<![CDATA[Dr. Linda S. Ralston's Blog (aka Utah Tour Doctor) - Electronic Marketing Secrets Blog]]>Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:14:28 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[The new iPad - Resolution better than Kindle for reading?]]>Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:15:25 -0800http://www.utourdoc.com/4/post/2012/03/the-new-ipad-resolution-better-than-kindle-for-reading.htmlOkay, truth be told I have checked out the iPad 1 and iPad 2 but I have not been sufficiently tempted.  I do own both a Kindle and a Nook. My Kindle is 3 years old, has traveled the world, and has become my preferred device for reading.  I love how lightweight it is to hold, quickly advance pages, the battery that lasts days (versus the hours of an iPad), and the e-ink screen is easy to read for hours. When I was in China for a month, I read everyday and the battery lasted a month.  I have never had to struggle with a glaring screen even outside. I can even read with a soft light into the night without straining my eyes. I cannot imagine trying to hold a 1.4 pound iPad with one hand for hours as I read a book from cover to cover. As a teacher, I read daily. . . some of the books are heavy and bulky, particularly my computer application books.  Yet, these books are lightweight on my Kindle (it weighs around a half pound).  I can search the books, take notes, and even highlight sections and print out the highlights to review before class.    Okay, my Kindle does not have a camera and no Siri, but my Kindle will read some books for me.   

I admit that there are other reasons for owning an iPad "New/3", but not for reading books. Apple might think they are offering an alternative to the Kindle, but not in my opinion.  I suggest that Apple consider focusing their marketing on applications other than reading books. Do not worry Amazon! I will still be using my Kindle on a daily basis.     
]]><![CDATA[12 Things That Will Kill Your Blog Post Every Time]]>Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:27:34 -0800http://www.utourdoc.com/4/post/2012/03/12-things-that-will-kill-your-blog-post-every-time.htmlA recent article I found on SEOMOZ reviewed some key aspects that every blogger should consider in order to make their blogs more effective.  I will highlight a few of the recommendations. Bloggers should ensure that they make every effort to avoid making these errors that will decrease the effectiveness of your blog:

  1. Crafting cute, clever or confusing headlines (or really bad ones) - Remember that this is the key aspect of generating interest in your blog.  Make sure you make the headline interesting to attract attention. In my electronic marketing course, I teach the use of AIDA.  A=Attention (the headline is essential to gaining attention), I=Interest (the description appearing on the search engine results will generate interest), D=Desire (create a desire for further information by supporting your blog with links to other sources), and A=Action (provide an opportunity for readers to follow-up on your blog with an RSS Feed or Twitter Posts).
  2. Never linking to old posts. . . Previous posts provide support and further details for your current post.
  3. Never linking to other bloggers . . . Again, providing links to other bloggers and articles generate interest and encourage dialogue between your readers and other bloggers.
  4. Forgetting to fill out your page title and description fields . . . again, the page title and description are critical for SEO.  Search engines use this information when indexing your page and the use of the title and description provides valuable attention for potential readers on the search engine results.
  5. Plagiarizing other bloggers . . . Whereas, you may feel it is a quick way to boost your blogging frequency, make sure you are ethical and provide valuable insight for your readers.  If in the case of a blog (such as, this particular post) reflects on material previously posted on another blog, quote the previous blog and provide a hyperlink to the original post.  More importantly, ADD further information and insight. As noted on item 1, provide a greater information to ensure that your readers want to read your blog rather than just link to another person's blog.
  6. Writing big blocks of copy . . . use short paragraphs with sub-headings.  I know I am guilty of this error.  When I first started blogging while on sabbatical in China, I used my blog as a travel journal.  Writing in a journal is not the same as blogging.  I have learned over time that most people do not want to read pages and pages of copy.  Keep it short and interesting.
It seems that this is a perfect place to end this post . . . If you are interested in learning more, check out the original blog at http://www.seomoz.org/blog/12-things-that-will-kill-your-blog-post-every-time 

     
]]><![CDATA[Drafting an effective description statement]]>Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:05:35 -0800http://www.utourdoc.com/4/post/2011/10/drafting-an-effective-description-statement.htmlThe Problem – Why the need for SEO? Why write a description when search engines will put in their own snippet for you:

This past week I attempted to explain Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to my students in my electronic marketing course.  I fear that many of my students failed to comprehend the importance of SEO and more importantly, struggled with drafting an effective description that would entice potential visitors to their website.  

An analogy: I admonished them to take advantage of the opportunity to sell your product, or in the case of their resume/eportfolio to sell yourself to potential employers. The analogy that seemed to bring a little clarity in the eyes of my students was a comparison to billboards on the highway.  There are many billboards promoting hotels and restaurants along the interstate, but some are more effective in attracting the driver to leave the road than others. Pretty pictures might grab your initial attention, but what motivates you to take that next exit.  Is it the message “kids stay free,” “free hot breakfast,” or “restaurant open 24 hours?” An interesting and motivating descriptive message will achieve a similar result, such as, attract a greater click though rate than a random snippet of information from the website’s content. Still many of my students struggled to write an effective description for their own resume website. Feeling a bit frustrated, I turned back to my SEO books and reviewing some of the wealth of SEO websites.

Conversation Marketing website identified 3 items that should be included in the description tag.  I would like to share those 3 tips with my students:

1.      A reason to click. Give the potential site visitor a reason to believe that you offer an answer to their inquiry . . . Provide them a clue as to why your website is to be the perfect answer to their search!

2.      More text – more clarity.  According to Conversation Marketing, Google is testing different snippet sizes so go ahead and include greater detail.  I would add . . . ensure that you proof your work to avoid spelling and grammar errors.

3.      Put your strongest point first.  Use your keyword, primary headline, and the most enticing aspect of your brand message near the first segment of the description.  If the snippet does not include the full description statement then at least, the most important points still appears on the Search Results page. Learn more at the following website:

http://www.conversationmarketing.com/2008/09/3_things_your_description_tag.htm

Check out their website and consider buying the book Conversation Marketing . . . currently just $7. for the PDF version.  A real bargain for cash strapped college students

]]><![CDATA[The Art of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization ]]>Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:50:14 -0800http://www.utourdoc.com/4/post/2011/09/first-post.htmlIf you only purchase one book on Search Engine Optimization, then this is that book! The Art of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization (2010) by Eric Enge, Stephan Spencer, Rand Fishkin & Jessie C. Stricchiola. (Published by O’Reilly Media.)  If you are a novice or newbie with web page design and search engine optimization, then this should be your first read! If you are an experienced web designer, this book will serve as a reference book regarding SEO best practices.  The authors of The Art of SEO explains the basic fundamentals, identifies guidelines for a comprehensive SEO strategy, and effective techniques. (By the way, for those of you who have a Kindle . . . you can purchase this book for your Kindle.)

Book: The Art of SEO
Cover of the book entitled "The Art of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization."
]]><![CDATA[Today's Marketplace]]>Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0800http://www.utourdoc.com/4/post/2011/09/todays-marketplace.htmlMarketing in our Busy Marketplace: Imagine you were given a free storefront location in the middle of New York Times Square. Approximately, 2 million people visit Times Square on New Year's Eve alone.  All you have to do is put a sign up on the storefront to attract visitors, but you decide it costs too much or you just do not want to invest the time necessary in the effort!  You decide to just let people come in to see what you have to sell. Yet, potential customers walk right by your door because they do not realize that you might have anything that they want.  Sounds like a pretty lame marketing plan. Right?  Although that seems a bit extreme, that is exactly what you are doing when you design a website and upload it to the web without the investing a little time in optimizing your site.  Are you missing a valuable opportunity? 

When you have a website you have prime property on the Times Square of the web!  Millions of people go to a search engjine, such as, Google every day.  They type in a description of what they are shopping for today or a question they are attempting to find a solution/answer.  Search Engines provide them with a number of websites providing what they are looking for within a few seconds.  Does your website appear in the top 5 of the first page?  

Optimizing your website to appear near the top of the research results is the same as putting a sign on your storefront.  Take time now to optimize your website and increase the number of visitors to your website. Designing your website so that it appears on the search engine results page in the most effective manner is not that complicated.  ]]>