The Maine SEO Blog

Whether you’re new to Twitter or you’ve been on it for what seems like a decade, it’s easy to get stuck in who you’re following. You may even find that you don’t actively make searches for new people like you used to.

It’s time to break out of that. 

Since Twitter has become so filled with spam (or that’s what it feels like, at least), why not try finding valuable Tweeps in more unique ways?

People Search

Sure, you’ve used the Twitter Search function before, but that usually means you’ll have to spend hours and hours sorting through piles of bogus tweeps. Instead, look at the “People Search”. In the new version of Twitter, you can change the search to show just people. Typically, this group is sorted by the most relevant – and often, most popular – tweeps.

Friends of Friends

Pay close attention to those tweeps you hold in high regard and watch who they’re talking with. A lot of times, you’ll find relevant tweeps when your favorites ReTweet or reply to them!

Seminars & Webinars

If you’re attending a webinar or even a live seminar, be sure to follow the hashtag. You’ve already got one thing in common with these people: whatever it is that brought you to this conference/seminar/webinar. Start checking out some profiles; my guess is you’ll find a ton of interesting tweeps. Then, take it to the next level by tweeting out phrases and takeaways from the conference; this way, people will start following you, too!

What about you? What are your favorite ways to find new tweeps?

Nicki Hicks
Tweep finder

This will be my third year in a row creating a “best of the year” post; feel free to check out posts from 2010 and 2009, too.

This year, I’ve done the best at flyte: from our flyte blog, Maine SEO blog, and Florida SEO blog. Go ahead and browse the archives; enjoy!

flyte blog

1. 50 – Count ‘em, 50! – Creative Uses of QR Codes
2. Print Keynote Handouts Like PowerPoint
3. Post to your Facebook Business Page as you…and more!
4. What is a QR Code? What is QR Code Marketing?
5. What is a Facebook Landing Page and Why Do I Need One?

Maine SEO

1. What is a Good Bounce Rate in Google Analytics?
2. Facebook Fun | What Was Your Status Update On This Day Last Year?
3. Can I create a Facebook Business Account (or Fan Page) without a Personal Account?
4. How to Like a Facebook Fan Page…as a Fan Page
5. Allowing Pingbacks and Trackbacks on your blog: Is there any value back?

Florida SEO

1. Alt Tags vs. Title Tags for Images in WordPress: What’s the difference?
2. The Top 5 Most Liked Pages on Facebook and What We Can Learn From Them
3. How Long Will It Take to See Results from Search Engine Optimization?
4. How to Decrease Your Bounce Rate in Google Analytics
5. Welcome the Newest Member to flyte new media: Joan Woodbrey Crocker!

Photo credit: stockerre

A client asked me this recently and it’s a fantastic question! After we optimize a client’s website, I’ll always say that it’s important to keep up with SEO even after launch. Simply put, things change online so quickly that it’s imperative you – and your website, blog, social media presence, etc. – keep up.

So….how can you keep up with SEO without becoming overwhelmed?

Check your GA monthly.

Set up your Google Analytics so that you get monthly reports emailed to you directly. Pay specific attention to the keywords visitors use when they come to your website; are they the same ones you optimized for? Are you even seeing the keywords you optimized for in the list? If you’re still not seeing the keywords you optimized your website for 6 months after you did initial SEO, go back and rework things.

Do keyword research annually or even bi-annually.

Google and the search engines change, and so do what your visitors are searching for. By updating your keyword list at least once a year, you’ll be sure to optimize for all of the keywords your audience is using.

Blog and use social media regularly to drive traffic.

Pay close attention to “hot” keywords and phrases your audience will be searching for depending on the season or time of year and incorporate them in the content you create. Blogposts can be especially helpful, as you can create content quickly around a hot, new subject and almost instantly have a blogpost show up on Google.

How do you keep up with SEO?

Nicki Hicks
Keeping Up with SEO, a new reality series

The following is a recap from recent webinar from Social Media Examiner. Speakers included Mike Stelzner, Founder of Social Media Examiner; Andrea Vahl, social media consultant; Rich Brooks, president of flyte new media; and Kristi Hines, founder of Kikolani. See more of the conversation by searching for #10ways on Twitter. 

1. Google+ business page

Create your G+ business page here, but know there are limitations:

• you can only have one admin
• and you can only follow fans back

Get a G+ badge and you can get more recommendations on your site in Google search and grow your audience on G+. Having a business page and the badge has also been shown to increase your website’s visibility on Google.

2. Getting leads on Facebook

What’s a lead?

• Not just any like
• Interest
• Authority to purchase
• Move along sales cycle and have need for your product/service

Facebook sales pyramid: Like > Engage (know, like, trust) > Buy

Build a deeper relationship. How do you get individual email addresses? By adding a Facebook email capture.

• Offer a freebie – value report, discount, coupon
• Require an iFrame application for a custom tab
• Can be set as default landing tab (first people land when they come to your page)
• Design your own or hire someone

3. Facebook and webinars

• Promote your webinar to your audience
• Use webinar service to capture emails
• Promote a product or service at the end
• Offer valuable content
• Continue to connect with audience through email

About two weeks ago, the second to last Twilight movie (Breaking Dawn, Part I) came out.

Women of all ages (and any men who were dragged) came out to the theater for the unveiling of the film. Regardless of what you think about the series – or about this movie in particular – like many series throughout history (Star Wars, Harry Potter, and The Matrix, just to name a few), Twilight has an incredible following. And why wouldn’t it? You like it, you love it, you want some more of it. (Don’t worry, I’m not taking credit for that line.) Social media is very similar, even now. It’s bright, it’s shiny, and we want more of it.

We may not fully understand Twilight or social media, but that doesn’t mean we won’t try. I’ve seen women of all ages attempt to sort through the complexities of the characters that Stephenie Meyer dreamed up. (It certainly doesn’t hurt that the movies’ cast is easy on the eyes.)

The funny thing is…the same thing goes for social media. I’ve seen business after business try to understand the complexities of the social media world and how they can fit into it. And the truth is: sometimes you can’t.

Some social platforms simply aren’t going to work for your business. It’s not that your business isn’t interesting enough; it’s just that your audience doesn’t spend their time there or they wouldn’t want to connect with you there. Just as Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner appeal to screaming estrogen-filled beings everywhere, Hollywood knew they probably wouldn’t attract many men.

So, if you’ve seen the movies or read the books, can you see any similarities between them and social media?

I’ve been bad. Very, very bad…about blogging. This is the first post I’ve written in November.

You may have had a similar experience. Maybe you got busy with work. Maybe you haven’t had any great ideas. Maybe you feel like you’ve written about everything there is to write about. Fear not, my friend. Perhaps climbing out of my own blogging coma will help you conquer yours.

Luckily, the blogosphere is a forgiving world. You may have missed out on some traffic, but it’s ok. Go ahead and pick up where you left off.

You’re simply too busy

I understand, real work gets put ahead of blogging. But think about it this way: blogging is a form of marketing and another way to ensure you’ll continue having that work in weeks and months to come. Here are a few easy ways to get around the “time” issue:

Figure out what works for you. Is it easier to blog first thing in the morning? During lunch? At home? Over the weekend? Do you prefer writing just one post at a time? Or do you like to create several when inspiration strikes? Regardless, figure out the schedule that works for you…and do it!

Keep It Simple, Stupid. You don’t need a ground breaking, earth shattering blogpost every single time. Use resources like the questions your customers ask you every day for inspiration. Often times, the quick, easy, and simple posts are the best ones.

Now you’re just making things up. Most of us aren’t too busy to watch our favorite shows. Most of us aren’t too busy to catch the game. Try multi-tasking; if you can sit in front of the TV and watch the ball game and blog, then do it! Or, if you need peace and quiet, carve out 15 or 30 minutes and write your post. That’s why they invented DVR, right?

You don’t have anything to write about or you’ve written about everything

Inspiration isn’t going to hit every day of the week – and if it does, you’re lucky – but that doesn’t mean you can’t inspire yourself.

Use tools at your disposal. There are a ton of tools out there from Google Insights for hot, new keyword ideas to Google Alerts for daily or weekly updates about new articles, blogposts, and websites in your industry. There are hundreds, even thousands of these type of tools out there, but these two are my go-to’s.

Listen to what other people are saying. Lean on your favorite writers, bloggers in your niche, or even your competitors. My favorites for SEO are the SEOmoz blog, Search Engine Roundtable, and Search Engine Land. Whatever your favorite blogs may be, make sure you subscribe to them (be it via email or RSS) and read them as often as you can.

Find a new way to spice up old blogposts. Use tricks like checking out your Google Analytics or using a different blogging technique to resurrect an old post you created.

And there you have it. Now get out there and write! But first…what are your tips or tricks for getting yourself out of a blogging coma?

Image credit: xlibber

Nicki Hicks
Really, what’s cuter than a sleeping baby?

Have you ever checked out the keywords in your Google Analytics only to find that the top 10 search queries are all different variations of the name of your business? It’s ok. It happens to every business.

What does it mean?

Unless you have an incredibly general business name, people shouldn’t have a hard time finding you online. Even though you certainly want people to be searching for your business name online, I would argue that you also want to be found via search terms from people who don’t know you exist as well.

Think about it. We’ll rank for “flyte new media” all day long; but what about “Portland Maine web design“?

Ok, so how do I fix it?

There are a ton of things you can do to help your website start ranking for non-branded search terms. Here are just a few to get you started:

• Optimize your website. Make sure that your non-branded keywords are used throughout your title tags, headers, copy, and links.
• Start blogging.  Blogging is a simple and easy way to optimize for very targeted keyword phrases. The part most people forget? Regardless of whether or not your blog lives on your website or on its own domain, make sure that you link to pages on your website as they apply – and be sure the links themselves use your non-branded keywords.
• Go local. If your business is local, make sure that its categories include your non-branded keywords. Most local search engines (like Google Places) allow you to apply at least five categories to your business listing.

There you have it. What are your methods for ranking better for non-branded search terms?

Nicki Hicks
SEO for Non-Branding

There are a ton of websites where you can buy royalty free images, but how about some where you can get them for free? Enter Flickr’s Creative Commons, a section of the site where users can allow their images to be used (basically) royalty free.

1. Start by going to the Creative Commons section in Flickr.

2. Choose the photo you’d like to use.

3. Check what type of attribution, commercial use, and derivative works the photographer allows for the photo; it could be any of the following:

• Attribution-Noncommercial-ShareAlike
• Attribution-Noncommercial Creative Commons
• Attribution-Noncommercial-Noderivs
• Attribution Creative Commons
• Attribution-ShareAlike Creative Commons
• Attribution-Noderivs Creative Commons

4. Attribute properly and as long as you follow the rules set by the photographer, publish away!

Nicki Hicks
Free photos, FTW!

This is one of my favorite blogging tricks and regardless of whether you’re running out of ideas or not, this little tip is great wayto re-kindle some traffic and re-inspire using your most popular posts. That said, let’s get right to it.

Start by logging into your Google Analytics account and going to Traffic Sources > Sources > Search > Organic.

If you’re looking at statistics for just your blog, then you’ll probably already see some great ideas for blogposts. Regardless, change the number of rows shown to the maximum number (500), then continue scrolling down for more keyword ideas.

You’ll start to see limited searches for the same term (1, 2, maybe even 3). These longtail search terms are the perfect start for additional blogposts. Sure, people already use these to find you, but why not use what works? Here’s a quick snapshot:

I might take some of these keyword phrases and create posts like:

• The 100 Most Like Pages on Facebook (similar to this post)
• Alt Tags and Image Descriptions in Facebook (similar to this post)
• How do Alt Tags Help with Google Image Search? (similar to this post)
• What’s the Difference Between an Alt Tag, Image Title, Description, and Caption? (similar to this post)
• Analytics Decreasing? Here’s Why.
• My Bounce Rate is Really High. I think… (similar to this post)

Technology is a wonderful thing, and it becomes especially apparent when it comes to telecommuting. Since I’ve started working from home full time, I’ve come to love and appreciate tools like Skype that much more. However, as we head toward fall and some of my favorite workshops and conferences, it becomes clear: just because I can’t be at them, doesn’t mean that I can’t “go” to them.

About two weeks ago, Rich and Joan attended SMX East, one of my favorite search geek conferences. Then, last week, a local conference in Portland, Maine – Social Media FTW – was put on by a great team (Rich, Chrystie, and Jaica). I couldn’t attend either conference, but I could still learn from them, thanks to technology. Here are just a few ways to telecommute to a conference far from you.

Live video feed

SMX doesn’t offer live video feeds, but FTW did. A local news station covered the event live from their website. Even though I was limited to seeing only certain sessions, they were all great and I was glad to have been able to watch live.

Most conferences will give public notifications as to whether they are offering these types of feeds, so just do your homework in advance and watch just like you were there!

Twitter

Most conferences, particularly “geeky” ones, will most certainly be talked about on Twitter. Not only that, but they’ll also often have their own hashtag. Your assignment? Figure out what that hashtag is…and follow it.

Typically, folks that are attending the conference will tweet golden nuggets of information that you’ll be able to digest, as well as join in and participate in the conference.

Live blogging

In recent years, many bloggers have taken to live blogging events – it’s great for them and great for those of us tuning in from home. Amongst the more popular live bloggers at the SMX event included:

• Search Engine Land
• Search Engine Roundtable
• Outspoken Media
• Bruce Clay

To find out who’s blogging about your event, simply try a Google search: “[Your event] live blog” or “[Your event] recap”.

Public slides

Last, but certainly not least, many presenters offer their presentations on Slideshare or a similar site (like Rich did here for his FTW YouTube presentation). You’ll be able to view or even download their presentation and review it for yourself. If the presenter is more photo than text heavy in their PowerPoints, this may not be quite as helpful. But you never know, perhaps there is audio/video as well!

Have more ways to tune into conferences and workshops from afar? Go ahead and add them below in the comments section!

Nicki Hicks
Telecommuting, FTW