If I had 2 minutes to sell you on Search Engine Marketing:

1) I would play the 90-second video from the Google Adwords home page – Google’s Pay Per Click Sponsored Search Engine Marketing Platform

and with the remaining 20 seconds I would:

2) then I would send you to the Google Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide and tell you to read it when on your own. (Google “SEO”, click on the Google Webmaster link, then click on the link in the box towards the top of the Google Webmaster page).

3) Reference you to the post I wrote on Golden Tech’s Internet Marketing / Web Design Blog discussing PPC Marketing

And there would still be time left over for you to by me a Gumballhead

And our working relationship would be off to a tantalizing start.

How would you sell Search Engine Marketing in Two minutes or less?

(Photo Credit:  Tattoed Yarn via Flickr)

Life balances. Even when it comes to our economic woes…

I’m a guy without a home of my own, so of course I keep running into people who if they aren’t building or selling homes, they’re helping people get home loans. It’s the circles we run in from time to time.

Perhaps life is telling me something.

I’m a fan of Scott Swinford. You can tell 100 people how to do something that will benefit them directly if they put forth the effort. 98 people won’t do it. Scott Swinford is one of the2 who will. He has to be…

Scott is a mortgage lender who can help those with bad credit find a mortgage. And, “no,” I’m not getting paid a dime to say so. The most I play with numbers is on ranking systems. Otherwise I avoid them like they plague. I find mountains of respect for those who can crunch the number down to a workable metric. It’s poetic. It’s as economical as I am not

If you check out his site, USCCRA Online, he stats showing you how to get your credit report. Then he starts the process.

What is USCCRA?

The USCCRA Online is an affiliate of the US Consumer Credit Restoration Association. They spend their days working to help people fix their credit. Quite the thriving industry nowadays.

It’d explain why Scott always looks like he’s thinking. He probably has a lot on his plate.

How did I meet Scott Swinford?

Scott is another NWITweetup Alumni. He’s at most of the events. Often quiet and unassuming, Scott usually surprises me with his wit and candor. I think he waits for me to space off into the nearest basketball game on the TV in the bar before he starts to speak.

He’ll be at the #NWITweetup/Blog Indiana event at Golden Technologies. Look under the radar. You’ll find him there, wading in good conversation.

And if you need to see the NWI Loan guy in his atmosphere, you can catch him on his site.

Here’s to hoping guys like Scott can help turn our economy around.

(photo credit:  Andres Rueda via Flickr)

I’m suprised the book was right-side-up

Looking forward to the people learning more about you.

Originally posted as a comment
by natfinn
on Dave Woodson using DISQUS.

Google Buzz and Google Wave are those “Smiths” in high school who always got mad because everyone assumed the were related.

Sounds like you need to start telling some friends, “no,” or at least, “I have to back this up.” It happens. We still like you

Originally posted as a comment
by natfinn
on Chris Brogan using DISQUS.

I’m sitting here in my friend’s office at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. The first class I taught went suprisingly well. Of course I broadcasted the event on UStream but didn’t record it. Mistakes to be corrected tomorrow. I was also happy to see I had so many asking questions, staying attentive, and stopping by after the session.

A radio show just finished up and we’re waiting for the director of the show to stop by and discuss what more we can do to his site. I like the site, like the content, but already have a list in mind.

Anyway, while catching up on blogs I came across one HubSpot just posted regarding the Edelman trust barometer survey of 2010 which polled the trust people have in traditional media markets and marketing methods. The numbers were compared to the results gained in 2008.

What it showed was, across the board, that half as many people trust their news sources as compared to 2008. Even word of mouth plummeted to 25%. Here’s a link to the Edelman 2010 Trust Survey regarding media / marketing outlets.

Of course the running joke would be, “If those trust numbers are so low, would anyone trust the survey?” But assuming they might, the question would be:

How to Get People to Trust You Using Inbound Marketing 2010

I ask the question because for the most part I’m not sure about the answer. I’m looking forward to testing it out, but I have a few theories I’d love to get y’alls advice too.

Things I’m Going to Focus to Maintain Trust

1) We Are Family – continue to focus on Trust. Continuing to add links from where I get sources when the article calls for a source and then explain in the notes why the source is important. Marketing is all about fraternization and positioning. Keep the fraternity partying and don’t haze the newbies.

2) Run with Friends - As Brogan & Smith’s Trust Agents would indicate, I will continue to highlight why I publically acknowledge my friends when I acknowledge them.

3) Be the first – Trust in society usually starts again when someone lends a hand. There’s a power that stems from being the first to trust, to take the leap of faith. And if someone tries to bite that hand, their’s justification for beating them back into the depths of hell from whence it came.

4) Candid – My friends are often upset by my “freedom of information act,” when it comes to their stories. I don’t keep their secrets unless they officially call them a secret. I try to do this when marketing as well. I’m not one for hiding the warts. I’m one for lasering them off in public – usually while on ustream or something

5) Smile - These times suck a**. Might as well admit to it. Blues it. Identify it. Know that them days are gonna get better.

Trust in the day and know today will help tomorrow.

What approaches are y’all gonna take in this trust-less environment?

(photo credit by Open Your Heart via Flickr)

here I am speaking live at Mizzou. Enjoy

Blue Ice 1.17.2010

Originally uploaded by Notley

My 99 week plan was cut short by 89 weeks, and that’s alright by me. I had a week of work where I felt more refreshed at the end of the week than when I started the week.

That’s a good sign.

I was also afraid being unplugged from the inbound marketing industry for 10 weeks was going to leave me behind. It only took a few days to catch up.

It’s because I didn’t have to relearn it all.

And that leads me into today. In a bit I’m taking a trip down to Columba, Missouri to teach a couple classes on SEO and Journalism at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. It’ll be fun and exciting. I’m looking foward to seeing where these sect of students are in relation to SEO.

At this point, mots speakers would have their own powerpoint deck so they can throw it on SlideShare.

I’m not a fan of the approach, especially not in a college setting.

What I’m going to do instead is give them something they can use. Most of these students will start blogging – if they aren’t already – and the demand for web copy far exceeds the need for journalists. So, instead of giving them a self-promotional presentation, I’m going to use the Google Search Engine Optimization Start Guide during my presentation. It’s a PDF. They can download and use it.

And let them know where my life is know.

And then ustream it so my buddy – their teacher – can use it to test them later.

Looking’ forward to watching a Missouri sundown tonight. Can’t wait to get in the car and go. It looks like I won’t be making my Fort Myers, Margaritaville return trip so this will have to do for now.

How many of you have read the Google SEO Starter Guide?

I’m using the Wordpress App to show the site’s diversity.

Come to find out they weren’t singing “Get your Zoot Suit on…” but were singing “Get your Silk Suit on.” The Burn Notice 2010 commercial song is “Silk Suit,” by KRAM.

Lyrics are written in a classic blues style. Simple blues riff. Fun to listen to:

Get your Silk Suit on / Get your Silk Suit on
Ain’t nobody else that’s got it goin’ on

The song also insists you get your “black dress” and “sneakers” on as well. Guys, if you must, you must, but I’m gonna support the ladies’ need to do this…

Now, I can drive down to Indy in peace and enjoy my weekend of Colts Football, Indiana ReBar pre and post parties, and learning more insider information about Blog Indiana’s 2010 events.

So long as I have my Silk Suit on, have my Silk Suit on.

Ain’t nobody else that’s got it goin’ on.

Did y’all have as much trouble as I did finding this Burn Notice song?

(photo credit:  ch5224 via flickr)

Oh, what a night
Late into the evening at BW3s
What a very special time for we
As I remember, what a night…

Last night was my first Social Media event since I’ve been back from Ft. Myers, Margaritaville. I wasn’t sure how it would pan out. Wasn’t sure if it was going to be like riding a bike or like rehabbing.

It was a good bike ride.

Old friends, new friends found, and a with whom I should have spent more time. You’d think I could get it all in in 8 hours.

A few of those I wished I talked to more included:

• Chris Keller
• Chris Mahlmann
• Ben Fraley

I could add quite a bit to the list, but in short I only talked to a 1/3rd of the 31 attendees who braved the sleet and ice slicks to make the event in Portage.

The Week Ahead…

I head out tomorrow for Indy for a few days. See some old friends, some new friends. Watch the Colts game and make it out to Scotty’s Brewhouse downtown for the night game. Then Monday is the Indiana Rebar event. Looking forward to seeing how realtors get crazy with their online marketing.

Then the fun starts when I get back home. I’ve got two meetings, a couple phone calls, a special Blog Indiana Viewing Party #NWITWeetup to host, and then my aunt is in town for a few days to catch a couple Purdue men’s basketball home games.

It’s a family friend thing.

Hopefully, once the flurry of activity has come and gone, I’ll have a much clearer picture of where plan B will head.