Autism Society of Northern Ohio: In Person Networking

Today I spoke with Linell Weinberg, director of the Austism Society of Northwest Ohio.  We met at ASNO's Toledo office.  We had a great talk about the organization's goals and what we can do to make the most of the Adwords campaign.

The main thing I took away from the meeting is that the ultimate call to action should be to get in touch with ASNO over the phone or in person.  The internet has a lot of undocumented treatments and techniques for dealing with autism.  Each child or individual should be treated based on his or her specific symptoms and behavior.  This makes it hard to have people look up information within a database.

Visitors to ASNO's web page can find information and upcoming events.  The most help can be given by actually speaking with with someone at ASNO.  This is where parents can be directed to services to help their child.

Within the coming weeks, I am going to be creating Adgroups, based on these services.  Some of these Adgroups may have related keywords, that people are using Google to search for.  Other Adgroups, may be better exposed by being listed on a landing page.

ASNO's main goal is to connect people with the resources, services, and information they need.  Helping people find the resources and then connecting with the ASNO office will be the main goal in the upcoming weeks.

LA2M: The Center of Your Social Media Universe

Marisa Smith, president of The Whole Brain Group, spoke at today's LA2M event.  She presented some great points on how to use social media in connection with your business' blog or webpage.  There was not a lot of new information for those who are familiar with integrating social media.  Her concepts on how to maximize your time and results could prove vital to your social media presence.

Establish expertise; read things for people.  You can do the work for others and filter out the most necessary blog posts and articles on a topic.  This can establish yourself as an expert to your followers.

Manage your time!  Schedule and document your time spend on social media for your business.  Use plug-ins and integration tools to increase efficiency.  Then, stick to it!

Fresh content out... Fresh prospects in...  Then, have a clear call to action for these new visitors.

Blog is the center of the Universe.  Have your blog be the place people will end up after clicking on a Facebook/Twitter/etc link.

Don't over integrate.  Your blog posts should be sent out to other services.  Do you really want all of your tweets showing up on your blog?

Check out the LA2M webpage for a podcast of the talk.

How to persuade people

Guy Kawasaki has a must read post on five simple ways to persuade people.  Worth the read.

5 ways to be persuasive

Three weeks with Buzz

I've been using Buzz for about three weeks now.  Its been great connecting with my Google Practicum classmates over Buzz.  I know its a new service, and the API was recently released.  But I would like to see a few features added.

More powerful group options.  It is very hard to add people to a group.  If they are not in your contacts you have to hunt for their Google account.  How about an "Add to group..." feature somewhere.

More powerful people finder.  I would like to be able to search for people based on what they have on their Google profile.  This could provide for more networking opportunities.

I do like Buzz though...

People on Buzz are more inclined to start a conversation.  Facebook seems like posturing at a pretentious bar.  You're just trying to get noticed.  Twitter users do retweet and @reply but its hard to have a conversation in 140 characters.  Leaving comments on someone's blog seems like too much commitment to me.  Almost as if you're telling the world, "I follow this person and have high regard for their opinion."  Buzz takes away a lot of mentioned negatives.  You can post something very short.  Write a long opinion.  Even just "like" a post.  Its casual enough but still means something to Buzz or reply to a post.

I'm a fan but see a lot of room for improvement.

Starting broad match modifiers

About the broad match modifier (Google)

The Autism Society of Northwest Ohio has been included in a limited beta of Google's new Adwords targeting feature. Broad match modifiers have, "greater reach than phrase match, and more control than broad match." I'll be experimenting with this new feature in between studying for the Adwords Certification Exam.

Progress Report: Week 4

Embedded match or negative match keyword question

In working with the United Way of Greater Toledo, I am using negative keywords for certain cities.  UWGT's does not help in other major Ohio cities like Columbus and Dayton.  From the search terms I could see that people were clicking on our ad while looking for services in cities other than Toledo.  Would a more effective approach be to use embedded match keywords?

Forget I/O... Pacman!

Best Google Doodle ever.  And you can play it.

Google evangelist Vic Gundotra is the company’s new star | VentureBeat

Google evangelist Vic Gundotra is the company’s new star

He’s no Conan O’Brien, but he’s becoming one of the company’s most powerful assets. Right now, Google is sliding into the position once held by Gundotra’s previous employer, Microsoft. The company has gotten so big, so successful, that its every move is scrutinized for violations of the old “Don’t Be Evil” code of conduct. Vic Gundotra comes across as a guy steeped enough in technology to know good from evil when he sees it. More important, he’ll convince you he’s right.

Lead, follow, or steal

This post from Daily Conversions got me thinking about when to lead, follow, or steal (I mean borrow and improve).

Why do people like to do what everyone else is doing? Copy landing pages etc., that for all we know are not converting?

 Landing page optimization does follow some rules.  But like anything, you need to be open to when the rules are applicable.  Fewer choices may lead to more conversions.  Giving more options could be the way to go if they are relevant and reach more people.

On an EMU School of Marketing class trip, our group met with Rob Mattina, Director of Marketing for the Detroit Red Wings.  He said reading is a fundamental part of his day.  Keeping up with others in his industry is very important.  He also looks for how new ideas are being implemented.  According to Rob, sometimes its not the leader, its the second person who applies the new idea in a better way.

Apologies for using a cliche, but "learn from others' mistakes, you don't have enough time to make them all on your own."  I doubt everyone has enough time, energy, or creativity to constantly come up with new ideas.  I focus on what works.  Then when an inspiring idea comes to me.  I decide if its worth pursuing.  Challenging a proven technique just for the sake it can be a waste of time and resources.

United Way of Toledo: In Person Networking

I met with Sarah Gill, Director of Marketing and Communications at the United Way of Greater Toledo yesterday.  We toured the new office, which they moved into this past October.  Its a beautiful new space.  The main floor holds their 2-1-1 call center.  People can speak to an operator that can help them connect with services in the area.

I showed Sarah the Adwords interface and what the campaign was currently focused on.  She showed me the main areas of they web page.  We then talked about the organizations goals.

From talking with her I feel I understand what Adgroups and conversions would best help the United Way.  It was extremely helpful meeting with her and everyone else at the office.

The Onion: future of the Google phone

New Google Phone Service Whispers Targeted Ads Directly Into Users' Ears

Buzz HELP!

Google Buzz and Gmail help.  This is a very good resource for those who are new to Buzz.

Progress Report: Week 3

My weekly progress report for the Adwords Practicum.  This week I focused on determining the organization's goals as well as the goals of the searchers that click on the ads from the major adgroups.

Questions Re: Adwords, Week 3

We've been focusing so far on the search network.  Will we be looking into Google's Content Network?  Do you view data that the Content Network generates using the same Adwords interface?

Is Facebook connecting or closing the web?

Kristine Adams lead me to this article from the NYTimes.  Its arguing the web is already the most open and connecte social network "site."

Every link found on the open Web, inviting a user to click and go somewhere else, is in essence a recommendation from the person who authored the page, posted it or broadcast it in a Tweet. It says, “I’ve taken the trouble to insert this link because I believe it will be worth your while to take a look.”

These recommendations are visible to search engines, which do far more than just tally how many recommendations point to this or that item. The engines trace backward to who linked to the recommender, then who linked to the recommender of the recommender, and so on. It’s a lot of computation to derive educated guesses about which recommendations are likely to lead to the best-informed sources of information and then placed at the top of a search results page.

If you want to find a highly recommended article, you don't need a "like" button.  Just check out the organic results of a Google search.  Does the web need Facebook to connect information to people?  Or does this close the already open web?  I can't see Facebook arguing that it wants to create a more "connected and open" web when it has a 5,000+ word privacy policy .

Nexus One changes in availability

Nexus One changes in availability. Looks as if Google is changing their approach to selling the Nexus One. Instead of using their online phone store to market the N1, they will be selling the phone through retailers and on more carriers. Too late? Or a good move?

diaspora*

A deceptive Adobe banner and landing page

I was reading a NYTimes article on facebook's privacy policy, when this ad banner caught my eye:

With Adobe and Apple fighting over the future of flash on the internet, I couldn't stop myself from clicking on it.  I was directed to a landing page featuring another  "I heart NY" style banner:

The landing page did not mention Apple once.  Instead, it gave Adobe's pitch for Flash:

At Adobe, we believe that the open flow of creativity, ideas, and information should be limited only by the imagination. Innovation thrives when people are free to choose the technologies that enable them to openly express themselves and access information where and when they want. Everyone loses when technological barriers impede the exchange of ideas.

Not until you click on a letter from Adobe's founders is Apple referenced:

 We believe that Apple, by taking the opposite approach, has taken a step that could undermine this next chapter of the web — the chapter in which mobile devices outnumber computers, any individual can be a publisher, and content is accessed anywhere and at any time.

I am not siding with Apple, nor Adobe on this issue.  I'll let people smarter than myself decide the future of video on the web.  It does however, seem misleading for a banner to read "Adobe loves Apple" and then directs you to Adobe's argument for why Apple is the bad guy.
You could call the ad a success.  It got me to click.  I more than I would have if the ad said "Our argument for Flash."  But I liken it to a misleading banner ad you may find on a non-reputable site.  Not from a leading company on NYTimes.com.

Rumor: Google tablet on Verizon

The Google Tablet Is Coming, Courtesy of Verizon. Rumors about a Google tablet on the Verizon network. Also has a few good points on "Best/Worst" case.

Massive lead time. Android was announced in November of 2007, which was interpreted (correctly) as Google's move to compete with the iPhone. Problem is, the T-Mobile G1 didn't ship until nearly a year later. This tablet needs to hit the market well before the next iteration of the iPad, and at least as quickly as whatever WebOS slate HP is working on right now.

Evolution of Facebook privacy

The Evolution of Privacy on Facebook.  A very cool graphical representation of how Facebook's privacy has changed since 2005. Click on the years to see what information FB has made available to more users over the years.

iPad Wi-Fi Fix

Apple Promises Software Fix For iPad Wi-Fi Issues. Figured this would be coming. Reminds me I need to go pick one up.

How To Remove The Blogger Nav Bar

How To Remove The Blogger Nav Bar.  Simple instructions. Just copy and paste a small bit of code.

Week 1 Questions

Besides wondering what my NPOs are, I have questions about mapping my subdomain.  I was able to get a domain forwarded.  I registered through GoDaddy and was wondering how to use their control panel to get my domain properly linked to my blog.

Finally, what labels are we supposed to use in blogger for our posts?

Pushing Privacy

Glitch Brings New Worries About Facebook’s Privacy - NYTimes.com

Social networking experts and analysts wonder whether Facebook is pushing the envelope in a way that could damage its standing over time.

Facebook had a breach in security which, for three hours, gave users access to private information. People's opinion of Facebook could change if the continue to get bad press about security flaws and privacy concers.

Decentralizing Social Networks

Diaspora Project - Building the Anti-Facebook - NYTimes.com

The anti-facebook is just $2,000 short of the their goal. If they can raise the money by June 1st we may see a very different way of networking on the web.

Proposed privacy bill not enough?

Consumer Groups Say Proposed Privacy Bill Is Flawed - NYTimes.com

This is article gives a good description of what privacy advocates are seeking, and what the current proposed legislation covers. What concerns me is whether the government can keep up with the "advancements" that companies like Google and Facebook make to track users. I also wonder how many people buy the "to enhance your web experience" line.

People blog, but who's going to write?

People are sharing more and more through blogs and services like Buzz.  I feel someday I may tell my children, "when I was your age we had to create content for our webpages.  Not just regurgitate someone else's ideas."

I like sharing things I find in order to start a dialouge.  Though its getting to the point where someone will have one good thought and then it is shared on countless blogs.  This may be a good thing.  You could look at is as greater distribution for good ideas.  But will kids grow up looking for things to share on their blog or facebook page instead of creating material?  Will potential young authors be distracted by blogging and not learn how to write?

This may be a cynical way of looking at it.  I just don't want the creation of content to follow in the steps of print media.

Following the pack

Usefulness of new tech can depend on your peers.


Nextel dominated the Southwest Michigan wireless scene when I lived in Kalmazoo.  All of my friends were late to start texting because we all used the push-to-talk feature.  Nextel also didn't have very good phones for texting.  You could receive texts but they were hard to access.  You also had to pay more in order to send texts.  Because none of my friends were texting, I didn't start either, and didn't miss it.

Same thing happened when all of my friends go on MySpace.  No one was using facebook for much.  So I didn't use facebook. Twitter is the "new" service that a lot of people use that I don't find useful... yet.  None of my friends regularly use twitter.  My contacts at work don't use it either.  I have an account but rarely check.  Rarely do the few people that I follow share anything useful or worth while (though Shaquille O'Neil does provide good tweets every now and then).

The Google Practicum finally gives me a good reason to use twitter.  I'm looking forward to finding interesting people to follow.  It seems like a very useful tool that I have yet to frequently use.  Now I have a group of people around me using it, so I will yet again follow (my twitter page).

Here we go again...

So I registered with GoDaddy.  Mapped the subdomain mapped to my blog (I think).  Got my twitter account linked to my blog through twitterfeed.  As far as I can tell everyone is playing nice.  We'll see what happens on Monday during our second class.  I may have to change some things around.