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You know you're special when your birthday Sphinn goes hot. Happy Birthday Lisa!
One of the best robots posts I have seen. Will definately link to it when the topic comes up. Incidentally I did a post yesterday which could have used it, but rather links to robotstxt.org.
Story: Must Read WordPress SEO
Story: Are You Plurking Yet?
I am barely twittering, no time to plurk... Social Media Overload... Social Media Overload... :-)
It certainly is a way to show a prospective employer that you are an expert in your field. The more community you have built around it, the better it wil reflect on your overall abilities to impact your market space.
@ Brick - Yes some have raised the question of outsourcing (on the blog). Outsourcing can work to spur the US economy as well is it keeps companies solvent.
@ Mike - Agreed, SEM "alone" can't save the economy, but if you are in the business, it can fix your personal economy which is one component if fixing the overall economy. Trust me, I could go on and on about wastefulness, and other careless acts that contribute to the demise of the economy, but it's just not the right forum. For now, I am focusing on how SEM can help companies. I venture to say there are many companies that have gone, or will go, out of business where a few more clients could have made the difference.
A great article by Shari pointing out that Meta Tags actually still have a place in SEM. And you don't need a Masters degree in Library & Information Sciences to implement them ;-) (couldn't resist)
Great article by Jessia Bowman, emphasizing that being an educated consumer is no different in the realm of buying SEO related services.
Hey Matt, thanks for this article. It amazes me that people are really that clueless, but I have to say as a long time anti-spam advocate, it does bring me pleasure to use the "report as spam" button when appropriate. If you're looking for another spam cop... :-)
Geez, I don't know where to start on this one. I guess my two cents is that it should have been disclosed from the onset as "humour". If Lyndon gave them the idea, kudos to him and shame on them for not being editorially responsible with how it was presented.
As some have eluded in this thread, if they were really concerned, they would have removed the story, but they are contiuning to milk it by their "sincere" apology. If they are that concerned, they should have just pulled it and this whole debate (and subsequent spike in traffic) would not be taking place. Perhaps Lyndon taught them too much?
Story: Baby Girl Born on Twitter!
Maybe not the first twitter baby, but perhaps the 1st third-generation SEO baby? Congrats to Adam, Sally, and Grandpa - (Internet Marketing Legend John Audette).
A few thoughts come to mind with regard to protecting your reputation.
1. I agree with the "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" (not before they do unto you as some beleive). You know - you sow bad (karma) and it comes back to you and the opposite is also true.
2. Focus on what matters. I know many people that stay out of the blogosphere and related drama because they are focused on actually getting work done. I have seen a disturing trend of people airing their dirty laundry in (professional) SEO arenas. It would never fly in most "professional" arenas and actually would sort of blackball a person.
3. "Keep your nose clean". We've all heard this saying and it goes along with my 2nd point. If you walk the "straght and narrow" people will have to make things up (i.e commit crimes of libel or defamation of character) to have something negative to say about you.
4. Be Honest. Back in the erly 90's I heard a man named Lattie McDonough say this about honesty and I never forgot it. He sais "Honesty isn't the best policy, it's the only policy... to imply it is the best implies that there are shades of integrity and that isn't true". If you make a mistake own up to it - it's not a crime to be human, but it can be a crime to admit when you've done something whether it was intentional or not (and it makes you look silly when the obvious evidence proves that you are lying).
5. Don't get involved in the drama. I was IM'ing with a colleague recently and we were chatting about some recent events in the industry that have been bantered back and forth on blogs, etc. My thought was "how did all of this drama get into the industry?". Drama only perpetuates when people promote it. Most issues wouldn't be issued if they were ignored.
Thats just my 2.0 cents and it was not directed towards anyone in particular (perhaps a guilty conscience might lead one to feel that way)
Well, you are a doctor, right? :-) I do see your point, that the creative energy would allow one to be able to have what I call "multi-directional focus". Some people can harness it, but for others it is a real emotional burden.
@ Natasha - The first Jason (Calacanis) had a reputation in the industry and was not considered a threat because only people in the blogosphere were listening to what he had to say. This guy is working to leverage (read - manipulate) the law in his favor to let him control an industry in which he is an unknown. It would be like if I were to trademark a term used in medicine and try to subsequently chair the American Medical Association based on holding a trademark. Sure I was a pre-med student and an EMT at one time, and I understand more than the average person about allopathic, alternative, and naturopathic medicine, but that would not qualify me to hold the authoritative voice in the medical industry.
Truly one of the best SEO interviews I have read. Why, you ask? Melanie keeps it real so it wasn't just another cookie cutter "this is how I do SEO" interview. (or maybe I am just a big fan of Crash?) Kudos!
With regard to the trademark, sadly the USPTO may have some work to do in investigating our industry to realize what is going on. Perhaps someone with clout (i.e. Sarah @ SEOmoz, Google, or one of those companies) can give the USPTO an education on the industry.
I agree with gyutae - Ann Smarty @ http://www.seosmarty.com/
Also, another one of my favs is Kristen Munson @ http://www.socialmediamom.com/
@g1smd - Perhaps the mods at Sphinn can take note of this. I did a search before submitting to see if anyone had already covered it, but the search function (in my experiences) is not very effective. I had no knowledge of the previous Sphinn.
Guilty as charged - and clinically diagnosed. I won't supress (i.e. medicate) the creative energy it gives me however.
Story: Happy Birthday Lisa Barone!