Jun
28
Microsoft SEO Summit Recap
Filed Under Conferences, Search Industry News, Search Engine Optimization, Microsoft
Larry Sanger, the co-founder of Wikipedia and now owner of Citizendium spoke last Friday at Microsoft’s first SEO Summit. The summit provided search engine optimization techniques geared at improving rankings on all engines and not just on live.com. It is interesting to see Microsoft internally promoting Search Engine Optimization strategies to leverage the already existing content. However, It was also a wake up call to see the amount of opportunity to implement the basic SEO techniques to some of the major web properties.
A sample search of “Mobile Devices” in MSN ranks Microsoft’s webpage on mobile devices as the number 4th position. Searching for the same keywords in Google ranks Microsoft’s webpage as the first position. This could be both a SEO issue or a search relevancy issue. It will be interesting to see what happens with the upcoming improvements of Live.
Here are my highlights of Larry Sanger’s presentation at Microsoft’s SEO Summit.
How to create more traffic using a Web 2.0 community:
- Provide useful content. If you want to succeed in an online community you must develop a readership by providing useful content.
- Viral growth is the key. In order to make your site viral you must motivate others to participate. Organize from the bottom up. Motivate people to participate. Each contributor of Wikipedia felt some ownership of the content that they help created. Writers get excited when acknowledged by the community for contributing. Senger states “the reason people like contributing to Wikipedia because it is a rush when people comment, the more egos invested the more important it seems.”
How to make a Web 2.0 community work?
- Senger’s goal in creating Citizendium is to provide the world with higher quality content. Each member is required to use real names and not use pseudonyms to establish credibility. Although Wikipedia provides plenty of information, academics deem it lacks credibility. I find it as a good “starting point,” however, I would not go as far as to submit it in the footnotes for my end of year thesis.
- The content should be “spiderable.” Having a login for your subscription based content is fine if you can find the balance between monetizing premium content and making it easily indexed and “searchable.” Your site will attract more subscribers if users can find the information they are looking for. Also if you do require a registration, make it easy and efficient.
How can one create a viral project?
Elements of a compelling project
- The content must be worthwhile and interesting. The more niche a site or potential demand the better.
- Make the process of contribution must be easy. Digg has a successful rating system. Either Digg this or don’t, thumbs up or thumbs down. This point is often overlooked. A book I recommend reading for those involved in any part of website creation is Steven Krug’s book, Don’t Make Me Think. Website usability should come first.
- Simplicity of concept. For example, Wikipedia is an encyclopedia and it is not a mash up of you tube, etc…
Make it a public project
- Free (open) content is the best way to make it viral.
- Nonprofit helps too.
- Advertising-free is another bonus.
- Make the inner workings of a design open. For example, Firefox. It is also going to be interesting to see developers working with extending the Facebook application.
Create an attractive governance system
- Provide enough rules that the game is playable, people will then be interested in tweaking the rules.
- Participants need structure. Make it clear for them to know what to do (ex. Digg, thumbs up or thumbs down)
- Again have rewards of various sorts. Bear in mind you’re setting up a community. You’re a politician; your job is complicated.
Sanger’s presentation on creating a successful Web 2.0 site are basic but often overlooked. I would have liked to have more discussion around mission of new Web 2.0 sites. Where if any does the business model come in to play? The balance of creating an online community and making a profit. How does a large organization like Microsoft leverage existing platforms, Live, MSN Spaces, Hotmail and Messenger to develop a fully engaged community?
Best regards,
See you at the top!
Conferences Microsoft Search Engine Optimization Search Industry NewsJun
18
My First Day At The New Job and Why I Need My Own Jet and Off to Chicago
Filed Under Conferences, Business & Career, Marketing
Just touching down in Cleveland.
I’ve made a major move in the past few weeks, and I haven’t been able to talk about it until now. Today, the official department announcement was made, as of July 3rd I will no longer be the Internet Marketing Manager of MPS. We’ve made a ton of progress in the last year and a half at the group, and I will miss all the great people on my team.
With that said, I’m very excited to tell you about my unofficial first day at my new job, working with one of the most successful information marketing legends in business today. Just 18 days ago I replied to an add on online and today I boarded a private jet, brainstormed with one of the sharpest marketing minds alive today, on our way to an exclusive, two day, members only - closed door mastermind event, with a room full of multimillionaire entrepreneurs and the living legend himself, Dan Kennedy. How’s that for a good start.
I don’t officially start until July 9th, but I’m sure that after these next two days my brain will be buzzing in a million different directions and I will have notebooks full of ideas to put to work.
The event goes until Wednesday, and after that I will be right off to Chicago for the American Marketing Association (AMA) Search Engine Marketing Event - the notes of which I will be sure to post on SEMJax.org. It’s a sold out event and pretty good line up of speakers. I know Stephan Spenser won’t dissappoint, and Neil always has some good stuff to share on social media. And with another recent career change, I wonder if Vanessa Fox will be there, representing Google as planned.
Unfortunately, after flying on the private jet, my Southwest flight to Chi-town will be a big disappointing “back to reality”. It’s so nice being able to walk right on to the plane, take a seat in any one of the huge comfy leather seats, and walk right off with a car waiting at the end of the stairs to take me to my hotel.
I may or may not post notes from the inner circle event. I wouldn’t want to give away any trade secrets… shhh! But keep an eye out just in case.
Business & Career Conferences Marketing UncategorizedMar
31
I was fortunate to see Tony Robbins live for the second time in Vancouver. Again he over delivered to a pack crowd. Everyone was excited and moved. The audience jumped out of their seats. It is amazing to see business people act like kids again, jumping up and down. Not a person in the crowd was sitting. For those interested in a professional speaking career, becoming better sales people or presenters, Tony Robbins is the person to see. He reminds you that in order to captivate an audience you must be a good story teller. I recommend his Unleash the Power Within Seminar. Whatever you need to do to rearrange your schedule, do it.
Les Brown was the opening speaker and delivered an amazing story. For those of you who have heard Les speak you know that he reminds you that “You gotta be hungry.” I stayed at the Georgian Court Hotel because of its walking distance to the GM Place. Not a bad choice. The people were very helpful and the room was nice.
Looking forward to seeing Brian Tracy in Seattle on April 9th. Hope to see you there.
best regards,
Bernard
More of Bernard Ablola photos here
business & career Business & Career Conferences