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.

I”m not gifted. I’m not talented. Not today. Probably not tomorrow.

Then again, I could be wrong.

The family’s been around due to the MLK holiday. The normal peace and quiet didn’t enter into my day until late.

I feel a little less in control on those days.

But as I bantered back in forth between the running book of blues dialogues in my head while my sister and I watched Book of Eli, I started to wonder if I was simply overwhelmed by all the projects I’ve bombarded my plate with.

And I realized that I stopped feeling lethargic when I got in the car and got on the highway.

So I came to this conclusion:  I’m one of those people that doesn’t get moving til I feel the day moving forward.

And once I get perspective on my day, I get a proper view of my projects and what I’m able to do on them that day.

And the day gets a little better.

Now if I can only get them going sooner…

Anybody else have little tricks that help them start their day?

(photo credit:  Jammy via Flickr)

Now that I’m branching out during these 99 weeks, I’m finding more color in my life.

And more characters.

Take Jeff Eriks. Jeff is one of the co-owners of Cambridge Construction of Griffith, IN, a standout Northwest Indiana general, commercial, residential contractor /builder, and architect firm. And they have their own reality offices.

It’s like one-stop shopping for all your personal and business construction needs.

But, since I’m not domestic, most of y’all know I couldn’t have met him this way. And you’d be right. I met Jeff via Steve Dalton. And from there, I went to a monthly networking club that Jeff hosts.

Knowledgeable, assertive, and confident, Jeff Eriks is quickly developing a taste for inbound marketing. Other Northwest Indiana commercial builders should beware. Once he gets a firm grasp on this SEO, Social Media “thing,” the boy’s gonna be dangerous.

Therein it goes

I just finished working on wearing out my running shoes. And I just finished killing some ants at oldold man Finn’s summer place – when saving a jam basket, make sure it’s all cleaned out. Now comes the task of waiting for messages to be returned, compiling the to-do list, and reminding myself that the Book of Blues Prequel won’t write itself.

So long as I can stay busy, I can keep managing my winter blues…so I hope.

And another ant down. It’s a 33-degree day in The Region. Where the hell are they coming from?

I pre-ordered Lacy’s book back in, what was it, October & I had it half-read in a few days. Then life kicked in and I didn’t get back to it so I decided to take it with me to Ft. Myers, Margaritaville. Glad I did because I was able to finish it before we got to the stopover in St. Louis.

And then the less than amicable passengers from up front left. And the positive chi return.

So as the plane refills the 8 of us remaining with 75 new Chicago-bound passengers who brush my shoulder and arms with their bags and backsides, I give, in the classic Twitter style, a 140-character review of “Twitter Marketing for Dummies:”

Definitive read. Ideal for beginners and a refresher for pros. Needs a to-do checklist & link to updated apps for be complete

Yeah, I liked it. And I learned things I isn’t know before, espeially things on Media usuage and resources to print media via Twitter.

The last of the new passengers have finished ceremonially grazing my shoulder, which means it’s time to shut down the airplane-unfriendly iPhone for awhile as we head for sweet home Chicago.

Get Kyle Lacy’s book. & for those who’ve read it, let me know what you think.

Ooh dear, I’m being a rebel. Gots to to so we can leave early…