Published on February 25, 2009
in Blogroll.
Recent SEO chatter indicates that “Brand” has recently been given more weight in the serps, so it appears that Google is doing their part to help folks like Ford with reputation management from the start.
However, Rob points out (I highly recommend reading his blog) that brands need to distribute positive content well beyond their own site in hopes of managing reputation in the serps. I’m sure Google would prefer that the serps have a balanced perspective - To show content with a range of opinions/information - not all positive.
What I find the most interesting are the paid results. I’ve suspected for a long time that the natural results for commercial terms will gradually shift to more paid results. Taking Rob’s example of the Ford Fusion search, and his comment about the need for more positive content. It seems to reason to me that Ford will produce quality content - possibly on other domains - then purchase the same search terms to squeeze Mazda and Car Price Secrets out of the top paid results. At the end of the day, there is little a big brand can do to control the natual results, but it’s pretty easy to buy out the spots in the paid results. Look for more brands to buy the same term multiple times across content destinations.
Published on February 16, 2009
in Ideas.
Home buyers want a fantastic deal. If you accept a low ball offer, don’t be surprised if the buyer gets spooked and backs out. If you are thinking about testing the market. Wait. Wait until there have been a few months in a row of increased sales and appreciation.
Real estate is a long term investment. Short term market fluctuations can feel painful. But, if you are fortunate to have the income you did when you purchased the house. Or. If you rent the house out and still get similar rent. Try thinking of your home like a bond. A bond can go up or down, changing the net asset value, but the cash flow stays the same.
Like all things cyclical, real estate will come back.
Published on February 16, 2009
in Ideas.
I received this question in an email a few days ago. What are three things I should focus on now to have a successful web startup? My answer was pretty short.
Hi XXXX, This is easy.
1. Get a plan - Figure out what problem you’re going to solve.
2. Start building it - don’t wait to learn, or until the plan is perfect.
3. Iterate - learn from mistakes, do more of what works.
Get going.
So why don’t more people start companies? I think Shoemoney has it right. Fear of Failure. I have to say, I can’t stand failure, and thus far I refuse to fail. I consider the iterations we have gone through as the educational process. Just because we try things that don’t work well, doesn’t mean it’s a failure. So what is failure? Failure is not trying. Failure is giving up. All of the rest is a great education. And. Remember. There’s no better way to learn than by doing.
Published on February 13, 2009
in Ideas.
I’ve been getting a number of emails about Google Knol getting promoted on the homepage of google.com. While I haven’t seen it - I start most searches via firefox, this is a huge advantage for companies that control the “Start” or homepage for users. Instantly, a 100 million people can be introduced to a new property with this type of promotion. Yahoo has done this for years, helping numerous properties become reach leaders in their category. MSN did it with setting the homepage in IE and then promoting properties on the homepage of MSN. AOL did it as well when there client was much more prevalent. With HubPages, we had to do it from scratch.
Startups have to build traffic organically, build awareness overtime and tap word of mouth. However, Startups can move quicker, since they don’t have to be prepared for massive scale on day one. They can do it less expensively, with less polish - visitors of big sites expect a highly professional product with minimal glitches, and shift easier. Still, it sure is nice to be able to turn on a firehose of traffic after putting in all the hardwork to build a product. But, for people that do it organically, in the long term it is much more satisfying since the traffic was built from scratch:)
Published on February 4, 2009
in Ideas.
Every once in a while you’ll read a post and think I’ve so been there.
In the moment of absurdity do you call it like you see it? Or. Do you take a deep breath and remain calm? I have to say, for me, I usually take the calm path (at least try to). But. Maybe 25% of the time, the gut reaction with an emphatical response would be more effective.
