MarketingScoop Offers High Demand SEO Training
August 14, 2009
MarketingScoop Offers High Demand SEO Training
Hello all you Marketing Mavens out there… just a quick announcement that may be of interest to those seeing SEO training for small to large groups.
Today it was announced that MarketingScoop.com, a leading provider of free Interment marketing tools, information, and resources is now offering SEO training for small and medium-sized businesses.
“Anyone can Learn SEO with the help of leading SEO experts and proven techniques that have helped dozens of companies achieve #1 Google rankings,” according to Michael Fleischner, the company’s founder and President. “I’ve been working with web sites seeking top search rankings for more than 5 years. Each of the sites has dramatically improved results by applying the right SEO techniques.”
Improving search engine rankings seems to dominate the attention of small to medium sized companies who can’t afford the high price of pay-per-click advertising. As a result, more time is being spent on SEO and learning how to improve organic results versus incurring the ongoing expense of Internet marketing that produces marginal results.
Today’s most popular search engine, Google, accounts for more than 67 percent of all online searches. Companies are optimizing their web sites for Google and seeking resources to do so. SEO consultants can offer theoretical advice that may or may not get implemented. Customized training programs provide businesses with detailed guidance on achieving their search engine optimization goals.
MarketingScoop’s SEO training is available in 1-day or 2-day sessions and is reasonably priced. In this program, students learn a step-by-step process for increasing search engine result placements for any web site or blog; techniques for improving on page optimization, and special techniques for increasing the number of in-bound links to enhance overall site value. These factors improve ranking for any keyword or keyword phrase, generating more organic traffic and lowering online marketing costs.
As more web sites place emphasis on improving the natural search results, demand for SEO training continues to grow. As more companies invest to learn SEO, MarketingScoop continues to expand their offering and provide world-class content, tools, and resources for Internet marketing success. To learn SEO and more about MarketingScoop’s SEO training, visit MarketingScoop.com.
Palin calls Obama energy plan a threat to economy – The Associated Press
July 14, 2009
Palin calls Obama energy plan a threat to economy – The Associated Press
 E! Online |
Palin calls Obama energy plan a threat to economy
The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who says she'll leave office at the end of the month, is already taking on one national issue, calling the Obama administration's plan to reduce greenhouse gases a threat to the US economy. … Analysis: Sarah Palin Run for the White House Palin PAC brings in another $200000 since resignation Can Palin ride 'Iquitarod' to White House? |
Analysis: Old arguments flare at hearings – The Associated Press
 Telegraph.co.uk |
Analysis: Old arguments flare at hearings
The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court confirmation hearing is evidence that nothing ever ends in the Senate, and proof that debates persist years after the votes are counted. The first Hispanic nominated to the Supreme Court, … New Yorkers play big role in hearings Supreme Court Justice nominee Sonia Sotomayor defies labels GOP aims to paint Sotomayor as biased |
Pakistan lets displaced return to Swat on own – Reuters
 BBC News |
Pakistan lets displaced return to Swat on own
Reuters MINGORA, Pakistan, July 14 (Reuters) – Pakistan lifted on Tuesday restrictions on the return of people displaced by fighting in the Swat valley, hoping to boost confidence among residents wary the Taliban might come back. … 'Taliban die' in Pakistan clashes Washington Post Foreign Service Deadly Pakistan clashes, NATO tanker ambushed: officials |
Cheney's Daughter Weighs Political Bid – FOXNews
 Washington Post |
Cheney's Daughter Weighs Political Bid
FOXNews Former Vice President Dick Cheney's daughter says she is seriously considering a run for political office. Former Vice President Dick Cheney's daughter, who has emerged as a fierce critic of President Obama's foreign and national security policies, … CIA's secret program: Paramilitary teams targeting Al Qaeda CIA Had Plan to Assassinate Qaeda Leaders AP Sources: Cheney Told CIA Not To Discuss Progam |
PPC… Can It Enhance Your SEO?
June 29, 2009
PPC… Can It Enhance Your SEO?
Can pay per click marketing really work in tandem with SEO? I have found that the most successful SEO campaigns were born from PPC results. What do I mean? Read on…
Just a like a company’s house list, the information they gather from their own PPC campaigns can provide a significant boost to the effectiveness of their search engine optimization efforts. The key is to know what information you’re looking for and how to use it to generate qualified visitors to your website.
Qualified visitors are those that have a higher degree of interest in your products or services and a greater likelihood of purchasing your products. I’ve often seen websites that have reduced their traffic while significantly improving conversion rates. The result is lower costs related to traffic acquisition and higher revenue. With more revenue and less expense, margins reach a new level of success.
The concept that I teach in SEO training is the most effective way to combine pay-per-click advertising with search engine optimization is to focus on conversions. What keywords have you promoted through pay per click advertising that led to conversions? If you’ve been running PPC for a while and you are still unsure, then consider expanding your analytic coding to include Google conversion tracking.
Once you have the answer and know which terms produce the greatest conversions, regardless of ad variation, then you SEO keywords have been determined. You want to generate organic traffic to the same keywords you’re promoting through PPC as long as they are generating your highest conversions.
An example of this might be someone promoting a book on how to fix a car. If the highest converting keyword is, “car repair”, then you should consider car repair as a keyword phrase you must optimize for. Organic traffic to this term will produce targeted web site visitors and conversions for little or no money as you improve your rankings.
The last piece is to take your highest converting landing pages and build in some or all of the elements into your website. Once you’ve tracking and optimized landing pages via PPC, you can duplicate what you’ve learned from a conversion perspective organically. Consider applying the landing page elements that have generated the highest return for you on your pay-per-click advertising.
Whether you’re just getting started with search engine optimization or consider yourself a search engine optimization expert, leveraging your pay-per-click advertising is the best investment you can make. Determine which keywords generate the type of traffic that is most valuable to you and optimize around these terms. They will generate more traffic and revenue.
To learn more about PPC, check out our comprehensive Content Bully Review.
Is SQL Server in your bag of tricks?
May 31, 2009
Is SQL Server in your bag of tricks?
If you’re subscribed to the Alpha Software newsletter, you already know about our upcoming Alpha Five/SQL Server Web applications webinar taking place on Wednesday, June 3 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Eastern Time. The course will also be recorded, and will be made available for viewing or downloading to registered users.
Microsoft SQL Server is the database engine of choice for millions of businesses. And with the availability of the free edition — SQL Server Express 2005/2008 — and its increased capacity, it’s accessible by everyone. With the right SQL Server and Alpha Five skills, you can build highly scalable database applications, and greatly improve your marketability in this competitive economy.
But where do you start? Amazon lists over 1,300 books devoted to SQL Server. Not to mention all the courses available, plus Microsoft’s official certification programs. Plus, it takes years of dedication to become a true SQL Server guru.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be a guru to take advantage of SQL Server right now. Using Alpha Five as the front end, you can build new SQL Server based applications, migrate existing data to SQL Server, and manage data already in SQL Server, quickly and easily.
In our two-hour training session, hosted by Jim Dusoe, founder of BMSI Software and long-time Alpha fanatic, you’ll learn
- How to choose the right version of SQL Server
- How to install SQL Server
- How to create SQL Server tables
- How and why to use stored procedures and triggers
- How to use SQL Server Views
- How to Use AlphaDAO to work with SQL Server
And because this webinar focuses on Web applications, you’ll also see step-by-step instructions on how to provision a server with both Alpha Five and SQL Server. We’ll show you
- The advantages of Web vs. Desktop Applications
- How to set up the Alpha Five (Web) Application Server for use with SQL Server
- How to run the Alpha Five Application Server as a service (using a free toolkit from Microsoft)
For those who can’t make it, you’ll receive access to the webinar recording at no charge with your paid registration. Registration for this two-hour training course is only $99, so sign up today!
My thoughts in ink on Inc.
Earlier this year, Inc. published a fascinating article about Markus Frind and his online dating company, PlentyOfFish. More specifically, how Frind conquered the online dating world and now lives comfortably working 10 hours a week while paying himself more than $5 million a year. The word entrepreneur sounds pretty good now, eh?
Inc. makes it sound easy. But in this case, it wouldn’t be for 95 percent of entrepreneurs. That’s because Frind knows how to program computers. Most people do not. As I said in my comment, it takes more than a good idea to build a thriving Web business.
Great ideas aren’t in short supply. But software tools that empower entrepreneurs to build their big ideas are lacking. As you know, we’re trying to change that at Alpha Five by giving you everything you (yes, YOU, the non-programmer) need to get your idea off the ground.
Have a look at the comment for the full scoop, and a little preview of an idea we have here at Alpha that will help entrepreneurs network, build, fund, and market their own “big-idea” Web apps. But you’ll hear more on that, coming soon.
Astronauts inspect Atlantis while chasing Hubble – Athens Daily Review
May 12, 2009
Astronauts inspect Atlantis while chasing Hubble – Athens Daily Review
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Shuttle Atlantis is racing after the Hubble Space Telescope a day after taking off on a daring repair mission. On Tuesday, the seven astronauts will spend the entire day inspecting virtually every inch of the shuttle for any launch damage. They surveyed the thermal shielding
Wall Street sputters as traders assess gains – Economic Times
NEW YORK: Wall Street wobbled to a mixed finish on Tuesday as investors paused to assess gains from a long rally and mulled the new efforts to raise capital by ailing banks and other firms. The growing likelihood of a bankruptcy filing by General Motors also weighed on the market, as shares in the
Celtics 92, Magic 88: Celts shock Magic – MetroWest Daily News
Once again, the Magic must have thought they’d left the Celtics for dead. Once again, they were wrong. Down 14 in the fourth quarter, and still down 10 with 5:33 on the clock, the Celtics staged a rally for a 92-88 victory last night in front of a delirious TD Banknorth Garden crowd. The Celtics
Is Video Already A Part Of Your Article Marketing Strategy?
May 5, 2009
Is Video Already A Part Of Your Article Marketing Strategy?
Article marketing takes on a new twist… add video. Video is fast becoming the most popular aspect of online marketing. Do you know how to promote your site, articles, and affiliate products using video. Today we have a great post from Unique Article Wizard.
If you’re not using an article distribution service, I strongly recommend Unique Article Wizard. They not only distribute your article, but provide unique article distribution. But enough about the testimonial, let’s get into using video as part of your article marketing strategy.
1. Write an article or have one created for you at elance or via PLR articles. These are inexpensive and can be found via any article directory or website.
2. Convert that article into a power point presentation. Make sure that you use big fonts because your video will be more than 200 by 200 pixes in size which is relatively small. You want all of your type to appear on screen in large, clear letters. Place your URL or 800 number at the footer of each slide.
3. Turn your Powerpoint presentation into a video presentation by including voice. To do this you can use the free trial from Camtasia or other video recording software. Essentially, the way this works is that you use a piece of software to record your screen while you present. It will marry audio and video together.
The best thing to do is create a number of articles and Powerpoint presentations before you start your free trial because the trial is limited. In addition, once the trial expires, you will lose access to all your files. So, start with a few presentations and then use your thirty days wisely. Record your video in a large format. Another option is to do a video using your webcam – just turn it on and read out your article! But do it in an animated an lively manner.
4. Upload your video to YouTube and other video related websites. The more the merrier. You want to distribute your content to as many video websites as possible to increase exposure.
5. Write a compelling caption that includes your keywords as the anchor tag for the link to your youtube video. You do this by including the tag [link:your desired anchor text here] in your caption.
Why do you do this? This promotes your video within YouTube and in Google search – so if people don’t find your article or your site, they might still find your video. Just another way to get noticed!
Take your article marketing strategy to the next level with video. Don’t be scared. This technique is really easy to use once you get the hang of it. Start practicing and leveraging this technique as soon as you can.
Get started with your article marketing today at Unique Article Wizard!
Pay-Per-Click Marketing: Is It For You?
April 9, 2009
Pay-Per-Click Marketing: Is It For You?
Most marketers I talk to often tell me that they are losing money with Pay Per Click marketing. I too have had mixed results with PPC. The question I found myself asking was, “who is using PPC and making money?” In my experience, it takes a lot of research to win at PPC, but win you can.
When I started with pay per click advertising, I struggled a great deal. Either I got tons of traffic and no sales or little traffic and no sales. Over time, with the proper tracking, I learned which bidding strategies improved my quality score and click through rates. Once I was driving traffic, the key was to improve conversions.
Improving conversions is not an easy task. Again, the only time I started seeing success was once I began testing – much like I did for years with my direct marketing efforts. The testing was time consuming and tedious. I would only change one element at a time and let it run for 2 -3 weeks before I could draw a conclusion.
The good news however is that once you make these distinctions: choosing the right keywords, finding your top performing ads, and optimizing your landing pages, you’re basically on auto-pilot. So if you’re struggling with PPC, just hand in there. I recommend that you break down the task of PPC marketing into small steps and attempt to make progress one stage at a time.
Best of luck with your PPC. Whatever you do, don’t get discouraged simply stay the course!
On-Page Optimization Strategies For Improving You Search Engine Results
March 17, 2009
On-Page Optimization Strategies For Improving You Search Engine Results
On-page optimization is a great place to start your next search engine optimization campaign. Even though off-page optimization is essential for improving your Google rankings, on-page techniques can be used to build a strong SEO foundation and support good results on Yahoo!, MSN, and other major search portals.
Here are a few SEO tips you can use starting immediately to make your site more search engine friendly and begin enhancing overall rankings on all types of search engines. Optimize Your URLs
If you have not yet picked a domain name for your website, do not try to purchase your keyword dot com. Rather, pick a name that will be memorable and is something you want to build your company or brand around. You don’t want to limit your options too severely. That said do try to place your main broad keyword into your URL.
Optimize Your Page Title, H1 and H2 Headers
Create a title that is relevant to your site content and which is no more that 60 characters in length. The reason you wan to limit the size of your title is because larger titles cannot be fully displayed on search engine results pages. The reason why the title is so important is because it gives you an opportunity to display your keywords first.
The first headline that appears on your page should include your keywords and be in the form of an H1 tag. The sub text should be presented as an H2 or H3 header. This reinforces the importance of your keywords and indicates prominence oriented around the specific content included on your web page.
Optimize All Your Meta Tags
SEO experts continue to debate the value of meta tags. I can tell you that although meta tags including the title, description, and keywords is less 
important that it was many years ago, it still plays an important role in optimization.
Today, meta tags are used as a starting point and a reference point for search engine crawlers. You meta tags need to be aligned to your page content and also include your keywords. This creates consistency, something that search engine spiders yearn for. So make sure to fully develop your description and keywords. I suggest limited your keywords to no more than twelve and limiting your description to about 150 words maximum.
Optimize your keyword density for Google
Creating a keyword rich content page is essential but don’t get carried away. Your keyword density should be around 3 or 4 percent, no more. Some people believe that you could go as high as six percent for Yahoo! optimization but Google seems to like pages that have a smaller keyword density.
From my perspective you are better off focusing on the placement of your keywords and the type of emphasis you provide. Remember to focus on H1 and H2 tags and place keywords at the beginning, middle, and end of your web page. In addition you should have an instance of each keyword phrase in bold, italics, and underlined. This variety again reinforces the value of your links.
Keyword Variation
The last piece to focus on is keyword variety. Instead of stuffing your page with the same keyword phrases again and again, use some variety. A great way to do this is to add a word or two before your keyword phrase and after it. Creating variety is important because it shows each search engine that your site has a focus but that you are not intentionally trying to improve your ranking.
The most important part of any search engine optimization campaign is to make your site appear natural, present valuable content, and follow on-page optimization best practices. If you use the above suggestions as a guide, you will be well on your way to a fully optimized website.
Alpha Five versus FileMaker Round 10
March 13, 2009
Alpha Five versus FileMaker Round 10
Let the next phase of the FileMaker vs. Alpha Five War begin. I’m sure you know that FileMaker recently released its 10th version, and as anyone who reads the blog knows, we’re hard at work at Alpha Five Version 10.
Martin Heller published his review of FileMaker Version 10 in yesterday’s InfoWorld, and we’re more than pleased that he mentioned Alpha Five as a smart alternative to FileMaker. Martin pointed out:
Alpha Five is a desktop database with strong RAD (Rapid Application Development) tools, Web and AJAX support, enterprise-level SQL support, and lower pricing than FileMaker. The Alpha Five programming capabilities are heartier than those in Access and much more powerful than those in FileMaker, yet many Alpha Five applications can be built using its menus and dialogs without ever writing a line of code.
With our Version 8 and 9 products, the differences between Alpha Five and FileMaker became clearer. And with both companies’ 10th versions, the differences will be in sharp focus.
Both products are easy to use, yet very powerful database development platforms. Anyone from an Average Joe to the CTO can build a useful database in Alpha Five or FileMaker 10. But here’s where we come to the fork in the road.
Even with its 10th version — released in 2009, the age of rich Internet applications — FileMaker is still stuck in a desktop-first mentality. Yes, you can publish databases to the Web. Keyword: publish. Meaning, they’re not interactive.
Yes, you can go out and learn PHP, then rebuild an entire FileMaker database around it if you want to make it interactive. With Alpha Five, starting with Version 8, we introduced the ability to deploy fully functional databases to the Web.
With Version 9, we made it even easier by going codeless. We also introduced the ability to use Ajax GUIS, but doing that still required some basic knowledge of XBasic and JavaScript.
With Version 10, we’ll be introducing codeless Ajax. Alpha Five developers will be able to build for the Web and deploy on the Web, giving their users rich Internet database applications that are as interactive and as responsive as any desktop database application.
Because it’s codeless, developers will never have to write a single line of code to enable this rich Internet functionality.
The product will be entering beta soon. And if you want to give your customers contemporary user experiences on the Web, I would encourage you to save your sheckles for Alpha Five Version 10, instead of wasting them on FileMaker 10, which will frankly leave you stuck in the client-server era.
Just so you know, I am pressuring Selwyn, my brother, to let me release some videos of the new Version 10 in action. So if you enjoyed Verion 9’s Feature Peeks, be sure to stay tuned for a look at what V10 has in store for you.
Once Version 10 goes into general release, we are planning a series of benchmark tests against other popular database products. We’ll be publishing the results of those tests here, just as we did when we took a look at an earlier FileMaker release that made some claims about SQL performance that we thought were questionable.
Customer testimonial: Alpha Five Version 9
I recently received an e-mail from a customer whose experience I think would make for a great A5 case study. I’ve asked her if we can include her story on our case studies page.
In the meantime, I wanted to share her e-mail with you here, as part of our ongoing customer testimonial series. I’ve redacted any personal or company information, since she hasn’t yet given us approval to write a formal case study.
But her note to me documents how Alpha Five, a professional development tool, remains accessible to any person or business with basic computer skills on tap. Here’s what she wrote, word for word. Again, only her name and company name have been edited out.
… As for A5V9 … all I can say is that I cannot live without it!!! My database is so simple compared to some of the extraordinary examples you have posted on your site, yet I cannot imagine at least having what we have today! I’ve been with A5 since 1996 and it has saved us time and time again. We’ve been faced with many challenges as our IT Dept does not support the software and unfortunately I am not well-versed in their area. However, we are still here, alive and kicking. A few years back we were being forced to end our relationship with our “band-aid” database (as our A5 was called) and integrate ourselves to this new robust system. Lucky for us that we decided to continue using our “band-aid” (although unknown to the rest of the org) because the new “robust” system was nothing but head-aches and it did not meet our needs. We were once again granted the right to continue using our database for our program tracking purposes. OK, the point being that it has been the tool that has allowed our team to be successful in handling the high volume of programming that we process each day. Thanks …
… Have a lovely evening and thanks for what you have continued to do for us through Alpha Five.
There you have it, in her own words. If you have a great Alpha Five story to tell, send it to me at Richard@AlphaSoftware.com.
Mac mini Margins, Not So Mini – BusinessWeek
March 4, 2009
Mac mini Margins, Not So Mini – BusinessWeek Mac mini Margins, Not So Mini
ABC News
BusinessWeek
As part of a general refresh of all desktop products, Apple today announced a long-overdue update of the Mac mini line. The mini gets a badly needed upgrade of its processor to a 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and the Intel integrated graphics adapter is …
Six Things You Need To Know About Apple's New Desktops
Three Nightmares When Managing Macs
Pakistan attack focuses attention on terrorism – ABC Online Pakistan attack focuses attention on terrorism
ABC News
ABC Online
MARK COLVIN: In Pakistan, the gunmen who mounted an attack on Sri Lanka's cricket team in Lahore are still at large. The Pakistan Government says the attack that killed eight people has plunged the country into a 'state of war'.
Video: Gunmen Target Sri Lanka's Cricket Team
Senators push to boost FDA food safety system – San Francisco Chronicle Senators push to boost FDA food safety system
HealthKnowItAll
San Francisco Chronicle
Democratic and Republican senators got behind comprehensive legislation Tuesday to increase food inspection and oversight in the wake of a national scandal over salmonella-tainted peanut products.
Bill would bolster food inspection
Bipartisan lawmakers call for food safety overhaul
Desert Sands Unified to send 136 layoff warnings – The Desert Sun Desert Sands Unified to send 136 layoff warnings
Los Angeles Times
The Desert Sun
Desert Sands Unified School District will hand-deliver letters in the next two weeks that put 136 employees on notice that they might be laid off, the board of education decided unanimously on Tuesday.
SD's experienced teachers encouraged to retire
Board Approves Some Cuts To Arvin USD
