A Kickin' Blog

Over the years, we have all watched Google grow from a simple search engine, to the ultimate information broker.  These days, businesses and organizations live and die by their Google ranking, and average everyday citizens occasionally Google themselves just to see what is being said…Heck, I’ve used Google to find out information on friends, old classmates, and enemies of all sorts! Now, the big G is taking that kind of personalized search to a new level by adding information from what Google calls your “public social graph.”  This new development makes Google smarter than anyone you know…Smarter than Hawkins, Einstein, Obama, and maybe even smarter than your Mama! (ok… not your mom, we are sorry we said that!)

Big Brother – errr, I mean Google is building a database on you from several sources.  They are taking everything they know about you from your Google profile, determining your connections with people and websites from various social networks (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc), and then producing personalized search results for participants.

Why the heck does anyone need, want, or have any use for all this minutia?  Have we become a world of busy-bodies?  Well, businesses are salivating at the idea because this will add a very personal slash to SEO, finally fully linking the social media monolith with marketing and money.

Let’s explain it in some really basic terms:  You are in Philadelphia and want to go out for a bite to eat.  Using social search, you can find out what your friends have to say about local restaurants. Social search will look at who you are connected to, find out their comments on Twitter and other sites, and give you those thoughts.  Instead of calling up Uncle Joe, social search will find his archived statements.  The idea is that you and your friends (social connections) have similar tastes – so who they like will be someone you will like…

Before you begin to jump up and down/panic, Google can’t access any of this information without you and your social network’s a-okay. If you don’t want people to be privy to all your thoughts, opinions, ideas, and musings – you don’t have to sign-up. To be seen in others’ social search results you will need a Google account and profile, and add actual connections within your Google Profile. The more links you add, the more exposure you might potentially receive, proving that being popular does pay-off.  By including the big three (FaceBook, MySpace, Twitter) and any personal sites, like your own website or blog, you will be diving into this big info-soup and making your opinion known to everyone! When adding these links, you are allowing Google to track your connections on the Web.  You are giving them access to your biz-ness – so don’t come crying later!

Most people have the notion that Google Social Search will allow advertisers a greater ability to reach their target audience.  If 9 out of your 10 tweets are about your love of ice cream, then that it’s fairly probable that you will be seeing some ads for Butter Brickle or Tutti Frutti (and hopefully, some ads for a few gyms too…) This happens a bit now with FaceBook advertising, but Google’s new scheme will undoubtedly unleash the whirlwind.

If Google integrates Social Search into the main search results, the number of online connections you have established will clearly impact any search results. The more connections you have, the more rich and potentially relevant the data you will be getting back. That’s why it is important right now for any person or business – who wants to be part of this information revolution – to build a strong social network profile. Make yourself the “Big Man on the Internet Campus” – find all your coworkers, classmates, cronies and codependents.

Google Social Search also encourages businesses and organizations to interact more with consumers via social media.  If your restaurant or retail operation has a solid and engaging presence in social media – it will only increase the discussion amongst your friends, fans and followers.  This will in turn bring the business higher up in search results, especially if it is connected with as many fans and followers as possible.

Your friends have dragged you kicking and screaming into the 21st century, the Attention Age!  You’ve come up with a witty avatar for yourself, and you are ready to take Web 2.0 by storm.  To avoid you falling smack on your pretty face in front of the world’s information mavens, we have some finer points for you to memorize before you start tweeting.  We call it Tweetiquette.

Listen First

1)    Listen First!  Don’t start talking till you have heard the conversation.  Listen to what people are saying, how they say it, and what their tone is.  There are people talking about every topic on Twitter, listen good and learn. Remember that thing they talked about in school between listening and hearing.

2)    Be Polite.  Don’t start acting the fool on the first day. Make a good impression and let people get to know you before you start whipping out the sarcastic putdowns and witty repartee. All things in time, and start off on the best foot first.

3)    Attribute when appropriate. Twitter is a huge exchange for information and entertainment.  It is yours for free (better be!)!  But, if you are retweeting (reposting information provided by another tweeter) then you better give them a shout out, a via, a hollah!  Something!  People will notice, and will get peeved.  I will!

4)    Don’t spam us silly.  Even if you are promoting your company, blog, charity, crazy mantra, whatever – don’t pound it out all day long.  Talk about what people want to hear, and slip that marketing message in every so often.  You will find your followers respond to it.  Say stuff we want to hear!

5)    Be yourself! Don’t be me, honestly – one of me is enough.  Don’t try to be Ashton or Oprah.  Don’t try to appeal to the masses.  People are out there who will talk to you and interact.  It might take time, you might have to do some introductions and you might have to keep trying – but eventually, you will find some amazing online friends!

6)    Have fun!  Don’t be afraid to screw up one of my above rules. These are not the 10 Commandments of the Internet.  (I am as handsome as a young Charlton Heston, but that is where the comparison runs to an end…)  It is okay to make mistakes, to learn as you go, to put your foot into your mouth, and to fake it till you make it…

Now feel free to contact me on Twitter if you have questions or concerns.  I’ll try to be your mentor if I can – but I have a feeling you won’t need it.  The online world is filled with a lot of great people – weird people, but all great.

Jason is a social media consultant that lives here in Charlotte, NC.  He’s really smart, very witty…and I just like everything that he does.  (Okay, I am fawning a bit…But at least you didn’t hear me say he is dreamy…)

He’s the founder of Social Fresh (socialfresh.com), a fantastic social media conference. He’s spent a lot of time traveling around the country trying to spread the Social Fresh message, as he should ‘cause it’s an amazing message.

Jason Keath is passionate about connecting people.

Not to repeat myself, but he’s a really cool guy!

However, I’m always kind of scared to talk with him in person…because I’ve got a twitter man crush on him.

It is like in high school when you don’t want to talk with that smoking-hot cheerleader. You get those butterflies, a queasy feeling, maybe a s-t-tu-ttt-er…

So, what did you do when you were in high school to finally talk to your crush…Do you leave roses in their locker or write a little note (I like you. Do you like me… Circle: Yes or No)?  Get drunk before the homecoming dance and blubber all over them?  Make a mix CD of songs that show all your deep thoughts and feelings? What do you do?

Many people would agree that I still act like I’m in high school (actually probably closer to elementary). However, roses are pricey, I don’t know where Jason’s locker is, and my wife would definitely want me to go with her to the big dance… So, this is how I’m displaying my envy using 21st century technology… Writing a blog post!  Ta- Dah!

Okay, enough about boring, old me…Back to the main man…Jason just seems to be everywhere. He’s so cool. He’s got like 4 billion twitter followers (actually more like 30k). He works with really cool companies.  Yeah…He’s totally cool.  If you DO know him…Can you put in a good word for me?  Tell him I’m not creepy or weird, I’ve just…well, I just have a Twitter man-crush.

Facebook Mom Stalker

Facebook has really revolutionized the way people communicate. With new users climbing onboard every day, the social networking site is now filled with your elementary school classmates, old neighbors, former co-workers, and a plethora of relatives you haven’t seen in years.

Then one day you wake-up and get a friend request…from your Mother.

Yup, your mom just joined Facebook. Uh-oh

Yes, it’s always a shock.

Today, we are going to talk specifically to the  Mothers of teens and tweens, and give them a guide for all other Moms-friends out there thinking of jumping in.

Here is how you should handle Facebook friending you children:

#1 Don’t do it.

#2 Don’t do it.  See #1 above.

#3 If you ignored #1 and #2 then I guess you are going to do it regardless. (No surprise there Mom!)  But, please follow these next steps to the LETTER, so you don’t drive your kids bonkers, and ruin any chance that you will have a civil dinner conversation again until they are married. (Mom, I’m still looking forward to our Thanksgiving).

#4 You are not allowed to ask your kids questions about Facebook, especially regarding friending, tagging, or poking.  Ask your friends.  Ask a professional, ask your neighbor, ask anyone.  Learn how to do it yourself, maybe!  You are a smart, intelligent woman who raised herself some fine-looking kids.  You can do it!

I Facebooked your Mom

#5 After your kids have denied your friend request 17 times, just give up. It is not because they don’t love you, or are trying to hide something.  Actually, you are probably friending the wrong person. I know you spent hours and hours deciding on your kid’s names, but believe it or not – there are probably other kids with the same name (see http://www.collegehumor.com/article:1791210).   Or maybe your kids don’t want you to show you pictures of them guzzling your vodka (Yeah, the bottles you have now in that “locked” cabinet… they may just be filled with water). Perhaps they are a bit concerned you’ll see all those pics of their indoor slip-n-slide party they had when you went on that cruise to Cozumel.  It’s probably nothing as severe as a “Girl’s Gone Wild” moment – but kids can be kids…

#6 If your kids do accept your friend request, please don’t comment on everything that they post. Just feel privileged that they have accepted you into their world and be happy. Feel free to casually spy but please limit your time with wall posting.  Give them some internet “space”, you know how moody kids can be…

#7 The above also applies to FRIENDS of your children.  Be mindful and respectful of their lives.  They don’t want you ratting them out to their parents.  (Especially if they were also guzzling your vodka—which reminds me… better keep the booze in that corner of the garage behind the old stationary bike and the box of Danielle Steele books.)

#8 Under no circumstances do you post pictures of your child as a baby—especially in the tub. Or any under embarrassing images from your kid’s short-life.  These are NOT to be put on the internet.  No, no, no, no.

#9 Remember, your children can see as much of you as you can see of them.  I’m not saying you would be up to any nonsense, but don’t be one of those MILFs or Cougars doing prowling on the ‘net. Or if you do, be subtle enough about it that you kids’ don’t see it in their status updates.

Actually – maybe these are reasons why YOU shouldn’t take your kid’s friend requests.  They don’t want to see Mom doing vodka shots on her “spa weekend”.  Facebook can bring people together, or rip them brutally apart.  It is also a bit of a generational thing…What we mean is, that all generations are welcome – they just don’t all have to be together.  If your kids don’t want you to play, give them some space till they are ready to connect. It will happen eventually.  A least by the time you are a grandmother…

…Also, I had to throw this in the mix. Way too funny for a Monday morning.

Facebook, Twitter Revolutionizing How Parents Stalk Their College-Aged Kids

Fred Sexton, of Mouse and Man, interviews cyber security expert Theresa Payton of Fortalice Solutions. Theresa was also the former CIO of the White House.

 

 Cyber Security Recommendations | Interview with Theresa Payton of Fortalice Solutions: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Some of the topics that we discuss:

• History of a White House CIO regarding defending cyber criminal attacks
• How to minimize fraud transactions for Ecommerce websites
• Password security recommendations
• Misnomers about hackers
• Cyber security advice for small / medium businesses
• How social media tools are being hacked
• How online reputation management and internet security overlap.

According to Theresa, if you are a victim of a cybercrime, they need to take these 3 steps as soon as possible.

• 1.  Contact local law enforcement
• 2.  File a complaint at FTC.gov
• 3.  Contact IC3.gov (FBI’s internet unit)

To keep up with the latest trends in cyber security and how to protect yourself check out the following links:

http://fortalicesolutions.blogspot.com/

@FortaliceLLC

http://www.wbtv.com/Global/category.asp?C=175133&nav=menu1434_4_5

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fortalice-LLC/100925606846?ref=mf

Fred Sexton, of Mouse and Man, interviews Brandon Uttley of Web Business Freedom and Scott Hepburn of Media Emerging. This is a higher level discussion about internet marketing, social media, and online marketing strategy.

FYI – YES, I’m working on the iTunes Feed. I’ve just submitted to Apple. Any idea how long this takes to get approved? I’ll get this up there asap.

 

 Point/Counterpoint | Online Marketing Interview with Brandon Uttley & Scott Hepburn: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Fred Sexton, of Mouse and Man, interviews Katie Morse of Ripple6. They help run social network platforms for larger companies revolving around affinity based communities…essentially people with similar interests that want to get together online. Think about it like your own company Facebook network times 100. We talk about some successful case studies of these communities and why they are so important. I know many people that say they work in the social media arena but was really impressed with the breadth of information that Katie brought to the interview. Maybe they could create a social network for all the little mice? More on this later…

Fred Sexton, of Mouse and Man, interviews Roy Morejon, of B2WE, about his social media agency. Only in his mid 20s, Roy has established himself as one of the pioneers in social media marketing and (in my opinion) is known as one of the experts in new media in Charlotte, NC. We talk about Roy’s past and why he does what he does, some of the ways to think about using social media for your business, and close with where this kind of media is going.

Sit back and enjoy the Mouse & Man podast numero two:

If you would like to be considered for the next M&M podcast series, just drop me a line.

squeak, squeak

Fred Sexton, of Mouse and Man, interviews Corey Creed, of Hippo Internet Marketing, about his internet marketing training classes. Corey is quite a remarkable internet marketer, successfully managing multiple different divisions of his current company including e-commerce sites, consulting, training, and now these 1-2 day classes about internet marketing.

In the interview we get into Corey’s classes, the competition out there, social media marketing, and Search Engine Marketing Association of Charlotte

Sit back and enjoy the first EVER Mouse & Man podcast.

more to come later

squeak, squeak

So, what the heck happened with American Idol (AI)…and why does it matter, isn’t it just a TV show!?

The Background
The whole time that AI was running we’ve been running an office pool. The goal of the contest every week was to guess the singer who got voted off. A contestant gets voted off by having the fewest amount of votes from people who call in. Just because I’m a nerd I’ve been using as much information as possible to base my decision. And because I’m a SEO nerd I’ve been getting information from Google to help make my decision. Essentially the person with the fewest number of searches per week on the internet should have a positive correlation with the person being voted off each time, right? Well, using this strategy I’ve gotten about half of them right so far. Here’s a chart of 4 weeks before the finale.

The last week all the numbers were overwhelmingly saying Adam Lambert would win. And in case you live in a cave in the Afghanistan (by the way, hi Jerad) Adam lost! See the charts below, they aren’t even close. Based on these numbers, Adam should have won by a landslide.

And here’s the numbers for the greater San Diego area (where Adam is from).

So, what happened?

Apparently, from the chart it looks like that although California physically has much more people living there compared to Arkansas (Kris Allen’s home state who was the winner), Arkansas was much more vigilant in searching for their favorite. Apparently, they are more passionate about voting for him as well. Perhaps all the Californians were busy twittering their friends instead of voting? This is my prediction of what happened…that even though there was more overall interest for Adam that the Arkansasians were much more passionate about their home town favorite. Also, there were a lot of last second searches for Adam Lambert and his sexual preference (see below) that may have skewed the results.

So, I take back all my jokes about Arkansas and think they are definitely the smartest, most intelligent state by far!

So, why does it matter…and how does it apply to me?
You can use these tools for your own benefit. I know that I do these kinds of searches all time to see what people are searching for. This chart below is one of the main reasons that I’m concentrating in SEO more than web design.

I think it’s just good business strategy to deliver what your customers are asking for, right? These tools have never been around in the history of marketing, well at least not to this degree. So, use these tools to find out what your customers are searching for….or to predict the winner of next year’s American Idol!

Memorial Day Recognition
On another note, Happy Memorial Day Weekend to all our veterans. My Dad was in the army for like a jillion years. I’m not sure about why they do this but if you are in the military for long enough they actually force you to retire?! Also, one of my grandfathers flew B-52s in the eastern front in WW II and my other grandfather was a bridge engineer on the western front.

I couldn’t be happier to know that my Dads gave so much for the freedoms that I take for granted every day. As I sit in the back of the car next to my sleeping 13 month old little girl and lovely wife (thanks for driving honey ) it’s so nice to know that I am safe and to know my family helped in part for this feeling.