On a recent trip to my local auto mechanic, I started thinking about how SEM professionals are similar to auto mechanics in the ways they are viewed by customers. Some of those views are good, some are bad. Here are 5 connections that I made between SEM professionals and auto mechanics: 1. People need expertise in these areas because they can't do it themselves. I don't know...

Welcome to part two of “A Quick Guide to Better Typography.” In our last piece, we discussed the goals of the text, sticking to a maximum of three typefaces, and the importance of kerning and leading. This time we will discuss a few more basic guidelines including typographic hierarchy, categories of typefaces, and show you some examples of real-life typographic applications. Establis...

Those who say Facebook frighteningly owns our lives, identity, and information (you know, the ones who are perpetually logged-in to the voluntary social media platform) can quit complaining and get even. How'd you like to own a bit of Facebook yourself, say, tomorrow? Many have anticipated the company's IPO for years, and prior to very recently, the rumor was that Facebook would go public sometim...

If ever there was a single function in Excel that I use the most, it'd probably be the IF function. It is a workhorse as far as I'm concerned, as it can be used in combination with several other functions for a plethora of purposes. Along with other Logical Functions like AND, OR, NOT, TRUE, and FALSE, you've got all the ingredients you need to create some really cool formulas that will help you n...

What is it about Starbucks that makes it so conducive to creativity? Is it the buzz in the air (and I don’t mean the caffeine, though it can’t be entirely discounted) that makes you want to begin projects you wouldn’t have thought of doing at home? Maybe it’s the synergy of all those laptops and smartphones giving off electrical charges and impulses that ignite your brain,...

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 hallmarks an unprecedented online protest by major websites against the now infamous Stop Online Piracy Act (known as SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA). It is a firm belief of many Internet-based companies that while these bills state good intentions of stopping online piracy, they give entirely too much power to private agencies—and essentially the government...

I’ve asked this before, but “what will Google think of next?” In the past week, we have seen yet another shift in how Google will display search results to the end user. I have referenced 2 posts from Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) of SearchEngineLand.com which clearly lay out the changes you will soon see & examples of this change already taking effect. In brief, Google is...

Happy 2012 and Happy Friday the 13th! A new year is upon is and so much is changing in the face of SEO and social media that it's hard to keep up. Here are a few articles of interest from the last few weeks. Bear in mind some of these may be end of 2011 articles. SEO 8 Predictions For SEO in 2012 - Sir Rand Fishkin of SEOMoz gives a nice breakdown of the predicted future for SEO. How To Us...

The quick answer to that question is yes, very much so. Unfortunately many business owners treat their websites as basic information sites with the “set it and forget it” mentality. This may have worked fifteen years ago when the Internet was just an information guide for the most part. Putting even some basic content about your business and your services could have gotten you ranking...

Social Media expansion for business purposes has been a hot topic for years and the fervor won’t die down any time soon. Regardless of industry or business size, social media managers are trying to leverage social media any way possible. This is where this blog comes in; we’ll examine how to create the foundation for a social media campaign. Step 1: Is Social Media Right for You? S...