And the Winner of the Best Keyword Research Tools Is...

In case you're wondering how I come up with some of the information I give out about keywords and keyphrases, here's a list of keyword research tools available that I use in a particular combination that I've found to give me the broadest picture.

Keyword research is the first place to start a website design. I find 90% of the time, clients come to me with THEIR list of keyphrases people would use to find them in a search engine. It's sometimes surprising to find that the people they want to target use very different terms when searching for the client's product or service.

Run some of your current keywords through one of these tools and see if you don't find some interesting information about the search terms actually being used!

Link

Single Consistent Factor in Search Engine Rankings

Just to drive home my stance on fresh content, here's an excerpt from a nicely written article:

The search engines can play with the process, methods, or means to
judge web site content. But, if web site owners stick to the
basic philosophy of providing meaningful content, in relation
to the search term, the impact of changes are far less, if even
felt.

And that is where many web site owners run afoul of getting
good search engine rankings. Many jump on the bandwagon with
every new revelation in search engine strategies based on the
latest changes. It's the old forest and trees scenario,
Internet style. Even if you get a slight advantage from all
these "new" tactics, it will be short lived. As soon as the
search engines catch on that you are working the system, they
will change the system.

Read the rest of the article here

And you can find fresh website content and free rss feeds to use on your web site at Article-DirectorySite.com if you're not up to the task of writing all your own content.

Link

Follow up to 'It's a Man's World'

Alright, sisters, help me out here...what are your opinions on man-thinking and their definition of success? Is it different from a woman's definition? It makes me curious, but then, what doesn't?

I got a bit off-topic in this thread. Really, I don't believe men are that different from women, I believe society tries to put everyone in nice neat little boxes so that people don't have to think about it or make the effort to get to know what an individual really is about.

In that respect, this book, and the discussion on Duct Tape Marketing, is a wonderful tool to make us think, and maybe, look at each other with an open mind.

Link

Netflix-style Audio-Visual Rentals

I'm always amazed to see innovative services like Meeting Tomorrow. They rent out projectors and screens, audio equipment, video equipment, laptops, even power strips and podiums. I always wonder "Why didn't I think of that?"

I've had a need for this type of service a couple times over the last few months, and there was a flurry of emails back and forth about the equipment, timing and compatibility. If you've ever tried to get A/V equipment at a venue, like a hotel, you know they'll charge you an arm and a leg for it's use.

Meeting Tomorrow says they'll ship some places same day (I'll be this DOESN'T include Cañon City!) and everywhere next day, but I did notice a link to check for availability in your area. They even offer to set it up for you.

Cool idea, handy service. Anyone out there used them?

Web Advertising - Say It Loud, Say It Bold

"Six Questions That Produce Successful Web Advertising" was an article written by Jerry Bader that caught my eye this morning. I'm always looking for ways to improve my marketing services.

Reading the article, I found a couple remarks that struck a chord with me and my philosophy on web marketing. Here's the first one:

You would think that everyone in business would be able to tell you what they do and why you should be doing business with them; unfortunately the sad truth is many business executives can't. In fact one of the biggest problems in designing websites has always been getting appropriate raw material that can be turned into meaningful presentations: a handful of badly written brochures and a few out-of-date photographs are not going to make much of an impression.

Jerry lives in MY world! I sometimes don't get much from my clients in way of material, so I create very visual web sites to help disguise that fact. While I believe it helps the marketing message, I think it can only go so far. You need to use professional copy and product images.

The other issue the article addressed that is so relevant:

There are many methods that can be employed to drive appropriate traffic to your site: search engine optimization is only one. Have you written and published articles and advice on what you do, have you created a blog or a MySpace page to create a community of interest, or have you issued press releases on new developments and product releases? If you're relying solely on search engine optimization as a substitute for marketing, you are not doing everything you can to attract new business.

Search engines do supply some good traffic, but you must prove yourself worthy of their rankings. Getting "communities" on the Internet to endorse your site and send traffic to it, traffic which, by the way, is pre-qualified for your marketing message, is a great way to increase your search engine exposure too. One method without the other, seems to be putting all your eggs in one basket.

Business Networking - All For One and One For All

If you've read my blog before, you'll know I'm a proponent of business networking groups. These small groups of business owners and representatives get together to get to know one another, learn about each others business, enjoy great company over lunch and market their own businesses.

The powerful thing about them is that when you get to know someone personally and the products and/or services they provide, your referral of their business carries a lot of weight. It's an endorsement of the person and the business that you can't get from a yellow pages ad. Sales is about establishing a relationship, and your networking group members give those relationships a jump start.

The benefits of membership extend past the boundaries of the group, too. When we recommend someone, and the customer is satisfied with the service, they make recommendations to everyone they know too. It's also a comfortable place to learn about how to make improvements to your business and marketing.

Like anything though, you get out of it what you put forth. If you're negative, distrustful or unwilling to learn anything new about yourself or your business, this kind of group probably isn't for you. If you enjoy meeting with a diverse group of individuals who get together to help each other succeed, which in turn helps you succeed, then check us out.

I want to send a Shout-Out to the Royal Gorge Networking Group for all their support! I made a presentation recently on a new service I'm launching, and the response was just what I was looking for: no one pooh-poohed my ideas, they asked intelligent questions in a totally non-threatening way and helped me to refine my marketing message in a couple areas I hadn't thought of. They have become an integral part of my overall marketing plan. That kind of feedback and support for small business is priceless, for just the cost of lunch.