Pimp My Keywords

SEO Tactics, Tips & Helpful Advice - No. 78

2009-11-10T07:36:00-05:00

While you are participating and engaging with your customers in Facebook, don't forget to utilize your company name, brand, targeted keywords, etc.

Facebook immediately indexes your posts and all content is searchable through the Facebook search engine.

On your Facebook "Info" tab, don't forget to include a detailed company description along with accurate links to your website, newsletter, blog, etc. (all searchable).

"Optimize Everything" Webinar Set For November 19

2009-11-09T08:45:00-05:00

Purple Trout, LLC, a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) consulting firm located in Cincinnati, Ohio, is offering a free, online webinar on social media optimization.

"Optimize Everything" is set for Thursday, November 19, at 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

In this webinar, attendees will learn how to take their social media efforts to the next level and how to optimize for search engines.

“This class will tell you how to your social media plays an important role in search engine optimization and search results,” says Steve Phillips, President at Purple Trout, LLC. “It’s about finding your business, products and brand through searches in Facebook, Twitter and beyond.”

You'll learn optimizing techniques in Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and more. Optimization efforts will also be discussed with your website and through pay per click campaigns.

This webinar will be presented in a simple, easy-to-understand, non-geek format (with no sales pitch).

The webinar will take place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Admission is free, but space is limited to sign up now. Register here.

To learn more, please contact Steve Phillips at 513-885-5000 or steve@purpletrout.com.

Simple SEO

2009-11-09T07:11:00-05:00

Whether you're ranked in the Top 20, Top 10 or Top 5 in Google search results, you always want to improve your position.

However, instead of thinking you're going to move from No. 55 to No. 1 overnight, always remember search engine optimization is an ongoing process. Keep working at it. Be patient.

Want to move up?

Just be a little bit better than the website ranked ahead of you.

Simple.

SEO Tactics, Tips & Helpful Advice - No. 77

2009-11-03T06:03:59-05:00

One more great LinkedIn tip: utilize your targeted keywords within your LinkedIn headline and copy.

Want to see if it works? Try doing a search in LinkedIn and see where your profile appears.

Also, if you'd like to take it one step further, participate in the Answers section in LinkedIn. Answer 1-3 questions per week (traffic to your profile will increase).

SEO Lies Are Scary (5 of 5 Scary SEO Tips)

2009-10-30T07:05:00-04:00

There are many lies about search engine optimization - meta tag keyword codes; hidden text; buying links; robot files; Google updates; Bing and Yahoo, yada, yada, yada.

How does one know the truth from a half-truth or a myth?

First, don't believe everything you hear. If an SEO firm (or salesperson) is telling you SEO "stories" the best way to verify is to talk to other SEO firms.

Second, visit and read SEO websites and blogs. Not just one. Read several.

Tweet with and follow SEO experts on Twitter; connect with SEO firms on LinkedIn; participate in the Answers section in LinkedIn (ask questions there; you'll get answers).

Visit and read the Google blog.

Talk to business associates.

Take notes.

SEO Firms Are Scary (4 of 5 Scary SEO Tips)

2009-10-29T06:59:00-04:00

Do not be afraid to ask questions when considering to hire a search engine optimization firm.

Some questions:

Ask for references.
Ask for recent reports that match the references.
Ask to see the keyword list for the references.
Ask to see a linking report.
Will the SEO firm be creating an SEO Strategy?
How will the plan be implemented?
Who will be working on your SEO strategy?
Can you meet with them? Are they located in another state or country?
Is the person selling you the SEO package an affiliate? In other words, are they selling for an SEO firm in New York or California? (They should disclose this upfront).
How many people will be working on your project?
When will you expect some results?
What are the goals?
Are their any SEO metrics?
How often will you receive reports?
Are meetings an extra expense?
Did the SEO firm cold call you? Can you find them in a Google search? Are they ranked in Google?

Seven Ways To Become More Creative

2009-10-28T13:11:00-04:00

Artie Isaac (Twitter: @ArtieIsaac) offers seven ways to become more create.

"When you're an adult," he says, "you get to choose your own distractions."

Turn off the television. What do your heroes watch on TV? Did Mother Teresa get upset when she missed the last episode of 24?
Get Fit. It's hard to be creative when you're not fit.
Sleep.
Don't roll your eyes.
Taking times out. One hour a week have an artist date. Be yourself. Go somewhere unfamiliar to you. Experience something. How can you be creative if you don't experience something new? You have time. Are you going to the gym? Are you drinking beer and watching the Bengals? If so, then you have time.
Become more generous.
Write more.

Notes: Isaac's steps were given during his keynote presentation at the SummitUp Conference, Oct. 20 at Wright State University.

SEO Tricks Are Scary (3 of 5 Scary SEO Tips)

2009-10-28T06:51:00-04:00

Do not try to trick Google or any other search engine. If you do (and you think you've pulled off a brilliant idea), the treat will come back to you eventually and it won't be pretty.

Unethical and dishonest tricks - also known as a "black hat" technique" - are frowned upon by search engines. The penalty for such tactics could result in your website being removed from the search engine's index or a ranking penalty.

It's not worth it.

Don't hide keywords in your website's background. For that matter, don't make the font tiny so as to trick a search engine (one of our competitor's is using this technique now, and even that tactic still hasn't paid off in a higher rank).

Don't create a doorway page or stuff your website with keywords. Don't participate in link farms and keep your link purchasing to a minimum.

SEO firms may cheat in order to be paid (some work on a "pay per performance" plan, which means you don't pay until your website is ranked in the Top 10). Always be aware of what your SEO firm is doing to help your website.

Ideally, make sure your contract states the firm will not use unethical or dishonest SEO practices.

SEO Promises Are Scary (2 of 5 Scary SEO Tips)

2009-10-27T06:45:00-04:00

Similar to an SEO sales person, an SEO firm may make some promises that are scary. Mainly, they might make some promises they can not fulfill.

Here are some of our favorites SEO promises:

"We can get your website ranked in the No. 1 position in Google this week (or next week, or next month or within 30 days, etc.)."
"We have a special connection with Google."
"Things will improve with your rankings with the next Google update."
"You have to pay to be ranked No. 1."
"You have to 'hide' keywords in your website in order to be on the first page of search results."

If you hear any of the above scary promises, run. Fast.

SEO Tactics, Tips & Helpful Advice - No. 76

2009-10-27T05:44:51-04:00

Are you using LinkedIn as a social media/networking tool?

If not, you should be!

If you're an average LinkedIn user, the best way to get more from LinkedIn is to make sure your profile is 100% complete.