Archive for April, 2008

Basic SEO Links For The Beginner

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008

markdavidson From time to time, I like to temper my humor with serious posts about life and new media. Please try to live every day with gratitude.

markdavidson I’m about to link bomb some SEO links that may be obvious to some but less obvious to others. Please don’t freak out. Thanks.

markdavidson Google’s Webmaster Tools

markdavidson Alexa.com

markdavidson Search Engine Marketing Professionals Organization (SEMPO)

markdavidson Danny Sullivan’s old site (Site very much still active).

markdavidson Google Analytics

Conversation On New-Media Consulting

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008

markdavidson I was just offering free consulting to a friend who was asking me how many unique visitors one can generate to a new site…

markdavidson I’ve been donating services to TwitterTravels.com and it’s only been up for 3 or so weeks. I directed 10,000 unique visitors in one day.

markdavidson I’m pretty low-key about what I do. I’m a show me kinda guy. I don’t spend a lot of time talking. I try to focus my energies on doing.

markdavidson It’s a little frustrating sometimes when I talk to friends about the results produced by people who offer consulting “professionally”.

markdavidson I would caution people when seeking the advice and counsel of people offering new-media consulting to ask the hard questions before paying.

mbuckbee @markdavidson I’m not sure that advice should be limited to “new media”

markdavidson After several similar conversations with friends, I’m toying with the idea of writing a list of questions to ask consultants prior to sale.

BeckyMcCray @markdavidson - Stop toying with us, and write that list!

ActiveRich @markdavidson Example of a ‘hard’ question?

brendanb @markdavidson isn’t new-media consulting just a fancy name for Amway reps?

markdavidson Whoa. I just lost 2 followers! lol. I wonder if they were “new media” consultants?

selves @markdavidson i don’t worry about losing followers. it’s incredible i don’t lose too many even though i’m insane most of the time.

Muadgib @markdavidson Rigorous questioning is the kryptonite of the New Media Consultant.

davedufour @markdavidson Is this as if YOU”re not doing it professionally that they talk to you? I’ve gotten that from family sometimes. Weird.

zemote @markdavidson When things get popular, it’s amazing how many so called “experts” come out of the wood work

chieftech @markdavidson what kind of thing are u buying from consultants? (having a list of questions is a good idea BTW)

markdavidson @mbuckbee lol. No. That advice should not be limited to new-media consulting. However, I’m seeing and hearing a lot of worthless strategies.

markdavidson @BeckyMcCray HAHAHA! I think I will. The first thing I would write is that before buying SEO, review the source on your consultant’s site.

markdavidson @ActiveRich I once saw on Twitter, someone posted the question, “There’s so many people offering SEO, how do I know the real from the fake?”

markdavidson @ActiveRich I answered, “By the results they produce.” You do this professionally, so you already know who’s real and who’s fake.

markdavidson @ActiveRich Since I don’t seek consulting and this is one of my more random blurbing sessions, I’ll need a few minutes to think about it.

markdavidson @ActiveRich But, I just had the 15th conversation this week where I was left scratching my head and wondering, WTH?

markdavidson @ActiveRich I think that part of the problem is that people think there is a shortcut. There’s no shortcut. You can’t fake success.

markdavidson @ActiveRich So probably the first question I would ask is, “Show me.” I want to see specific and measurable results. Don’t talk, do it.

markdavidson @brendanb Is that where all the Amway people have gone? Into new-media consulting? That theory actually makes a lot of sense.

markdavidson @rstudd lol. I’ll look at my tracking later and see who I lost. I’m always curious as to what attracts people or repels them. Go figure. ;-)

markdavidson @selves I definitely don’t worry about losing Followers. However, I want to know why. I like to understand the cause and effect. That’s me.

markdavidson @Muadgib You Sir, win a star for excellence in the field of Twitter blurbing!

markdavidson @davedufour lol. I’m fortunate because my friends have watched what I can do over the years. I often cross-trade consulting and expertise.

ActiveRich @markdavidson we get that constantly on our network, ActiveRain. So many selfproclaimed SEO experts hawking their wares…

markdavidson @zemote No kidding. I’ve been online and a geek since 1983. I’ve been a promoter since 1986. I do this for fun and because I love it.

ActiveRich @markdavidson Unfortunately, so many get easily duped and pocket picked

markdavidson @chieftech I don’t hire consultants. Ever. I cross-collateral my expertise with the expertise of others. I do this instead of golfing. :-)

markdavidson @chieftech Yeah, I think I’m going to ask the help of my core group to assemble a list of quality questions to ask consultants prior to.

markdavidson Live from AIM: “Social media isn’t about numbers, it’s about influence.” — @markdavidson.

JackiePeters @markdavidson yes, yes and yes

markdavidson IM’ing with someone in my core group right now. She actually feels the same way I do. That’s because she is made of AWESOME! :D

markdavidson BTW, if you look at TwitterStars.com, I openly admit that every mistake that could be made, is made. It’s a personal blog and it’s for fun.

markdavidson And quite honestly, I don’t care. lol.

markdavidson @JackiePeters I’m awarding you a star just because you are good for my ego. lol. But seriously, people know the truth when they see it. :-)

markdavidson @ActiveRich I recently steered a friend away from buying SEO just by providing them the tools. Teach a person to fish kinda thing.

ActiveRich @markdavidson That was kind of you…my friend does the same

markdavidson @ActiveRich I would tell everyone that if they have the time, the information is out there. It’s not difficult, it’s just time and work.

ActiveRich @markdavidson exactly. Like you say, most just want the shortcuts

chieftech @markdavidson hmm, I’m a consultant (or so my biz card says) - should I be cross-collateral’ing my expertise? and will it hurt?

markdavidson Hmmm. Google for SEMPO and Danny Sullivan. Google itself is a great resource for SEO. They give it all away for free. Seriously. :-)

markdavidson @chieftech I’m not a professional consultant although a probably consult a minimum of 2 hours a day. I would and I do. It’s been a blessing.

markdavidson @chieftech I can’t see the downside to strategic relationships. I can’t be an expert in all things. There’s not enough time in the day.

markdavidson @chieftech So, what I do is to trade my strengths and expertise for the strength and expertise of people whom I like, trust, and respect.

markdavidson @chieftech I’ve never felt burnt or taken advantage of. I personally feel that having a solid-core group is a massive key to success.

chieftech @markdavidson I agree. beware of “guru” consultants who claim to see and know all

markdavidson @chieftech True. I think I have an advantage because I don’t consult for a living. I’m simply seeking to execute knowledge and strategies.

markdavidson @chieftech I know a lot of really smart people. So far, none of them know everything but they really know what they know at a high level.

WarWraith @markdavidson “long form sales letter”

WarWraith @markdavidson “Where have all the Amway people gone?”

markdavidson @WarWraith Hmmm. Good question. You know what, everyone please forget everything I’ve blurbed tonight. MLM SEO opportunities ahead!

Me and My Friends Understand the Future

Sunday, April 20th, 2008

I can make computers survive aquatic conditions.

I know how to run a business.

And I can make you wanna buy a product.

Movers shakers and producers.

Me and my friends understand the future.

I see the strings that control the systems.

I can do anything with no assistance.

I can change the nation with a microphone.

With a microphone.

With a microphone.

Live from AIM

Sunday, April 20th, 2008

ninjatree (9:55:39 PM): how’s it going
markshiftplusone
(10:13:04 PM): On Skype
ninjatree
(9:56:38 PM):
doing what?
markshiftplusone
(10:13:04 PM): Talking
ninjatree
(10:09:03 PM): to?
ninjatree
(10:09:07 PM):
and why?
ninjatree
(10:09:28 PM):
and should i feel threatened
ninjatree
(10:09:35 PM):
you never talk to me on skype
markshiftplusone
(10:13:04 PM):
Sorry baby.
ninjatree
(10:13:54 PM):
::sniffles::
ninjatree
(10:13:56 PM):
i just…
ninjatree
(10:13:59 PM):
your out all night
ninjatree
(10:14:02 PM):
“working”
ninjatree
(10:14:06 PM):
why i stay at home
ninjatree
(10:14:14 PM):
slaving over a hot twitter timeline
ninjatree
(10:14:24 PM):
and when you come home you smell like god knows what
ninjatree
(10:14:28 PM):
and your around a lot of nice
ninjatree
(10:14:34 PM):
attractive
ninjatree
(10:14:37 PM):
tweeters
ninjatree
(10:14:39 PM):
i just…
ninjatree
(10:14:49 PM):
i worry that i’m not good enough for you anymore
ninjatree
(10:15:00 PM):
you take your sexy body with all those sexy pics
ninjatree
(10:15:04 PM):
and just… leave me some day
ninjatree
(10:22:35 PM):
oh… oh i’m glad you find my wants/needs and emotions funny
ninjatree
(10:22:47 PM):
::breaks plate::