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elisabethosmeloski
as always, debra shines when it comes to planning ahead - not only do you need to consider that for holidays and "national" days/months - but major event tie-ins as well. securing those links up to 6 months in advance will pay off big when it's all of sudden on everyone's mind. Last minute spikes for Big music, film and motorcycle festivals are common when it comes to local/travel search.
An extreme example like the 2010 olympics comes to mind - I'm looking around now for lodging (a friend or two may make the skeleton team) so we'd go up to support them, because things were way booked in advance for SLC 2002. But b/c there was a huge rush on last minute accommodations, anything left was able to command top dollar.
Story: Life, Death, and Links
really interesting perpective as always Eric. I have to believe the overall authority of the major medical/government sites will eventually weigh out anything a link builder could do - even a pro like you. That said, I also find a that a disturbing lack of ethics is a bigger problem. But on the whole, I think most SEO's are going to have a conscience when it comes to working with sites that could affect 'life and death' situations.
as for your dad - my thoughts are with him and you. I can certainly relate, my father (only 54) recently had a 'mini-stroke' himself, so the aftereffects and 'second stroke' prevention is something we're dealing now.
I hate how people keep complaining about people sphining the topic again and again. I think it's far more useful to see the different opinions on the implications of Teleportation - both from the big brand perspective and how it may (adversely) impact the good fight of the 'little guys' and even average sized companies for that matter, who are trying to play fair against category killers and keep getting slammed by google's preference for the well-established names.
John ellis had a great point of view - which also cross references Doug Dugale's opinion - and is specific to the industry we play in - carrie hill sphunn it before me, but I still think it's far more relevant to discuss HOW this is being implemented and used within google results, rather just the fact that Google did it.
http://sphinn.com/story.php?id=33786
Story: Will Trade Links For Sex
oh you laugh..... but link prostitution is so hot right now!
(hey, anyone know of some candidates to govern an underground ring?;)
Um guys, did no one notice that there were, in fact 'sponsored sessions' at SMX? both in their own track and in the expo hall.
Kim, do you really mean to imply that the presenations from top companies like Google, Microsoft, Omniture and Hitwise are going to suck? At SMX - there were SEMPO, SEOMoz and IProspect presentations. I didn't actually attend the SMX sponsored sessions, but of course I heard a few things about them. I'd be curious to know the overall impression from the goup.
The Hitwise preso I've seen @ Phocuswright, one of many conference series who use sponsored tracks as a way to generate revenue and supplement other sessions- it's actually a pretty informative session, on top of the push for the product/service - so there's a good trade off there for attending it. (I just don't know anything about MEDIO, so I'll decline to say anying on one side or the other).
sure, there's going to be a natural need to separate the wheat from the chaffe, but I almost think it's better to have vendors pimping their products in a known, but semi-informational format. In theory, it should open up MORE spots for speakers who are the actual users of these products in the practical sessions.
sorry danny, didn't mean to 'pull' you into it.
But I wanted to make the point that everyone shouldn't be so quick to dog on 'sponsored' sessions - and yes, SMX did it very well in Santa Clara. I also thought the theater presenations (which i'd seen in other venues) made a lot of sense.
However, I would have to correct you a little bit with how it was done at SMX travel/Phocuswright (granted, there could have been less control here over the formatting) -
Day 1 - SMX informational sessions.
Day 2 - Morning SMX information sessions.
Overlapping morning/afternoon infoMERCIAL sessions ONLY.
Day 3 - conference sessions. - i think some *could* have been sponsored slots.
"SES has typically done the same. NY is different in that for one entire time slot, if you're an attendee, you either have to go to a sponsored session or do nothing at all."
i can't say I would argue with your notion that it gives all the attention to the sponsor - it's probably a good thing.
But personally if i were going, I would use that time to go back to the room and nap before the evening's festivities in NYC kicked off... staying up till 5 am gets to you after a few days;)
I also got a sneak preview of Inside Trip - and while I agree with greg, it's a competitive space they're jumping into, there are definitely a few extra bells and whistles on Inside trip.
I do think it appeals to a very specific customer - the more sophisticated, business traveler and/or tech savvy, experienced travelers.
I like that they're attempting to quantify security wait times - i just am curious to see how that data holds true.
as I reported at SER - I can still see the DL link in my dashboard. But i'm still glad I downloaded them just 2 days ago if they disappear. I can't see any advantage for GWC to take that off, so I suspect it's just a blip.
Absolutely my point about 'high trust' links, Eric. That's why I definitely feel it's ridiculous for the SE's come out against all 'paid links', when you can't always draw a clear line. At what point do they stop trusting the high trust sites? I just wanted to point out the murky nature of it in general. But absolutely agree on the 'blatant sale' issue.
awesome barry - i'm so happy you are getting to do this! I loved doing the local, more intimate SEWlive events, this will be even better.
I swear, my New Year's resolution is to finally set up the SLC SEM professional group, i've had a domain and been meaning to for years now. The group here is is easly 50+ people.
danny & I have talked many times about the 'retreat' style events - so Josey, wingnut - anytime you want to ski ... I"M IN!!
absolutely agree justilien. I've resolved that this is got to be the way to go for any hardcore strategy, to assure not only quality, but also to manage the budget aspect, when evaluationg 'advertising opportunities'. But it still requires a massive amount of effort. Of course, its also hard to get a specialist like yourself in for just a small amount of training of staff;)
I'm on the Mixx bandwagon for early adopters too. I think it has the potential for broader reach than digg.
Heck, just give Mixx.com a thumbsup in Stumbleupon, and it may become more widespread. put it in your facebook profile, anything to make it more important to the average user than digg.
Thanks everyone!!!! we just got back... and i'm catching up on a lot of things! I'll get around to sharing some more photos sometime:)
dang - you know, Jill has a really good point about the writeoff too.. i just hadn't thought about it.
I definitely could help the fiji resort we're staying at next month for our honeymoon;)
i'm having trouble getting the URL to come up- can't event seobook.com to load right now...
congrats to Aaron & his wife!
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Story: Holiday Links Come In Lots of Different Packages