Last week, a client asked if she should look into YouTube search stories, after seeing one used by a colleague on LinkedIn.

Having never heard of search stories, I took a closer look. As it turns out, the videos are quick (it takes about 10-15 minutes to create one) and easy.

The better news? If you don’t already have a YouTube channel, this quick video is a great way to make your video debut.

How to create a search story

The steps are so easy, I really don’t need to share them. But what fun would that be?

1. Start by deciding on seven different search queries.  You can further leverage them by changing the searches to web, blog, news, image, and more. (I caution you: make sure you choose searches you rank #1 for, as the video will zoom in on that query! Don’t worry, you’ll get to preview your choices in the window below.)



2. Choose your musical selection.



3. Review and publish!

And you’re done. Wasn’t that easy?

Don’t stop now. Keep creating video content because if a picture is worth a thousand words, how many is a video worth? Also, make sure that if you’re creating your first YouTube channel you brand it.

Here’s the flyte search story video.

Nicki Hicks
Quick and easy video

One of the first rules for keyword research is use more than one tool. Lucky for us, Google’s got a whole suite of tools – and better yet – they’re completely free!

1. Keyword Synonyms

I quite honestly don’t use the Google Synonym Tool as often as I probably should, but it will give you some great ideas when you start your keyword research.

2. Google Insights and 3. Google Trends

Google Insights will give you a good idea of what is popular right now (including similar “hot” keywords and phrases); while Google Trends gives a better indicator of how a keyword performs over time (Google has data as far back as 2004).

4. Google Analytics

You didn’t realize your Analytics could give you insight to what people are searching for?! Sure! Look no further than the keyword section. The bottom of the list will more than likely be rich with long tail searches. Maybe you could do a better job optimizing for those keywords, or maybe they’ll give you ideas for even more keyword research.

Another great place to look for keyword inspiration in Analytics is within your site search keywords. What were people looking for that they couldn’t find on their own? You might find some opportunity there.

5. Search-based Keyword Tool

Google’s Search-based Keyword Tool is based on AdWords bidding prices and competition, but you can get a great idea of search volume using it. It’s important to remember that this tool uses keywords in conjunction with existing websites. (So, if you don’t have a website yet, pop in one of your competitors’ sites!)

6. Google AdWords Keyword Tool

To date, Google’s AdWords Keyword Tool has been one of my favorite research tools. Again, based on AdWords competition, you’ll get the added benefit of global and local monthly search volume statistics.

7. (The New) AdWords Keyword Tool

I couldn’t be more excited for this new addition to the keyword research toolbox from Google: the new AdWords Keyword Tool. That much more robust, this tool adds a new column: local search trends. Even in a few short days of using it, I’ve found that, while you have to sort through the irrelevant keywords a bit more, you’ll get a ton of helpful synonyms and related search terms.

8. Google Sets

Ironically, I saw that Kasi Gajtkowski from Hall Web Services just put up a new blogpost about Google Sets – a new keyword research tool from Google. This tool will give you more loosely related (but still relevant) keywords related to the search terms you enter. That way, you’ll really be able to expand your keyword research and get some ideas you’d never thought of!

9. Google Suggest

While it’s not traditionally a keyword research tool, Google Suggest is an out-of-the-box way to get keyword ideas.

With so many free tools to choose from, you’re bound to be a keyword pro in no time. Which is your favorite to use?

Nicki Hicks
Google Tool Savant

First things first, there have already been a ton of great posts on how to use Buzz and what it’s all about. If you want a really great overview of all Google Buzz has to offer, check out this Mashable post. The official Google Blog also has a post with some great video how-to’s for both the web-based and mobile Buzz versions.

Here are some of the more interesting features of Buzz – the good, the bad, and the ugly – that I’ve noticed in a few short weeks of buzzing.

Gmail Integration

If someone replies to a “buzz” of yours, it is emailed directly to you. Even more cool: you can reply to the thread directly in the email.

Be careful though, comment on an influential Buzzer’s(?) post and you’ll get all of the comments thereafter. There are a few options for this: a) create a filter to put any buzz comments under a specific label in Gmail, b) “mute” the post, so that you no longer get the updates from it.

Also a negative: for those anti-Googlers out there, you have to have a Gmail account in order to Buzz.

Social Integration

Buzz has the option to integrate a ton of your other social media profiles, and I can only assume there will be more to come. But for now, your tweets, YouTube videos, flickr photos, and more will show up in your Buzz stream.

Watch the conversation

Like Facebook’s commenting and “liking” features, Buzz is superior to Twitter in the fact that you can actually watch a conversation – and follow it if you’ve come late to the game.

Alas, for every positive there is a negative. I love Mashable, but I unfollowed them because they were clogging up my Buzz feed. Lots of great info – I just don’t know if Buzz is where I want to get it. In the future, hopefully Google will help sort folks you follow so it’s more manageable. Again, currently you can mute a post, so that you don’t receive updates as people comment.

Mobile Integration

Access Buzz on your smart phone and you’ll see the same features, plus some – including Google Maps integration where you can see who’s buzzing around you.

I’m sure that as Buzz evolves, the less than desirable qualities will be ironed out. And until then, we can figure out the implications of Buzzing and add yet another social network to our list to join.

Nicki Hicks
Follow me on Buzz

Yesterday I talked a little bit about how to set up Google Alerts, and hinted at why they’re important. Today, I’d like to focus on how you can use the Alerts you receive.

Do some damage control. Even the best business will have unhappy customers. Here’s your opportunity to make it right. Don’t pretend like the post didn’t happen, don’t even ask the blogger to remove it. Face it – head on – and comment; apologize for their bad experience and vow to make it better (however you can manage to). Not only will the unhappy blogger feel better (maybe even remove or update their scathing review), but anyone who reads the post and your subsequent comment will want to do business with you.

Catch the copy cats. Unfortunately, there are a lot of blogs out there whose soul purpose is to copy content from other blogs/articles and repost it. They sometimes give credit, but never their own .02. More often than not, these copy cat blogs are harmless (since Google already sees them as spam), but some are truly a more serious copyright violation.

Catch what fell through the cracks. You might already be tracking your business name on Twitter, and regularly Googling yourself. Google Alerts are a sure-fire way to catch even more mentions of your business.

Get inspired. Tracking your highly sought after keywords will result in a variety of blogposts, websites, and more that also target those keywords. You’ll find plenty of new ideas by reading through these alerts; just make sure your keywords are specific enough so you don’t end up sorting through pages and pages.

Thank people. We’ve talked about the negative, but there’s also the positive! There might be some positive blogposts out there talking about your company, product, or service. Maybe they don’t offer a link, so your backlink checker wouldn’t pick them up. Make sure you leave a comment thanking them and you could even offer them an incentive to do business with you again (% off, free bonus, etc.).

How about you? How have you used your Google Alerts?

Nicki Hicks
Tracking, tracking, tracking

I find that Google Alerts is, by far, one of the most under appreciated Google products. Leveraging it correctly can result in good PR, better blogposts, and a quick and easy way to get a leg up on the competition. Here’s how to make the most of it.

1. Start by assigning a keyword/phrase – the more specific, the better (unless you want to sort through lists of results that don’t apply). You might want to assign multiple alerts, and they could include:

• Your most sought after keywords and phrases
• Your business name
• Your competitor’s name(s)
• Product/service names

2. Then, choose what you want to have sent to you. Choose from:

• News
• Blogs
• Web
• Comprehensive (everything)
• Video
• Groups

3. Receive notifications once a day, a week, or as they happen. (I find that notifications as they happen are simply annoying, but figure out what works for you.)

4. Decide on how many results you want (as to not be overwhelming).

5. Get alerts sent to your Gmail account or your feed….and you’re done!

Tomorrow I’ll talk about how to use the information you get after setting up your Alerts.

Nicki Hicks
Alert the Media