It’s time to do it all again! Though it seems like SMX West is just barely behind us (cause, well, it is) it’s time to focus our eyes on another great search conference. A week from today, both Rae and myself will be headed down to Search Engine Strategies New York to blog, speak, and, of course, to hopefully meet some new great people. After yesterday’s group hug, we all have a lot to celebrate. So come celebrate with us.
Where can you find Outspoken Media during the show? Well, I’ll tell you. [read the full post…]
Two years ago I set out on what would become one of the biggest challenges in my life to date. It ranks up there with starting Outspoken Media, chairing a non-profit and getting married.
On April 24, 2008 I filed my notice of opposition to Jason Gambert’s “SEO” trademark application. On March 11, 2010, I won.
It took two years, $17,004.33 and an untold amount of frustration and self-doubt to get through this. But, what does it all mean? Why did I commit to this? What would have happened had Gambert succeeded in registering the trademark?
[read the full post…]
Hey, hey, party people. It’s Saturday! How was your week? Did you survive unscathed? Are you already wanting to smack everyone tweeting from SXSW because they’re clogging up your Twitter feed and it’s all “party” this and “FourSquare” that? Yeah. Me too. But who needs those guys when we have a fresh list of fun and insightful links to look at? Let’s just do it. Grab your coffee, folks.
- Introverts as Entrepreneurs: I love this article so much that I want to start handing it out to all the shy kids who think they can’t be awesome just because they’re introverts. The truth is introverts make awesome entrepreneurs. I know because I am one. Well, introverted. The awesome thing is probably up for debate.
- Homeless man lives off hotel points from former life: Less than two years ago he had a six figure job and a sense of security most people only wish for. Now the job’s gone and he’s redeeming hotel points to get by. Lessons here for all.
- David Pogue’s iPhone Song: This almost makes the iPhone likable. Almost. I’d still never get one, of course. [read the full post…]
Heh.
So I’ve been doing a bit of guest blogging lately and I think some people may have started to notice. ;) I’m a really big fan of using guest blogging as a marketing tactic for your business and I think it’s one that is entirely underutilized by bloggers. A good post on the right blog can expose your brand to new communities; bring additional links, traffic and comments your way; build strategic partnerships; get you away your incestuous bubble; and, frankly, introduce you to a whole lot of fun!
But how do you find those worthwhile guest blogging opportunities? Here’s a look at how I hunt out fun guest blogging gigs for both Outspoken Media and our awesome clients.
[read the full post…]
The week before we trekked off to SMX West to bring you the best best liveblogging coverage in the land (I’m biased), I had an incredible opportunity to guestblog on Copyblogger about what belly dancing taught me about personal branding. In that post, I listed off a number of things that I feel are important when constructing your personal brand. On specific tactic I mentioned was to create a character around yourself so that you are always presenting people with the absolute best version of who you are. You don’t necessarily want to give your audience “you”; you want to give them your superhero.
Obviously, people had some opinions about this. After all, social media is about authenticity and transparency and all those wonderful things. How the heck can you provide that if you’re not giving people your full, true self? How will they ever get to know the real you? I think in order to best serve your audience you have to create a superhero persona.
Here’s why. Feel free to tell me I’m doing it wrong. [read the full post…]
Stay with us, folks! Only two more sessions and SMX West will be one for the record books. The next session is always a fun one because it’s straight Q&A with some of the best and most trusted minds in the field. This time around Danny Sullivan will be moderating an all-star panel with Greg Boser, Bruce Clay, Vanessa Fox, Todd Friesen, Aaron Wall, and Jill Whalen. Rand Fishkin is also up on stage pinch hitting for Rae, who had to pull out of the show for personal reasons. Rand’s almost like Rae. But without the swearing or testosterone.
Danny lets us know that Matt Cutts is being interviewed in the hall right now so they’re trying to get the spammy stuff out of the way before he gets back. So naturally they’re starting with Jill Whalen. We all do intros and Bruce tells everyone to go visit his site. Just like he does every time he’s introduced. He could use some new material.
We hop right into the Q&A.
[read the full post…]
Hey, hey, a little more time for teh wit and teh banter… unfortunately my brain is melted so you still don’t get any. SUCKA! I’m in the coldest room in the world which will only get more cold as the search engine reps stonewall the audience with non-answers. I’m kidding. Only not really. I don’t know anymore. What day is it? Mom?
My mom’s not here but our godfather Danny Sullivan is. He’s moderating Arnab Bhattacharjee, Matt Cutts, and Sasi Parthasarathy. Matt just tossed me a package of peanut butter M&Ms from the stage. Hmm, does that mean that link to Google up there is a paid link? Free M&Ms are almost like free Google phones, right? Questions.
Okay, let’s see what they’re talking about. I’m gonna nom quietly on my bribe.
[read the full post…]
After an overwhelming show of support from the community, I wanted to take a minute to thank you. 
We’re gonna have us a good old-fashioned showdown down in Austin next week! Guns will be drawn, intimidation will set in and only one man will survive to walk away with the glory. And then, of course, there’s that whole SXSW thing going on. But that’s just the backdrop! For many, all eyes will be on the forthcoming 
