Yearly Archives: 2011

Random

Yesterday I wrote about how effort does not equal results. Results are always better. Great results come from testing and tweaking your own routine. You can set up a virtuous cycle: You get more efficient, and have more time to learn more about your job, which helps you be more efficient, and so on. I’ve… Read More

Random

I got called an elitist a little while back. I was at a social thing—I think normal people call them ‘parties’. I call them ‘opportunities for me to make an ass of myself’. Here’s the conversation: Other person: My friend got fired last month. Totally unfair. Me: mmm hmmmm I was hoping that’d end the… Read More

Random

I just can’t make this one any more bizarre. Maybe they’re hiring someone to write their social media help wanted posts.

Internet Marketing

Most people are terrified of problem solving, whether they’re figuring out how to replace a flat tire or diagnose a problem on their blog. They see a problem, and run so fast their pants are literally flayed from their bodies. Why? Because: A failed solution = A mistake Solutions require time, which no one has… Read More

Analytics

I’d promised myself I’d stop ranting about Google’s ongoing analytics assassination. But I checked my data for this blog, today, and I’m missing 19.5% of my keyword data: Google. What. The. Hell. I know, I know: I’m supposed to use Google Webmaster Tools to look at search queries. So, I toddle over there and take… Read More

Social Media

Today, I received this lovely message from Facebook. I know what you’re thinking. What did straight-edge Doug do to anger his favorite social network? The short answer is that I posted a cartoon of two people having sex while making status updates on their phones with the caption, “Looks like this is the new definition… Read More

SEO

Learning to use Camtasia, so I recorded this quick video. If you’re new to SEO, this is the ‘SEO 101’ look at the title tag, why it matters, and best practices for using it:  

Internet Marketing

Every day, I talk to potential clients. Smart people. Most of them, though, have no idea how to hire an SEO agency. So they ask standard questions, like: Have you ever worked in the guppy sales industry before? How big is your company? How much will you charge me? A nice start. But it’s not… Read More

Random

Today, I got a fantastic demonstration of how social media really works. Here’s the timeline: 8:33 AM I totter over to the office fridge, looking for a Diet Coke. It’s my only source of caffeine. I’ve been working since 6 AM. I’m desperate. My batteries are near zero. As my vision starts to fade, I… Read More

SEO

(In case you’re wondering, ‘percentile die’ let you roll any number from 1-100.) Feel free to embed this, using this code: By Conversation Marketing Explanation In most role-playing games (think Dungeons & Dragons), there are these things called random encounters. Every now and then, a die roll determines whether you get eaten by a troll,… Read More

Copywriting

So, I went on Fiverr, and hired a pink gorilla to do a video about why you need good web copywriting. Caution – watch only if you don’t need that 58 seconds of your life: I’m not saying this video is bad, per se. I got my money’s worth. If you hire someone for $5… Read More

Random

I run into a lot of people who feel entitled to success: Business owners with zero capital, below-average motivation and the expectation that internet + them = wealth. But every now and then, I meet people who are clearly going to kick butt. After 16 years of hearing pitches from the entitled crowd, and the… Read More

Internet Marketing

After my post yesterday, I realized I need to come up with some nice, concise definitions for what we do at Portent. Here’s my first try: Internet Marketing, defined in 3 sentences Internet marketing does three things. A good digital campaign: Improves visibility through SEO, paid search, social media and any other relevant vehicles. Builds… Read More

Internet Marketing

A very short play. The setting: A dinner party about 1 year ago. The cast: Them: An advertising exec from a traditional agency. 15+ years’ experience. Me: You know. Curtain Them: “So, Ian, what do you do?” Me: “I run an internet marketing agency.” Them: “Oh. What’s that?” Me: “We help companies get more leads,… Read More

PPC

Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Thanksgiving, it’s fast approaching. I’m sure you’ve got your campaigns all pumped up with holiday-riffic ad copy burgeoning with sales and promo codes sitting in an Editor file, ready to go. And course, have your daily budgets set to skyrocket to keep up with demand. People sure a love a deal.… Read More