Local Search SEO Seminar
Have you ever been in a situation when once you feel that you totally understand the rules of the game someone tehn comes along and changes the rules and the entire environment of the game changes?
That’s exactly how many Internet Marketers and I felt when Google changed the landscape of local search on April 6th when they announced on their blog that they would now include local search results in their regular organic listings.
Several months ago I was asked to be a featured speaker regarding local search at the Off Line Gold Summit held this past weekend in Las Vegas. As I was going to speak before a room packed with other knowledgeable Internet Marketers and business owners my staff and I spent months on research and testing the local search arena so I could be totally prepared.
So on April 6th I found most of the material and research I had done for this event pretty much worthless so with only two weeks to now prepare a entirely new presentation, I gathered up my crew and hit the road running.
I put the finishing touches on my presentation during my introduction and I then took center stage what perhaps may had been the first SEO training seminar regarding Google’s new local search.
The following video discusses this presentation along with testimonials from my audience.
What’s All the Fuss about Twitter?
Many Internet Marketers call Social Media the “new gold rush” because the opportunities it has afforded to those who have implemented social media into their marketing campaigns and because there are no rules.
I agree that SM opens new opportunities to market your goods and/or services; however to really take advantage of the power of the social media landscape and build a loyal following there are a few simple rules you should know and follow.
My Arizona SEO and Internet Marketing Meetup presentation last Thursday night was “What is All This Fuss About Twitter” and I discussed the importance of properly creating your social media profiles and several of the tools that I use to manage my own and clients campaigns.
You can listen to my presentation here:
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SEO MasterMind – Teleseminar
Every Successful Internet marketer I know participates in at least one MasterMind!
One of my most memorable comments I recall an associate of mine making during one of my first MasterMind calls was that “Internet years are measured in dog years ” and in order to remain competitive in our online marketplace we need to network with other successful marketers.
Personally I found SEO forums as a big time waster in that there was so much information and debate that I would get caught up in the conversation and that it was hard for me to sift through all the information. I also attend numerous Internet Marketing seminars such as PubCon, StomperNet and as I find them very educational and a great opportunity to network, but they are also expensive and require time away from business and family.
In 2004 I joined my first MasterMind group with other successful and like minded Internet marketers where once a week we would call into our conference and discuss our projects, ask our burning questions and coach each other to become more successful.
Last night I launched my first MasterMind with students from my first SEO Training Workshop and in the coming weeks will launch another SEO teleseminar for our Phoenix SEO MeetUp Group in two weeks.
Here for you is the recording of last nights telephone SEO Seminar in its entirety:
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SEO Workshop – Day Two
This week I’m having my Search Engine Optimization training workshop in Phoenix, Az. We have a total of five students in this SEO class one being the owner of a SEO firm, a high school teacher, the owner of a sporting goods company, a project manager of a company offering educational programs and a work at home business person.
During our first day we focused on keyword research , latent semantic indexing (LSI), developing content , increasing conversions and the power of social media . During the first part of day two we focused on landing pages and linking strategies.
At this point their SEO training, the students have a basic understanding on how to use the Internet to market their products and/or services so I presented them their first group assignment.
A company recently developed a new product, a “doggie” water bottle for pets. This company recently launched their new website, however they were not getting any traffic and no one knew about their product. Their project, create a plan to increase this companies Internet presence to increase product awareness, enabling the company to sell their “doggie” water bottles.
The following seven minute video recaps their forty-five minute long project on how they mind mapped this project.
Are you interested in participating in my next SEO Workshop? If so check out my SEO Training schedule and registration page NOW!
I Got Naked at Our Meetup!
You may have heard on how I exposed myself at Thursday’s nights Search Engine Optimization and Internet Marketing Meetup before an audience of 45 Internet Marketers.
No, it wasn’t that ugly as you’re perhaps thinking right now, I did remain clothed throughout my presentation.
But I did strip down my website(s) before our group, revealing all my secrets on how I implemented the “Persuasive Metaphor ” to create trust and desire on my old Radarbusters network and on my new SEO Training SW website.
My first exposure to “subliminal suggestion ” was back in 1975 while majoring in television and film production. Subliminal messaging refers to the process of sending messages below the threshold of consciousness directly to the subconscious mind.
You may have heard on how this type of messaging was almost banned by the US government back in 1974 when advertisers used it to flash 100 – millisecond messages into commercials or how Alfred Hitchcock planted his own subliminal messages into his movie Psycho.
Now you may be thinking to yourself, “Oh my God, is that why I wanted to eat popcorn while I watched Radar Roy’s introductory video? ” Well relax; even though I was professionally trained on how to use this secret weapon that every major advertising firm still uses today, I never used hidden imagery in my videos or photos.
That is because I feel that there is a more powerful way to influence your audience by using the “Persuasive Metaphor ”.
Frank Kern is the Jedi Master of using the Persuasive Metaphor coupled with NLP (Neuro-lingusistic programming) in his Internet marketing campaigns. As an example, just last month his “Mass Control” version 2.0 sold out in less than 24 hours!
In Frank’s new program he teaches on how to use the “Persuasive Metaphor ” in storytelling to create trust and desire with your prospects.
So if you get that urge to grab a bag of popcorn or your favorite beverage while watching this next presentation of mine that I’ve broken down for you into two videos, it’s not of my doing.
However you will get that urge to follow through to the next step to becoming a successful Internet marketer by signing up for my free SEO/Internet Marketing tip of the day using the form on the top right of this page and schedule yourself for my next hands on SEO workshop .
See you soon….
Part One – The Persuasive Metaphor
Part Two – The Persuasive Metaphor
My Secret Weapon; SEO Scout
“A quiet technology revolution – one that will radically change the way the Internet works – is likely to catch the world off guard. It involves the “semantic web” – a way of organizing and presenting web content not as documents but items of data that are linked by both meaning and relationship ”
- Tom Lube, Harvard Business Review, February 2009
I first heard about the semantic web in a presentation by Michael Marshall in 2004 at a Search Engine Academy Workshop. I have to admit when I first heard Michael explain the semantic web, latent semantic indexing and how Google’s algorithm was being tuned in for this new type of search I was totally confused. So let me explain it in a way that I understand this all works and hopefully it will make sense to you also.
Google, Yahoo, MSN and all the other major search engines already have an catalog of content indexed on the Internet. This content includes web pages, video, computer files such as Word/Excel documents, PDF’s, flash documents, databases, images and a whole bunch of other stuff.
The only common denominator between all this content are words/phrases that can further be broken down into tags, keywords or words/phrases on a webpage/website.
Search engines scan this content, builds a relationship and then indexing it into their search engines. Therefore when you type in a question, phrase or keyword into the search engine it scans its databases and provides you with a result (SERPS) based upon the content and context.
Ok, so the question I’m sure that you’re asking yourself right now is “How do I know what the proper content/context is for the articles/videos/web pages that I’m publishing so the search engines can find me?”
I often found myself asking this same question until Michael gave me access to a program he developed called Theme Master. This web based program allowed the user to type in their keyword and it would scan the top 100 websites indexed by Google and then create a spread sheet of keywords and keyword phrases in order of importance. The user would then edit an existing piece of content that they already had online or create a new piece of content and upload it to the net.
As a member of the Search Engine Academy and an associate of Michael we kept this program a closely guarded secret the first year. This gave me ample time to revise content that I already had online and to create new content to slaughter my competition.
Six months after using Theme Master eight of my websites were ranked on the first page of Goggle for the keyword phrase “Radar Detectors.”
Word eventually leaked about Mike’s program but I had such a lead no one could touch me and I continued using this program on my Internet properties until I sold the network.
After the sale I continued using Theme Master on several of my client’s properties with the same success. However a short time later Michael sold Theme Master to another outfit and his commitment to the product ended. The new owners were only concerned with one thing, making money and their loyalty to our Internet marketing community sucked! It was so bad that users started jumping ship and the new owners were forced to flip the switch and turn it off.
After this several smart SEO professionals figured out how to do Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) by hand and they taught this skill to others in seminars that often cost over $2000.00. The process was laborious and took hours, but the results were equivalent to Theme Master.
At the same time other Internet Marketers were beating on Mike’s door, calling him, emailing him, and pleading with him to come up with an alternative program. However Michael’s hands were tied, there was a no compete clause in the sales contract for Theme Master.
Well good news Guys and Gals the no compete clause has ended and Michael has just released his new LSI program, SEO Scout .
As an insider to Michael and the Academy I had my first look at SEO Scout several weeks ago and I was blown away! This program did everything that Theme Master did but 100 times faster and better!
I’ve been biting my tongue for the last three weeks wanting to tell everyone in our community the power of this program and now I can. Sit down, relax and watch this seven minute video, I’m sure that your going to be blown away not only about the program, but that you can also get and use it for FREE!!
Are You In the News?
Are you ignoring the power of newspapers, television and radio?
If so you’re not alone many Internet Marketers often overlook the importance of creating news releases to publicize their products and/or services, blowing it off saying “who cares, my company/website/life isn’t really that interesting.”
But pick any newspaper, read the blogs, they are full of stories of average Joe’s (the Plumber) doing something interesting that captures the editors interest and adds their story to their paper.
When I owned the RadarBusters network I would set aside a day a month to write about something that I felt would be interesting in my niche, prepare a news article and submit it to the various online news feeds.
One of my first articles was in 2001 and about the influx of photo radar and redlight cameras in the Phoenix area along with review of the various “scam” products that were being sold to the public.
I demonstrated that most of these products were totally ineffective at blocking out your photo. But also demonstrated a few of the products that actually worked and which I sold.
I submitted this article to PRweb and a few days later my article was picked up by several Midwest newspapers. However, I was not prepared for what happened next!
A telephone call from Keith Olberman’s agent asking me if I could be at the studios of KPNX-TV (Chanel 12 Phoenix) the following afternoon to do a live interview with Keith for the MSNBC show, Countdown.
My segment was the #2 news story on July 3rd, where I was interviewed on live TV about Photo Radar. As my picture aired coast to coast on national TV an overlay was below me introducing me to a nationwide audience as “Radar Roy” along with my website www.RadarBusters.com
This very same week I received additional calls from the Fox Network for a news story which appeared on their affiliate news stations across the US, along with radio interviews.
Sales for that one week increased 500% and I became branded as the national expert in traffic enforcement.
This celebrity status now allowed me to cultivate relationships with news editors who often called me for my views on other newsworthy items.
As an example, a newspaper journalist from New Haven Connecticut called me one afternoon asking the legal requirements in certifying and calibrating police radar equipment. As I retired in law enforcement after a 20 year career and certified as a traffic radar instructor I explained to her that the International Chief of Police Association requires a police radar gun and tuning forks calibration and certification once a year.
The journalist investigative report published on the front page the following morning showing that the Connecticut State Police had not followed these requirements of certification/calibration tests in the last five years, referencing me and my website as an expert. Her investigative report forced the dismissal of over 1,000 speeding tickets in the courts. Another follow up was published labeling me and my website as the “whistle blower” and hundreds of orders from the New Haven area followed suit.
I’ve been published in numerous magazines that include; American Iron, Exotic Autos, Two Wheel Tuner.
I’ve appeared on numerous television news stations that include; CNN, FOX, IPN, and CBS
Ok, what was my secret in developing my news releases, here goes:
1- What is your company’s main point of difference from your competitors, what makes it stand out?
For me it was the retired cop who joined the “dark side” and reviewed speed counter measure equipment and gave free tips on how to beat your traffic ticket.
2 – Why are your products and/or services better than your competitor?
I really went to the edge on this, I created a website www.RadarJammer.com where I offer a $50.000.00 reward to ANYONE that can show me one of my competitors products that actually work as advertised. If you go to this website, click on the “What the Experts Say” tab to see all my national television news interviews.
3 – What makes you stand out from the rest is your product/service unique? Exciting? Boring?
Even if you think you’re a boring CPA play this up to something like “I’m so boring that I put the IRS tax accounts to sleep, which result in the dismissal of my client’s reviews”
4 – Are you going to the edge? To be truly controversial people are either going to like you or hate you, there is no in between. Make a statement, but be ready to stand up for what you say, the media and public hates wimps!
Please be sure that you can back up whatever you say or do, if you’re ever caught in a lie or something hurtful it will haunt you forever, case in point. When I ran the Radarbusters network I would perform a test of all the radar detector products and invite manufactures and enthusiasts to the test. A competitor felt this would be a good time and place to sabotage my efforts.
They placed four police radar guns powered by remote batteries in the vicinity of my testing site as a method to invalidate my test.
However, the RadarTest . com competitor was so stupid that he placed these devices in a cardboard box that had shipping labels to his home.
These devices were found by the enthusiasts and manufactures while they were videotaping their hunt.
The following morning these videos went viral in the speed counter measurement community and his branding as the “National Expert” was thrown out.
5 – Is there a colorful character in your company? You don’t have to be a Radar Roy an Orville Redenbacher or a Lee Iacocca you just have to be a little offbeat, fun, engaging.
I have a client who sells tire pressure monitors from their website www.TirePressureMonitor.com. Dwayne in his 70’s and knows squat about the Internet. However his picture and his story have been branded and embraced in the tire safety community as being the expert. Because of his celebrity status in his niche he is often called upon for information.
6 – Are you or your business associated with any charities? Are you a member of a charity or school that helps in an unusual way? Do you get involved with your community?
I’m the founder of an organization called “Cops Who Care” an organization comprised of active and retired police officers that help at risk kids.
Family Circle Magazine recognized me as being one of “Ten Who Care” and featured a three page article about me and my organization in their December 1999 issue.
In 2000 the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce presented me with the volunteer of the Millennium for my charitable work in Wickenburg.
In 2002 the Arizona Republic labeled me their “Hero of the Week” for my charitable work in helping at risk kids.
In 2003 I was featured on the Crime Stoppers TV show working with underprivileged and at risk children.
Here is a press release that I released today using my tips and I’m excited to see what new doors of opportunity open ahead for ALL of us now using my formula for success….
If you’re ready to become an Internet sensation yourself sign up NOW to receive more of my FREE SEO training and Internet Marketing Tips on the form on the top right of this page.
Creating Tribes of Raving Fans
Last night I stayed up late to publish the “Core Influence ” post about the importance of knowing who your core customer is. Then this morning I received an e-mail from a new member of my radar detector tribe who thanked me for taking the time to respond to HIS questions, commenting that I earned his business.
This e-mail from John is a perfect example of knowing who your core customer is and how to engage them especially since I’ve sold my Radarbuster’s network over two years ago!
My moniker “Radar Roy” became the third most used term in Google by perspective customers who were searching for radar detector reviews in Google four years ago. I was able to leverage my mark into this position over the years by becoming the world’s most recognized expert in the industry through TV and radio interviews the use of social media and press releases.
Once the per perspective client found out who I was they would seek out my website(s) and/or email addresses and contact me.
John first found out about me during my review of radar jammers and found out on my website radarjammer.com that I offer a $50,000.00 reward to anyone that could show me a radar jammer that actually worked.
John became interested in learning more about me and my reviews so he typed “Radar Roy” into Google and found my personal blog in the first position in Google. He read my reviews and sent me a rather long email late last night with specific questions about a lower end radar detector. I replied to him that for only a few more dollars he could get a much better model also discussed some safety features that he was unaware of.
This morning I received this following response back from John:
What I find interesting in John’s post is:
1 – He thanks ME for convincing him to buy a radar detector that costs two times as much as the first one he selected.
2 – That I’ve earned his respect and business
3 – He will have to explain this all to his wife (but I already gave him the ammunition on my website(s) on how to do this)
4 – That I’ve created a new “raving fan” who will recommend me to his friends
When was the last time one of your customers thanked you for up selling a product they had no intention of buying?
How long have those customers messages been sitting in your email box? When was the last time you spoken to the clients last year that bought something from you? Are your products and/or services still fresh in their mind?
On this site, SEOtrainingSW.com which only launched two weeks ago, I’ve already used this mojo to influence a new core audience who are interested in learning SEO and Internet marketing. Those who are interested in joining my tribe for free enter their name and email address in the “Free Tips” form.
But a select few who really want to become successful on the Internet (currently around 5%) sign up for my personal hands on SEO training workshop.
Are you committed to becoming a successful Internet marketer? If so become part of my SEO and Internet marketing tribe and sign up now for my next SEO training workshop .
Create a Buzz!
At last week’s Phoenix Internet Marketing and SEO Training Meetup I discussed the importance in creating a point of difference in your market place and power of using video and quality content to engage your audience to create desire and trust for your products and services.
One side benefit of doing this type of marketing is that you create a “buzz” in your niche and not only do perspective clients stand up and take notice but others in your industry take notice of your message.
In the previous post on how I use the Google news reader to monitor my name and business reputation by subscribing with Google Alerts. Well tonight I was very pleased to see that my video on “Finding Your First Niche” and my post on “Is Your Site on Target” was being referenced on other blogs and websites that also discuss Internet Marketing.
As an example the Blog “Learn Free Internet Marketing” embedded the Finding your Niche YouTube video in a post:
www.learnfreeinternetmarketing.com/internet-marketing-find-your-niche/
And a blog discussing Local Search blog entry that discussed low response rates linked to my article “Is Your Site On Target ” here: http://seorants.pageviews.com/localsearch/2009/02/happy-with-resp.html
I consider these references quite an honor as I first these link backs were not specifically requested and more importantly, I don’t have a clue who they are! (But I will as I’ll be sending them a thank you and a link back)
We’re In the SERP’s Already?
I’m preparing for my official launch later this week as we still have some work to on the site and scheduling of our first class.
So I can hit the road running after we launch, last night I took one of my “traffic magnet” videos that was optimized for “AZ SEO Training” and “Arizona SEO Training” and uploaded it to several of the social media video services we use. My plan was to add a few social bookmarks to these videos later this week so I didn’t expect that they would or index till then.
So this morning I was a bit suprised of a few emails complementing our site and videos.
The following results is a perfect example of the power of videos, local search and social media that I teach at both at the Essentials SEO Training Workshop and Advanced SEO Training Workshops. However in this experience I do admit, I’m a little surprised at the results, normally it takes a little more effort to see these type of results!
