Well - I changed my “digs” again - I’m really indecisive about my site theme and since I’m using free themes w/ a few modifications I change them a lot. I like this one, it’s pretty and girlie and maybe I’ll keep it around awhile…..but…maybe not.
Recently we’ve seen a lot of controversy in the SEO world with people attacking Rand at SEOMoz for outing websites that have bought or sold links. (see here, here and here.) I think paid links is a hot topic right now, and everyone has come out with an opinion. But is sharing your opinion in an unconstructive -and negative - way the answer? Although I agreed w/ DazzlinDonna’s original point - we really dont need to be pointing blatant fingers - the uproar that ensued was almost overwhelming. Did he do it on purpose to create controversy? I tend to think no, but that’s just my opinion and that gets me back to my main point - Everyone has an opinion - and is it right to “share” your opinion and bash others in the process? I think sharing in a constructive way was great, and it was admittedly a poor choice, and he edited his post - but the attacks that happened afterwards seemed like they were completely unnecessary. I didnt really comment with a “hell yeah” or a “heck no” anywhere - and I felt somewhat like I was in the minority. Do you NEED to come out with an opinion on this stuff to be taken seriously in this industry? I don’t think so - but hey I’m the new gal here - what do I know.
So does one need to rock the boat to get the buzz? I guess because I’m not a huge fan of confrontation and I have no desire to fight it out with industry leaders I kept my mouth shut. Yet another reason I wont be a LinkBait Guru 
It will be interesting to see the aftermath. Will there be “hard feelings” or will everyone get over it? The fact that people are willing to push the envelope is what keeps this industry moving forward, in my opinion. Calling someone out because you dont agree w/ them is great - if you can give reasons why you don’t agree other than - “I just think it’s wrong.”
I’ve been mulling over the fact that part of our “standard” new client setup is to automatically start PPCs in Google, Yahoo & MSN. Frankly - even with Panama - Yahoo is painful. Their Publisher Network frustrates me every day and I see endless clicks from sites like hotgirls dot com - to my small bed and breakfast client’s website. What about that is relevant? Now MSN has added their content network with no “opt out” option also - I’m ready to turn those resources off and concentrate on creating a custom content network for my client - more targeted ads on relevant directories and resources that will drive targeted traffic - I cant imagine why that would be less effective than a consitently ineffective Yahoo & MSN.
I really do like AdWords - as an advertiser it’s straight forward and tool-rich. It’s a great way to test the effectiveness of keywords before I spend my client’s money optimizing their website - and the new Pay Per Action model has potential - although I havent seen much movement from it yet.
I think we have the “powers that be” on board at Blizz - hopefully we’ll see some test cases and good traffic without having to hassle with unfriendly platforms and irrelevant content networks.
I had another article published at SearchEngineWatch.com today. It was pretty good - but not one of my best. Sometimes inspiration is hard to come by. Hopefully my next article will be better - I’m tossing around some ideas for helping SB owners compete with big business.
On a side note I learned how to post video to wordpress. I was pretty excited and found this great interview w/ my editor at SEW Elisabeth and the EIC at ClickZ Rebecca Lieb. I really appreciate these ladies giving me a shot at writing - I hope I deliver what they’re looking for.
Okay - yes - today was a good day with one of my articles going live - but do you ever have days when you think every person you talk to is from mars? I mean honestly - how to people function - let alone procreate - there should be a test!
Speaking of Nincompoops - what is Google thinking - I mean honestly? Asking people to rat out their paid links? That’s like telling the cop who pulled you over for speeding you’re drunk - duh?
Okay - so I build blogs for others and I help get them running - but i NEVER knew now much of a hassle this hosting thing was! Jez - i have people at work who do this for me and setting it up on my own is nuts.
I need to write a .htaccess file so my nonwww resolves to www. - i did it once and it blew the whole damn thing up so I’m starting over. I need a beer.
Happy Friday!
~Carrie
I have been insanely busy the last week or so! We sold a house, bought a house (well “under contract” anyway) and my kids were sick - so minimal blogging for a few days.
Today I’m trying to make a dent in my “to-do” list. The beauty of a list is the ability to cross things off - a great sense of accomplishment - the downside is my list is 4 pgs of legal pad paper long….. I’ll get to the end someday.
Okay - I may be dating my self just a bit here - but i just read that the Police are going to reunite and play at the Grammys and then announce a TOUR - please please please come to Denver!!!!
Okay - I was really really in love with Sting when I was younger….
But I think he’s like Sean Connery - better with age:
So the company I work for has a small R&D team that has been charged with keeping the programs we offer and participate in on the edge of what SEM companies can do. Because we serve a small niche of the overall market we meet another challenge when developing programs - how does this idea apply to tourism?
My musing brings me back to the same point over and over again - why is it so HARD to get things rolling? Is it because we are but one department in a company that also features design, analytics, programming, and hosting departments? Is it because we’re not bringing our ideas to the right person? Do we not PRESENT our ideas to the right people in the right way? What can I do to make it easier to make the decision to move forward on a project?
Generally when we present an idea, we think it through, get input from other departments if it’s necessary and put our thoughts down on paper - generally a document that contains a set of bullet points that show the pros of the plan, along with a flow chart or map that shows the steps involved to implement and our estimated time/value to the company……what am I missing?
Does anyone out there have any ideas on how to present a new concept/program to the brass in a way that is sure to prompt action? What do you do to make people see the importance of moving NOW, not 6-months from now?
Any input is greatly appreciated.
