Tag Archives: digital marketing
SEO Blog Posts Portent Staff // 19 Dec, 2012
What the Duck? DuckDuckGo Takes on the Big G
It’s hard to pinpoint when some of us fell out of love with Google. Maybe it was when they went from geeky Stanford students out to “not be evil” to the kinda creepy boyfriend who orders for us at restaurants because “that’s what we always have.” Like it or not, we were trapped. Over the… Read More
Copywriting Blog Posts Portent Team // 14 Dec, 2012
Sneak Peek: How Content Strategy Will Save the World
Last night, when most of Seattle was at a holiday party or stuck in traffic on the way to a party, a group of intrepid souls filled the Portent presentation room to discuss using content strategy to save the world. The event, Content Strategy Forum 2012 Redux: Out of Africa, was part of an ongoing… Read More
SEO Blog Posts Portent Team // 13 Dec, 2012
Portent Staff Survey: “What’s your biggest question(s) about SEO?”
Recently I did a survey of our staff here at Portent to see if anyone had any questions about SEO they wanted answered. I made the survey anonymous using Survey Monkey, because sometimes people feel more comfortable asking a question without their identity being revealed. In the spirit of sharing and transparency, we decided to… Read More
Internet Marketing Blog Posts Portent Team // 11 Dec, 2012
Is a Kick-Ass Blog Worth the Trouble?
You’re reading this post for one of two reasons: 1) You’re thinking about starting a blog and wondering if it’s worth the time and energy, or 2) You’ve already invested time and energy in blogging and are not seeing the return you imagined Let’s start at the beginning. Should I blog? Sometimes when you’re having… Read More
Portent Team // 5 Dec, 2012
Google Tricks For SEOs to Avoid at All Costs
I’m going to play mind-reader for a moment. Here’s what you think about SEO: You think search engine optimization is a closely-guarded secret bag of tricks You think SEO means beating Google at their own game You equate SEO with “buckets of cash” which would be pouring into your bank account if only you knew… Read More
Portent Staff // 30 Nov, 2012
The (Real) Life of Pi
Intentional or not, Ang Lee and his certain-to-be-Oscar-nominated movie have infringed on our copyright. Way before there was some weird kid in a turban floating around with a tiger, there was PORTENT, INC. Pi. And way, WAY before the weird turban tiger floating, we had a life. And we still do. So skip the multiplex… Read More
Internet Marketing Blog Posts Ian Lurie // 14 Nov, 2012
38 Holiday e-commerce tips: The slides (annotated)
I’m prepping for my Vocus webinar (can’t wait!) today at 11 Pacific. These are the slides I put together, with annotations: I’ll be going into more detail, though, so make it to the webinar if you can!
SEO Blog Posts Portent Staff // 8 Nov, 2012
7 Cringe-Worthy SEO Phrases You Never Want to Hear in a Marketing Meeting
We’ve all been there. You’re in the marketing meeting and someone brings up SEO. I don’t know how they’re bringing it up, but they’ve done it one way or another. Maybe they used some of the phrases below. If they did, you need to know why you wish you hadn’t heard what they’ve just said.… Read More
SEO Blog Posts Portent Staff // 1 Nov, 2012
Balancing SEO and Branding to Avoid Being Covered in Mud
Adding copy to your website can become a tug-o-war between the Branding and SEO teams. One side is representing the voice and tone of the brand. At the other end of the rope, the SEO team is focused on increasing keyword rankings. This can lead to everyone walking away covered in mud. Avoid that unclean… Read More
Chad Kearns // 23 Oct, 2012
7 Tips for Killer Online Customer Reviews
Chances are you’re not the only retailer in your industry. And your business is being judged alongside other online businesses by potential customers and search engines. Getting great customer reviews on Google+ Local, Yelp and other review services can give your company a huge advantage. Why are online customer reviews so important? 70% of consumers… Read More
Featured Blog Posts Portent Staff // 1 Aug, 2012
Win the (Brand NEW) Web Marketing All-in-One for Dummies Book
For months now, Portent CEO Ian Lurie and Director of Search Marketing Elizabeth Marsten have not slept. They have not eaten. They have missed out on critical episodes of True Blood. Why? Because they have been brewing brilliance with co-authors John Arnold, Marty Dickinson, and Michael Becker, developing the second edition of Web Marketing All-in-One… Read More
Portent Staff // 12 Jul, 2012
5 Things Kitten Photos Can Teach Us About Internet Marketing
Kittens rule the Internet. From the Jedi kittens of YouTube to the caption-savvy LOLcats, kittens are delighting nations. Sure, the occasional video of a laughing baby ripping paper or Darth Vader unicycling steals the viral spotlight, but kittens (and their older box-loving cat friends) have everyone from angsty adolescents to greying grandmas chuckling in pure bliss.… Read More
Social Media Blog Posts Portent Staff // 26 Jun, 2012
How to Tweet Like You’re Not a Business
It’s Twitter Tuesday! And what a lovely Twitter Tuesday it is. This week we’re talking about tweeting for businesses. If Mitt Romney really is right and corporations are people, then they sure don’t act like it on Twitter. And that’s too bad. People don’t want to do business with a business; people want to do… Read More
Internet Marketing Blog Posts Portent Staff // 7 Jun, 2012
How to Engage Your Audience in Five Seconds
I like to look at a potential customer the same way I look at a potential mate (Don’t make it weird). And in this mindset, there is one tenet I follow above all else: less is more. The more time I spend trying to convince a girl that she should kiss my face, the more… Read More
Portent Staff // 22 May, 2012
Seducing the Client: Four Tips for Making a Good First Impression
They say you only get one chance to make a first impression. It’s true. On dates, with mother-in-laws and in business. Thankfully, I aced my first date with my husband and we currently live happily ever after. With two cats. One Keurig. No picket fence. Meeting a client for the first time is also like… Read More