Online Marketing News: Chrome Gets Hacked, Facebook Can Get your Game Noticed, Take an Interest in Pinterest
Posted on 09. Mar, 2012 by Ashley Zeckman in B2B, B2C, Blog, chris brogan, content marketing, Search Engines, Small Business Internet Marketing, Small Business Marketing, Social Media
Google+ For Business
This infographic was recently shared by Chris Brogan on his website and provides some valuable insight into using Google+ for business. Highlights include:
- Why Google+ is the place to be
- Sharing is the key
- Taking your business page to the next level
“Introducing Google Play: All your entertainment, anywhere you go” Google is looking to eliminate the hassle of syncing across multiple devices and computers. Google Play is a digital entertainment destination where users can find everything from music, to books and movies. The best part about Google Play? It’s entirely cloud based so everything will always be available. Via Google Blog.
“Senior execs increase Twitter usage 13%” A recent survey found that senior executives access media at any give time of day and are using both traditional and new media to gather this information. It appears that even the 55+ group of executives appears to be pretty digital savvy. Via BtoB.
“Facebook’s tips for getting your mobile game noticed” Mobile games have taken over smart phone app stores making it difficult to choose. Facebook believes they have a solution that will make games more discoverable. Via Venturebeat.
“Pinterest: Why Your Company Should Take An Interest” Many brands are beginning to utilize Pinterest as an online marketing vehicle. While some experts say that it may not be time for every company to participate, Pinterest is definitely something to keep in mind as a tool to leverage some out of the box solutions. Via the brainyard.
“Google Patches Hacker’s Chrome Bug in Less Than 24 Hours” Within 15 hours of Google Chrome being hacked at the Pwnium hack competition Google had already developed a solution to fix the hack. It’s clear that Chrome is no longer unhackable, but props to Google for coming up with a solution quickly. Via Forbes.
“5 Reasons Your Content Marketing Must Address Price” The way that people are shopping has changed to a very online focused business. However, many businesses fail to address essential questions that their customers may have, especially when it comes to pricing. This article provides some helpful tips on how and why you should discuss price. Via Social Media Examiner.
“New Site Helps You Control Google Search Results for Your Name” If you are interviewing for a job or trying to land a new client you can be sure that your name will be Googled before agreeing to do business with you. A new website BrandYourself, guides users in optimizing the links that you want Google to push up in the results when your name is searched. Via Mashable.
TopRank Team News
Brian Larson – Infographic: The Google Panda Update, One Year Later
There seems to be a widely held belief that Google’s Panda update targeted and impacted article sites. This misnomer serves as a reminder to look back at Panda year later to evaluate what we learned and how we adapted. Via Search Engine Land.
Ken Horst – Can Friendsheet give Facebook the power of Pinterest?
Facebook quietly launched its own version of Pinterest on Tuesday that looks like a 100% knock off. One obvious benefit to a Facebook version of Pinterest is its seamless integration with your Facebook community.
On the down side, Friendsheets are not easily sharable with people not in your network and the image database is not very searchable. Also, it doesn’t appear that Friendsheet has a toolbar applet for easy image curation available yet.
From a marketing perspective, I will set up and use this tool as a way to expand my reach but I plan to keep using Pinterest as my primary image curation tool because I like the Pinterest community and the sharing options. Via SmartBlog.
Time to weigh in: Will you be targeting older executives more aggressively now that you know they’re spending more time online? What type of businesses do you think should utilize Pinterest?
Gain a competitive advantage by subscribing to the
TopRank® Online Marketing Newsletter.
© Online Marketing Blog, 2012. |
Online Marketing News: Chrome Gets Hacked, Facebook Can Get your Game Noticed, Take an Interest in Pinterest | http://www.toprankblog.com
Google+ for Business: 5 Things Marketing Professionals Should Know About Google+
Posted on 17. Jan, 2012 by Ashley Zeckman in Blog, chris brogan, content marketing, Google Profile, Search Marketing, Small Business Internet Marketing, Small Business Marketing, Social Media
Google+ has been on the lips of every online marketing professional since early 2011. With a base that has now passed 62 million users and the integration of Google+ into Google search, it has become clear that Google+ is here to stay.
As this new social platform continues to evolve it may be difficult to keep up with the latest trends, changes, and tactics for creating an optimized and influential Google+ profile for you and your business. With recent events and the release of Chris Brogan’s new book “Google+ for Business: How Google’s Social Network Changes Everything” Lee and I thought it seemed a good time to compile some helpful tips of our own and some from Chris’s new book to help professionals take some of the fear and uncertainty out of using Google+.
Author Information in Search Results
I’m sure over the last couple of months you’ve noticed author information included in Google search results. This feature displays a photo of the author as well as an opportunity to add them to your Google+ circles. Getting Author information to appear in the search results next to content that you create can be accomplished a few ways.
Google suggests adding your name and your email address to each article or blog post and then verifying that same email address within your Google+ profile. The other option is a good old fashioned link exchange between the content you create and your Google+ profile. Add a Google Profile button to your site or manually add the link using: <a href=”[profile_url]?rel=author”>Google</a> and replace the [profile_url] with the long id in your Google+ profile web address. Then make sure you link to the sites that you contribute to from your Google+ Profile in the area called “Contribute to”. Once you do that, there’s a form you need to fill out.
Google Plus for Search
Many SEO professionals and Marketers were up in arms after last weeks release of Google+ search functionality. It appears that Google is favoring it’s own content over others. Google does include information from some networks such as Quora or Flickr, but at this point is excluding popular social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. What does this mean for marketers?
Take full advantage of these changes and post useufl information on your Google+ profile or company page that are relevant to your business and the business problems of your customers. Engage with others and be useful and interesting so that as many other relevant users of Google+ add you to their circles as possible. The larger your network on Google+, the more likely your content will appear prominently in their search results.
“Where Google+ Fits in the Business Ecosystem”
Outside of the obvious need to have a presence in Google+ for search visibility, there are other good reasons for professionals to leverage the social network. In his book, Chris Brogan expresses that how a company uses Google+ for business is up to them, and that there are many opportunities to consider when building a Google+ strategy. The suggestions in the book are pretty much best practices for any kind of social network involvement and with all the attention being paid to Google+ the past few months it’s a good time to review. Some of the ways you may want to consider using Google+ for your business or professional online presence include:
- Collaboration
- Learning
- Discovery
- Community Building
- Contests & Promotions
- Customer Service
- Engagement
- Listening
- Referrals
- Sharing
“The Most Important Part of Your Profile: The Introduction”
Building out your Google+ profile is essential for how people perceive your brand. Google+ for Business puts special emphasis on creating a stellar introduction for Google+ profiles. The introduction field in you Google+ profile should include:
- Professional Experience: give your potential customers an idea of what it might look like to work with them.
- Personal Information: this will inform prospects what matters most to you outside of business.
- Linking: do not stuff your profile with links but be sure to link to outside resources where appropriate.
“Posting to Build Connections”
If part of your marketing strategy is to connect with interesting or influential people, Google+ this is a good way to inspire creativity in your own content. Some helpful tips for creating content to drive connections would include:
- Source information from websites that are not always sources. Posting interesting information from a more obscure sight is likely to catch the attention of new followers.
- Original content that takes a different stance from the majority of users is likely to get you some attention.
- Curiosity drives traffic, share some interesting knowledge that you have about something you care about such as music or film.
There is a wealth of information being created each day on optimizing, creating content, and socializing using Google+. Over the next few months Google will only continue to roll out changes to their Google+ platform and either by incentive or usefulness, Google+ will grow.
What are your most pressing questions about Google+? Has your business created a page yet? How are you getting your staff on board with Google+ profiles or are you focusing more on your brand page?
Be sure to connect with TopRank Online Marketing on Google+ here.
Gain a competitive advantage by subscribing to the
TopRank® Online Marketing Newsletter.
© Online Marketing Blog, 2012. |
Google+ for Business: 5 Things Marketing Professionals Should Know About Google+ | http://www.toprankblog.com
The Five Most Engaging Podcasts of the Year
Posted on 30. Dec, 2011 by John Jantsch in Blog, chris brogan, David Meerman Scott, Derek SIvers, Podcast, Small Business Internet Marketing, Small Business Marketing
The Five Most Engaging Podcasts of the Year
This content from: Duct Tape Marketing
I’ve been recording podcast interviews since some time in 2005 and it’s one of my favorite things to do. The show has opened some pretty cool doors and allowed me to meet some very cool people.
This year I met the likes of Harvey MacKay, Stephen Pressfield, Eric Reis, Derek Sivers, Kevin Kelly and Hugh MacLeod through my podcast and reconnected with old friends such as Seth Godin, Guy Kawasaki, Chris Brogan, David Meerman Scott, Peter Shankman and Scott Ginsberg.
The following five episodes make up what you my readers called my most engaging shows of the year.
1) Anything You Want
This week’s guest on the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is Derek Sivers, founder of CDBaby and author of Anything You Want 40 Lessons (When you buy any version of the book you can grab 200 musical downloads as a gift from Derek too!)
2) The New New New Rules of Marketing and PR
My good friend David Meerman Scott stopped by the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast recently to talk about the release of the 3rd Edition of his mega best selling book The New Rules of Marketing and PR. This book changed the way many people think about marketing and has remained on many a “must read” list since it was first released.
3) 5 Google Plus Tips and Chris Brogan
For this week’s episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast I grabbed a few minutes with Chris Brogan. Chris is the founder of Human Business Works, writes and speaks on all things related to social media and is a documented Google Plus fanboy.
4) 5 Types of Content That Every Business Must Employ
The creation and distribution of content has become such a significant aspect of effective marketing that it requires a high place in the strategy conversation in most every business.
Some might go as far as to suggest content marketing has become the most effective way to build a business.
5) Understanding the Most Fundamental Shift in Marketing
When I want to make marketing extremely easy to understand, I sit small business owners down in front of the above graphic and have them fill in some process, touchpoint, campaign, product of service in each of the seven blanks. The idea behind this graphic I call the Marketing Hourglass is that marketing is no longer a hunt and close business, it’s a be found, build trust, nurture, wow and refer business.
Does Google Plus Change Everything
Posted on 29. Dec, 2011 by John Jantsch in Blog, chris brogan, Podcast, Small Business Internet Marketing, Small Business Marketing, Social Media
Does Google Plus Change Everything
This content from: Duct Tape Marketing
Marketing podcast with Chris Brogan (Click to play or right click and “Save As” to download – Subscribe now via iTunes or subscribe via other RSS device (Google Listen)
There certainly are those that believe Google has landed a game changer with their social network Google+ and those that are ready to claim it’s a nice niche platform for techie kind of people.
Personally, I think it’s currently the best platform for business in terms of the functionality it offers, but of course is currently lacking the dedicated user base making it hard to imagine a business setting up shop there exclusively.
Even with that limitation Google+ has indeed changed some things already.
- Its existence can certainly claim credit for a number of enhancements for business users rushed in recently by Facebook.
- SEO firms are both nervous and giddy about Google’s integration of G+ with search
- Google+ ties together many of Google’s already entrenched, but untethered services such as Picasa, YouTube, GMail and Apps.
My guest for this week’s episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is and author of Google+ for Business: How Google’s Social Network Changes Everything
Brogan boldly and passionate professes, as the title of the book suggests, that Google+ is the next super power in the social network game and cares little that Facebook has hundreds of millions of users more. It’s the Google connection and the Google dominance in other important business areas that intrigues and excites Brogan most.
Again, from a strictly business point of view, I have to agree. Now is the time to grab, build and enhance your Google+ profile and brand page. This action will never hurt you and you may discover that actively placing content from your blog on Google+ is a way to get your content indexed by Google even faster.
One of the things I like most about Brogan’s book, however, is that while he firmly supports the use of Google+ for business, much of the advice he gives about how to use it is solid advice for anyone that wants to build a following, find great content and engage users on any platform.
You can listen to the show by subscribing the feed in iTunes or a variety of other free services such as Google Listen (Use this RSS feed) or you can buy the Duct Tape Marketing iPhone app. (iTunes link – Cost is $2.99) or
10 Social Media Pros Pick Their Favorite iPad Case
Posted on 08. Nov, 2011 by Jay Baer in Amber Naslund, Ann Handley, Blog, brian clark, CC Chapman, chris brogan, iPad, Jason Falls, scott stratten, Small Business Internet Marketing, Small Business Marketing, social media tools
Given the extraordinary buffet of technology and tech-related options and alternatives available to us, it fascinates me to learn what people I know and trust use on a day-to-day basis.
In this, the debut edition of What The Pros Use, I polled a group of social business and content geniuses to determine what they use to swaddle their iPads. The fact that I didn’t consider for even a nanosecond that any of these folks wouldn’t have an iPad is an interesting circumstance too.
David Armano (@armano)
Executive Vice President, Edelman Digital
David uses the original Apple rubber case for iPad version 1.
“It keeps it as thin as possible, and has a great grip.”
Jay Baer (@jaybaer)
President, Convince & Convert
Apple Smart Cover for iPad 2, but I ensconce the entire thing in the Case SIMPL sleeve. I love Case SIMPL because it turns your iPad (or laptop) sleeve into a mobile office. Room for business cards, a notebook, pens, iPod, and a bunch of other stuff, but still in a small size with meaningful protection. Also, made in Chicago, which is nice.
(Note, Case SIMPL sent me some free samples, so I’m giving away 2 laptop cases and 2 Kindle cases randomly to people that tweet this post.)
Chris Brogan (@chrisbrogan)
Founder, Human Business Works
Chris also uses the Apple magnetic Smart Cover for iPad 2, but is not terribly enthusiastic about that choice.
“I’m using that stupid expensive magnetic lid case for no good reason.”
Brian Clark (@copyblogger)
President, Copyblogger Media
Brian also uses the iPad 2 smart cover, but is branching out with a bluetooth keyboard.
“I just got a Bluetooth keyboard/cover from Brookstone that turns the iPad into a netbook-like device for writing on planes, etc.”
CC Chapman (@cc_chapman)
Raconteur, Co-author Content Rules
Like David Armano, CC uses iPad 1 and the original rubber case, due in particular to its easy folding for typing purposes.
“It doesn’t add much weight. I always looked for a softer leather one, and could never find one.”
Nicole D’Alonzo (@NikisNotes)
Social Media Manager, Porter Novelli
Niki also uses the iPad 2 smart cover, but may be the only person I’ve spoken with who actually likes it a lot.
“The slim design folds nicely to prop-up my iPad while I’m typing or watching videos. It doesn’t insulate the back of the iPad 2, I manage that by slipping it into my laptop sleeve.”
Jason Falls (@jasonfalls)
President, Social Media Explorer
This is not Jason Falls.
Always supporting the local angle, Jason uses the ModulrCase manufactured in Louisville. It’s a multi-functional case that even includes a refrigerator magnet mount!
“You can clip it into a table-top stand, a shoulder strap, a wall mount, and more. The plastic case protects it but it doesn’t add a lot of weight or bulk. I wouldn’t use anything else, and frankly love the hell out of it.”
Ann Handley (@marketingprofs)
Chief Content Officer, MarketingProfs
This is not Ann Handley in repose
A recently purchaser of the iPad 2, exacting Ann has been pondering her case options. After eschewing the Smart Cover and several other candidates, she settled on the DODO Case.
“It’s light, functional, somewhat protective, stylish, and not that pricey (Bonus)!”
Amber Naslund (@ambercadabra)
Vice President, Radian6
Road warrior Amber swears by the Go In Case, which offers multiple integrated screen positions.
“It handles multiple positions with stability, protects it when I drop it (because I do that often enough for it to matter), and in my full-to-bursting laptop bag, can travel in a suitcase without getting crushed.”
Scott Stratten (@unmarketing)
Author, UnMarketing
Scott uses the iPad 2 Smart Cover, but recognizes it may not be a 100% solution.
“It increases my coolness factor by 20%. I like how it turns the iPad off, and it’s thin for easy packing. But, it can slide off when I take it out of my carry-on, and offers really no protection, since it’s just a flap.”
There you have it. What the Pros Use: iPad cases. Lots of market penetration for the smart cover, but not a lot of love for it, really. Several other interesting options to consider.
(Don’t forget that I’m giving away laptop and Kindle cases randomly to people that tweet this post, courtesy of Case SIMPL).
What do you use for your iPad?
5 Google Plus Tips and Chris Brogan
Posted on 19. Jul, 2011 by John Jantsch in Blog, chris brogan, Duct Tape Marketing, Podcast, Small Business Internet Marketing, Small Business Marketing, Social Media
5 Google Plus Tips and Chris Brogan
This content from: Duct Tape Marketing
Marketing podcast with Chris Brogan (Click to play or right click and “Save As” to download – Subscribe now via iTunes or subscribe via other RSS device (Google Listen)
For this week’s episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast I grabbed a few minutes with Chris Brogan. Chris is the founder of Human Business Works, writes and speaks on all things related to social media and is a documented Google Plus fanboy.
Chris and I talk about what Google Plus is, what it means, its strong points and weak points and why he has moved a great deal of his own personal networking activity to Google Plus. Have a listen.
Below are a couple tips that I’ve been using to enhance my own Google Plus experience – connect with me on Google Plus if you like.
1) Add the Google Plus Profile card to your blog – Grab the Google Plus Card WordPress plugin puts your Google Plus profile in your blog sidebar just like you see over there to the left – this will help spread the word about your presence there.
2) Add photos like a slideshow – Create a new Album and upload a series of slides as images (all the same size) in the order you would like them to show and Google Plus creates a viewer that can be clicked through much like a slideshow.
3) Send Google Plus items to Evernote – simply create a circle and add your Evernote email address as the lone user. Then share anything on Google Plus with that circle and it will automatically be sent to your Evernote account.
4) Search Google Plus – Google Plus doesn’t really have any good way to find people you might want to connect by occupation or interest yet. You can, however, use Google search to do the job – to search by topic, add this to a Google search – your topic site:plus.google.com ie: “small business marketing” site:plus.google.com
5) Publish your Google Plus public feed to your WordPress blog – I’m sure badges and widgets are coming for G+ but until they do here’s how I published a mini G+ feed on my blog
First – find you profile # – mine is 103952215474318614668 – then simply use this tool from plusfeed to create an RSS URL with your # – http://plusfeed.appspot.com/yourprofilenumber here, this is an RSS feed for my G+ public feed only (you can actually do this for any public feed if you wanted to publish other people’s feed)
Next take the RSS feed above and burned it at Feedburner (I know, another Google property.) Feedburner has a feature called BuzzBoost that makes it pretty easy to republish an RSS and produces the code you need for your widget. Take that code and create a text widget in WordPress, place it in your theme (you might also add a link back to your profile) and that’s it.
Bonus: Don’t forget to add the Google +1 button to your blog and Website pages. This is one way that people point out content on your site and share it with their Google Plus followers. I show you how to do that here: Adding the Google +1 Button
New Blog Design Now With Comments
Posted on 15. Jun, 2011 by Michel Fortin in Blog, brian clark, chris brogan, clutter, comment, Darren Rowse, feedback, News, Small Business Internet Marketing, Small Business Marketing
After a much needed change, I decided to completely revamp my blog. The old one was good, but it was cluttered, too busy, and distracting.
I wanted to simplify.
I wanted to get rid of the clutter and look crisper, cleaner, and more focused. The previous one had too many ads, messages, social icons, etc.
I loved the overall design and some of the main design elements from Chris Brogan, Brian Clark, and Darren Rowse. So I decided to emulate them.
I realized that they use Genesis as their framework, but I’m in love with WooThemes. In fact, I wanted a WooTheme theme because all my other blogs have WooThemes, and I love their framework, their sidebar manager, their built-in shortcodes, etc.
I wanted those features on my own blog!
Lastly, I wanted to re-introduce commenting, but with a twist. I once used Disqus, which I liked a lot. But I wanted more social media integration. Recently, LiveFyre came along with full social networking integration and some good reviews.
So this is it! But I need your feedback on a couple of things…
What do you think? I’m still tweaking it, and I not 100% sure I want to keep it like this, including the comments. Let me know in the comments.
What else do you think I should add or remove? If you look at the bottom footer section, there’s nothing (compared to last time where I had the most popular posts, etc).
Brian Clark and Chris Brogran have nothing, too. But Darren’s blog has a neat footer section. Ideas? Suggestions? Let me know in comments below.
New Blog Design Now With Comments originally appeared on The Michel Fortin Blog. Please visit to subscribe to it, or Tweet This.
Connect With Us Here:
