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Understanding the Youth of Tomorrow, Today
Posted by: Chris Stout | 2008-05-23 15:18:56 | Posted in: SEO Info
This week I watched an interesting Frontline documentary on PPS called Growing Up Online. The program examined the many ways in which the Internet has fundamentally changed how kids grow up these days. This program really got me thinking about how the latest generation of young'uns really don't remember what the world was like in the days before the web.
Hey Kids -- Remember When There Was No Net? The Youth Of America's Answer: No
Back when I was a kid, there was no Internet. My fourth grade classroom had one spinach-green Apple computer, and it was primarily used to play The Oregon Trail (remember -- you had to survive as family and adjust your pioneering strategy when Keion broke her arm or Craig came down with Cholera). Even during my high school years, the Internet was just barely coming into its own as the ubiquitous, omnipresent, everyday life-tool that it is today.
For kids growing up today, the Net is an afterthought. It's like television or automobiles -- the Internet just doesn't seem all that innovative cuz it's everywhere. Kids who grew up with the Net as infants have formed drastically different methods of socializing, learning and having fun.
The Biggest Generation Gap Of All Time
The Frontline documentary made the point that the advent of the Internet has created the biggest generation gap of all time. With the development of online gaming, social networking sites and answers to every question available at the click of a button, today's young'uns have developed attention spans that are way shorter than Matty.
So what does all this mean? We all know that things change, people change, hairstyles change and interest rates fluctuate. Why is it so important to take note of the fact that the youth of America is developing in a brave new world?
Look, technology will continue to advance -- this is no secret. But it's essential that those of us who remember the days before the Net keep pace with the new values, identities and methods of interactivity that are being carved out of the 21st Century virtual landscape. We have to follow the development of this new generation of Internet users, because they are actively shaping the future of the web.
So make every effort to bridge the generation gap. Try to understand that the kids of today have already developed in a world that's radically different from the one inhabited by the kids who grew up in the 80s and 90s.
If you want to understand how web consumers of the future will act, you have to appreciate just how unique this latest generation of kids really is.
Unfortunately I had to attend my Aunt’s funeral on Tuesday. While this was a difficult time for my family, it also provided some reflection time which I think is much-needed for all of us amidst the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.
613
During the Minyan, a traditional Jewish prayer service held at the home of the mourners, the Rabbi gave a brief speech in which he talked about the 613 “mitzvot,” or good deeds, that are part of the Jewish faith. “Why so many? No one could possibly do all 613,” he asked.
One a Day
The reason, he explained, was not so that one person could do all of them, but so that everyone could do at least one. The idea was that anyone who made any effort to be a good person couldn’t help but do at least one good deed, and that knowing that one can be a good person so easily inspires more good people doing more good deeds every day.
Using the Internet for Good
The Internet provides a similar opportunity. With all the functions and possibilities that the Internet allows, one only has to want to use it for something good to make that happen every day. Whether it’s sending an e-mail to a good friend you haven’t had contact with in awhile, ordering flowers for one's mother or circulating a petition to help protect the environment, the Internet can be an unending source of good for society if we just let it.
What will your e-Mitzvah be today?
We Don' Need No Stinkin' Content
Posted by: Morgan Greenhalgh | 2008-05-20 08:06:56 | Posted in: SEO Info
Excerpts from an interview I did with a one Mr. T. Montana:
"In this country, you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the women."
Ah, good point, I see exactly where you're coming from -- there's no arguing with that. Do you know where people are starting to make fat piles of cash these days? It's online -- they're just giving money away! It's just a matter of leveraging your celebrity online. Have you ever thought about updating your website more frequently with fresh content?
"Content? Who needs content? We don' need no stinkin' content!"
Yes, sorry, you're right Mr. Montana, I see your point, you don't really need content -- I assume your website is very good without it.
"Look at that website. What's it got that I don't got?"
Well, uh, for one thing, it's updated frequently. You see, it kinda makes a difference having fresh content on your site because that's how you'll get your rankings. People won't come to your site if you're not doing things new and updating often.
"I got ears, ya know. I hear things."
Good, so you're starting to understand the point of updating your site? It will help you make more money.
"I didn't come to the United States to break my…back."
That's exactly my point! It's not hard to toss up something new on your site. People will want to hear what you have to say just because it's you! Honestly, it's not even work at all. So, now that's settled, let's talk about what you want.
"Me, I want what's coming to me."
Oh, well what's coming to you?
"The world, chico, and everything in it."
From Banana Slug To Post-Slugs: A Quick Look at Permalinks
Posted by: Nadia | 2008-05-19 11:47:34 | Posted in: SEO Info
From Banana Slug To Post-Slugs: A Quick Look at Permalinks
The mascot for the University of Santa Cruz in California is none other than the elusive yet slimy forest creature, the Banana Slug. Yes, you read that right.
Legend has it -- along with a student-wide referendum in the 1980s -- that the slug was chosen to represent the school, as it is the anti-mascot. The banana slug is easy to spot after a heavy rain, seeing how its highlighter yellow exterior puts New Wave leggings to shame. It crawls along the massive trees, peacefully coexisting with the students surrounding it. There is no violent nature, animal captivity or political correctness complications. No, it simply leaves an icky trail of goo behind it, moving on to the next redwood.
Permalinks And Post-Slugs In Blogging
Let us connect this with one of the chief SEO tactics used: “post-slug.” Also known as permalinks, post-slugs are used on blogs in order to change the URL link. For example, a post on banana slugs at UC Santa Cruz in a blog ends up looking like this:
http://www.ucsantacruz.com/?p=432
How is anyone supposed to know that this link has anything to do with banana slugs? In fact, without the proper permalink, the blog is a wasted SEO effort, as search engines will not pick up the important keywords in the link. With a simple change in the blog, the post-slug can look like this:
http://www.ucsantacruz.com/banana-slugs-santa-cruz
This prettier version is the one that bloggers need to use in order to drive traffic. It’s simple and takes only a few seconds more to fix, but the results make an enormous difference. Just as the banana slug slowly drags its neon gastropod self over to the next bit of forest, so your post-slug efforts will drag in new viewers to your site with a few permalink structure tweaks. Except maybe the post-slug will move a little faster.
--Nadia Osman
Okay, so last week we went over a brief history of the blog and we reviewed how this relatively new platform has radically transformed the way that people consume information online. Now, our attention turns to the SEO power of the blog.
Incorporating Blogs Into Your SEO Strategy
Search engine optimization is a multifaceted strategy for boosting the placement of websites within the result pages of major search engines. This strategy includes targeting specific keyword phrases, building links and producing large volumes of fresh, relevant content.
Blogs allow you to simplify and streamline the fundamental practices of SEO. If you want to understand how SEO works and what it takes to achieve enhanced search engine rankings, a blog is the perfect vehicle. If you already have an SEO strategy in place, incorporating blogs into your game plan will only enhance your optimization efforts.
What Makes Blogs So Search Engine Friendly?
So why do search engines love blogs so much? Well basically, blog platforms are simple content management systems that offer users a straightforward way to implement the basics of SEO. Consider this stuff:
SEO Tools
Blogs feature easy-to-use tools for adding links, optimizing images, inserting keyword tags and including Meta descriptions.
Fresh Content Updates
Updating your blog with fresh content everyday is easy to achieve, because adding new content to a blog platform is so simple. The more frequently you post, the more relevant your blog will be. If you have a blog that's updated all the time, search engine spiders will visit your site more frequently.
Optimized Site Architecture
With a blog, optimizing your site architecture is a breeze. You can add keywords to your URL slugs, organize your content items in clear categories and create navigation tabs with a click of a button.
Link Love
Blog platforms let you add links with the click of a button. You can link to internal pages with ease, build out your blogroll for reciprocal link love and attract inbound links like crazy by commenting on other blogs, featuring tons of linkable multimedia content and creating a sense of community within your specific niche.
It's really the simplicity of blog management that makes this platform so attractive to SEO. You can be the most technologically challenged kid on the block (like worse than Da Bee), and still harness the power of the blog to achieve positive SEO results.
So embrace this platform. Love it. Use it. Realize that it's here to stay. Understand that this tiny little content management tool has transformed the world in a real and permanent way.
Now go forth and optimize the begeezus out of everything that goes on your blog. Harness the power of the blog, and watch your rankings and traffic soar.
Taking Care of Business (Relationships)
Posted by: Craig Berger | 2008-05-15 09:48:17 | Posted in: SEO Info
There are a lot of important factors that go into a successful Internet company. If you’re involved in affiliate marketing, you want to drive traffic to your site and the sites of your affiliates of course, and if you’re doing SEO copywriting, you want to make sure that your content is readable, relevant and fresh.
Do What You Say You Will Do
Another thing you want to be sure to do whether you are an advertiser, copywriter, project manager or anywhere else along the SEO business food chain is fulfill your obligations in a timely manner. When you make a deal to provide content to a site, or to buy content, or to attract traffic to a certain site, or to pay for that traffic, you are creating a relationship. Just as with individuals, these relationships are built on trust and no matter how great your product is or how green your money, if you don’t have trust, you have nothing.
Building Goodwill
This attitude can help you in all aspects of your business and your daily life. People often come to expect that others will be unreliable and wait until the last possible minute to fulfill their obligations. Surprise them by doing what you say you are going to do even before it’s expected. This will make your business partners and those you interact with in your personal life feel special, like they were worth a little extra effort, a little inconvenience. In contrast, being delinquent in your obligations will make those you are dealing with feel like you can take them or leave them, which is not what you want in life or in business.
Relationships
Remember, even the nameless, faceless Internet business is all about relationships. Take care of your relationships and they will take care of you, and your business and hopefully your personal life as well, will prosper as a result.
The Importance Of Effective Writing And Editing For The Web
Posted by: Keion Moradi | 2008-05-14 17:50:08 | Posted in: SEO Info
The Importance Of Effective Writing And Editing For The Web
When it comes to successful writing for the web, we here at CKMG understand the importance of applying appropriate SEO techniques. But let's not forget about quality content as the essential component to delivering an effective message.
Web Writing And Tapping Into Your Audience
Put yourself in the shoes of your audience. Consider what they might want to know about the designated subject matter. Deliver the goods and do it with precision. Present a concise message without the weight of excessive adjectives and other common types of filler.
Remember, you have a few seconds to engage your audience. Don't waste it with an unclear message. Those searching the Net for information need it in a timely fashion. If you can't demonstrate your point, another web page will -- and it's only a click away.
Grammar Ain't No Word I Ever Heard Of
Equally essential as delivering a succinct message is an authoritative command of the English language. Don't distract your audience with sloppy grammar and mechanics.
With that in mind, avoid supersaturating your audience with pretentious language. We are not impressed that you know the longest word in the English language is "Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis." Don't use it in a sentence unless you expect us to skip over it.
Reputation Is Everything
Remember that all the content you submit online is a representation of you. Don't forget to proofread your work and have a good editor give it a thorough polish before you send it into cyberspace.
The Art Of The Subhead
Aren't subheads wonderful things? Seriously, you know they are.
Wait, you (gasp) don't know what subheads are? Or, even worse, you don't think subheads are that amazing? Seriously, it's time for a little re-education -- don't force me to get all Clockwork Orange on you (I'll do it).
For those of you who don't know subheads (or those of you who don't properly love the subhead), let's go through a quick refresher course.
Subheads: This Is A Subhead
See that right above here? It's the bolded, slightly larger text telling you what you're going to read in this section -- that's a subhead.
It serves a few purposes. One of the most important is that it helps readers (regular folk) digest what you're writing. When someone sees huge unbroken pages of text, it's discouraging, even for the most avid readers. A well-placed subhead will help break up the text into smaller portions.
Think of your writing like food -- you don't want to stuff something un-chewable in your mouth. Do as your mother always instructed and cut your food (and your writing) up into smaller portions! I promise, people will thank you.
Subheads And The Mystery Of The Algorithm
Let's look at a page of text from an algorithm's point of view. For ease, let's use this one.
Heading? "The Art Of The Subhead." Check.
Subheads? " Subheads: "This Is A Subhead" and "Subheads And The Mystery Of The Algorithm." Check.
Meta? "Using subheads will not only make your text easier to understand, but it'll help you rank in search engines. With subheads, your rankings will improve!" and "Subheads, using subheads for ranking, seo subheads." Check.
Text? Mentions subheads. Check.
Ranking: If someone searches for "subheads" this page might be a good one for them to read.
This, then, is exactly why you should use subheads when you're thinking about search engine optimization. The algorithm will look at your heading, your subheads, your Meta and text to determine your topic.
If all of these things have the same theme (subheads), then you'll get a better chance of ranking for that theme. (Getting some in-bound links with your theme as your anchor text wouldn't hurt either, but that's a whole other discussion.)
Now, go forth and multiply, write something, edit your subheads and keep your theme solid and on topic!
What Does A Content Writer Do, Exactly?
Posted by: Nadia | 2008-05-12 10:59:34 | Posted in: SEO Info
What Does A Content Writer Do, Exactly?
The crowd was typical, with designer jeans and too much cologne. The dance floor was packed, so I headed towards a seat to cool off from the hoards of sweaty people pressed up against each other. In the middle of pulsating lights and music vibrating off the walls, I explained -- or rather, shouted -- what I do at my job.
“I’m a writer!”
“What?”
“I’m a writer for an SEO company!”
“Oh cool, a magazine?”
“No, SEO!”
“What’s that?”
“It stands for search engine optimization!”
“I don’t know what that means!”
“Basically, when you search for something in Google or Yahoo, whatever shows up has the best page ranking. So the way to move your website up so that everyone sees it better is through SEO.”
“Oh, uh, okay.”
“So yeah, I write the content so that these search engines can pick up the site faster.”
“Uh…so, what do you write?”
“Travel, health, real estate, all sorts of articles, blogs, small posts or long essays. It really depends of whatever the client needs. I pretty much do it all.”
“Aaaahhhh.”
Yes, the sound of elucidation is how I know that what I do can actually be explained in simple terms, even when there is too much noise and my sense of smell is damaged from an overwhelming mixture of perspiration and Armani spray.
--Nadia Osman
My post today doesn't have any existential undertones. Instead, what I offer is a quick look at the history of the blog.
A Brief History Of Blogs
It's not often that a word as unsweet sounding as "blog" travels so quickly from the realm of geek speak to become a term that's instantly recognizable by billions of people. From the bulletin board days of the early web to today's mind-bogglingly massive blogosphere, the shape and scope of web logs have evolved at an extremely rapid pace.In the early 1990s, as more and more people around the world started connecting to this crazy thing called the Internet, individual methods of sharing information took on many different forms. Different web browsers battled for the hearts and minds of early web users. Directories of links cobbled together by individual web users gradually evolved into search engines. Soon, everybody and their cousin had a personal website, and slowly but surely, individuals who wanted to share their own personal web browsing experiences found a new platform to use.
The Web Log Is Born
Jorn Barger first coined the term "web log" in 1997. According to Wikipedia, Barger invented the term to describe his process of "logging the web" as he documented his surfing experiences. Peter Merholz is credited with popularizing the abbreviated term "blog" in 1999.As more Internet users sought to individualize their web experiences and share their Internet findings with the world, blogs became more articulate. The blog platform soon became a semi-standardized method of asserting individual perspective into a global community of web users.
Blogs are everywhere now. Some suck, some don't. Some bloggers treat their blogs as personal online diaries, while other bloggers use their blogs to promote businesses, products or services. The rise of the blog has seriously challenged traditional media outlets. Today, a plugged-in blogger can provide more useful, up-to-the-minute content than any print publication out there.
ProFootballTalk Blog
Take Mike Florio for example. Florio, a lawyer by trade, started his ProFootballTalk.com blog in 2001. Over the years, as Florio built up an extensive network of football contacts, his Daily Rumor Mill evolved into the most up-to-date source of football news and innuendo. Although the occasional error still shows up on the site (like the report that former Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw was killed in a car crash), Florio frequently breaks news stories hours or days before traditional football news outlets. Florio also gathers the most relevant news items of the day and presents them in an easy-to-read fashion, ensuring that football junkies everywhere can get their daily NFL fix in an efficient manner. ESPN has nothing on this guy.Florio is just one example of an authoritative niche-master blogger who has come to challenge the way that people consume information. Today's bloggers are redefining the transmission of news and ideas in politics, sports, business, entertainment and pretty much any other sphere you can imagine.
So why does the rise of the blog matter so much? How can the power of blogs help your SEO efforts? Tune in next Friday for the stunning conclusion to this marathon post!
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