get you quality backlinks.

    Start with a good story and then use online distribution.

    The post has a link to a site that ranks press release distribution sites for their SEO value. It also gives tips on what to write about (finding a good topic is key to getting coverage from bloggers and journalists alike).

    It’s a good read and validates our opinion and use of PR in support of website promotion.

    Check it out and if you like it, tweet or Spinn it.

    In case you missed it, I had the good fortune to be interviewed by Matt on a related subject “Press Releases and SEO ” a couple months back.

  • No Drip (GNODRP) – Hurricane Preparedness and Hurricane Recovery Partnership

    GNODRP (No Drip) Greater New Orleans Disaster Recovery Partnership
    GNODRP ("No Drip") Greater New Orleans Disaster Recovery Partnership

    “No Drip” (GNODRP) – Hurricane Preparedness and Hurricane Recovery Partnership

    Greater New Orleans Disaster Recovery Partnership (GNODRP)

    Formed in November of 2005

    Gulf coast residents know all too well what June – November mean: Hurricane Season!

    Thankfully all has been calm out in the ocean water but that does not mean New Orleans isn’t engaged in serious preparation. The Greater New Orleans Disaster Recovery Partnership (GNODRP) pronounced “no drip’ is just that. In the coming months the greater New Orleans area will need to be on guard and preparing for tropical storms and hurricanes. GNODRP offers services to help the community prepare before a disaster and to recover after. GNODRP is also working in many ways with people still recovering from hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

    The Mission of the Greater New Orleans Disaster Recovery Partnership (GNODRP) is to regionally support long-term recovery and preparedness.

    What You Should Know Now

    The GNODRP is working on two large projects that benefit the greater New Orleans area.

    1. RECOVERY SUPPORT: GNODRP provides long-term recovery support to victims of Katrina and Rita. The number of people still needing recovery is extensive and GNODRP wants to get the word out that they’re here to help.
    2. FUTURE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: GNODRP will be serving as the central point of contact for nonprofit organizations for preparedness and recovery efforts of future disasters. GNODRP will serve as the leader in organizing nonprofit recovery efforts in the event of a future disaster. Referred to as Greater New Orleans Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (GNO VOAD)
    Hurricane Katrina Satellite Image
    Hurricane Katrina Satellite Image

    Who and What GNODRP Serves

    GNODRP currently has 7 member parishes: Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington & the River Parishes: St. John the Baptist and St. Charles.

    GNODRP offers services to aid in the disaster recovery process, these include but are not limited to rebuilding and repairing homes, case management, advocacy, emotional and spiritual care, donations collection and distribution, preparedness and volunteer coordination.

    Through the GNODRP Donations Warehouse Program, rebuild agencies and case management agencies can pick up furnishings and materials on behalf of clients still in need of recovery.  The materials are donated from a hodgepodge of sources. The partnerships that GNODRP has are extensive.

    Who Is Involved?

    GNODRP is made up of a coalition of over 70 organizations who give support by meeting community needs in the recovery process that have gone un-met by other sources The coalition is made up of faith-based, non-profit, government liaisons and long term recovery organizations.

    A full list of member agencies and resource partners can be found by click the corresponding link. Some representative members include the United Way of New Orleans, the Red Cross and Catholic Charities and there are many more.

    How You Can Get Involved

    The GNODRP is always looking for people and organizations to join in their effort to collaborate and share resources. There are many ways to support GNODRP some include putting your name on the mailing list, signing up to volunteer, or making a donation. GNODRP is looking for many skill sets including social services, construction expertise, grant writing, PR, and most of all friendly and passionate people who want to make a difference in the local community.

    For more information about GNODRP and to get Involved visit their site at: http://www.gnodrp.org/

    or email: [email protected]

    Keywords: disaster recovery, disaster preparedness, hurricane, New Orleans, GNO

  • Business Incentives, Power Networks and a Whole Lotta Soul

    So, I’m sitting in a fancy sushi restaurant in LA a couple weeks ago with a friend, who’s also a client. Everybody’s thin and beautiful (except us, of course), the decor is slick and gorgeous and the sushi and company were awesome.

    Picture: Katsuya Brentwood, Los Angeles

    We’re talking business and Marc says to me “why do you stay in New Orleans”?

    Look, if you live here, you know why I stay in New Orleans. But for the rest of you, here’s a few:

    • I can often wear shorts in January
    • When you go out to see music, people are dancing
    • When you go to morning meeting at your kids’ school people are dancing
    • It’s funky, eclectic, exotic and refined
    • It’s a small town with an international vibe
    • There is a warmth that’s real, I mean real
    • There is a thriving business community who gets what’s important
    • It’s easy

    Why not stay? I’ll leave that for someone else, I don’t know where else to go, you know? I love New York, I love San Diego, I love Paris, but none of them is this easy.

    And, regardless of what the papers say, it’s a great place to start a business.

    Ok, enough rah, rah, how bout some facts!

    • in 2008, Louisiana was 5th in the nation in Entrepreneurial activity
    • The Louisiana Angel Investor Tax Credit
    • The Digital Media / Motion Picture and Sound Recording Tax Credits
      Measures are underway to extend this to all technology firms
    • Unlike the rest of the country our unemployment rate is going down

    And finally, we have GNO Inc. who is putting together the GNO Digital Media Alliance to advance the cause of Digital Media and Media as the next growth industry in Louisiana.

    Michael Hecht of GNO Inc was kind enough to come speak with us and told us that GNO Inc has put together a data sheet with some key facts about New Orleans. At our Net2NO meeting on Tuesday night I suggested everyone with a blog should take it upon themselves to spread the good news.

    On their web site it’s an image. I had it transcribed below:

    GREATER NEW ORLEANS: A GREATER REALITY

    The Greater New Orleans Reality Check

    • The Greater New Orleans region has international trade assets, such as six-class A railroads, excellent highway access and a location at the mouth of the Mississippi, that are unmatched anywhere in the country.
    • Our port system, taken from Plaquemines to Baton Rouge, is one of the largest in the world.
    • We have 88% of the nation’s oil rigs off our coast, and are in the top three in the country in oil and gas production. We are America’s Energy Coast.
    • Every single manned flight that has gone into space since Apollo has done so with a massive fuel tank built in one of the largest and most advanced manufacturing facilities in the world, right here at Michoud.
    • We are now the center of the third largest film producing region in the country, behind only Hollywood and New York.
    • The GNO region has a collection of colleges and universities that is as good, in quantity and quality, as that of any city of comparable size in our country. And these schools have come back strong: admissions at Tulane is up 180% from pre-storm levels.
    • 94% of our region is above sea level.
    • And, the technology exists to restore our wetlands and protect the remainder.
    • 9l% of the regional population is back.
    • And the population that is back is filled with highly educated and motivated “brain-gainers.”
    • Our region is experiencing a level of civic and business engagement that hasn’t been seen in decades.
    • Our region is embarking on one of the most ambitious educational reform programs in the history of our nation.
    • Here you can find a sense of place, a value for dollar and an overall quality of life that city planners have discussed since Jane Jacobs, but few actual regions can offer. In an ever more homogeneous world, the GNO region increasingly shines as a unique beacon of culture.
    • While the rest of the country is reeling from a massive financial crisis, we are relatively better-off thanks to billions of recovery dollars, a surplus from formerly high oil and gas prices, and record-breaking exports.

    This is our reality. This is Greater New Orleans.

    So, get out there and spread the good news. Post a comment with a link to your blog post and I’ll add it below with the others who are: