SEO guru Eric Enge broke SEO and Social Media down into plain English at NIM’s Aug. 23 event. Stressing an integrative approach using SEO and Social, Enge said the best way to compete in SEO keywords is to be user-centric.
If anyone knows how to boil down complex ideas for an audience, it’s Enge, who is CEO of Stone Temple Consulting, a 25+ person SEO firm with offices in Massachusetts and California. Enge is also a frequent speaker at marketing conferences like SES, PubCon, and SMX.
According to Enge, the job of any website is to be first in that search. So his PowerPoint presentation boiled down complex SEO and Social Media topics so that attendees of all social media aptitudes could learn just how.
Integrating Search and Social Media highlights
Spun or garbage content or cheap tricks to build brand and rank is not the best way to go
Devote the right amount of space to anchor text, key phrases, brand names, and domains
Avoid bad link-building and backlinking practices, e.g. low-cost or paid-for tactics
Eric Enge featured guest speaker at NIM’s Aug. 23 networking and learning event.
Emphasize users in your web content, because they are central to the Google algorithm
Make sure your brand lends itself to your audience (and if it doesn’t, ask yourself what it will take to get there)
Provide diverse, quality content
Title tags play a big role
Meta description influences click-through rate
Learning Google’s Algorithm
Quoting Google Search Quality Group expert Matt Cutts throughout the talk, Enge explained that Google algorithm finds quality, diverse results help solve problems for users.
Enge discussed the impact of Google’s Panda algorithm update, ushered in on Feb. 23, 2011, and the impact of Penguin, which came to the fore April 24, 2012. He discussed the viability of SEO, Social, PR and Real Content integrated together for a masterful integrative marketing plan.
You can build a huge audience even if you’re a small brand, according to Enge, who said 48.8% of the population uses Google+ (that’s 150 million US users) and Google+ creates community circles. But he warned against trying to get too much out of driving FB “likes” and Google+ “+1’s” since these don’t specifically address which part of your content is working. Likes, +1’s and shares aren’t visible to Google. Tweeted links, for example, can help Google discover content faster than Facebook and Google+.
Title Tage, Meta Description & CTR
NIM attendees learned how large a role Title Tags play, how Meta Description can influence click-through rate (CTR), and more specifically, how Bing uses CTR.
“Saying SEO is dead is like saying you 85-year-old grandmother can configure your web server,” Enge explained.
In addition to good content that is user-focused, Enge provided an example of how one guest posting propelled one site from 0 to 100,000 customers using an integrated approach.
In the hierarchy of social media effort, the 1-on-1 meeting is at the top (takes the most effort), then the meeting, then meetups, then blogging, then LinkedIn, Twitter, then Facebook. The bottom line? Make the effort to meet with actual people to build real communities, and that will fuel social media activity that builds your reputation, since that’s what people (users) value most.
Thanks to Eric Enge for speaking in Newport; you can visit his website at www.stonetemple.com, follow him on Twitter @stonetemple, or add him to your Google+: +Eric Enge.
https://newportinteractivemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/nim-square.svg00Suzanne McDonaldhttps://newportinteractivemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/nim-square.svgSuzanne McDonald2012-09-05 19:49:452018-09-25 20:22:22Integrating SEO and Social Media With Google’s Eric Enge
Thanks to all of you, NIM boasts the biggest turnout so far! 100% Networking saw 150 signups plus some walk-ins – lots of new faces. Raindrops were avoided, connections were made, views were enjoyed, drinks were downed.
Beautiful views of Newport from the Hotel Viking rooftop
Ruth Bazine of PRSA chats with former colleagues from Roger Williams University
Was it the venue (who doesn’t enjoy a view of Newport from a rooftop?) or is the word being spread?
Coming in August … NIM is pleased to feature “Search & Social Marketing” with global expert Eric Enge. Details are forthcoming.
https://newportinteractivemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/nim-square.svg00Suzanne McDonaldhttps://newportinteractivemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/nim-square.svgSuzanne McDonald2012-08-13 20:39:292018-09-25 20:29:37Record Turnout for 100% Networking!
NIM: As a marketer of a narrow-niche store, it must be challenging to get new customers. How has Facebook helped?
WQ: People visit the shop, visit my website, or E-bay store just to meet the eccentric person behind the Facebook page.
NIM: Tell us what they’ll find if they make an appearance in your store.
WQ: A mess. Stacks and walls of comics and product, the aforementioned local artwork, masks, clown dolls, and DVDs everywhere.
NIM: What’s the misconception about comics?
WQ: Some Americans have the opinion that comics are for kids or for the unintelligent, or they think the store will provide a rarified atmosphere of hipster elitist geekdom. Comics used to be for everybody and, in many countries of the world, they still are. They are unique artwork by a single creator or small group of creators telling an immersing and synergistic story in a way that is not possible in any other medium.
NIM: You’re a little in love with the industry, and I think that authenticity translates on your Facebook and web pages. Describe graphic love, the comic-book kind.
WQ: Comics allow an imaginative freedom in way that isn’t seen in films or in video games. There is an aesthetic pleasure in the pictures that isn’t present when reading fiction. With comics, the reader has to imagine the sounds, smells, and motion that are implied by the language and vision portrayed.
NIM: Everything has changed so much in the past 10 or 15 years. How have comic books changed?
WQ: That would take an essay. Simply, the 32-page full-color slim pamphlet remains the same but with more sophisticated coloring and better paper. But other forms of presentation of the art form have come into being from graphic novels, which are a thick collection of individual and previously published stories.
NIM: What’s popular with the Kids now? Zombies seem to be a big theme. I don’t get it.
WQ: Zombies are best used as a metaphor in fiction … they can symbolize the horror of “the other,” rampant consumerism, the pervasive anti-intellectualism of American society, the infantile and lizard brain hunger that lives in everyone, the hive mind … And everyone has a lingering fear of being bitten really hard.
NIM: Yes, it makes sense. Hey, do you have any plans for cyber-expansion?
WQ: I’m running four different Facebook accounts: my personal account, the store account, the store small business account, and the Annex Art Society page, so I really haven’t had time. Luckily, I have a Webmaster in charge of the store website.
NIM: I know it’s not polite to talk about religion or politics, but in business, it’s always polite to talk about money! Has social media helped your business financially?
WQ: Yes.
NIM: See? That’s sort of the point that gets lost because social media is so much fun. I know you’re not a fan of hash tags, but #NIMRI is one hashtag you should “follow” on Twitter. You’ll learn so much about even more social media opportunities to promote your brand.
WQ: I found out about NIM from friends. The acronym reminds me a little of Nine Inch Nails. I would attend those meetings.
NIM: Hashtag NIN! That’s funny. Well, NIM can help you learn search optimization, to spread the word effortlessly and worldwide about the Annex, so we look forward to seeing you at the next meeting.
NIM: ListenWayne, it was a pleasure talking to you about the Annex. I’m really happy that you have taken the social media bull by the horns, and it’s wonderful to learn you’re also helping kids tap their creativity. #socialmedia
https://newportinteractivemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/nim-square.svg00Suzanne McDonaldhttps://newportinteractivemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/nim-square.svgSuzanne McDonald2012-07-13 16:14:332018-09-25 20:38:21Newport Comic Book Store Thrives With Social Media
Besides social media, what’s the most important word in the Newport Interactive Marketers vocabulary? That would be “share.” The group shares connections, contacts, information, leads, advice, insight, links, hashtags, business cards, stories, you name it. With social media dominating marketing today, business owners large and small need one another to succeed. So they share – and share often.
Mindfull’s Social Media Training Guru Chip Leakas, specializing in real estate
RI Blood Center’s Social Media Maven Kathy Manchester, who rocked NIM’s Social Media on a Budget panel
Social Media Manager Brian Hodge, who feeds multimedia for GoProvidence.com
The May 17 panel focused on marketing and new media, trading short cuts, hot tips, and best practices that could be implemented by businesses based in Newport and in surrounding locations. Participants came away with their brains chock full of tips they could try immediately and … of course, share via Twitter, Facebook, and all manner of social media platforms.
Events and Social Media
There are 3 phases to any planned event: lead-up, spreading, get others to share, generate buzz during event & post-event
Facebook lets brands schedule ads via an “offers” button right from the brand page
Understanding customers via social comes first; getting them to know you is second
Social Media To-Dos
Update Facebook header image often. Look on Flickr for Creative Commons, which let’s you use photos freely. Highlighted posts cover the width of your Facebook page
Facebook and Twitter move on an momentary basis; be actively engaged or you will lose business
If you’re on Twitter, you need to be monitoring the feed. People expect answers, and they expect their complaints to be answered
Host a Twitter powerhour for social media savvy folks, offer some freebies, or a prize
Restaurants should be sharing menus and specials on Facebook and Twitter
Offer social customers discounts. Create an event, because social media people love to interact in real life, too
Ask customers who have had a great experience to review your business, because testimonials are huge
Encourage people to tag themselves when you feature them in your photo and post it to Facebook
Check privacy settings so you are notified when people post on your Facebook. page
Encourage people to share their photos and post them on your brand page.
Set up a Facebook contest, use Wildfire to help with contests, set up a photo contest during Americas Cup and Tall Ships, offer a gift certificate to the winner
Post events to RI Monthly, Patch, and @NewportBuzz willing to share.
Social Media Resources
Fbcovers.com and similar tools allow you to customize your Facebook header.images
Inboxq is another helpful tool to build campaigns around keywords
Foursquare is a great tool to drive awareness and loyalty
Yelp is a great tool to build awareness, want to be sure you’ve claimed your biz
Google Places (now converted to Google+ pages) give you an opportunity to upload photos and videos. 84% of people use consumer videos when travel planning
QR codes can be really handy, just need to make sure your site is mobile-friendly
Around since the 80s, Annex Comics flourishes in 2012, due in large part to the way in which owner Wayne Quackenbush took the social media bull by the horns to promote the fine (and funny) art of comic books.
Here’s Part I of our two-part interview.
NIM: Wayne Quackenbush, I can’t think of a better name to stick onto a Web domain than Quackenbush, but you’re Annex Comics. How long has the Annex been around?
WQ: I started working at the Annex in 1994, and bought it from the owner in 1998. I had an extensive background in retail, having managed several photo-processing and video stores in NYC.
NIM: What’s photo processing? Just kidding. So you’re a savvy retailer who likes new media. Are you a wave-rider in your business, or does the Annex rely on your fan base/repeat customers for its success?
WQ: We’ve ridden through fads over the years, made a lot of changes and experimented with product as much as possible. I introduced video sales and rentals, for instance. The Annex was the first store in the state to go all DVD, and now we have dinosaur status because we’re the last store in Rhode Island to offer DVD rentals.
NIM: That’s very cool, Wayne. I miss the excitement of going to a place and renting something. Speaking of dinosaurs, a few businesses still have yet to embrace social media as a genius marketing tool. But you have. Tell us how you market Annex these days, and how that’s different from before.
WQ: I used to run occasional ads in the local papers, I put up flyers for events and got interviewed in local magazines and on public access TV. Word-of-mouth was and is most effective.
NIM: And what’s faster at getting words out of mouths than Facebook? Your store has quite the presence there. You have a Facebook page for your store, and a Web page for Annex Art Society.
NIM: Before I started following (stalking?!!) you on Facebook, I thought of your clientele as the hipster/nerd/geek squad. Am I on- or off-base?
WQ: My customer base fits the categories named but there’s more. A general description would be male, college educated, mostly in their 20s and 30s.
NIM: How to you market to the Kids who know everything and think everything’s “whatever”?
WQ: I always try to shock and amaze. The store markets a sense of wonder.
NIM: What’s shocking or amazing at the Annex these days?
WQ: I think people would be surprised at the inroads we’ve achieved in promoting local artists via Facebook through our daily artistic challenges, where artists all over the world participate, and our efforts to encourage creativity, especially in young people.
NIM: How do you reach the young’uns?
WQ: The Annex showcases at least 30 artists a year in our galleries. I work with local high schools in artistic intern programs and I teach a drawing class in the store every Saturday morning.
NIM: Well it must be fun, if people are getting anyone under 80 out of bed Saturday mornings! I think that’s great.
NIM: It takes a lot of effort to man those contests because they are so popular! And social media gives people lots of access to your wall. Why has the response to these contests been so great and how do you keep up with them?
WQ: Personally, the daily Art Challenge is a kind of creative calisthenics, an exercise to keep my brain hopping. I know a few others feel the same way. Plus, humans are social creatures, and it’s extremely gratifying to connect in this way and share images and ideas.
NIM: Isn’t that the beauty of social media? It allows you to actually have fun while you promote your business and grow your numbers. And, it gets people in your door who might otherwise just have walked by, had they not seen the quality of the art that’s being posted on your timeline.
https://newportinteractivemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/nim-square.svg00Suzanne McDonaldhttps://newportinteractivemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/nim-square.svgSuzanne McDonald2012-06-05 19:53:222018-09-26 10:00:55Annex Comics Taps Social Media to Boost its Base
NIMRI celebrates its overarching theme – connection – with a film showing of Sundance’s “Connected” March 29
It takes a really good movie to silence the smart phones of a room full of NIMRI-ers, but the only lights flickering in the Jane Pickens movie house March 29 came from the big screen. Premiered at Sundance 2011, the gem “Connected, an Autoblogography about Love, Death and Technology” held the attention of NIMRI members for 85 minutes.
Afterward, the crowd spilled into Yesterday’s across the street to re-connect to their phones and each other, reaffirming the filmmaker’s message that human beings function maximally both naturally – and synthetically – as interdependents.
About the Film
Organizational leadership expert Dennis Rebelo of University Business Consultants sponsored and introduced the film, which was written, produced and directed by Tiffany Shlain, founder of the Webby awards. Viewers anticipating a trek through how social media is overtaking the universe were surprised – and deeply moved – when things got more personal. Shlain had initially intended for the film to talk about technology and where the human race is heading. But the plot takes a sad turn when her beloved father Leonard, a renowned surgeon and best-selling author, is diagnosed with brain cancer as Shlain herself negotiates a high-risk pregnancy.
There couldn’t have been a better plot device than hospital visits to humanize this technological coup of a movie. Shlain’s father is so brilliant and charismatic that visits with him are part classroom and part favorite grandfather. Through him, Shlain’s larger message about where the human race is trying to go via technology is somehow made palatable even to those who fear and loathe technology. The takeaway from the movie is really that humans seek out connection naturally, and do their greatest work in collaboration with others — and technology is simply a tool to support that. Technology is so often accused of thinning out human interactions, but Shlain’s magnified look at a family dealing with crisis shows how it can also deepen those connections.
Unfortunately, Shlain’s father died before the movie was over, and viewers are bounced into a reality of technological limitations that reminds us that we are still more human than ever.
Part memoir, part documentary, “Connected” is packed with animation, home movies and statistics, narrated by Shlain in a fast-paced, upbeat style that keeps the viewer running to catch up, mimicking the social media exercise of being everywhere, all the time.
https://newportinteractivemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/nim-square.svg00Suzanne McDonaldhttps://newportinteractivemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/nim-square.svgSuzanne McDonald2012-04-27 22:36:132018-09-26 14:16:27NIM Brings the Film Connected to Newport
Rhode Island-based Athletic Standard simplifies the college athlete recruiting process, resulting in a win-win for both student-athletes and the institutions where they will pursue higher education and athletics.
Through certified athleticism and athletic potential testing, Athletic Standard provides potential players a gateway to college coaches across the country. Testing is based on the EPIC Index, which was used by a major Division 1 university to win more than 25 national championships in 25 years.
Via social media, Athletic Standard registers prospective college athletes’ information and test results into a database that can be accessed by coaches across the nation. The coaches are able to view a complete athletic profile, which includes academic records, videos of students on the field or court, and more.
“Athletic Standard is revolutionizing the youth athletic market through this testing. If an athlete wants a recruiting edge then Athletic Standard is a must.” –Steve Gibbs, Hoop Mountain Basketball.
Hoop Mountain Basketball is one of Athletic Standard’s key players. With numerous locations throughout the country, facilitators of these programs assist scholastic basketball players in meeting their athletic and academic goals. The testing tool also provides student-athletes with maximum exposure to college and prep school scouts, which is a crucial connection for prospective players. Other key players include Noble and Greenough School and Elite 75, which is specific to New England.
Athletic Standard benefits Rhode Island by preventing nationwide coaches from overlooking the small state’s potential athletes. It gives coaches outside of our state the opportunity to observe the talents of students whom they might not have access to otherwise.
Who are Athletic Standard’s key players?
Their key players are Mountain Hoop Basketball, Elite 75 New England and Noble and Greenough School.
What is the Process Athletic Standard uses?
ATHLETIC STANDARD can help simplify the college recruiting process by testing and registering potential college athletes for free onto a secure database that can be seen by college coaches from all over the country. Coaches will have a certified athletic test score as well as a complete athletic profile including academic records, game video, and more. (athleticstandard.com)
How does Athletic Standard benefit Rhode Island student-athletes?
Allows students to be matched with Rhode Island colleges.
It helps high school and club coaches looking to provide opportunities for athletes.
It helps college coaches who want to take advantage of the recruiting process a high school or club coach looking to provide o
Why do you personally find it interesting?
I personally find it interesting because I have never heard of this type of organization. Rhode Island can benefit from this because it is the smallest state and high school athletes can be overlooked. I think the website is a great and safe way to help coaches and athletes in the right direction.
Let’s take a look at our websites and social media from a proven sales perspective.
Does your website put customers off? You think your website describes your company and products or services. You think you’re not “in the way” when they come to your site to learn about you — or via social media Read More
1/26/2012 Make Your Website Mobile Friendly
Annette Tonti, CEO of MoFuse, shared mobile web best practices for publishers and advertisers. NIM attendees learned the difference between a mobile app and a mobile site and how to build effective web content.
Newport Interactive Marketers joined the University of Rhode Island for the URI Social Media Social. The NIM speakers provided insights to students and Newport Interactive Marketers about what an intern can do and how social media can boost a business.
Jamie Palmer, the Senior Practitioner at University Business Consultants LLC, taught NIM attendees how to tactfully articulate the brand. Jamie stressed the importance of telling the story and not selling the story. NIM attendees learned how to engage their audience with messages that would resonate.
Panelists Matt Medeiros of Slocum Studios and Michelle Quillin of New England Multimedia shared their insights on Google+ just as it launched. A general consensus was Google+ was not appropriate for all brands at that time. But for those who are concerned about SEO, it’s worth considering.
Chuck Dennis, Vice President and Senior Consultant for Knowledgence Associates, taught NIM how to infuse social media with customer service to boost engagement and ROI. NIM attendees learned how to interact with customers’ concerns and complaints through social media. Tips for detecting and redirecting what could become a PR debacle were also included.
Boston University’s Center for Digital Imaging Arts instructor Jay Murphy showed Newport Interactive Marketers how to maximize Google Analytics to drive ROI. NIM attendees learned how to attract people that will actually buy and how to bring in more buyers and prospects.
NIM was thrilled to have Eric Covino of internationally regarded SEO community SeoBook.com and CreativeSignals.com answer questions on Search Engine Optimization and Google rankings. NIM attendees learned tactics to get search engines to rank their sites number one. Eric gave tips on how marketers can boost their websites in just one week! He also explained how SEO differs for service businesses and local retailers.
Tom Schuyler, Pandemic Labs’ Director of Accounts, shared Facebook best practices and ROI measurement types. NIM attendees gained tools and insights to measure the value of marketing on Facebook. Tom explained how to utilize Facebook analytics to assess weaknesses and opportunities to make brand presence more valuable. Attendees learned the core metrics you can use to determine how much Facebook is doing for your brand/business.
NIM hosted Patrick Hughes and Scott Quillin to share their expert opinions on online video posts. NIM attendees learned why videos are so important to the success of their businesses. The experts explained how to use YouTube and how to start your own brand channel.
Tamara Gruber, the founder of Red Giant Consulting, guided NIM attendees into the mobile marketing world. She explored the difference between mobile apps and mobile sites and how they could optimize their businesses.
Newport Interactive Marketers hosted a panel of social media experts to teach attendees how to optimize social media. Experts shared the best way to connect with customers through social media and discussed the most effective platforms to use.
Newport Interactive Marketers hosted Doug Wilson SEO specialist at Netsense, a Pawtucket-based market leader in outsourced IT, website, and web marketing solutions. NIM attendees received a how-to seminar on search engine optimization insights. Attendees also learned how to boost their Google rankings.
Social Media Answers With Newport Interactive Marketers
NIM hosted nationally known expert Partick O’Malley. Patrick is the former VP of Operations for Northern Light, Google’s former top competitor, and has spoken across the country and nationally. He is an expert on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Google. Attendees gained insights to use social media to effectively boost their businesses.
Matthew Mamet of EditMe presented how small businesses and individuals can use a Wiki platform to share information and foster communities. NIM attendees learned how to up their online presence quickly and easily.
Do you know why people buy from you? What about those who don’t?
Find out with Revenue Coach and author Kristin Zhivago at Newport Interactive Marketers on March 1 in Newport, RI.
Revenue Coach Kristin Zhivago is an expert at aligning buyers’ perceptions with sellers’ assumptions. Zhivago has interviewed hundreds of business owners and their customers to determine what attracts people and what makes them come back.
Sellers, Zhivago says, do not know these crucial components: “What you think is important about your business may not be important at all, and what they think is important may be something you never even talk about.”
Her main goal is to help her customers understand the relationship they have with their own clients. And on Thursday March 1, Zhivago will help Newport Interactive Marketers attendees do the same.
“With that knowledge, all of your messaging – everything from your signage to your emails – will be relevant to new customers looking for the same experience,” Zhivago says.
The biggest mistake small businesses and local retailers make: They never find out why someone chose them in the first place – nor why they keep coming back.
“These interviews work best because people talk freely when they are engaged in a private conversation,” she says. Using the information acquired from the interviews, businesses can make relevant changes to attract new clients.
It only takes about seven customer interviews for the business to see profitable trends. These interviews will show the company exactly what customers’ value about their business.
“The differences are sometimes subtle but always significant. Words matter. Sellers always talk to buyers in one kind of language, and buyers talk to other buyers in another kind of language. Until you actually interview your buyers, you won’t know what those exact words and phrases are,” Zhivago warns.
“And your words and phrases will not resonate with potential customers. And, by the way, you won’t get this data from social media discussions, interesting as they are,” she said.
Social Media and the Revenue Coach’s Perspective
In today’s modern age where every company seems to have a social media site, it can be difficult to “stand out” in the crowd.
“The trick, is to be helpful in a relevant way (interviews help with this also – you’ll know what is relevant).”
Zhivago advises companies to set up a content production system and work on it daily, whether it’s creating content from scratch or curating for your audience.
“Social media is the most resource-hungry marketing method ever invented. You can’t be lazy about it.”
Learn what to say to your customers, via social media and offline
https://newportinteractivemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/nim-square.svg00Suzanne McDonaldhttps://newportinteractivemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/nim-square.svgSuzanne McDonald2012-02-27 06:00:362018-09-26 14:38:54Revenue Expert Shares Proven Strategies on How to Increase Sales
