Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Blogging the iPhone and the Importance of Social Networking
Here at Symetri, we're very aware of the importance of social networking, particularly blogs. Any business or writer or entity in general should have a blog out there delivering relevant content, whether it's industry news or attitudes about Britney Spears new do. About seven years ago, the crucial component to a business was a face on the web in the form of a site. Even if you weren't selling anything online, a presence on teh interwebs linked a human to a phone number or information about a business.
What sites were then blogs are now. A website is analogous to the brick and mortar; a blog is the smiling customer service rep. The blog is the voice, the human component to so much steam-cleaned copy, the lightning bolt to Johnny 5.
So why am I pining romantic about blogging? Why point out the importance? Because of the impotence. Because a blog is never more noticeable than when it is missing. It all has to do with the iPhone.
If you'll recall, the day after Apple announced it, Cisco sued over copyright infringement of the name. Speculation exploded on both sides and then slowly came to a low rumble. Trying to search out the details amid a blog-flood of opinions, Slashdot sent me to Cisco's blog. That was the voice of reason - the VP - pointing out what was going on. But that's Cisco's blog, and looking for another horse's mouth, I was surprised (well, not really) to find it missing.
Cisco has a blog that concerns news and industry information, yada yada. But when the rubber met the road, when fans, detractors, and the general public were startled by the upheaval and looking for the comfort and honesty that comes from a human voice, Cisco responded. Apple did not. Their blog reflects that nothing has happened negatively concerning the iPhone (and that Vista's a wannabe Mac OS).
Another example of silence: Jet Blue's "blog." (The first problem is: while it's cute to call it a "flight log," nobody's looking for a flight log. They're looking for a blog. Some conventions are conventions for a reason. Second problem: Tlog or Flog?) Last week, during the horrifying weather, Jet Blue canceled about 1/4 of their flights over 11 airports nationwide, stranding people in airports and on tarmacs. They have since rectified the issue (in part) by taking full responsibility and are unveiling a Customer Bill of Rights.
This was the perfect opportunity for a voice of comfort in a time of despair, accountability in a time of chaos, to be followed by a lauding of this Bill of Rights (here's the problem, we're sorry, here's how we're going to fix it). But the last post was on Feb. 1.
And there is your lesson: Have a voice. Make it loud. Make it timely. And smile. People are watching.
Category: Search Engine Marketing and Optimization
What sites were then blogs are now. A website is analogous to the brick and mortar; a blog is the smiling customer service rep. The blog is the voice, the human component to so much steam-cleaned copy, the lightning bolt to Johnny 5.
So why am I pining romantic about blogging? Why point out the importance? Because of the impotence. Because a blog is never more noticeable than when it is missing. It all has to do with the iPhone.
If you'll recall, the day after Apple announced it, Cisco sued over copyright infringement of the name. Speculation exploded on both sides and then slowly came to a low rumble. Trying to search out the details amid a blog-flood of opinions, Slashdot sent me to Cisco's blog. That was the voice of reason - the VP - pointing out what was going on. But that's Cisco's blog, and looking for another horse's mouth, I was surprised (well, not really) to find it missing.
Cisco has a blog that concerns news and industry information, yada yada. But when the rubber met the road, when fans, detractors, and the general public were startled by the upheaval and looking for the comfort and honesty that comes from a human voice, Cisco responded. Apple did not. Their blog reflects that nothing has happened negatively concerning the iPhone (and that Vista's a wannabe Mac OS).
Another example of silence: Jet Blue's "blog." (The first problem is: while it's cute to call it a "flight log," nobody's looking for a flight log. They're looking for a blog. Some conventions are conventions for a reason. Second problem: Tlog or Flog?) Last week, during the horrifying weather, Jet Blue canceled about 1/4 of their flights over 11 airports nationwide, stranding people in airports and on tarmacs. They have since rectified the issue (in part) by taking full responsibility and are unveiling a Customer Bill of Rights.
This was the perfect opportunity for a voice of comfort in a time of despair, accountability in a time of chaos, to be followed by a lauding of this Bill of Rights (here's the problem, we're sorry, here's how we're going to fix it). But the last post was on Feb. 1.
And there is your lesson: Have a voice. Make it loud. Make it timely. And smile. People are watching.
Category: Search Engine Marketing and Optimization
Labels: blogging, social marketing, symetri
posted by Symetri at 2/20/2007 02:57:00 PM 
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Google Reveals (most) Backlinks
As many SEO Specialists are aware, Google's reporting of links back to a site (link:symetri.com) have been like the fruit to Tantalus; we can see some of them, we know Google has the information, but we just...can't...reach.
Until now.
Google is now adding a more robust Link Discovery to their Webmaster Tools. Webmasters who have verified their ownership of the site will get a much more comprehensive list and even split it into internal and external links. This is great stuff. You still won't be able to see any backlinks that hit supplemental pages. It could be helpful to see those links, but Google's throwing us a bone here and thrilled giddy about the new car. Whining about it not having a GPS standard? Too Veruca for me.
Google's official blog entry is here, and is pretty extensive. Search Engine Land has rendered it down some.
Yay backlinks!
Category: Search Engine Marketing and Optimization
Until now.
Google is now adding a more robust Link Discovery to their Webmaster Tools. Webmasters who have verified their ownership of the site will get a much more comprehensive list and even split it into internal and external links. This is great stuff. You still won't be able to see any backlinks that hit supplemental pages. It could be helpful to see those links, but Google's throwing us a bone here and thrilled giddy about the new car. Whining about it not having a GPS standard? Too Veruca for me.
Google's official blog entry is here, and is pretty extensive. Search Engine Land has rendered it down some.
Yay backlinks!
Category: Search Engine Marketing and Optimization
posted by Symetri at 2/13/2007 09:12:00 AM
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Strategic Internet Marketing Seminar 2007
Symetri's organizing an brilliant opportunity on February 23 here in Greensboro: the Strategic Internet Marketing Seminar 2007.
The Basics:
This in-depth seminar will help entrepreneurs, general managers and marketing professionals plan, execute and measure a successful Internet marketing campaign. You absolutely cannot miss this opportunity! You will learn best practices about internet marketing strategies, getting the most from your site, and how to get the traffic there once everything is in place.
Date: Feb 23, 2007
Time: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Location: Volvo Campus, 7900 National Service Rd. Greensboro, NC
Fee: $150.00 (Breakfast/Lunch Included)
Check it out, then...
We're planning similar one day seminars for August in Charlotte, NC, and future events in Atlanta, GA and Raleigh, NC. Even the folks at Search Engine Watch have their finger on the pulse.
Please contact Ron Jones at 336-285-0941 if you have any questions about the seminar.
Category: Search Engine Marketing and Optimization
The Basics:
This in-depth seminar will help entrepreneurs, general managers and marketing professionals plan, execute and measure a successful Internet marketing campaign. You absolutely cannot miss this opportunity! You will learn best practices about internet marketing strategies, getting the most from your site, and how to get the traffic there once everything is in place.
Date: Feb 23, 2007
Time: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Location: Volvo Campus, 7900 National Service Rd. Greensboro, NC
Fee: $150.00 (Breakfast/Lunch Included)
Check it out, then...
We're planning similar one day seminars for August in Charlotte, NC, and future events in Atlanta, GA and Raleigh, NC. Even the folks at Search Engine Watch have their finger on the pulse.
Please contact Ron Jones at 336-285-0941 if you have any questions about the seminar.
Category: Search Engine Marketing and Optimization
posted by Symetri at 2/01/2007 12:11:00 PM
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