When I first launched our company I would use the phrase “internet marketing firm” to describe us. At the time it seemed relevant, sufficient, and to my naive self, all-inclusive. But was it the right description for the company? It would, after all, cover everything we did. We clearly wouldn’t miss out on anything by such a broad term. Right? No I was wrong. I was very wrong. Unfortunately it took me a few years to see why this was incorrect and why it was so damaging to our growth. ... Read More
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Social Media Mistakes: Don’t Be “That Guy”
Social media mistakes are unintentional blunders that are typically made by very well intentioned people. Even with all the free information on the internet, a large number of people jump into social media without knowing the basic rules of engagement. In some cases, these mistakes are made by people who claim to be social media experts. For those of us who have who live and breath social media every day, it is painful to watch and even more painful to see unsuspecting companies pay for ... Read More
Be the Peacock
The peacock is known for his colorful and far reaching tail features. The blue and gold features are used to draw attention and to attract potential mates. The Peacock’s methods are very effective, as the average male gathers a harem of several female peahens. While the male peacock proudly markets himself to potential mates, his female counterpart, the peahen, remains drab so she can blend into the bushes in an effort to protect herself and her incubating eggs. She is forgettable, ... Read More
Product Centric Versus Customer Centric Websites
One of my favorite features in Google Webmaster Tools is the Content Keywords section. The Content Keywords section provides a list of the most significant keywords that Google found when crawling your website. Why is this important? It provides a quick reality check of your website because it is a view of your website through the eyes of Google. It allows you to see how Google interprets the words used on your website, as well as their frequency. And while Google’s view is important, what ... Read More
Just Do It: Three Words That Can Help You Start a Blog and Make Money
I frequently receive emails and calls from people who want to make the leap into online marketing. They have grandiose dreams of blogging their way to fortunes. They have hopes and dreams of finding riches through internet marketing. As I read these emails or speak to these people, my mind pictures the young hopeful actress staring at the Hollywood sign or the hopeful gambler walking into a Vegas casino. They are eager, hopeful, and a bit unprepared. How Do You Start a Blog and Make ... Read More
Using the Psychology of Color to Connect With Your Website Visitors
Color makes an impact. It doesn’t matter if you are male or female, young or old – color creates a positive or negative emotion in people. It can provide added value to your website or it can distract the visitor and degrade the overall experience. How you present color will make an impact. Choosing the right color for your logo or website is a very personal decision. The key is to make this decision not just based on your personality traits, but that of your visitor. Knowing what will ... Read More
Why Dora the Explorer Should Design Your Website Home Page
Your website home page is the most important page on your website. While your incoming traffic will many times arrive through other pages, website visitors will undoubtedly review your home page at some point in their visit. A website home page should provide a quick overview of who you are, what you do, and what you offer. It is also used to give website visitors clear direction on where they should go and what they should do during their visit. It should quickly tell them what is important ... Read More
Websites Are Like the Clothes You Wear
For a while I’ve thought websites are like the clothes you wear. I used to think the clothes to website analogy was just something my quirky head thought of, but I was wrong. One of our clients recently said the same thing. Once I regained my composure, we chatted a bit about it and I realized websites really are like the clothes you wear! Websites Are Personal A lot of our clients ask for our opinion during the web design process. I’m an opinionated person and while I openly share my ... Read More
Website Navigation: The Who, What, and Why of You
The other day I was grocery shopping at Meijer. While waiting in line to check out I found my eye wondering across their ceiling and reading the department locators they have placed around the store. In my usual geek way, my mind wondered to my professional life and I started thinking about website navigation. Navigating Through the Grocery Store is the Same as Navigating Through a Website I’ve been shopping at this particular Meijer every week for about seven years. I know where the ... Read More
Slow and Steady Wins the SEO War
For over ten years, I've had virtually the same process. When it comes to internet marketing, I simply follow SEO fundamentals. While the minutia of my process has changed slightly, the overall philosophy and process has not. I've read Google's SEO guide and I've followed it closely. I've ignored internet marketing fads and I refused to jump on the latest trends that promise overnight success. I've stuck with hard work and a methodical system. I've stayed true to what I believe in and what I ... Read More
The Accidental Entrepreneur
I'm the accidental entrepreneur. I did not grow up selling lemonade to neighbors or inventing products to sell to my friends. I just didn't think that way. I went to college and majored in accounting so I could find employment and pay my student loans once I graduated. I wanted a solid job and I wanted a solid income. I wanted to work hard, have a regular paycheck, and I really wanted health insurance. I wanted the stability I lacked as a child and I thought a "good" job would give that to me. ... Read More
Blogging is About Finding the Voice Within You
If you're new to blogging, it can be intimidating. When you first start, writing can feel like an overwhelming task. And some people, no matter how hard they try, are not cut out for blogging. I believe those people are the exception and not the rule. I teach a number of internet marketing boot camps and blogging is something we cover in all three workshops. Many of my students tend to freeze up when the subject of blogging arises, because it is not something that comes easily to them. And ... Read More
Successful Web Design Projects: 50+ Questions to Ask Before You Start
With every new web design project I get excited. After years of doing this, you’d think I’d be over the thrill of creating something new. But I’m not and I try to transfer this excitement over to the client in an effort to get them geared up for the project ahead. The cheerleader in me is there for a reason – the majority of our clients underestimate the workload involved in preparing for and executing a web design project. Companies struggle with website projects because they incorrectly ... Read More
What Carrie Bradshaw Taught Me About Marketing
This week I had an epiphany. I realized that I learned quite a bit of my marketing knowledge from Carrie Bradshaw. Carrie, the lead character from Sex in the City, was one of the most popular TV characters back in the 90’s. She was as smart as she was interesting. And while I didn’t know it at the time, Carrie knew marketing. Carrie also knew branding and blogging and design. Had she been a real character in this decade, she would have been a natural expert in the world of internet ... Read More
The Girlfriend’s Guide to Blogging
This week I received an email from a longtime girlfriend who is interested in launching a blog. I was actually surprised by this, because Mary (name has been changed to protect the innocent) has a full-time job already and it is not marketing related. She had an idea for a blog and wanted advice on how to get a blog started. My girlfriend is not alone. I receive dozens of emails each week from people wanting blogs and websites created for their “idea” and I can tell at least 75% have no ... Read More
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