Social Networking on the Blackberry

MySpace released their mobile application for the Blackberry last week. This seems like a perfect time to list some of the core social media applications that you can run directly from the Blackberry (rather than accessing through a web browser). For Internet marketers using the Blackberry here are the tools I would recommend downloading:

• Facebook Client
  One of the best ways to access your account. The application focusing on the core areas of FB without any of the distractions.


• MySpace Client
  Similar to the Facebook application in functionality (homepage, inbox, friend requests, comments, friends and photos). Clean and snappy interface.


• TwitterBerry
  Tweet with relative abandon from your Blackberry


• Viigo
  The best RSS reader for the Blackberry.


• ShoZu
  Upload photos and videos to social media sites.

SEO Book Chapter - Now on Amazon

I was lucky enough to contribute a chapter to the IMC (Integrated Marketing Communications) Handbook on Search Engine Optimization. The book is now available to order via Amazon or the publisher (Racom Books). The chapter follows a similar structure to the SEO Seminar I present (the next session will take place on Friday December 5 in Chicago).

 

SEO is a moving target. However, most of what I wrote still stands. A planned approach to relevance, utility, quality and web standards is more than half the battle.

Top 10 ideas for Century 21 Real Estate

David Meerman Scott (author of The New Rules of Marketing and PR) recently wrote "Top 10 ideas for Century 21 Real Estate to implement The New Rules of Marketing & PR." Many of these suggestions translate to other business. The suggestions are well worth reading (and following).

Honda Fit - Internet and Mobile Ads

According to The Wall Street Journal Honda will buy all of Sony Pictures Television's advertising space for a week starting October 15th. This will be done to promote the launch of the Honda Fit.

The deal will cost Honda a cool half-million dollars and will cover all Sony's mobile and online entertainment and third-party sites in the U.S.

Social Media and the Marketing Campaign

The Chicago chapter of the American Marketing Association is promoting a great event on the 25th September - "Social Media and the Marketing Campaign. Powered by Google"

This looks like an excellent event and is highly recommended. For more information visit the Chicago AMA's website

• When: Thursday, September 25, 2008


• Time: 5:45 - 7:45 p.m.


• Where: Google Office -
  20 W. Kinzie, Chicago IL

CADM Special Breakfast Meeting: “The Next Generation of Behavioral Targeting”

Current behavioral targeting is little more than contextual targeting—presenting ads based on sites a consumer visits or retargeting consumers who saw a particular ad before. To truly live up to its promise, behavioral targeting should be based on much more, including actual transactional behavior, both online and offline—taking advantage of an offer or making a purchase—and should factor in demographic data for the most complete picture of each individual consumer. This allows us to predict behavior - the holy grail of every marketer.

On September 19th CADM is offering a special breakfast meeting featuring Matt Wise, CEO of Q Interactive, a 10-year-old, industry-pioneering company in targeted online marketing. Hosted by the Interactive Marketing SIG, this event is open to the CADM community as well as guests, clients, and non-members.

7:30 a.m. - Registration and networking
8:00 a.m. - Program

• When: Friday, September 19, 2008 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM


• Where: Q Interactive Headquarters, One North Dearborn, 12th Floor


• Contact: George Buckley


• Speaker: Matt Wise, CEO Q Interactive


• Host: Interactive Marketing

Register:	CADM Member	Non-Member	SIG Member
by 9/18/2008	$25.00	$35.00	$25.00
after 9/18/2008	$30.00	$40.00	$30.00

EFF Releases "Switzerland" ISP Testing Tool

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is releasing Switzerland, a software tool for customers to test the integrity of their Internet communications.

Upcoming CADM Event: Getting More Out of Your Online Budget

Topic: Getting More Out of Your Online Budget

Moderator: Ellis Booker – Editor, B2B Magazine

Panelists:

• Jason Ferrara – VP Corporate Marketing, CareerBuilder.com
• Cliff Langston – Director of Global Marketing, Sigma-Aldrich Corporation
• Barbara Mousigian – Senior Director of E-Commerce, CDW
• Karen Breen Vogel – President/CEO, ClearGauge
  

When: Thursday, July 10, 2008

• 5:30 p.m. Reception
• 6:00 p.m. Program
• 7:00 p.m. Open Bar (Beer & Wine) & Appetizers
  

Where: Fulton’s on the River, 315 N LaSalle St – Chicago, IL

Hosted by: B-to-B and Interactive Marketing SIGs

SEO Comic

Ranked Hard is a webcomic for those of you looking for some SEO humor in your life. Plenty of in-jokes that will resonate with Internet media types. You can read online at:

http://www.bigoakinc.com/rankedhard/

SEM Rap

Chris Campbell of GreenWerks (a Chicago-based eco-friendly contractor for painting and handyman services) sent me a link to a fantastic SEM (Search Engine Marketing) rap. The YouTube video is embedded below. Something to add to the iPod….

"You want to start SEM well heres what to do
focus on a product and find a niche too
you want to get the listing
I'll give you some assisting
SEO & SEM, they are coexisting
to cover all the bases
you must have patience
research all your keywords and your phrases
they all sound good but they may not be a factor
several ways to check and I prefer word tracker
very vague phrases should get denied
longtail keyphrases are more qualified
check the cpc, that's the cost per click
make a judgement call, is is worth that hit
if it is then keep it
if its not then delete it
stay within your budget, that's not a big secret
track your results, reporting is critical
and set your goals right be Google analytical
Google Adwords and Yahoo Search Marketing
if your business local make sure you geo targeting
the user only clicks on what sounds best
make sure you use very descriptive ad text
its a must that you use correct landing pages
if they see what they want, they easily persuaded
when they convert that's a win win
when your site is bookmarked they'll come back again
cpc will go, ctr will skyrocket
roi will get better, that's more money in your pocket
and if you smart, you'll invest in more phrases
but that's up to you, I'm just giving you the basics
you got it then fine, if you don't hit rewind
listen closely and play it back 1 more time
that's just the start anymore might cost
I have to deal with my boss
if I tell you the secret sauce
like using paid search to enhance seo
and revolving ad text is the way to
uh oh, I gotta go, that's too much for you to know
but if you want more, wait for the next video."

The harbinger of the Internet Apocalypse: Hello Kitty Online

Hello Kitty is now an online MMOPRG (Massively Multiuser Online Role Playing Game). The site is accepting beta testers….