Bing This! What the New Search Engine Means To YOU!
August 27, 2009
Bing This! What the New Search Engine Means To YOU!
Okay, so by now you’ve heard all the “news” about Bing being the next big thing. I’ve read about a dozen articles and even the Bing Guide For Webmaster’s and I’m ready to give you my two cents.
First off, if you haven’t visited Bing yet, give it a try. It will better help you to understand my pros and cons and also give you a sense of the user experience. I actually used it a couple of times after hearing of the big release without fully appreciating all of it’s functionality.
Before I give you my quick overview, let me say that the only reason I’m even remotely interested in Bing is because Microsoft (who obviously owns the Bing search engine) has announced they are buying Yahoo! Just like any big organization it’s only a matter of time until they support a single search algorithm and considering the millions they dumped into Bing – and considering how screwed up Yahoo! is internally (sorry Yahoo’s), it’s my opinion that Bing will prevail.
Okay, so what’s good about Bing? A couple of things actually. Based on their research which confirmed the famous “F” pattern which describes how users view a web page, they found that the majority of users never go past the first 5 organic listing. This has shaped their content presentation and layout. Additionally, Bing provides access to categories of information, related search queries, and access to expanded information. Essentially they are bringing as much content forward as possible to make your search more efficient.
This functionality is based on research and an every intelligent algorithm that aggregates the search behavior of tens of millions of queries and user behavior. I know it sounds like big brother but it can also help you have a more rewarding search experience where you actually find what you’re looking for quickly and easily.
What are the cons? Well, I wouldn’t necessarily say that having someone help you make decisions is a con, but it does feel kinda creepy. I also don’t believe that there is always a majority. What I mean is that the algorithm itself, but aggregating results across all users, is bound to have some shortcomings.
From a marketing perspective, it also has the possibility of changing the game somewhat. For example, if clicks are what drives top search engine placements, then web site owners are going to have FREE SEX in the title tag of every web page on their server.
I know I’m exaggerating a little bit but anything can happen. From my perspective, I still think SEO best practices are still essential. My advice to you is to make sure every web page you produce has a single theme and unique meta tags, URLs, etc. Bing is trying to categorize content and web pages so make sure you do the thinking for them. That’s really the only way to win the artificial intelligence game!
FREE Marketing Help When You Need It Most…
August 17, 2009
FREE Marketing Help When You Need It Most…
Announcing the beta launch of the Internet Marketing Forum!
Over the past year, I’ve heard from countless marketing professionals, entrepreneurs, and small to medium sized business owners that finding the right information online is often a difficult and time consuming process.
If you’re like me, when you’re searching for answers, you want them fast. After doing some research I decided to take matters into my own hands – to find a solution for this ever increasing problem. The need for on demand solutions to the most difficult and challenging marketing questions.
The Internet Marketing Forum is now live!
Even though I’ve been on the Internet for more than a decade, I was never a big fan of message boards and the like. Quite honestly, until about a year ago, I had never even posted on a forum. But I quickly learned the value of becoming a forum participant from both the perspective of posting questions as well as contributing with answers and explanations on topics aligned with my experience.
After making a rather substantial investment to update MarketingScoop.com (my main marketing website) by adding a forum, I’m happy to announce the beta version went live earlier this week. I’ve already received great feedback from visitors and have already started work on a version 2.0.
Now It’s Up To You!
The success of this forum, designed for those interested in marketing, is entirely up to you! I know that each of us needs a resource to connect with others in marketing and who have skill sets outside our own. This community can also help to validate Internet marketing concepts and ideas. I encourage everyone reading about this release to visit the Marketing Forum and register for free.. make a post, answer a question, and let the marketing community know you’re out there.
Please give me your feedback! This forum is intended for us… marketing folk (with a bent towards online marketing) so let me know what you think. What would make it better? How can we improve it?
Special Bonus: For anyone visiting the site and registering (FREE) within the next 48 hours, I’ll gladly email you a sample chapter from my top selling book, “SEO Made Simple: Strategies For Dominating The World’s Largest Search Engine“. Simply comment on this post with your email and feedback. I won’t publish any comments that include email so your info is safe.
All the best and happy marketing…
M.Fleischner
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.
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.
FDA Warns Against Use of Popular Cold Remedy – New York Times
June 17, 2009
FDA Warns Against Use of Popular Cold Remedy – New York Times FDA Warns Against Use of Popular Cold Remedy
Boston Globe
New York Times
By GARDINER HARRIS Federal drug regulators warned consumers to stop using Zicam, a popular homeopathic cold remedy, because it could damage or destroy their sense of smell.
Video: FDA: Zicam Nasal Spray Can Cause Loss of Smell
AT&T eases upgrade pricing for some early iPhone 3G adopters – Ars Technica AT&T eases upgrade pricing for some early iPhone 3G adopters
ABC News
Ars Technica
If you waited in line all day for an iPhone 3G last July and have one of the pricier calling plans, AT&T will throw you a bone and offer you a full subsidy for an iPhone 3G S. If not, well, then nothing has changed.
AT&T Alters iPhone 3G S Upgrade Policy
AT&T lets more iPhone users upgrade for lower price
Microsoft's Ballmer says Bing off to good start – Reuters Microsoft's Ballmer says Bing off to good start
Canada.com
Reuters
DETROIT, June 17 (Reuters) – Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) was off to a good start with its revamped search engine Bing that was launched a few weeks earlier, Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer said on Wednesday.
Investors, Seeing Positive Catalysts, Warm To Microsoft
Bing Search Numbers Rise, But Not At Google's Expense
Improve Your Web site Traffic
June 14, 2009
Improve Your Web site Traffic
A question I’ve been getting recently is how to improve web site traffic. There are a few techniques that I use on a regular basis to improve site traffic. These techniques have helped me to drive traffic to specific sites, promotions, or affiliate products that I’ve sold from time to time.
Tip #1: Start to build a list. Whether you build a list by offering a free download on your website or by using inexpensive PPC advertising, having your own list allows you to encourage users to visit your site again and again. Over time, this can be one of your best traffic generators.
Tip #2: Make it easy to bookmark your site. Include a bookmark button at the very top of your web page. Doing so gives individuals easy access to your site and the content that you offer. You want it to be easy to find your site whenever someone is seeking the information you provide.
Tip #3: Include an RSS feed on your site. When individuals sign up for an RSS feed, they receive updates on a regular basis. This keeps your site and your information in front of them again and again. Don’t underestimate the power of repetition.
Tip #4: Offer original content on your site. Author original content and post it on your site. Doing so results in a higher ranking on search engine results. It also attracts new users to your web site.
These tips seem pretty basic but they build upon one another. Over time you will attract a loyal following and more visitors. My main website now sees more than 100,000 visitors each month and it all started with orginal content that is easy to find, bookmark, and receive with an RSS feed.
Best
-Michael
Bloodied by Google, Microsoft Tries Again on Search – New York Times
May 28, 2009
Bloodied by Google, Microsoft Tries Again on Search – New York Times Bloodied by Google, Microsoft Tries Again on Search
guardian.co.uk
New York Times
By MIGUEL HELFT REDMOND, Wash. – Microsoft has been bloodied and repeatedly humbled in its battle with Google in online search. For shopping searches, one of Bing's four "verticals," the service offers results that go beyond the 10 blue links of …
Microsoft Bing: Much better than expected
Microsoft Unveils the Bing Search Engine
Suu Kyi trial dashes chance US will ease sanctions – Reuters Suu Kyi trial dashes chance US will ease sanctions
ABC News
Reuters
By Paul Eckert and Arshad Mohammed – Analysis WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Myanmar's surprise trial of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has dashed already slim chances that President Barack Obama's administration would ease US sanctions against the …
UN Security Council Urges Burma to Release All Political Prisoners
Security Council wants Myanmar's Suu Kyi released
Makeup test: Brady's back on field but has long way to go – CBSSports.com Makeup test: Brady's back on field but has long way to go
ABC News
CBSSports.com
By Clark Judge FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — When the New England Patriots lined up for pre-practice calisthenics Thursday morning, quarterback Tom Brady assumed his rightful position with the team's offense — which was front and center.
Brady Shows Good Signs in Return to Practice
Brady happy to be back
Firefox Adds Wolfram Alpha to Google – ChattahBox
May 24, 2009
Firefox Adds Wolfram Alpha to Google – ChattahBox Firefox Adds Wolfram Alpha to Google
Sydney Morning Herald
ChattahBox
(ChattahBox)—A handy new add-on to Mozilla's Firefox browser merges the brainy Wolfram Alpha search engine to your Google search engine.
Wolfram Alpha Is No Google
Wolfram Alpha and its architecture of failure
Pakistani troops retake part of Mingora after battle with Taleban – Times Online Pakistani troops retake part of Mingora after battle with Taleban
Times Online
Times Online
Pakistani troops have recaptured a large part of Mingora, the main town in the northwestern region of Swat, in what military officials described yesterday as a crucial phase of their operation against the Taleban.
Video: Pakistani Troops Fight Taliban in Main Swat Town
Austrian Michael Haneke wins Palme d'Or in Cannes – Washington Post Austrian Michael Haneke wins Palme d'Or in Cannes
BBC News
Washington Post
By Mike Collett-White and James Mackenzie CANNES, France (Reuters) – Austrian director Michael Haneke won the Palme d'Or (Golden Palm) for best picture at the Cannes film festival Sunday for "The White Ribbon," an eerie, black-and-white exploration of …
Haneke's 'The White Ribbon' wins Cannes top prize
'White Ribbon' wins Palme d'Or
Ban says US climate bill plan "not enough" – Reuters Ban says US climate bill plan "not enough"
Globe and Mail
Reuters
By Gerard Wynn COPENHAGEN (Reuters) – A draft US climate bill did not go far enough to cut greenhouse gases, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told Reuters on Sunday, three days after the plan won a key Congressional panel vote.
Climate change summit hijacked by biggest polluters, critics claim
Climate Change Summit: Green Investing Returns
Blogging Made Easy In Just Three Simple Steps
May 10, 2009
Blogging Made Easy In Just Three Simple Steps
Blogging is a really great way to reach an audience, share your thoughts, even help you with your Internet marketing. I’ve been blogging for nearly 3 years and continue to enjoy the benefits of not only communicating with an audience, but engaging in meaningful dialog. Starting a blog is easy to do and pays huge dividends.
There are a number of free services available that offer free blog services. Sites like Blogger and WordPress only require a brief registration and set up. Once you determine a theme for your blog and a template, you’re ready to begin posting. Posts are entries you make on your blog that are published instantly.
Some bloggers post comments to their blog each and every day, others once a week. Regardless of how frequently you post to your blog, content can be focused on a specific theme or random topics. The most popular blogs focus on a specific niche and provide valuable information, content, and commentary that encourage interaction with blog followers.
Sign up for a blog service. Begin development of your blog by signing up for Blogger or WordPress. Once you have an account, you can quickly set up your blog. Consider the goal of your blog and what type of commitment you are willing to make. Start small and be consistent.
Determine how you will monetize your blog. If you want to use your blog to generate revenue, there are a few techniques you can apply depending on which platform you’re using. One of the most popular methods of monetizing your blog is with the help of Google Adsense. This is a popular option and very easy to add to your blog. Not only does it generate a small amount of revenue for you on a weekly basis, but it also provides relevant links based on your posts.
Another great way to monetize your blog is through paid links. The concept of offering paid links is pretty straight forward. You create a section of you blog that lists recommended sites. In this list, you only place links that people have paid you to post. There are some tools you can use to automate this process. I simply add a link to a post that says, “How to post your link” with directions and a pass through to a Paypal page. You can set up a single time payment or subscription, allowing would be advertisers the opportunity to purchase a link on your blog monthly or for a longer period of time.
Many individuals are monetizing their blogs by using pay per post or other blogging network. Essentially, advertisers search for bloggers who are willing to write a post to promote their product and services or brand. You can sign up for one of these networks quite easily and be contacted when advertisers feel that your blog would be ideal for distributing a message. You write a blog post and get paid for doing so.
One thing to keep in mind is that the success of you blog is based on a number of factors. I believe that having a targeted blog that offers original content is ideal. You will build a large following. This is essential because most of the monetization methods are based on having enough traffic to make your blog appealing to advertisers as well as blog readers.
Are looking for SEO help? Learn more about today’s leading SEO software with MarketingScoop’s SEO Elite Software Review and turbo charge your search engine optimization.
Conservatory bids farewell with Vaughan Williams masterpiece
April 28, 2009
Conservatory bids farewell with Vaughan Williams masterpiece
Austerely dressed and nervously pacing the corridors beforehand, UMKC’s finely-tuned Conservatory Orchestra and Conservatory Choirs shed all fears onstage in an exceptionally elegant performance Saturday evening for the Finale Concert.
Last Saturday’s concert was the culminating event for the Conservatory this year.
OECD White Paper: We Need Publishing Standards for Datasets and Data Tables
Paris, 20th April 2009,
Written by Toby Green, Head of Publishing at OECD and an expert in data publishing, the paper details the problems with user ability to locate and reference online data. Datasets are a significant part of the scholarly record and being published much more frequently but with widely inconsistent metadata, links and citations.
The paper provides straightforward standards that ‘publishers, librarians and data providers can implement to improve the accessibility and usage of important datasets, both the data that underlies scholarly works and data in that is published in its own right.
