Archive for December, 2009

The Place of the Individual in Social Media

December 30th, 2009 by mark

Nope, this is not another rundown for how businesses can/should use social media to their advantage, nor is it an additional expose about how useful social media is for link-building efforts and reputation management.  I do not know how much has been written regarding what social media means for you (me, us, etc.) as a person-or of what quality what has been written is-but I intend to make something of a reflective stab at the matter before our New Year sets in.  Note that when I say person, I mean the person you are when you’re away from work and less socially wary; that is, yourself in a more ‘fundamental’ form, more or less. (more…)

The Most Significant News In Internet Video Marketing for 2009

December 29th, 2009 by Andrew

Changes In SEO For Video and Explosive Online Video Trends

It’s pretty safe to say that the future of Internet video marketing is bright. Some (*cough*BruceClay*cough) even suggest that if you don’t have video on your website, you’ll have a tough time getting the attention of search engines. In other words, online video and video search engine optimization are becoming the norm, it seems. Just how effectively you can implement SEO for video remains to be seen, but the groundwork is has certainly been laid. (more…)

A Closer Look At Google Adwords Keyword Research Tool

December 24th, 2009 by Andrew

A Google Adwords Overview From The User’s Perspective

Who hasn’t used the Google Adwords keyword research tools? Let’s face it, the SEO industry seeks to satiate the top dog in search – that, of course, is Google. What better way to execute Google keyword analysis than through the tool they provide (for free…which is awesome). Despite the ubiquitousness of this tool in search engine marketing, the recent introduction of a new beta version deserves a fresh Google Adwords overview. (more…)

Social Media Fail Equals Success

December 23rd, 2009 by Claudia D'Arcy

Sara Lee and the Perfect Cake Story

I’m going to completely contradict myself.

I am not at all a violent person and don’t ever really intend on pushing ill will towards anyone, but I do believe in venting as a healthy release of emotions.  Maybe you have noticed that when I get annoyed with particular brands that fail to live up to my expectations, I do what I do best which is research them online, abet sometimes in a stalking kind of way, and demand that they right their current injustices. 

Social Media Flaws

Yes, I do tend to be more critical of companies that are trying their hand at various social media outreaches and fail (cough:cough:best:buy:fail:twelp:force:cough), but I also use that research to look at them from both the perspectives of a SMM consultant and specialist and then also, from a user experience, since I am both. Usually, it is an attempt by a brand to approach social media in a way that shows huge fault lines and mistakes, which I like to learn from. Better their mistakes than mine!

(more…)

Best Solo Travel Sites

December 22nd, 2009 by Kristina

Beginner’s Guide to Travelling Solo

Solo travel sites are transforming the travel world. I was recently inspired after attending a lecture with Cathy Law, who has travelled to 53 countries from Laos to Yelapa, as a female solo traveler.   It got me thinking about solo travel and putting together a beginner’s guide to the best solo travel sites.  Seeing as solo travel is usually tied with budget travel, many of these sites are also good places to find cheap travel destinations and accommodations as well as fellow solo travelers.

First-Time Solo Traveler Sites

Below are solo travel sites that may hopefully inspire you to move forward if you have dreams of traveling solo or simply open our eyes to the power of social networking.

LonelyPlanet.com is not only an excellent place to obtain practical information and travel guides, but it also has a Going Solo forum.  I just checked it and saw this exchange below:

lonely-planet-forum

If you’ve ever backpacked, you know that the relationships you form with fellow travelers are often for a lifetime.  And sometimes, the relationships you form online can be even deeper than those formed in person when there is a common bond and more openness.

CouchSurfing.com and Hospex.net are great solo travel sites when budget is also a concern.  Both these sites were actually (more…)

Postmodern SEO: The Real Deal (That Tongue Better Be In Your Cheek Again)

December 17th, 2009 by mark
This will blow your mind....

This will blow your mind....

What intrigues me is that there is an interesting and very intelligent comparison of postmodernism and SEO on another blog (and it is a mere two weeks older!).  I thought this post would be something of a first of its kind.  Nonetheless, I intend on going into the true nature-assuming there is one-of Postmodern SEO, and not just a simple exposition.  What the postmodern approach means for the entire SEO enterprise will be made quite clear in the following.

And do not worry; there is a moral at the end of this extremely strange story which shows both SEO and relativism/postmodern philosophy at their worst. (more…)