Google Alerts Gives You the Latest Scoop

April 20, 2012 Beth Devine

Find out what they are saying about you. Your latest customer reviews, product name updates, and all the articles pertinent to your business can be sent to you on a daily basis, or even as it happens, directly to your email inbox. Equally interesting is what they are saying about your competitor, so stay abreast by tracking their mentions just like you’re following your own.

Stay Tuned In Without the Hassle of Searching

With Google Alerts you don’t need to search for this information the old-fashioned way, typing in the specific keywords every time your curiosity gets the best of you. Once you create an alert, Google will track the most recent updates on your topic and email you the results. By using those clever Google search tips from my earlier post, you can streamline your topics with effective Google search queries. Try out a keyword search and see what happens. You can refine or delete an alert at any time, and you can choose to have them come through an RSS feed as well. Pick your RSS reader, although Google will suggest their own Google Reader.

Bloggers Beware!

Create a Google Alert for your blog so you will know when you are mentioned by someone else. Do each of the following alerts: your first and last name (use quotes if you have a common name), your blog’s name (not URL), and nickname if you have one, including your Twitter username. Now you will see whenever your name or blog is mentioned, even when they don’t link to you.

There’s also a way to monitor incoming links to your site. Enter your URL like this: link:www.yourdomain.com. Use the exact post’s URL for tracking a particular post. Don’t forget to do the same with your competition’s URL! They could lead the way to some links you need to know about.

Those insufferable hackers won’t escape you any longer. Discover if your site has been hacked before your rankings plummet, thanks to the unseemly spam links the hackers insert. WordPress sites in particular are being attacked, and the attackers are filling them with links to offensive domains. Enter into your alerts: site:www.yourdomain.com viagria, OR cialis OR otherspamword. This is not 100% effective, nor is it a preventive tool, so be sure to keep your site updated with the latest version.

Have Some Fun With Your Favorite Topics

Don’t leave Google Alerts without having some fun. Follow the latest news story, your favorite author or actor, or latest DIY trend. Let your imagination get carried away! You can set up to 1000 alerts for your scoping pleasure by starting here, and if you don’t already have a Google account, go here. For a terrific step-by-step and a video tutorial, check out WebBizIdeas.com’s page. What are you waiting for?

Obscure Google Apps, Techniques and Tips

April 3, 2012 Beth Devine

Google as Goliath

Let’s explore Google, the search engine that has tipped the Internet scale to a Google-centric mentality with an estimated 900 million unique users every month, according to eBizMBA. Go ahead and “Google it,” and you’ll discover that there are well over 100 Google products and services. Some of the lesser known products include Google Transliteration, Google Fusion Tables, and Google Panoramio. Because they keep coming and going, there’s an aptly named Google Graveyard for those that get the axe. More widely known and used are Gmail, Google Maps, and YouTube. Yes, YouTube has gone Google. With these three Google products, we can contact someone, locate them, and potentially publish their antics for the World Wide Web to see.

The helpful infographic primer on how to Google more effectively in my last blog is a good place to begin in using Google at its most basic. Just mastering the proper “operators” is a good Google 101 lesson.

Tips to Take With You

If you want to find pages with an exact phrase, put quotes around it (“cute pygmy giraffes“). Now, try leaving a word out of the quote (cute “pygmy giraffes”), and you will find pages that contain the word cute as well as the exact phrase “pygmy giraffes.” If you want to omit a word, put a dash sign before it (cute -pygmy giraffes), and you will find pages that contain the words cute and giraffes, but not pygmy. Use the tilde (~) to search for similar words. Type ~cute pygmy giraffes and return with words such as adorable and delightful. Use the “site:” operator to search only within a certain website. Search for site:websavvymarketers pygmy giraffes and find pygmy giraffes only within Web Savvy Marketers.

Whereas there are Google do’s, there is a definite Google don’t. This will be a difficult habit for some of us to break. Don’t ask Google questions. Instead, phrase your search in terms of the answer. For example, “Are pygmy giraffes real pets?” For this you could write intitle:pygmy to show only results with pygmy in the title, and use the star (*) to find the best matches for the word *giraffe, in case there are any unknown terms for this word. I tried pets intitle:pygmy *giraffe, and it worked, although it felt a bit like Neverland. If you truly believe, you just might find one.

This search with the star is called a wildcard, and is excellent for using when you are unsure of a particular word but know the rest, such as in a song lyric, a well-known quote, or verse. By the way, you can use more than one star in a search, just be sure to place a space between any consecutive stars. If it’s a definition you want, put define: in front of the word you are questioning, and save yourself a separate trip to the online dictionary.

CTRL + F, Anyone?

My favorite quick-search tip is the little-known command + F shortcut, or CTRL + F with PCs. Follow this with the word you’re searching for (see the box which appears in the screen’s bottom left), and every instance of this word will be highlighted on that particular web page or document. Need to make a calculation? Never mind opening a calculator application; simply type the equation into Google using +, -, *, /, and parentheses. Forgot your reading glasses? Increase the size of the document with command + or CTRL +. Using the CTRL – will reverse your changes.

Go ahead and Google. You know you want to.

Image: anankkml @ http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=1674

Join us at the CT Women’s Conference

March 31, 2012 Beth Devine

For the past two years, Web Savvy Marketers has worked with the Connecticut Women’s Alliance to plan and sponsor their events. On April 25, the CWA will present it’s premier event, the Connecticut Women’s Conference.

With our guiding theme, “Imagine…”, we’ve planned a day to inspire and empower your imagination at the conference this year. We have workshops designed to quench your thirst for knowledge in finance, spirituality, business, wellness, and global awareness. We’re excited to have Deborah Rodriguez, author of “A Cup of Friendship” and “The Kabul Beauty School” as our keynote speaker. Kay Wilson and her expert panel plan to discuss Spiritual, Physical and Mental empowerment. Jaclyn Vocell, a nationally recognized women’s life coach, motivational speaker, business and sports team life coach and leader, who empowers women and teams across the United States to live in victory, will keep the program going as our Master of Ceremonies.

Like last year, we’ve put together an eclectic and interesting group of vendors and exhibitors. Plus we’ll have some perennial favorites (Ben & Jerry’s) and some new surprises (Laugh Yoga) to make the day fun and festive.

Beth and I are pleased to work for and sponsor the CWA and we’re excited to be a part of this event and hope that many of you will join us at the conference. Today is the final day for Early Bird pricing ($119), so register today to save $30.

We hope to see you there!

Infographics

March 26, 2012 Beth Devine

Infographics Goes Retro

The growing trend in infographics, due in part to the rise of the Internet and social marketing, has a historical component going back to the Egyptian’s astronomical tables of the 2nd century. Jump to the 1920s London, and data visualization is being used to regale the London Underground, enticing the erstwhile passenger to ride the Tube. Fast forward to the 21st century, where today’s buzzword encompasses the data-as-art phenomenon with modern-day information design gurus such as Edward Tufte to emblazon the way. Tufte’s vision of information graphics rests in creating order out of chaos, making sense out of the evidence, ascribing the multidimensional, dynamic world of information onto a static, flat surface.

2-D Captivity: A Prison Break

Escaping this “flatland,” a reference to Flatland, a 19th century book where two-dimensional life is the norm, is Tufte’s oft-used metaphor for the challenge faced when attempting to create an appealing and arresting presentation, whether it be for a company website, brand advertising, non-profit fundraising, or simply to promote corporate responsibility. In his books, Tufte documented what he believes are some of the best graphic illustrations, and include an 1869 map of Napoleon’s 1812 invasion of Russia and the failure of the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger launch.

Rich content, layers of detail, while maintaining simplicity and ease of navigation, are key elements in designing a successful infographic. Avoid what the “da Vinci of data” calls “chartjunk,” anything in the realm of graphic design that detracts from its informative function by diverting readers with needless ornamentation. Whereas he concedes there is such a thing as too much data – a recent estimate for the size of the Internet indicated over 5 billion gigabytes – Tufte does not believe in informational overload. Neither does the KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid) carry much weight with him; assume your audience is as smart as you are. Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler, as Einstein reportedly said.

Infographics This

For a view of the varied infographics ascending the World Wide Web’s horizon, meander through the strange beauty of an artistic rendering of the history of the sci-fi genre. Learn how to use Google search more effectively; while geared toward the college student, its tips will benefit everyone. Participate in World Water Day 2012 and help raise funds and raise awareness through Facebook sharing (hurry, ends March 30!). And for some me time, Intel’s “What About Me” will create a social media profile in a flower-motif infographic. Beware of the “socially disruptive” narcissist!

We are in an age where information demands to be not simply read, but acutely seen. Our visual world has never been more stimulating in its two-dimensional form. Think video screen, computer monitor, or piece of paper. Add information, inspiration, and really thoughtful graphic design. The sky’s the limit, or, rather, the surface is.

Thank you Google and Bing for validating my SEO viewpoint

March 21, 2012 Beth Devine

For several years now, I’ve rebelled against SEO Voodoo.

What I mean by SEO Voodoo is the process of hyper-focusing on optimizing your website to the detriment of building a good website. Folks get so caught up in the SEO hype—keywords, link building and so on that they forget that good content will cause people to naturally link to your website and will include the keywords that apply to your material.

Instead, I’ve promoted the concept that a well-designed website with well-crafted, informative content is a far better investment than spending time and money on voodoo search engine optimization. At times, I’ve had clients look at me as if I had two heads. Sadly, in some cases they’ve gone out and hired someone else to do the voodoo.

That’s not to say that I dismiss SEO concepts. I employ practical SEO principles as I build and maintain websites. I believe in classic html SEO practices like creating relevant unique page titles, using heading tags to highlight topics of the website, and I believe in cross-promoting your business and website online with social media sites and e-mail marketing. As a practice I create 301 redirects if I redesign a site and the urls change.

But I’ve never bought into the practices of “guaranteed” SEO tactics — you know — things like cramming keywords into your content, artificially creating links and some of the other crazy ideas the SEO specialists recommend to my clients.

Some SEO tactics, like keyword cramming, are kind of like a guy stuffing a sock in his pants. It might entice some visitors, but they’re disappointed when they get there.

I guess I figured the search engines were smarter than that or maybe I just figured it was more important to create a website that focused on your user’s experience. You know, spend time to create useful content that might actually sell your product or service?

It seems, Google and Bing might agree with me. Last week, Matt Cutts from Google and Duane Forrester from Bing had a conversation at SXSW about SEO. You can listen to to their conversation here. Among some of their points (paraphrased):

over-optimization is a problem that can reduce the relevancy of search results and Google is trying to solve the problem
if you’re not engaged socially, you’re missing the boat
algorithms are not static—many variables affect search results
search engines try to do what’s best for their constituents – the searchers
spend less time on building artificial links and more time on creating news or content that other sources will pick up
instead of trying to beat your competitors at the SEO game, offer more compelling content than your competitors
don’t buy links, instead:
1. work on social media
2. on becoming an authority in your industry
3. if someone is doing an article on you, ask for a link

So take the advise of some of the search engine pros and focus on creating good content for your website; it may serve you better than SEO voodoo.

Related blog posts:

Support Your Local Workforce Board

March 5, 2012 Beth Devine

Last week was a whirlwind of activity. Lots of meeting and greeting going on. However, we did take the time to go to the Manchester Chamber of Commerce breakfast hosted by Capital Workforce Partners. Capital Workforce Partners is a non-profit that I’ve had the pleasure of working with for more than 5 years. They’re an amazing group of people that do incredible things.

The breakfast focused on their Summer Youth Employment program. This is when they match kids to companies in need of help. If you’ve ever considered covering your employees summer vacations or just believe in investing in the future, I urge you to consider the Summer Youth Employment program. We’ve signed up for a student this summer and are looking forward to working with them. Go to www.capitalworkforce.org to sign up.

The summer youth program is just one of their many programs. Last year we worked with them to create a website to teach teenagers the career competencies needed regardless of their chosen profession. The kids in the program that we had the honor to meet, were inspiring. Visit www.careercompetencies.org to learn more.

I’m Back….

February 25, 2012 Beth Devine

So I promised to post my adventures weekly, but life got in the way. But hey, busy is good. I did want to share with you some of the people I’ve met recently and the non-profit organizations they are working with.

The first is Kathy McAfee. Although I had heard her name for years now, I had not had the privlidge of meeting her until recently. For those of you who know Kathy, she’s a bit of a networking guru. She is the marketing motivator. What I found interesting, that even some of you who know her may not be aware of, is her involvement with the YWCA. In fact, she is part of the 17th Annual In the Company of Women Luncheon with guest speaker Rosie Perez. For more information, go to www.ywacahartford.org.

On Thursday morning I met Kate Houlihan who is an advocate for New Hope Manor in Manchester CT. New Hope has been a leader in providing comprehensive and effective treatment to young people and their families with mental health, behavioral, and/or substance abuse problems since 1971. Please stop by on March 8th from 8:00 am – 9:00 am for a tour. For more information go to www.newhopemanor.net.

That’s all till next time.

Inspiration & Ideas From the Twitter Feed

February 22, 2012 Beth Devine

Cruising through my Twitter feed last night and I came across this inspiring infographic – 22 Ways to Create Compelling Content.

Who doesn’t need inspiration occasionally? I know I do. It’s been some time since I posted any content let alone compelling content to my blog. Lacking time to nurture inspiration this week, I decided to simply post @copybloggers infographic for now so I can refer to it for inspiration when time allows. I believe that makes this post a combination of #1 (using content from other blogs), #2 (group brainstorming via Twitter) and #5 (guest post).

Thank you @copyblogger for allowing me to use this infographic on my blog and to @MichelleShaeffr for retweeting it so I came across it in the feed.

Like this infographic? Get more content marketing tips from Copyblogger.

WordPress Tutorial – Media Center

January 30, 2012 Beth Devine

Invest in Your Local Chamber

January 27, 2012 Beth Devine

So, this week I traveled from Storrs to Glastonbury, from Manchester to Canaan and back again. I don’t know which was more painful, filling my tank or my bottom after sitting all that time! Well at least the weather’s been accommodating. One of my stops this week was the annual dinner hosted by the Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce. If you’re from the area and haven’t attended a Glastonbury Chamber event, you really should make it a point to do so.

The Glastonbury Chamber is focused on helping businesses grow. To support their diverse membership, they’ve created small groups to meet on specific topics. We are joining the Creatives Group which gives fellow business owners in the “creative” realm a place to network and discuss topics of interest. We’ve also joined the Sales and Business Development Network which offers panel discussions, presentations and sharing of best practices. Both of these groups are an excellent way to network.

We are also a member of the Manchester Chamber which offers several outstanding events throughout the year. The bottom line is that anyone doing business that isn’t affiliated with their local chamber(s) is missing out.