Yearly Archives: 2010
Tom Schmitz11 Feb, 2010
Enterprise SEO Automation
Recently, I’ve heard about startups that want to automate enterprise SEO for large websites. I suppose they theorize that if Google, Bing and the other search engines can gather Internet content, categorize it and rank it, then it’s possible to write software that will recast your content as a perfect website. I do not believe… Read More
Portent Staff11 Feb, 2010
Personalized Search Strategies & Video Games
On Sunday, Rand Fishkin posted a great heads-up piece about how personalized search, branding, and leveraging your current rankings can make for an interesting marketing strategy. His mention of the 2007 Pontiac commercial brought up a particularly interesting idea. In the commercial, the viewer is instructed to “Google” Pontiac as opposed to going to a… Read More
Random Ian Lurie10 Feb, 2010
What we need is a social media monopoly
When Google announced Google Buzz, I groaned. Another tool to work with. Another reputation management timebomb. Another place for people to spam me with ridiculous miracle marketing plans. I have a modest proposal: Let’s kill all social media platforms save 1 or two. I don’t even care which ones. Just kill any duplicates. I mean,… Read More
Random Ian Lurie9 Feb, 2010
Presenting tonight at SEMPDX event
I’m one of the panelists tonight for SEMPDX’s Link Building Six Pack. I feel I must warn everyone that, after driving down here, while eating a McDonald’s lunch and listening to SEO Rockstars on Webmaster Radio, I’m feeling a bit, er, cursey. Is that a word? I’m not sure. Anyway: Tonight’s presentation will be PG13.… Read More
Featured Ian Lurie5 Feb, 2010
Dunbar’s number and warp drive: Building your social network beyond 150
This is really, really geeky stuff for a Friday. Plus, I had to dig waaaay back to my college Sociology courses to figure it out. You’ve probably heard a lot about the fact that a person can only maintain relationships with 150 people before their brains are frappe’d into cottage cheese. It’s a valid assumption.… Read More
Featured Ian Lurie2 Feb, 2010
10 questions to evaluate an SEO
One tradition in marketing: If something works, you beat it to death, and then some more, until it’s a broad, flat spot on the ground. So, after folks loved my first piece, 10 questions to evaluate a social media expert, I’ve decided to do another about SEOs. Face it: If there’s one industry that’s even… Read More
Featured Ian Lurie1 Feb, 2010
Introducing The Fat Free Guide: What I’d do on Groundhog Day
I’m talking about the movie Groundhog Day, not the day when we try to predict the weather using a large rodent (I know it’s not really a rodent, but come on). Quick synopsis: Bill Murray lives through the same day again and again as the universe tries to show him the direction to take his… Read More
Ian Lurie1 Feb, 2010
2010 SEMMY Winner: You like me! You really really like me!
I’m probably way too excited about this, but hey, it’s stuff like this that compensates for lots of nights writing blog posts. Thanks to everyone who voted for my post, 10 Questions to evaluate a social media ‘expert’.
Random Ian Lurie30 Jan, 2010
My BlogTalkRadio Interview with Rey Ybarra
Rey Ybarra of the New Media Radio Hour interviewed me last week. Here’s the recording, if you want to listen:
Featured Ian Lurie28 Jan, 2010
How SEO ruins Copy, and how your customers can fix it for you
[ read the transcript for this video here ] At Pubcon Las Vegas 2009 I gave a presentation about copywriting and SEO. I finally had time to re-record it. Here it is, minus my quick work as a tech support specialist: Good copywriting and SEO don’t get along. That’s what folks want you to think,… Read More
Random Ian Lurie28 Jan, 2010
Webinar tomorrow: The disappearing divide between search and social
Blake Cahill of Visible Technologies invited me to present tomorrow in the first of his 2010 webinar series. The subject: The disappearing divide between search and social. I’m going to talk about how you use social media to boost your SEO efforts. Plus, I guarantee at least one photograph of a smug lemur. Really. You… Read More
Tom Schmitz28 Jan, 2010
Have You Been A/B Tested Recently?
Full disclosure: I am not a designer. I cannot select color palettes. My favorite textures involve brushed steel. Whenever I walk by, our design team seems either out for coffee or in a meeting. That said, even I can recognize colossal web design blunders. It's amazing how the perfectly wrong photo will rip the eyes… Read More
Ian Lurie27 Jan, 2010
Internet Marketing and the Second 50
I used to do these ultra-marathon cycling events. ‘Used to’ means ’16 years ago’, by the way. You’d get up in the morning, ride 200-500 miles in a single day, and then go pass out. Insanity. But I learned something really important: No matter how long the ride, the second 50 miles is the worst.… Read More
SEO Ian Lurie26 Jan, 2010
9 SEO upgrades you can make right now
SEO is really, really hard. Not because it’s mysterious: If you can’t do the math there are always smarty pants out there analyzing the algorithms. You can always just read their stuff and learn. No, it’s hard because it’s nearly impossible to figure out where to start. Here are the 10 site upgrades I usually… Read More
Portent Staff25 Jan, 2010
Portent Interactive Visits Zoka Coffee
Who says on-the-job research can’t be fun – and heavily caffeinated? Last week, Portent Interactive took a field trip to the Seattle headquarters of what is quickly becoming our tastiest new client: Zoka Coffee Roaster & Tea Company. In the Name of Research A field trip seemed like the logical thing to do – even… Read More