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Tag: company culture

Meet Angie Scott, Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer, Search Influence

This blog is part of a series Search Influence is doing in anticipation of International Women’s Day on March 8th. We love to tout that 70% of our staff members are women and 66% of our senior management team are women, too. Far above the 20% average seen in the technology industry.

As the Chief Operations Officer and co-founder of Search Influence, Angie Scott can’t help but laugh at the idea of a typical day at the office. Each day brings a distinct set of challenges to tackle. Since the company’s founding 11 years ago, Angie has grown quite comfortable with a constantly changing schedule and to-do list.

“The thing I love about my day is that there is no such thing as a typical day,” explained Angie. “[It] could be anything from management of the company and teams in general, to negotiating with partners and vendors to overseeing Accounting and HR.” It’s not uncommon for her work days to extend into the p.m. as she works with her husband and Search Influence co-founder, Will Scott, to hash out new solutions to make the business run more efficiently.

As a working mom, it’s vital to Angie that these solutions include creating a workplace environment where employees don’t have to choose between a career and parenting. As a result, Search Influence offers added flexibility for parents when the inevitable challenges come up. From leaving early to pick up a sick kid from school to having a comfortable and private area to breastfeed for new moms, the culture at Search Influence was built around the realities of parenthood.

“I truly enjoy being a working mom and want the other women that are out there that have the same feelings to be comfortable that they can do it all. We all know that moms are serious, playful, organized, and in charge—isn’t that who you want to be in the workforce with!” said Angie.

A big part of cultivating this environment is Angie’s honest approach to the “balancing act” of juggling motherhood and business. With so many moving parts, she has learned that the best approach to reducing stress is to simply embrace the natural ebb and flow of life rather than focusing too much on the perfect balance.

“You have to wake up each day believing it will all happen, it will be ok, and that you can take on anything, and then, just do it. I blend my balance—work comes home, family comes to work (literally…remember, I co-own this business with my husband), and I don’t cut off either one just because my environment is changed,” explained Angie. “In other words, if my kids have to hear about something I am challenged with or am updating my husband on regarding work, then so be it. I think it will make them a better business person when they grow up!”

Angie credits much of her inspiration and growth to her father. Growing up, she watched him work his way up from climbing poles with the local phone company to becoming the manager at CenturyTel for the entire state of Alabama.

“My dad not only told me to work hard but also showed me what that meant from a very young age,” said Angie. “By that, I don’t mean 12-hour days, seven days a week. What I mean is that he taught me to never give up, never hold back, and to do whatever it takes to succeed—all while having a great attitude, because he held his values very close.”

These values remain a big part of Angie’s driving force, both professionally and personally. Keeping family close, she hopes to pass on these same ideals to her children. With this in mind, she always makes time for quality, uninterrupted family activities, from a bike ride outside to just hanging out at home with a board game.

She offers this same advice to any working woman: “Life brings a lot of changes, but your family doesn’t change, so look to them for help, support, mentorship, and friendship.”

March 6, 2017
Meet Paula Keller French, Director of Sales & Marketing, Search Influence

This blog is part of a series Search Influence is doing in anticipation of International Women’s Day on March 8th. We love to tout that 70% of our staff members are women and 66% of our senior management team are women, too. Far above the 20% average seen in the technology industry.

With a degree in marketing from E. J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University, Paula Keller French has always been big on planning ahead. Now, as the Director of Sales & Marketing with Search Influence and moving into her seventh year with the company, she eagerly stays focused on turning her plans into reality.

“Currently, my priority is creating our sales department from the ground up, including creating processes and training, coaching our new team, and hiring new sales executives,” said Paula. “My team’s goal is to play online marketing matchmaker by identifying the right marketing solutions to match business goals to help companies in almost any industry optimize their potential, with a heavy hand in medical, legal, tourism, manufacturing, and home services.”

Paula plays a key role in this transition. With her leadership, the sales team has experienced steady, strategic growth already this year. In the midst of this major project, she also just returned from speaking at two conferences on the West Coast.

“I love telling others about the great results you can achieve for clients with online marketing,” she explained.

Amidst all of these moving parts in her career, Paula still makes time for the important life moments. Another credit to her ability to plan ahead, she also relies on supportive friends and family to keep the scales balanced.

“When we have an invite on the table, I try to always say yes, even if that means I need to jet from the office at five every once and awhile,” she said. “If I plan ahead on my work, then those days are not usually a problem. I don’t mind doing some work on a free weekend if it means I get to take advantage of midweek fun!”

For Paula, fun usually consists of cooking and cocktails or getting out for a spin class or tennis game. Of course, as a newlywed, she also enjoys spending a free afternoon with her husband, Brent, most likely sipping white wine, eating boiled shrimp, and taking in views of Lake Pontchartrain. Family and friends always stay at the top of Paula’s priority list. In fact, she attributes a lot of her motivation and influence to her two sisters, Antonia and Alison, as well as her mom.

“Most prominently, they taught me to be positive and kind towards loved ones and strangers alike,” she said. “I’ll always remember my mom baking pies for the team at the tire repair shop for Christmas 2005, when she became a way-too-regular customer as a result of all the construction debris in the streets post-K. I was amazed at how much she went out of her way to thank them!”

Paula holds her relationships with her friends nearly as close. With a best friend she’s had since she was five years old, she remains thankful for the influx of supportive women in her life both personally and professionally. In fact, those relationships have had a tremendous impact on her identity today. So what would she tell a younger version of herself looking back?

“Keep up with your friends and don’t let anything come between you. I’ve had some fantastic friends over the years that I’ve lost touch with, from neighborhood buds to schoolmates. I would tell 8-year-old Paula to hold on to them and keep pushing to maintain that relationship.”

March 1, 2017
Meet Erica Salm Rench, Production Manager

This blog is part of a series Search Influence is doing in anticipation of International Women’s Day on March 8th. We love to tout that 70% of our staff members are women and 66% of our senior management team are women, too. Far above the 20% average seen in the technology industry.

After working in a full-time position, simultaneously earning an MBA from Tulane at night, and planning her wedding in the course of two years, it would be an understatement to say that Erica Salm Rench is a master of multitasking. Now, in her third year as the Production Manager for Search Influence and a working mom, she continues powering forward at rapid pace, both professionally and personally.

“Back then, I still felt like I had more ‘spare’ time than I do now as a working mom. Motherhood changes the game,” she explains, describing the time she gets to spend with her 2-year-old son, Ricky. “The time between picking up Ricky from school and before his bedtime is pretty sacred to me; then, I take the opportunity to catch up on work odds and ends post-Ricky’s bedtime when the need arises.”

Now pregnant with her second child, Erica can’t imagine a day leaving the house without her phone and diapers in hand. She is thankful to work in a supportive environment and that Search Influence allows her to reach her professional goals without sacrificing her commitment to family.

“Search Influence supported me 100 percent through my transition to motherhood. I was able to balance work and family during those first critical weeks and months that I transitioned back into working life. I also nursed my baby for 14 months and visited (still visit) him regularly at his school, which is just a few blocks away,” she said.

Along with supportive family, including her husband, Tyler, Erica also attributes her professional motivation to a true pioneer, Sheryl Sandberg.

“I love that [she] started such a relevant conversation about women in the workforce. She takes workforce equality a step further by encouraging women to take matters into their own hands by way of encouraging an understanding of why climbing the corporate ladder might look a little different for a woman, and empowering women to leverage the strengths of our gender,” reflected Erica.

In her role as Production Manager, Erica hopes to embody Sandberg’s message. As the department lead, she oversees more than 30 employees within the company, while also managing projects, setting production goals, and keeping the pulse on team initiatives. Every day brings a new set of challenges and engagements, which is what Erica enjoys most about her job.

With all of this on her plate, she always keeps a positive outlook, reflecting on some of the most simple yet powerful advice she’s received: “Envision what you want to achieve and where you want to be, then execute.”

When she’s not busy at work and being a mom, she still manages to sneak in the occasional downtime for hobbies, from running and spinning to painting and crafts. Remembering a time pre-pregnancy, she also can’t resist a good meal with friends and family—especially if it included sushi, wine, and soft cheeses! And of course, as a child of the ‘80s, it would all be topped off with the perfect Madonna track, “Vogue.”

February 23, 2017
Meet Alison Zeringue, Director of Account Management, Search Influence

This blog is part of a series Search Influence is doing in anticipation of International Women’s Day on March 8th. We love to tout that 70% of our staff members are women and 66% of our senior management team are women, too. Far above the 20% average seen in the technology industry.

Since her start in 2011, Alison Zeringue has played a key role within the Account Management department at Search Influence. Before her start at Search Influence, she earned her B.A. in Communication from LSU and worked at a nonprofit called Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana, a cause for which she remains a passionate advocate.

Now, as the Director of Account Management, she continues to provide vital support to her team and the growth of the company. Her days at the office start early with some peaceful preparation before she leads the department morning meetings.

“I’m typically at my most productive and creative in the mornings, so I use that uninterrupted time to work on large projects that require big picture thinking, strategic planning, etc.” she said.

Once her workday ends, she is usually dancing, baking, or crafting. She also loves spending time with friends and family, and she credits her dedication and drive to her biggest supporter—her mom.

“The person I admire most is my mom. She is an incredibly strong person who’s been through a lot in her life, but she remains the anchor, holding our family together! She had a successful career as a nurse, is the mother of five children, has demonstrated what a successful marriage looks like, and meanwhile, has been the caretaker for family members in need of care,” she said.

A new mom herself, Alison can see firsthand just how hard her mom worked. Along with her family, she is happy to have great inspiration at Search Influence, watching her co-workers master motherhood and careers.

“I anticipate it being challenging, but judging from the great examples set by my kickass coworkers who are also moms, I believe Search Influence will be supportive of my personal and professional goals—just as they are now!” said Alison.

To balance the work/life routine, while also juggling first-time pregnancy, Alison always tries to make time for some zen when she leaves the office. While she knows that the “perfect balance” isn’t always attainable, she relies on the support of family and co-workers to make it through the give and take.

“I balance work and life by fully unplugging when I can, rather than trying to stay connected 24/7,” she said. “In order to do that, you need a personal productivity method and to understand your own habits and traits, like when you are most productive, so that you can prioritize appropriately. It doesn’t always work out quite that seamlessly, of course, so I have a home office setup, which helps me to get some privacy and focus when I need to put in some extra hours from home.”

Of course, the occasional spa day always helps her unwind, too. Especially as the baby bump makes toe touches pretty much impossible, she’s eager to get one last pedicure in before the big arrival day. As she prepares for the next phase in her life, it’s the perfect time to reflect on her biggest life lessons thus far. So just what would she tell her 8-year-old-self today?

“Keep being yourself, girl! Don’t be afraid to try new things—mayo is really not all that bad and, believe it or not, someday you’ll love brussel sprouts,” Alison reflected with a laugh. “Take risks every once in awhile and get into some more trouble!”

Speaking of spa days, do you know a hardworking woman like Alison that deserves recognition? Search Influence is giving away a day at the spa to the hardest working New Orleans woman. If you know an amazing woman who either owns her own business or works 40+ hours making a difference at a New Orleans business, please click here and nominate her. A winner will be announced on March 8th, International Women’s Day.

February 22, 2017
Freelance Friday: 8 Tips for Boosting Productivity When Working From Home

This blog is part of our Freelance Friday series, where we discuss everything and anything related to freelancing. If you are a freelance writer and are looking for additional work, consider applying at Search Influence.

Workforce productivity is a key metric tracked by most businesses. In an office setting, you can use innumerable tools to track productivity and often have at least one manager (if not multiple) on your back making sure your numbers are high.

But what about freelancers? By design, we all know there are more distractions and temptations at home than in the office. Without the structure, supervision, and accountability of office life, freelancers are vulnerable to diversion, lulls, and even apathy. Freedom and flexibility are the great advantages of freelancing, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of productivity.

So, how can you ensure that your productivity is maximized, even while working from home? It all boils down to this: Treat freelancing as you would any other office job. You have to manage yourself and your schedule effectively.

The fact of the matter is that freelancing full-time is a real job. You may think you already know this from experience, but unless you structure your daily schedule to mirror a normal job, it never truly will be.

Freedom and flexibility are the great advantages of freelancing, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of productivity. Change your mindset–doing this will ensure maximum productivity.

Here are 8 easy tips to boost productivity when working from home.

1. Create a dedicated workspace.

Working from the couch is just a distraction waiting to happen. Create a space specifically dedicated to working in your home, preferably an office. It certainly doesn’t have to be a cubicle, but rather, a comfortable, stress-free area where you can get work done and where others know you are working so that they do not disturb you.

2. Maintain a regular sleep schedule and get started early.

Getting an adequate night’s rest is important for everyone, freelancers included. Starting early kicks off your day on the right foot and will help you get more work done. Just because you work from home doesn’t mean you should stop mid-afternoon for a power nap. Get to bed early, wake up well-rested, and stay refreshed.

3. Shower and get dressed.

Rolling out of bed in your pajamas is fine for the weekend, but not for a workday. For most, a shower helps to wake you up and getting dressed puts you in the right mindset. Getting ready for work at home should be no different than getting ready for work at an office—at least the commute is shorter.

4. Structure your day into attainable blocks.

We all like accomplishing things, especially small, work-related goals. If you structure your day into blocks dedicated to a specific task, you can move seamlessly from one to the next and still get a feeling of accomplishment after completing each step. This way you can also hold yourself accountable and monitor your progress more efficiently. Scheduling and organization are a must!

5. Take regular breaks, but limit them.

Regular breaks to stretch, clear your head, or eat lunch, can recharge you and promote better work afterward. There is a reason why companies are legally obligated to give their employees breaks. You—as a company of one—are entitled to those same mental and physical health benefits. But as both the employee and boss, you have to make sure that time is used effectively. Taking a nap or running errands for extended periods of time are not efficient breaks.

6. Avoid distractions.

Admittedly, this may be the toughest one to accomplish. Distractions are everywhere at home. From TV and social media to the dishes and laundry, there is a never-ending list of things that seem more important or fun than doing your work. This is where discipline and accountability play a major role. Unplug the TV, download an app that limits your social media usage, and know that household chores can be done at more appropriate times (but let’s be honest, you weren’t really going to do the dishes or fold the laundry, were you?).

7. Set a clear end time.

You may not officially work from 9–5, but quitting time is important nonetheless. When working from home, it is easy for your work life and personal to blend, but having a firm start and end time will go a long way in preventing this. Knowing that you are stopping at a certain time, will encourage you to get the work completed in time so that you are not forced to work “overtime” (without the time and half pay). Making plans after work is a great way to make sure you stick to this.

8. Communicate expectations with anyone who will be home with you.

Though freelancers may typically work alone, that doesn’t mean they live alone. Whether it is a roommate or a family member, make sure they are aware that you are working and should not be disturbed. Ultimately, it is on you to ensure that others respect your work schedule. To do this, you have to respect it first. Set aside your personal life when working from home and maintain your productivity.

January 27, 2017
Top 10 Search Influence Blogs of 2016

The year 2016 was filled with memes, the Olympics, superhero movies, and the election. You can bet, with over 46% of people now online worldwide, there were plenty of changes to online marketing, too. If you haven’t kept up, here are the top 10 blogs of 2016 to make sure your business is poised for the #bestyearever.

1. What Happened to Facebook’s 20% Text Grid Tool?

Our Internet Marketing Team Lead, Michelle Neuhoff Boyd, created this informative blog post that eased the confusion of Facebook’s 20% text grid tool. Find out how this new rule may affect your business.

2. An Update: How to Get Rich (Answers, That Is) with Google

Not rich with money, but with Google. Over the years, Google has changed their algorithm, and our team at Search Influence is making sure to stay on top of every change. Read this post from 2015 to learn more about rich answers.

3. Getting Hands on With the New Google My Business

Having a hard time understanding the new Google My Business? This engaging blog post can clear up any confusion on listings, editing, and more.

4. Three Top Picks for The Big Idea at New Orleans Entrepreneur Week

During New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, The Big Idea picked 10 entrepreneurs’ ideas in front of a large crowd, and everyone got to vote their favorite. See the top three picks that Paula Keller, our director of sales and marketing, enjoyed the most by reading this post.

5. Email Marketing for Small Business: 9 Things Not to Do

Find out how not to email your customers when just starting your business. Originally published in 2010 by a Search Influence Alumni, read all about effective email marketing.

6. A Dentist’s Guide for Choosing Target Audiences on Facebook

Ever wondered how to market your dentistry on Facebook? This guide will help you understand the most successful dental campaigns in the industry. You’ll know what age group and interests to target.

7. Should You Be Using Google’s URL Shortener in Your Social Media Campaigns?

Are you still unsure if you should use Google’s URL shortener? This blog post talks about the benefits of using their shortener, such as the URL analytics, redirects, ease-of-use, and more.

8. Barnacle SEO – Local Search Engine Optimization for the Sam’s Club Crowd

Will Scott, CEO and co-founder at Search Influence, published this post back in 2011. Learn more about the term Barnacle SEO and which sites to trust for small businesses.

9. Nix the Wix SEO Challenge: Tips & Tricks

This post from 2015 helps you make the most out of your Wix website by guiding you on the meta tags updates, sharing your site on social media, making your site visual, and more.

10. 10 SEO Blogs You Should Be Following

Do you want to read reliable SEO blogs? Here’s a list of the most informative SEO blogs that Monica Shariffskul put together. Many of these are on my top list, too.

Be sure to subscribe to our Search Influence blog, and you’ll be the first to know when a new blog has been posted. Also, Happy New Year!

January 3, 2017
The Do’s and Don’ts of Content Syndication for SEO

A few weeks ago, I received a question about the value of content syndication in marketing strategies. Because it’s one that I also asked when I first started at Search Influence and began learning about SEO, I wanted to actually address this question in a full blog post.

What Is Content Syndication?

Content syndication is the process by which a piece of content (blog, news article, graphic, video, etc.) is pushed out to other sources. You see this, for example, when online news outlets pick up press releases or other articles and repost them verbatim to their own sites.

From a UX point of view, this can be a great way to increase your reach to potential customers. From an SEO point of view, content syndication can garner valuable backlinks and help to increase website authority. And from an overall marketing point of view, the efforts spent on syndicating content can also build great relationships with other websites and organizations.

Backlink and Authority Building

The process for syndicating content is similar to that of general link outreach and is for a similar purpose as well: to generate authoritative backlinks that, down the line, contribute to your own site’s authority. Coupled with the opportunity of increasing reach to your business’s original content, this can be a worthwhile tool in your marketing arsenal.

The Caveats of Content Syndication

That said, there is a right and a wrong way to syndicate content when it comes to SEO. Here are some things to think about when considering it for your marketing strategy:

1. Duplicate Content

Syndication is inherently creating duplicate versions of your content and putting them on other websites. In the case of written content, this can actually detract from your SEO efforts if done incorrectly. It’s important to understand the policies and practices of the websites you’re syndicating to and ensure they are declaring yours the primary version.

This can be done a number of ways but the primary ones are:

– Rel=canonical – This is a meta attribute that basically tells search engines that the page they are on is the same as another page. In this scenario, syndicated versions of your content will set your original URL as the canonical. For more information, check out Google’s own post on the rel=canonical attribute.

– Noindex – This is a robots meta tag that tells search engines not to index a page at all so that it won’t appear in search results. Ideally, in this case, syndicated versions of your content will be set to noindex so your original post isn’t competing for rankings with them.

2. Backlinks

Remember to include an actual backlink to your content when syndicating. This can be forgotten when you get caught up in pushing your content out there or when syndicating images and videos. Ideally, this would go to the original content’s URL, rather than another page on your website.

3. Site Authority

This is an oft forgotten consideration when choosing a syndication site. Quality and quantity both have their place when creating your syndication strategy.

In an ideal situation, if you were to get one backlink from content syndication, you’d want it to be from a site with the authority equivalent of Google itself, and you’d want it to have a follow link back to your website.

But, we don’t live in an ideal world, so it’s important to keep in mind the actual authority of syndicating websites and find out if the links you’re getting are follow or nofollow. Check out this resource to learn a little more about the importance of follow and nofollow links.

With all this in mind, content syndication can be a great opportunity for websites. But, like I said in my last post “The Importance of Content Marketing to Your SEO Strategy,” it doesn’t matter if you don’t have great content to start with.

December 28, 2016
Influencers Lend Helping Hands to Baton Rouge After the Flood

The recently unanticipated, devastating Baton Rouge flood hit close to home for several Influencers, including Candice P., Rachel M., and Aubrey A. who returned home to BR to help their families and the community return to their normal lives slowly but surely. While Candice went home to help her extended family and close friends, Rachel returned to help a school relocate, and Aubrey offered moral support to relatives who lost their home. With a whopping 60,000 homes damaged or destroyed, 86,500 people filed for federal aid just days after the storm, and that number has since risen to more than 106,000.

Just an hour and a half away, the storm reminded New Orleanians of the tragic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and how our Baton Rouge neighbors came to the rescue, and quickly. So, it would only be right for NOLA to do the same this time around, and that we did – with open arms and helping hands aplenty. Search Influence offered employees one paid day of community service in response to the natural disaster, and with that, many of us set out to help our neighbors in BR.

Evacuteer

Who: Kayla, Johanna, Sarah Jane, Ryan, Kiersten

They volunteered with Evacuteer, an organization that recruits and trains primarily evacuation volunteers, but also worked with a few local organizations to help in Baton Rouge after the flooding. They went to two houses and helped homeowners clear out their homes of flood damaged items and worked to take out the flooring and drywall.

Animal Rescue of New Orleans

Who: Brittney, Gussie

According to Brittney, “When Search Influence sent the company-wide email offering one paid day of community service in response to the Baton Rouge flooding, I knew I wanted to take this opportunity to help however I could. Fellow Influencer, Gussie, shared on Facebook about her experience volunteering at Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO), so I looked into it. Being a bit naive, I thought I’d go in and spend the day loving on sweet pups. I showed up in the morning and was put to work immediately. They are overflowing with rescued dogs from BR, building crates for the anticipated 50+ more coming in, and working tirelessly to keep all of the animals walked, fed, clean, and happy to the best of their ability. There’s a shortage of help, though – so I’ll be honest when I say the work wasn’t exactly glamorous, but when you see all the sweet pups’ darling faces, it is so worth it. If you are in/around NOLA, make the time to volunteer at ARNO! ”

Junior League of New Orleans

Who: Kim, Gabrielle, Rebekah, Alison, and Amanda

The Junior League of New Orleans was collecting items for women and children affected by the floods, specifically diapers, wipes, feminine hygiene products, formula, and gift cards. Each of the Influencers volunteered a three-hour shift and helped them sort diapers and conduct inventory to move to New Iberia, Youngsville, Lafayette, Denham Springs, St. Amant, Gonzales, Baton Rouge, Paulina, French Settlement, Bogalusa, and other areas along the I-12 corridor.

Second Harvest Food Bank

Who: Melissa and Kristin

The two Influencers volunteered at Second Harvest Food Bank – Feeding South Louisiana to help package goods for the flood victims.

While the immediate help was wholeheartedly appreciated, Baton Rouge is still working to rebuild after the flood, even two months down the road. As we get closer to the holidays, why not consider lending a helping hand however you can to someone in need? We shouldn’t wait for a natural disaster to occur to motivate our desire to help – make a difference in someone’s life with simple, random acts of kindness today, tomorrow, and beyond. It will change your life, as well as the way you see the world – a little humanity goes a long way.

October 24, 2016
A Day in the Life of an Account Manager at Search Influence

With all of the great positions available at Search Influence, it’s easy to wonder what each department or each position does every day. Earlier this week, I took to Search Influence’s Twitter to break down what my day-to-day as an Account Manager looks like. Though each day is different, they all share a common theme: client communication, meetings, and managing my team.

Responding to Client Questions

Mornings always consist of answering emails. Each person on the Account Management team has clients from across all industries and locations, all of which communicate with us primarily through email and phone. I like to take the mornings to open up all emails, check for emergencies, and answer any questions our clients may have. It’s great to know that our clients are getting reliable customer service, as we strive to answer all requests within a 24-hour span.

One of my favorite aspects of being an Account Manager is getting to work with clients from all industries. On a daily basis, I talk to everyone from a plastic surgeon to a mortuary cooler provider! Our client rapport is incredibly diverse.

Our Morning Whiteboard Meetings

Every morning at 9:30, the entire Account Management Team meets by our whiteboard to go over metrics and tasks for the day. We also use this time for giving other members of the team “kudos” for being CHARGED.

Paid Search Meeting

On Tuesdays, members from all departments meet to talk about our paid search, or PPC, clients. This meeting is a great way to discuss successes as well as potential roadblocks in our campaigns.

Managing Your Team: Weekly 1-on-1 Meetings

The biggest difference when you are promoted from an only client-facing position to a management position is managing your team. One of the best things about being in a management position at Search Influence is being able to work closely with my team and watch their careers grow.

In order to stay up-to-date with my team, their clients and any questions they have, we have weekly 1-on-1 meetings. This hour-long meeting is a dedicated time for my team to ask any client or career-related questions, as well as a time for me to follow up with any projects that are pending or in progress. This time isn’t specific to the Account Management position either—all departments at Search Influence have these dedicated 1-on-1 times!

Other management duties consist of leading employee reviews at the 6-month and annual mark and reviewing my team’s tasks/projects.

Wrapping Up Big Projects

After lunch, I typically dedicate my time to working on big projects. These can be client-related, internal, or team-related. I’m most productive in the afternoon, so this is the time that works best for me, but it’s different for all members of the Account Management team.

The project that I am most recently working on consists of revamping the presentation deck that we use when we kick off a new client. It was a great opportunity, and I’m so excited to see this project through!

My Account Management Career

Search Influence has been a great career experience so far within my almost three years here. Because I was hired fresh out of college (Geaux LSU!), I’ve worked my way up from Junior Account Associate to the management position I hold now. I’m thankful for the opportunity I’ve been given and would encourage anyone looking for a client-facing role to apply!

October 18, 2016
#NOLATech Week 2016: How To Drive More Traffic To Your Site

In conjunction with NOLATech Week 2016, Search Influence hosted a workshop to help support small businesses in their online marketing efforts. Paula Keller and Mary Silva presented on how to boost your local search rankings and ways to drive traffic to your website respectively.

Paula Keller’s “How To Boost Your Local Search Rankings”

Paula’s “How To Boost Your Local Search Rankings” presentation took the audience through what types of businesses benefit from local SEO efforts. It also detailed the different types of Google My Business pages and how to use them. With the insight from Paula’s presentation, business owners can better understand how to optimize their business both onsite and offsite to gain better local search rankings.

Mary Silva’s “10 Ideas To Drive Traffic To Your Website”

Mary’s “10 Ideas To Drive Traffic To Your Website” presentation tackled concepts that influence your site’s user experience and actionable ways to help improve traffic to your site. It covered topics ranging from highly technical concepts like Schema markup and Google Search Console Analysis to less laborious efforts like directory and authoritative link earning. She explained how to use Schema.org rich snippets to create more engaging search results for your website on Google. Her presentation also went into detail on how to use social media efforts effectively to not only post but also promote engaging content like infographics. “Think of your online marketing efforts as a service,” said Mary, Internet Marketing Team Lead at Search Influence. “We know our users, and we’re getting them closer to their end goal faster. Make your overall goal to give users a cleaner, better experience and make users lives easier. ”

In utilizing some of the tips and tools explained in these two presentations, guests could help increase their business’s online success in many ways including, but not limited to, improved visibility in local search results and increased traffic to their sites.

For more information on the event, visit townsend.bunksite.com/ or contact the office directly at 504-208-3900 or Search Influence, 935 Gravier St #1300, New Orleans, La. 70112.

October 12, 2016