Archive for October, 2007

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SEO is a Tactic That Pays Back Over the Long Run

October 31st, 2007

Search engine optimization (SEO) is one of those things that every website must pay attention to. However, it’s one of those tactics that requires time before the return manifests itself. You need a degree these days to completely understand the ins and outs of how to organically “manipulate” search engines like Google and others in order to impact your natural rankings. With other options at your disposal, it’s just no longer feasible to do so. So, what I recommend to my clients is that you put good SEO practices in place and move on, because it will pay off in the long run.

Here’s a great article at MarketingProfs.com that discusses the basics: Three SEO Issues New Web Sites Face (and Five Solutions). The thing I really like is that it’s geared to someone putting up a new site.

It’s an unfortunate fact: No matter how good your search engine optimization company or in-house talent is, brand new Web sites have a more difficult time achieving search engine success for competitive phrases than their older counterparts, particularly on Google.

However, the worst thing that a new site owner can possibly do is presume that they are “too late to the game” and decide not to pursue this marketing channel at all. A good search engine optimization company should be able to effectively work with a new Web site; setting the foundation for a remarkable success story while still achieving steadily increasing short-term benefit.

Check it out.

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Posted in Search Engine Optimization, Web Development

Iconoclasts Is One of the Best Shows on TV

October 18th, 2007

I have watched Iconoclasts on several occasions and absolutely love the show. Last night they paired Paul Simon and Lorne Michaels – it was a fabulous look into the similarities and differences of their personal and professional lives.

Eddie Vedder Laird Hamilton

A while back, I caught the episode that paired Eddie Vedder and Laird Hamilton. That was fantastic. The new season is about to begin and I’m really looking forward to the pairing of Mike Myers and Deepak Chopra. The only drawback is that I’d love to see them do more pairings of people in the business world.

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Posted in Random Thoughts, Reviews

Convert and Prosper

October 17th, 2007

HomerI couldn’t have said it any better than an article John Ellis wrote about in his blog today – and, believe me, I’ve tried. He cited an article written by Rose Sylvia on her excellent blog, PPCThink.

“Improving Your Conversion Rate is FAR More Important Than Driving More Traffic,” really encapsulates what I have proposed many times. I have made this mistake and have focused on traffic generation when, undoubtedly, I needed to focus on conversions. When I pulled my head out of the sand and did, in fact, begin to understand my conversion process – the company and the bottom line soared. Isn’t that why we’re all here anyway?

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Posted in Conversion Funnel, Marketing, PPC Advertising, Website Conversion Tips

A Rant: The Music Industry

October 16th, 2007

I happened to catch “That Thing You Do” over the weekend. You know, that Tom Hanks movie about the one-hit “Wonders”. Anyway, it was an interesting insight into the nature of the music business at that time and it made me think about the time I spent working in the music industry back in the mid 90’s.

There is one fundamental concept that the music industry in those days (40’s, 50’s & 60’s) has on the music industry of today. If you look at it, the flagship product of a record label at that time was the single. Albums were secondary. Labels had caravans that took their artist around the country and showcased their roster to a swarm of fans. These bands would play a few songs and then head on their way. For the most part, that doesn’t happen today.

That Thing You Do

I believe that it should.

Think about it, with the advent of the MP3 and services like iTunes, the consumer has the opportunity to buy the song(s) that they like and not be force-fed an album of 2-3 good songs with 7-8 fillers. So, why do these artists and labels still need to act this way when they should be focused on selling great music. Learn from your predecessors people. Let the idea of the single reemerge.

Here’s another idea. Where do artists usually make their money? Most would think that it’s on albums – it’s not, it’s in touring. So, why not think of your singles as your “marketing materials”. Give them away in anticipation of gate receipts. Your ROI would be incredible – especially in this day and age where technology has revolutionized the recording industry and greatly reduced the costs associated with quality recordings.

Labels used to offer something called “tour support” – they don’t do that much anymore. Why not? Why don’t labels put on the tour and spread the cost of the production across 4-6 artists on their roster? Better yet – scrap the whole idea of royalties and put your acts on salaries with a bonus structure. This will free them up so that they can mature in the industry and have long term success.

This idea will require a complete overhaul of the way the music industry operates. However, if we agree that the music industry needs to focus back on the “single” then everything else will flow from there.

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Posted in Business, Marketing

Accept Defeat as a Gentleman

October 13th, 2007

It’s a shame that the concept of “Gentleman” is a lost art. However, today, I will try and exemplify this thought and congratulate the Wildcats of Kentucky for their defeat of my beloved L.S.U. Tigers. They outplayed us, out-thought our coaches and showed the enthusiasm that Tigers have displayed in the past. I’m not going to pout or lay blame. I take thy lumps as a Gentleman and will drown my sorrows until the eve of the morrow, Sunday, when thy Titans of Tennessee take the field of battle and redeem thy residence of O’middle Tennessee and redeem the house of Gallent.

Forgive my rant and pretend you’re reading this in the tongue of our Nation’s former rulers – the English. “Laissez les bon temps rouler!” And, roll with this topsy turvy season, we shall.

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Posted in Do the Right Thing, Football

Nashville EO’s Movable Feast

October 12th, 2007

I am fortunate to be a member of the Nashville chapter of Entrepreneur’s Organization or “EO” for short. It is a fantastic group of men and women entrepreneurs and a great way to learn how to run businesses and grow as people.

Anyway, we had this great event last night called “Movable Feast”. The idea is that the group would have appetizers at one place, salads at another and then entrees at another – followed by an after party. We also would have different people at our table each stop so that everyone would get a chance to mingle with different members and spouses at each stop.

We started out at one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville – Watermark. We had a couple of excellent appetizers that included carpaccio, calamari, shrimp and fried lemons of all things (yum) with some great wine pairings by my favorite Sommolier – Justin Maestas. Excellent as usual. Next we trollied over to Radius10 for an excellent baby greens salad with goat cheese and a lemon garlic vinaigrette, along with some more fabulous wines.

Finally, we made our way back to Sambuca for the main course. We had the choice of a Gorgonzola topped Filet, Sea Bass, a Chicken thing and one other which I cannot recall. So, I went with the Filet and had a great glass of Penfolds Thomas Hyland Shiraz to go along with it – great combo.

To wind the evening down, everyone headed to BarTwenty3 for cocktails and catching up with everyone. BarTwenty3 is very cool – the kind of place that feels like you’re in a chic club in L.A. or New York.

A great time was had by all. A big thanks to the committee – Clay Blevins, Tim McMullen, Arnie & Anne Malham, Carissa Pereira and Sameera Lowe! Awesome event – great night!

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Posted in Food, Reviews