Yearly Archives: 2011
Ian Lurie16 May, 2011
New infographic: Internet marketing planner
I just finished a new chart. It maps out the typical steps I take when reviewing an internet marketing campaign for the first time. I was inspired by Julian Hansen’s So You Need A Typeface piece. While it doesn’t have every single step/channel/tactic in it, it does give you a high-level view of the various… Read More
Ian Lurie12 May, 2011
Stop crying, start writing: The Awl, The Atlantic, and Web Headlines
OK, everyone take a step back. Go to your corners. Breathe. Yesterday, David Wheeler published an article about web copywriting, SEO, and headlines: ‘Google Doesn’t Laugh’: Saving Witty Headlines in the Age of SEO is a great piece, and not just because he quotes me in paragraph 14. Then The Awl wrote this amusing little… Read More
Ian Lurie11 May, 2011
How to write a smart social media policy
First things first: I have law degree. I’m not a practicing lawyer. I am not giving legal advice. Nor can I. This is, instead, common-sense advice as a social media nerd. Your staff are all over the internet. You know that, right? They’re writing stuff on Facebook. And on Twitter. They’re blogging, too. Best case?… Read More
Ian Lurie9 May, 2011
What bayonet-wielding professors can teach you about online marketing
You’re a plumber. You want to rank #1 for ‘Seattle plumbing’. That means you have to write interesting content about plumbing, in Seattle, every 2 days, for the next year. All you can think is “Oh crap oh crap oh crap oh crap.” Well, Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (ex-college professor) laughs at your silliness. You… Read More
Jarrod Medrano9 May, 2011
The Worst of Google Logos
Over the past couple of years the extremely bored artists at Google have taken to celebrating random holidays around the world, by creating a new Google Logo EVERY DAY. Obviously there is not much work for an artist at Google; all of their art is generated by algorithms. The very few artists there are forced… Read More
Ian Lurie7 May, 2011
Does FTD buy links? Well, duh.
A quick update: A lot of folks are e-mailing/IMing/Tweeting me that I ‘outed’ FTD. I didn’t out anyone. The New York Times sent 6000 suspect links to Google a while ago. And the Seattle Times contacted Google while writing this story. All I’m doing is analyzing what folks said in light of the link profile.… Read More
Ian Lurie6 May, 2011
14 nice things you can do for your customers
I make no promises. But I suspect if you do some of this stuff, your customers will thank you. Or, they won’t notice the stuff that used to make them curse you: Make every page on your site load 1 second faster. Start by taking every image on your site and compressing it. Please. It… Read More
Ian Lurie3 May, 2011
Problem solving 101: 7 signs it’s time to stop what you’re doing
A big part of problem solving is stepping away from the problem. Whether you’re writing code, writing a book or trying to figure out why a web site isn’t generating sales, there comes a point where your brain over-saturates and needs a good wringing out. Here are some common signs you need a break: You… Read More
Elizabeth Marsten2 May, 2011
Complete Guide to Taking the Microsoft adExcellence Exam
It’s taken me longer than I wanted, but finally I have documented the highlights from each of the 32 videos (so that you don’t have to watch them all) and hopefully saved you a couple of hours at least. Total running time is 2hrs and 35mins, not counting load up time or any note taking… Read More
Ian Lurie2 May, 2011
What the US Marines and Ender’s Game teach about professional growth
Never underestimate the Marine Corps. Here’s one of their reading lists: Yep. Ender’s Game. One of the greatest pieces of science fiction ever written. On the US Marine Corps. reading list. That is awesome. The Marines do more with less than any other branch of the military. They do it, in part, by encouraging creativity… Read More
Ian Lurie28 Apr, 2011
Linkscape + Google Spreadsheets. Together, at last.
First, a brief interlude: AUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGHHH OK. I’m good now. Primal scream complete. The documentation for Google App Scripts is… less than perfect. So I have to start by thanking Tom Critchlow of Distilled. He sent me the initial script that made Google Spreadsheets play well with the LinkScape API. Otherwise, I’d be in a small,… Read More
Elizabeth Marsten28 Apr, 2011
Taking the Microsoft AdExcellence Exam Part 7
FINALLY, the last installment of the MSN AdCenter Exam series- having to do with the adCenter Desktop Editor. It’s been a long haul, but from what I understand there are some of you out there that got some value out of the series. So I thank you for staying tuned and staying with me. I’ll… Read More
Ian Lurie27 Apr, 2011
Why all web developers should learn SEO
When I wrote Why all SEOs should learn to program lots of people sent me compliments and praise. That was fun. Now time for the hate, I suspect. If SEOs need to learn to program, then web developers need to learn SEO. Scream if you want. You can reach me on Twitter at @portentint. Who… Read More
Elizabeth Marsten26 Apr, 2011
Dealing With AdWords and Analytics Data Discrepancies
Today’s post is brought to you by Bethany Bey of PPC Hero! In a touching speech by President Jack Nicholson, he asks alien invaders “Why can’t we work out our differences? Why can’t we work things out? Little people, why can’t we all just get along?” Although things didn’t end so well for him, this… Read More
Ian Lurie25 Apr, 2011
Why all SEOs should learn to program
Every SEO should learn at least 2 programming languages. Here’s why: Two languages means you can program. One means you can read a manual. You can easily learn one language and have no grasp of programming. Learn two, though, and you learn some of the stuff that all programming languages have in common. You have… Read More