The End of Hand Crafted Content

Old media loves nothing quite so much as writing about their own impending death. And we always enjoy adding our own two cents – the AP not knowing what YouTube is, the NYTimes guys reading TechCrunch every day, etc.

Speaking broadly, I like what Reuters, Rupert Murdoch and Eric Schmidt are saying: the industry is in crisis, and the daring innovators will prevail. Personally, I still think the best way forward for the best journalists, if not the brands they currently work for, is to leave those brands and do their own thing.

But as one of the innovators in the last go round, I think there’s a much bigger problem lurking on the horizon than a bunch of blogs and aggregators disrupting old media business models that needed disrupting anyway. The rise of fast food content is upon us, and it’s going to get ugly.

Old media frets over blogs and aggregators that summarize content and link back to the original source. They can’t make a business in that world, they say, so they run the other way and try to find a way to protect and charge for content.

These are the cavemen, or whoever, who were afraid of fire when it was discovered because it burned, or was too technologically advanced to really understand. The smart guys used it to cook their meat and keep them warm, and multiplied.

For our part, we throw a party when someone “steals” our content and links back to us. High fives all around the office. At least there’s some small nod in our direction. And the aggregators like TechMeme can figure out who broke the news. Page views are lost, but reputation is gained.

But for every link there are dozens of sites that outright steal our content with no attribution. Not just spam blogs, even the NYTimes does it. This isn’t a copyright issue – the stories are rewritten by actual people. But it’s far cheaper to simply take the news and rewrite it – if you can get away with it – than to hire people who do actual journalism. Over time, it becomes a competitive tax that is difficult to bear.

But even then, companies like ours can find a way to compete.

So what really scares me? It’s the rise of fast food content that will surely, over time, destroy the mom and pop operations that hand craft their content today. It’s the rise of cheap, disposable content on a mass scale, force fed to us by the portals and search engines.

On one end you have AOL and their Toyota Strategy of building thousand of niche content sites via the work of cast-offs from old media. That leads to a whole lot of really, really crappy content being highlighted right on the massive AOL home page. This article, for example, is just horrendous. One of AOL’s own blogs trashes the company’s spinoff, rambles for miles without any real point, and adds a huge factual error to top things off (”the company is losing money”). Hiring a bunch of people who couldn’t keep their old media jobs and don’t have the stomach to go out on their own and then slapping little or no editorial oversight onto these masses of sub-par journalists leads to an inevitable conclusion – cheap, crappy content. And that crappy content is given a massive audience on the AOL portal.

On the other end you have Demand Media and companies like it. See Wired’s “Demand Media and the Fast, Disposable, and Profitable as Hell Media Model.” The company is paying bottom dollar to create “4,000 videos and articles” a day, based only on what’s hot on search engines. They push SEO juice to this content, which is made as quickly and cheaply as possible, and pray for traffic. It works like a charm, apparently.

These models create a race to the bottom situation, where anyone who spends time and effort on their content is pushed out of business.

We’re not there yet, but I see it coming. And just as old media is complaining about us, look for us to start complaining about the new jerks.

My advice to readers is just this – get ready for it, because you’ll be reading McDonalds five times a day in the near future. My advice to content creators is more subtle. Figure out an even more disruptive way to win, or die. Or just give up on making money doing what you do. If you write for passion, not dollars, you’ll still have fun. Even if everything you write is immediately ripped off without attribution, and the search engines don’t give you the attention they used to. You may have to continue your hobby in the evening and get a real job, of course. But everyone has to face reality sometimes.

Forget fair and unfair, right and wrong. This is simply happening. The disruptors are getting disrupted, and everyone has to adapt to it or face the consequences. Hand crafted content is dead. Long live fast food content, it’s here to stay.

SOURCE (This was too good not to scrape and paste! Here's to New Media!!)

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Basics

1) Title Tags or Permalinks

Two of the most determining factors in Google's ranking are your domain name and title tag. For example, a domain name such as: http://www.web-development-sydney.com will generally get ranked higher than http://www.companyname.com, assuming that they had identical keywords and page content.

Keywords in the domain may not be possible for some that have already registered a domain, so it’s too late to change. An alternative -- and also a useful tactic -- is to add your keywords into the names of your pages, such as:

http://www.companyname.com/web-development-services.html

2) H1 Tags

The Google ranking algorithm dictates that if you're using an h1 tag, then the text in between this tag must be more important than the content on the rest of the page.

Here's a quick example:

By enclosing the text between h1 brackets, Google sees this text as more important than text enclosed in "p" brackets.

By default, H1 tags aren't the prettiest in terms of formatting, so using a CSS style to override the default look is usually a good idea: H1 { color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px }

3) Top Site Submission

Submitting your site to dmoz.org, Yahoo! and other directories is also an important step to increase the number of sites linking back to yours.

Submit to Google
Submit to Yahoo (registration required)
Submit to MSN

Submit to Dmoz.org

4) Sub-Directory Submission

Directories are a wonderful way to get links to your site, and as a bonus, you will often receive very targeted traffic. While some are free listings, other are paid listings, so be sure to read the rules for each site before submitting your site.

You also should choose your categories wisely, especially when there are multiple categories that are suitable at one site. There are many different techniques for selecting one category over another. They include:

a) Choosing the category that is closer to the root directory (the index page of the site). For example, a link on www.example.com/business/index.html would be much more desirable than a link on: www.example.com/business/homebiz/home/index.html

b) Selecting the category with the fewer links. With fewer links, and thus less competition, you increase your odds of a visitor clicking through to your site. Also be wary of categories with more than 100 listings per page.

c) Select the category that has the higher PageRand or WebRank. Since links with higher PR are more beneficial, this is another important way of selecting which category to list in.

d) You will also find directories in many different market areas. Do a search in Google or Yahoo for directory with keywords that compliment your site, and you will likely find more to submit to.

e) You also want to ensure that you are submitting to directories where the link will benefit your site. Some directories are set up so that you will get zero value for that link in the search engines, and the only benefit will be from the traffic on that directory that happens to click through to your own site.

5) Sitemap

Google Sitemap is a file which contains URLs and some supplementary information for all the public pages or documents of your website. There is no proof that a Google Sitemap will directly affect your ranking in anyway; however, it can help Google to crawl your site better which may result in a more complete index of your page. It is important to frequently update the sitemap and resubmit it to Google when new pages are added.

6) Keywords

When making new posts or pages, make sure that you are targeting your search keywords properly. Try to include those keywords in the titles for which you want to be searched and indexed. If your content is unique and you have chosen the right keywords, search engines will quickly pick up your articles and index them. Use variations for your keywords and include them in different phrases.

Search engines rank your pages by keywords in the following order:

• Prominence and accuracy of the keywords
• Frequency of the keywords
• Concentration of the keywords
• Closeness within the keywords
• Placement of the keywords in the content

So, be sure that you have a balanced article before publishing it to your audience and please do no spam your keywords because everyone hates it, including the search engines.

Sprinkling keywords throughout your page content can also improve your sites keyword density. Keyword density simply means the ratio of optimized keywords to the rest of the content on your page. It is usually expressed as a percentage, and should be between 7% and 10% for each page on your site.

Don't overdo the keyword density, however, but don't overlook it either. A good example would be:
Before: Company name provides web design and site management services to our clients.

After: Company name provides web development services to the Sydney region in Australia

7) Links Should Have Meaning

Update your anchor text (the text acting as a link) to have better keyword value. Both internal and external links should have meaning, and stay away from using “here,” “click here,” “this,” etc. as links.

Incorrect: If you’re looking for Twitter badges for your site, click here.

Correct: Here are some Twitter badges for your site.

8) Internal Linking

The more internal links we have, using our key words to link from page to page, the more the search engines will recognize our site as important for those terms and give us a higher page rank.

9) Content is King

I can’t emphasize this enough. The quality and richness of your content make more of an impact on page rank than any of the tips to follow. Strive to have unique and frequently updated content on your website and blog, and it will drive up your ranking.

10) Social Bookmarking Plugins

With the introduction of social bookmarking websites like Del.icio.us, Stumbleupon, Redditt, Digg etc., getting targetted traffic to your website is easier than before. People will bookmark your website if it is useful to them and has good content. Every person who bookmarks your website helps you in getting an incoming link.

You can link to the bookmarking sites so that its easy for your visitors to bookmark your website. Once someone bookmarks your website, there are chances that he will return back to your website sometime later. He might even share that bookmark with his friends/family which can get you more visitors.

A social bookmarking plugin should be installed to enable visitors to bookmark and submit our website and blog posts to various bookmarking sites like Digg, Reddit, Stumpleupon, etc. The most popular plugin for social bookmarking nowadays is AddThis.

11) Back Links

The toughest part of the Google SEO process is back-links. Back links are websites that link directly to your website. The general principal is the more back links you have, the higher your pages will be ranked, as your website must be good if so many other sites are linking back to it. When considering the inbound links to your website, you just can’t get enough of them.

Setting up back links takes time and needs to grow in steady, slow, natural increments or the search engines will suspect you're using a link farm (not a good idea). By posting in forums, on other blogs or websites, each and every day will build back-links (keeping in mind that the sites contacted should be relevant but not competitive) e.g. - If you sell chocolate, partnering with a company that sells Roses may just be a good idea. Within a couple of weeks, you should have a good 100 or so sites linking back to yours.

12) Different Types of Link Building Strategies

a) Link Exchange

The most widely used and predominant link building technique is the exchange of links with other like-minded websites. This can be done through one-way link exchange, reciprocal link exchange or a clever three-way link exchange. One way link exchanges are hard to do as it only requires the target website to link back to you. People will only link to your website if they are paid or in lieu of any other incentive.

Reciprocal link exchanges are easy because you are also putting the target website’s link on your website, therefore, the give and take rule applies here.

Finally, there is the little known three-way link exchange technique. Let me give you an example of how its done. Say, you own websites “A” & “B” and want good inbound links for website “A”. You go out and do a three-way link exchange with a webmaster who owns the website “C”. When doing the exchange, you put C’s link on your website “B” (instead of putting it on website “A”), and C puts “A” link on their website. So, you are basically gaining one way link for your website “A” without losing any Page value.

In order to initiate a link exchange, you will have to contact a website’s administrator by sending an email stating what you want to do. Make sure your e-mail is courteous and you explain what benefit the other website will get out of the link exchange. You can also try visiting different webmaster forums where you can find many people wanting to do link exchanges.

b) Link Baiting

This is the most organic way of getting unlimited back links. Link baiting basically means offering some kind of unique content (bait) to your visitors and in turn they link back to your website. For example, e-books, templates, custom scripts, custom graphics etc. I guess you get the idea. You can insert your website’s link in that content and as long as that content holds value and is available on your website, it is certain that people will use it and link back to you automatically. It will have a lasting effect for your website’s page rank.

c) Article Submissions

Depending on the niche of your website, you can write quality articles and submit them to various free article directories on the Internet. Article directories allow you to put link back to your website in the author resource box so that will give you back links and traffic too. If people like your article, they might even directly link to it.

d) Press Releases

Another effective way to spread the buzz about your website is by doing press releases. You can write press releases about your website or a particular section and submit them to press release distribution services such as clickpress, webwire, businesswire, openpress etc.

e) Blog Commenting

When you are visiting other people’s blogs, you can leave comments on their posts. Some bloggers allow you to put your website’s link along with the comments which can help you build links. Sometimes, the link that you put will have a no-follow tag attached to it which will not give any page rank value to your website, but it can still send some extra visitors.

f) Forum Posts

Try and become a member of all the popular forums that are related to your website’s topic. Most of the forums will allow a certain number of links which can be added to your signature below every post you make. You can add your website(s) link(s) there and build back links.

g) Creating Contests

Last but not the least, a viral way to make good back links is to hold a number of contests on your website. You can even offer a small amount of money for the winner of the contest. If money is short, then you could offer something else that is readily available with you as the prize. You can then ask people to link back to your contest and this will get you some quality one-way links.

Marketing Your Way to a New Career

Recently, an unemployed recruiter I met through ProNet Career Resources of Central Florida, a job search and networking group, asked me for my help. "With all your marketing skills, can you help me get the word out about my resume makeovers?"

This gentleman, Howie Appel, had been a recruiter for engineers and IT professionals for over 20 years. Currently, he's in transition, like so many others. To make some money on the side, he offers his 'resume makeovers' to other transitioning professionals. He will review several resumes at each of the monthly meetings for ProNet, free of charge, in front of the group so that we all learn not to abbreviate anything, use all caps, misspell words or commit other unprofessional acts on a resume. If someone wants a more in depth and personal review, he offers his services for that on the side. His objective is to help others find new career opportunities and find one for himself as well. And, in the meantime, he has found a niche to make some extra cash.

So, what does all this have to do with marketing yourself? Everything.

As a group, ProNet members strive to offer each other help. This man's talents lie in human resources - so he's a natural choice to get advice on how your resume is seen from the other side of the desk. He is using his professional skills and marketing himself every time he goes to a networking event or reviews a resume. A lot of these people that he's helping will have jobs (soon, I hope) and the companies they work for may need a recruiter. Who's name will they remember? That's right, the one who helped them first.

As for me, I'm a marketer at heart and so my advice to the group is and has always been to 'market yourself.' I've spent the better part of 13 years marketing companies and products. When I left my last position, I made the mental switch to stop thinking that products and companies are the only things you can market...and I chose to 'market me'.

I have started and stopped writing this post several times. I cringe to think that so many people will take my advice that this great marketing channel I have found will dry up. But, I think those fears are unfounded. First, not everyone is dedicated enough to do what I'm about to suggest. And second, the online world is still developing and growing. I doubt in my lifetime, that the leads I can generate by marketing myself (and marketing companies and products) online will ever dry up. So, putting my fears aside - I'll tell you what my advice to my unemployed recruiter friend was...

To refresh your memory (since I've babbled so long), his question was: "With all your marketing skills, can you help me get the word out about my resume makeovers?" I offered the following advice:

"I would suggest writing up a "top three mistakes" paragraph about the top three mistakes people make when putting together a resume. Make them generic suggestions and only a short paragraph, but informative. In the next paragraph mention something personal, like how you've been a recruiter for x-number of years and have seen all sorts of "bad" resumes where people just don't get the job because of these and other mistakes. Then offer your services, saying for a nominal fee of $X, I'll review your resume and give you pointers on landing that next job.

Once you've got this put together, I'd post it in every LinkedIn group that has to do with finding a job, career search and even the marketing and executive groups. Find groups with lots of exposure, meaning lots of members - both employed and unemployed people. Add a catchy title, like 'Fired before Hired' or '3 reasons I won't hire you'...

Hopefully doing things like this will draw attention to yourself. You have to do these types of posts at least one a week. Change them up and keep approaching it from the angle of trying to help others with less push on you getting paid to do it. Some of the posts you probably shouldn't mention your "services" at all. You can write about anything that's in your circle of expertise to draw attention to yourself.

If you have a blog, use it to push traffic from LinkedIn to your blog. This allows you more internet space for promotion. You'll have not only had your LinkedIn profile to promote your previous employment and qualifications, but also your blog can become somewhat of an online portfolio of your knowledge and skills. Sounds like a lot of work, and it is, but it works. You have to really market yourself."

Granted this isn't the only thing I'd suggest to promote yourself, as networking in general is probably more important, but it's a step out of the ordinary. It's doing something productive and promoting yourself. It's getting off the couch, away from the job boards, and it works.

Several people I've discussed this with have had comments like, "I don't want to appear fake." and "I am uncomfortable about saying I'm the best at this or that and gushing over my qualifications." To those people I've had to say, be yourself. Go into it with the idea that you're there to help others, not yourself. And, just tell the truth. If you're not an expert, say you're not an expert, but then say, here's what you do know. Ask for help from others, you may actually learn something along the way and make a great networking connection with someone online.

Bottom line in marketing yourself... Just do it.
(Hmm, that could could be a great slogan. Now, why didn't I think of that?)

Howie Appel has over 20 years of professional recruiting experience in both corporate and agency environments, both as a contractor and full-time employee. He is currently the Executive Director (volunteer) of ProNet Career Resources dba ProNet Central Florida. Howie is available for a personal and in depth 'Resume Review' and can be reached via email: hra246@gmail.com or by phone at 407-333-8158.

DNA2Diamonds Expands Distributor Network

Latest News from a Client...

DNA2Diamonds, a premier creator of GIA-certified diamonds made from personal carbon, announced today that it’s expanding its distributor network.

“We are speaking with potential distributors every day. Some are jewelers looking for new and unique products to offer their clientele. Other interested parties are professionals in complimentary industries such as pets products, funeral and cremation services, and wedding service providers, who would like to expand their product offering and revenue opportunities to include commemorative, celebration and memorial diamonds,” said Tom Bischoff, President of DNA2Diamonds.

Unlike other companies, DNA2Diamonds is a full cycle company, providing a full cycle product, from inception, to creation, to the finished diamond. Because of this unique structure, DNA2Diamonds has been able to control costs and offer the highest quality and competitively priced laboratory grown diamonds on the market today.

"We offer a very unique product at a fraction of the cost. Our diamonds are personal and one-of-a-kind unlike any other diamond in the world,” said Bischoff.

DNA2Diamonds is now focusing on expanding its distributor network with a mix of retail and service providers but also individual sales representatives with contacts in complimentary industries.

DNA2Diamonds creates genuine, GIA-certified diamonds made from the signature carbon extracted from a lock of hair or cremated remains, in 70 days or less. DNA2Diamonds can be created in various styles, colors, and sizes, including Radiant, Princess or Brilliant cuts in sparkling colors of deep red, yellow-green, or cognac and in sizes ranging from 0.25 carats to 2.0 carats. These personal diamonds and can be set into a ring, bracelet, earrings or worn as a pendant. Prices start under $2,000 and range up to $18,000 depending upon the cut, size and color chosen.

For more information about becoming a distributor, or about these genuine personal carbon diamonds, please visit the website or contact Maureen McHale via email with specific questions at mmchale@dna2diamonds.com.

We Will NEVER Forget!

Building a Distributor Network

Establishing a distributor network is often the first order of business among manufacturers launching new products or product lines. Setting up this network can be a daunting challenge; however, by simply following these four steps, this network can be effectively created.

1. Outline Your Plan
2. Find Distributors
3. Close the Deal
4. Keep Them Happy

Outline Your Plan
When you seek out distributors you must be ready to explain the features and benefits of your product(s) and make sure you can provide the tools the new distributors will need to be successful. Don't put the car before the horse. Before you start recruiting new distributors, you need to do some leg work and ask yourself some hard questions:

• Is your product truly ready to go to market now?
• Do you have a fulfillment plan in place and can you meet the expected service levels required?
• Do you have a distributor agreement with commission structures and legal issues resolved?
• Do you have a new distributor packet of instructional and promotional materials, camera ready flyers or brochures, samples, order forms and whatever else would be needed to enable your new distributors to be successful?
• Do you have a touch campaign outlined for future follow up with distributors?

Find Distributors

Once you're satisfied that you've thoroughly outlined your plan, here are some suggestions on ways to find distributors:

• Go to industry trade shows and talk to people as appropriate trade shows will draw the distributors.
• Advertise the availability of distributorships in appropriate trade journals.
• Utilize online forums, social media networks, and other industry specific website portals.
• Call companies that sell complementary products to yours and ask who they sell through. With complementary products, it is possible that both you and the other company will benefit through the same distributor selling both products together.
• Call the distributors of your competitors and pretend to be a customer to get information on who they use. Some of these distributors may not be happy with their current arrangement, so they may be willing to change to your product line.
  

Close the Deal
Know that most distributors sell many products, so when asked to take on something new, the first consideration is whether the product will be profitable. Here are some questions that factor into the profitability analysis.

• What is the distributor's margin?
• Is the product or line truly unique?
• Are the distributor's competitors carrying the product?
• Will the manufacturer be a competitor?
• Can the product be sold into other markets serviced by the distributor?

Keep Them Happy
Equally important as competitive pricing is providing and maintaining excellent service levels as service is a very important factor impacting successful distribution. Maintaining good fill rates and shipping products promptly allows the distributor to keep inventory levels lower while facilitating more desirable inventory turns, both of which add dollars to the distributor's bottom line.

Although price and service are important, there's an old saying that must be considered...'Out of Sight, Out of Mind.' Unless you follow up with your distributors, be it email, phone calls, promotional mailings, or even visiting their business. Putting yourself in front of your distributors on a regular basis, reminding them of the reasons they should be promoting and selling your products, and rewarding them for their efforts is possibly the most important part of maintaining a distributor network. If you sign them up and forget them, your distributor "bucket" will have a huge hole in it -- as quickly as you add distributors, you'll either lose them to the competitors or to other products or will have more than your fair share of zero dollar producers.

The bottom line on establishing and maintaining an effective distribution is to look at things from the distributor's perspective. Get to know distributor issues and how distributors function. Communicate to the distributor how your product line enhances their business. Demonstrate your ability to market your products effectively. Finally, help make the distribution channel efficient through proper packaging, reliable shipping, good fill rates and frequent communication. This will drive cost out of the channel, get your products to market faster and put your distribution network to work for you.

A Lesson in Social Media

Today's a busy day for me, but I wanted to take a second and post this link. It's a great article on how a company can lose control of their own social media marketing plan.

I can't express how many times I find companies that aren't paying attention to their marketing efforts, whether it's social media, print advertising, you name it. It seems they follow the 'if you build it they will come' kind of mentality. They put it out there and forget it -- a big 'No-No' in my opinion!

You'll see from this article, that, even the best laid plans (of Mice and Men) often go astray.

Read it now: Skittles' Social Media Lesson

Step Away from the Job Boards...

Should I focus on job boards or networking? If you're answer is job boards, unfortunately, you're incorrect and it could hurt your chances of landing that new job.

New reports show that on any 'typical' job board, like CareerBuilder or Monster, less than 4% of the open positions, at any given company, are filled via that method.

Job boards have partnered with the media companies and provide them with much needed advertising dollars. So, while you may see their company logos everywhere, the success stories aren't as numerous. Media companies, like the already failing newspapers, are reluctant to report the true findings and lose those much needed advertising dollars.

While job boards shouldn't be completely ignored. Spending 10-20% of your time on these searches is probably the maximum amount of time you'd want to dedicate.

And, while you're there - you might as well follow some basic tips to 'do it right.'

• Have an up to date resume filled with searchable key terms that relate to your skillset.
  
• Refresh it weekly - change something, even if it's the title. Many searches are done by date and the newest are viewed first.
• Name your resume with your first name, last name, and the position you're seeking.
• Don't put a date in the name of your resume - it can show how long you've been out of work.
  
• Use aggregators like Indeed.com where all the jobs can be found on one site. Be sure to set up alerts so that when a new job matching your criteria is found, you'll receive an email.
• Use LinkedIn's job boards
• Search for specific company job boards if an opening is found, apply on their site instead of the overcrowded job boards.

So, while searching for that new job from the comfort of your home office or couch may be convenient, to land a job in today's market, you're more than likely going to have to...'Step Away from the Job Boards...' and network.

Coming Soon...

'Networking Your Way to Your Next Career'

About Maureen McHale: Maureen McHale is a Central Florida resident seeking marketing consulting projects or a marketing management career. Ms. McHale has over 13 years of traditional and internet marketing experience. Maureen has a passion for the internet, new technology and writing. For more information regarding Maureen McHale's qualifications and to see her full resume, please visit http://www.linkedin.com/in/MaureenMcHale.

Marketing Your Website or Blog

I have no spare time. Now I know why.

In trying to promote my each of my 7 blogs to generate traffic and also write content, I realized that I have no spare time -- and if I did, I'd spend it online anyway. After finding this great list of website strategies, which I have since been notified was originally written by Steven Spenser and originally posted on another blog authored by Peter Hollier. I know where my time goes, because I devote a little time each day to doing many of these activities.

Thankfully, I love blogging and writing and researching and the internet in general, but there are more important reasons for my obsession. First, it's also my career path and I'm looking for a new marketing management opportunity. I also do all this because I want to lay on the beach and go snorkeling during my next vacation in Hawaii and I'm using the money I earn through my blogs to do just that. There, I said it. Yes, I will admit that I'm trying to make some money doing something I really enjoy (aren't we all?). So, feel free to come back often, click as many links as you like, buy something, sign up for something, and who knows, maybe you'll learn something along the way?! Whatever the case, be sure to think of me as I swim with the fishes (and not in a Mafia sense ) in the clear Hawaiian waters off Maui, in the very near future.

42 Web Site Marketing Strategies

1. Most would top their list with SEO, but that’s putting the cart before the horse. You only get one opportunity to make a great first impression, so even before SEO I perform a Web-site usability analysis that examines graphic design, navigation, and whether the marketing copy is filled with the right kind of content to be effective.
2. Interesting, useful content that refreshes sufficiently to keep attracting return visits.
3. SEO and then submissions to search engines
4. Including URL and any sort of (newsworthy) offer or service in a press release; create separate social-media version and video news release
5. Disseminating the press release using wires and online distribution services (this can often generate multiple pass-along postings)
6. Cross-promoting the (newsworthy) offer & URL via pitches to traditional media: TV, radio, wire services, newspapers, consumer magazines, trade pubs–and their associated Web sites
7. Mass-media advertising that includes the URL, especially billboards & buses
8. Getting listed in expert-source directories for journalists
9. Setting up link exchanges with as many allied sites as possible
10. Securing listings on portals such as MSN and Craigslist
11. Securing listings in directories such as Yahoo, DMOZ, About.com
12. Placements in Web sites of local media (papers, TV, radio)
13. Placements in (national) city guides (CitySearch, AOL CityGuide)
14. Listings in professional-resource or association/trade directories (online and offline)
15. Generating traffic by writing contributed articles and/or online columns for other sites, as well as print media (including op-eds with URL in the bio tag) and securing TV/radio interviews
16. Generating traffic by becoming a subject-matter expert at About.com and imitators
17. Create a Wikipedia entry
18. Write and promote an e-book
19. Target news aggregators such as Mixx and social news platforms such as Newsvine
20. Secure listings in social bookmarking sites (such as Delicious) and social-recommendation sites (such as StumbleUpon)
21. Including URL in my e-mail signature
    
22. Offering value in news groups and mailing lists, where my signature will be seen
23. Secure editorial placements in topically relevant e-mail newsletters, printed newsletters and niche print pubs
24. Design and promulgate a useful (software) widget that will point users to my site for more services
25. Promote the site on MySpace, Facebook, Linked In, et. al.
26. Promote the site on microblogging channels
27. Promote the site via podcasts
28. Promote the site via blogs with RSS feeds
29. Promote via vlogs, v-casts (video podcasts) and promotional videos on YouTube and other video-sharing sites
30. Get listed in video search engines
31. Promote URL in newsletters optimized for mobile platforms
32. Create a mobile-optimized version of the regular site, formatted to display on mobile devices
33. Secure listings in mobile search directories
34. Create a logo with URL that can be downloaded as wallpaper to mobile devices
35. Create vlogs for mobile devices
36. Create video viral content for aggregators such as ViralBank and ViralMonitor
37. Purchase placements in Google’s AdSense platform for games
38. Purchase placements in virtual multiverse communities such as 2nd Life
39. Pay manufacturers for billboards inside 3-D virtual reality games
40. Pay manufacturers for promotional placements in standard computer games
41. Pay Web microcelebrities to recommend the site/service on their own blogs and videos
42. Use nontraditional advertising to reach captive audiences: Elevators, taxis, restroom stalls, dentists’ ceilings and/or video monitors, airports & other departure locations, gas-station monitors, sporting arena , ATMs, vending machines and digital reader boards.

I have a long way to go to say, 'Yes, my website marketing is hitting on all cylinders'...but, in time, all things come to those who work really hard, and have no free time.

As a side note - I want to apologize to Steven and Pete for the original oversight in not crediting them for the source of this list. I have lots of content forwarded to me by my contacts, most of whom scrape ideas, information, etc. from websites to reuse in their careers as marketing professionals. It is my intention through this blog to aggregate content and help others, not aggravate others! Again, my apologies...

About Steven Spenser:
Steven Spenser, principal of Praxis Communication in Seattle, specializes in Internet marketing, public affairs and nonprofit PR. Steven has directed corporate communications for a Redmond software company and is an award-winning former editor and writer with The Associated Press and the The Seattle Times. His clients have included the government of the Russian Federation and Seattle E.coli victims organizing against Jack in the Box. Steven can be reached at PraxisPR@comcast. View Steven Spenser's LinkedIn profile.

About Maureen McHale: Maureen McHale is a Central Florida resident seeking a marketing management career. Ms. McHale has over 13 years of traditional and internet marketing experience. Maureen has a passion for the internet, new technology and writing. For more information regarding Maureen McHale's qualifications and to see her full resume, please visit http://www.linkedin.com/in/MaureenMcHale.

Social Media No-No's

"Top 10 Tweets to Get You Fired"

1. "hate my job!! i want to tell my bosses how dumb they are and how meaningless this job is, then quit, and be happy!"

2. "So my job was to test all the food at the new restaurant, can I just say, ughew. I'm going to taco bell then twistee treat."

3. "Workin... This job sucks worse then the economy!"

4. "I'm going to work! Walmart! Must find better job! I hate it when chicks there have a deeper voice than me!"

5. "Also I'm really bummed that I'm working today, i asked off so i could study but my boss is a ******* **** ***** ***** who can't read."

6. "Coworker smuggled out a chair for me. Currently being paid to SIT around and listen to John Barrowman on my iPod. I don't hate my job today!"

7. "having sex dreams of people you work with makes for an awkward day."

8. "smoking weed at work is so @#$!% great :)"

9. "It's bad when you overhear the programmer say "I used to work at McDonalds with him" and you wonder if he is talking about the CEO..."

10. "Huh, with my boss on twitter, maaaybe I should take down that sexy picture of her... but her reaction will be priceless!"

Social Networking Don'ts...

If you want to use your profile to get hired or -- or at least not get fired -- here are three basic rules to keep in mind:

1. Don't announce interviews, raises or new jobs

Don't talk about any of these sensitive topics on your social networking site is key. If you're unemployed, writing "Interview today -- wish me luck!" would be OK, or if you got a job, something along the lines of "So excited about my new job!" is totally acceptable. If you're currently employed, however, I don't think your boss would be too happy to see something like, "Trying to con my boss into giving me a $5K raise. SUCKA!"

2. Don't badmouth your current or previous employer

Just like in an interview, keep your rants about your boss or company to yourself. If hiring managers see that you're willing to trash a colleague online they assume you'll do it to them, too. Plus, there's always the possibility of getting fired if someone sees your negative comments.

3. Don't mention your job search if you're still employed

If your boss knows you're on the lookout for a new job, feel free to advertise it in your status. If you're keeping your search below the radar, however, don't publish anything, anywhere. Even if you aren't connected to your boss online, somebody can get the information back to him or her.

About Maureen McHale:

Maureen McHale is a Central Florida resident seeking a marketing management career. Ms. McHale has over 13 years of traditional and internet marketing experience. Maureen has a passion for the internet, new technology and writing. She authors several blogs with topics ranging from Solar Knowledge to Kidnapped Children to Dying Rich. For more information regarding Maureen McHale's qualifications and to see her full resume, please visit http://www.linkedin.com/in/MaureenMcHale.

Twittering - How well you know your Acronyms?

When you start using Twitter, many of us long winded people find it a challenge to condense our thoughts into 140 characters. But, what a great challenge --it's like writing a headline for a press release... I always think back to what an old college professor used to say, 'It needs to be like a womans skirt, short enough to be interesting but, long enough to cover the subject.' This was, of course, before sexual harassment lawsuits became popular.

Shortening words is no longer a sign of laziness, unless of course you're writing your resume. I've been told, never abbreviate anything as employers will see it as you being lazy. (Whatev) But, for Twitter, acronyms are necessary to cram as much in as possible. Unless you've perfected the art of text messaging, it's likely that you have no idea what all of the acronyms mean that are constantly in use on Twitter.

Using an acronym is a great way to free up some space when you tweet, but it is very important not to use so many that your tweet looks like a secret code. It is also not a great idea to use acronyms that aren't universally knowns -- your tweet might be important but most people do not have time to de-code what you are saying.

Here are some of the acronyms used most frequently on Twitter:

RT – Re tweeting/forwarding the original tweet.

DM – Direct Message. This is a private message that does not show in the public time line.

FAIL – something's gone wrong (Twitter's down)

LOL - Laugh(ing) out loud

IMHO – In My Humble Opinion

WTH – What the Hell...or 'heck' if you think people believe that's what you mean

BTW – By the way

IRL – In Real Life

FTF – Face to Face

ASAP – As Soon As Possible

JV – Joint Venture

LMK – Let Me Know

J/K – Joking or Just Kidding

FB - Facebook

OH - Overheard

FTL - For the Loss

FTW - For the Win

TTYL - Talk to you later

TY - Thank you

YW - You're welcome

TMI - Too much information

Every day, there seem to be new acronyms that pop up on Twitter. Use them sparingly and make sure you are getting your point across. Sometimes it takes longer to figure out how to type something in "acronym-ese".

Have fun...TTFN (Ta-Ta-For-Now)

About Maureen McHale:

Maureen McHale is a Central Florida resident seeking a marketing management career. Ms. McHale has over 13 years of traditional and internet marketing experience. Additionally, her career has spanned over numerous industries from travel to high tech to solar energy and she is able to adapt her knowledge and skills successfully in almost any environment. Maureen has a passion for the internet, new technology and writing. She authors several blogs with topics ranging from Solar Knowledge to Kidnapped Children to Dying Rich. For more information regarding Maureen McHale's qualifications and to see her full resume, please visit http://www.linkedin.com/in/MaureenMcHale.

Are You Tweeting for a New Career?

Tough economic times call for innovative approaches. With the unemployment rate holding steady at the highest percentages seen in many, many years, how does one find career opportunities fast? One great option is Twitter. Twitter is evolving as another resource, in addition to traditional methods, for both job searching and recruiting.

Twitter Overview:

Twitter is a social networking and microblogging service utilizing instant messaging, SMS or a web interface. Twitter is open ended and people and companies use it in a variety of ways, including to job search.

Users post updates on Twitter that are displayed on the user's profile page and delivered to other users who have signed up to receive them.

How Employers Use Twitter:

Employers are using Twitter, too. Zappos, for example, has a link to Twitter on their home page, so you can see what Zappo employers are doing now and the company is using Twitter to recruit. Rainier PR has recruited and hired using Twitter. ATT posts open positions on Twitter. Many other companies have a corporate presence on Twitter. Search by the company name to find them.
Twitter Name Search
Twellow Twitter Search

How You Can Use Twitter to Job Search:

Companies and job boards post job openings on Twitter, and job seekers network through Twitter to help facilitate their job search.

JobShouts
JobShouts.com is a free resource for both employers and job seekers. Employers can post their jobs for free; those jobs are then automatically “tweeted” to users on Twitter.

JobAngels
JobAngels started with the objective of asking those who could to help one person find a job.

Other Job Search and Career Sites on Twitter:

About.com Job Search

Bullseye Resumes

Career Diva

CollegeRecruiter.com

CoolWorks.com

Impact Hiring

Indeed.com

Jason Alba

JibberJobber.com

Jobs Boston

JobDig.com

Job-Hunt.org

Keppie Careers

LinkedIn

LinkUp

Louise Fletcher

Myfirstpaycheck.com

OneDayOneJob.com

Risemart.com

SimplyHired.com

Susan Ireland

VisualCV.com

You can also search for jobs by field:

@alldevjobs – Developer jobs
@ArtDirectorJobs – Art director jobs
@cwjobs – Copywriter jobs
@jobsinhiphop – Jobs in Hip-Hop
@journalism_jobs – Jobs in journalism
@juicyjobs – Green jobs
@libgig_jobs – Library Jobs

@mediabistrojobs – Media job listings from mediabistro.com
@medical_jobs – Medical jobs
@media_pros – Jobs for media professionals
@narmsjobs – Retail marketing jobs
@PRSAjobcenter – Jobs in public relations, communications and marketing
@reflectx – Physical Therapy jobs
@seojobs – SEO job listings
@socialmediajob – Jobs in social media

@travelmaxallied – Healthcare jobs
@travelnursejob – Jobs for traveling nurses

@usmusicjobs – US Music Jobs

@web_design_jobs – Web design and other graphics jobs


Or, search for jobs by job type:

@findinternships – Internships and entry level jobs for college students
@freelance_jobs – Freelance jobs
@heatherhuhman – Entry level jobs and internships
@Project4Hire – Freelance and temporary jobs
@jewish_jobs – Jewish job listings

You can even search for jobs by region:

@MyBristolJobs – Job listings from mybristoljobs.co.uk
@chicagowebjobs – Web-related jobs in Chicago
@ChicagoTechJobs – Technology jobs in the greater Chicago area
@ITJobsLondon – IT jobs in London
@ITJobsSydney – IT jobs in Sydney, Australia
@JobsBoston – Jobs in the greater Boston area
@jobshawaii – Jobs in Hawaii
@NewYorkTechJobs – Technology jobs in the greater New York area
@PDXJobs – Jobs in Portland, Oregon
@sdjobs – San Diego technology jobs

@sfmobilejobs – Mobile Web and Digital Media jobs in Silicon Valley
@mtltweetjobs – PR/marketing/social media/tech jobs in Montreal
@TopJobsInLondon – Top jobs in London, UK
@web20jobs – UK-based web 2.0 jobs


Here are some general search and reference sites:

@JobAngels – Helping the unemployed find jobs
@indeed – Search all jobs from one site
@jobshouts – General job postings
@simplyhired – Job search site

@StartUpHire – Jobs at VC backed companies
@twithire – Job board service 


To find additional Twitter job resources, use the Twitter search function and type in keywords important in your job search. For example, “job openings,” “looking for a job,” or “healthcare career.”

Users also can search all of Twitter:

Twitter Search

Your next job could be just a tweet away.

And finally, if you like what I've had to say...Follow Me on Twitter:

Follow Maureen McHale on Twitter.

About Maureen McHale:
Maureen McHale is a Central Florida resident seeking a marketing management career. Ms. McHale has over 13 years of traditional and internet marketing experience. Her career has spanned over numerous industries from travel to high tech to solar energy. She has been able to successfully adapt her knowledge and skills in almost any environment. Maureen has a passion for the internet, new technology, marketing, business development and writing. She authors several blogs with topics ranging from Solar Knowledge to Kidnapped Children to Dying Rich. For more information regarding Maureen McHale's qualifications and to see her full resume, please visit http://www.linkedin.com/in/MaureenMcHale.