Posts by InsightsDigital

What everyone said on this thread is correct. I have been a off-and-on blogger and one big lesson I learn is that is consistency - you constantly have to create content and content that your visitors care about!

I actually have used Cnet for downloads in the past and it was a great repository for freeware and shareware software, however, I found that many of the offerings were outdated. Maybe it changed now since last time I checked a few years ago.

The worst thing you want to do is drive traffic to your site and it does:
1. not offer relevant content or engaging experience to your visitors
2. it does not explain what it does
3. it does not convert - this is what you should care alot about - conversion!

I am trying to access how social media is used for work purposes other than doing a Facebook Fan outreach. I personally use social media to conduct a manual qualitative assessment on consumers' attitudes and behavior towards a particular treatment or condition. What about you?

I have a netbook in the form of Asus and it is so frustrating to use. I have a few Mac laptops and I am actually looking forward to the IPad but maybe version 3 forward and by then maybe there will be a portable keyboard adapter.

This is not surprising. Think about it. Back in the day (20-30 years ago), computer games were mostly used by certain type of behavioral demographics - asocial adolescent boys. Then it shifted... and shifted.. and shifted.. to now divorced women who may feel left out socially due to change of marriage focused relationships and now feel welcome in online games.

I saw online sites that sell marketing plans. Do you create your own or use these online marketing plans?

I found a few when I ran a search on google using the terms "low cost hosting UK" but I recommend UK visitors here to comment. Thanks!

Do you look at the search terms referred from your web analytics and optimize your site accordingly? As I notice the terms that help refer traffic, some terms I am surprised about. I wonder if optimizing for these long tail terms will help bring additional traffic.

Thanks so much for all your great postings. I still have not used Caffeine. What am I missing?

Im developing my marketing plan and I'm curious if others insert their site's web analytics or other type of data in the plan?

Me twoo - I am waiting for the next generation since bugs will be sorted out and hopefully, it be cheaper too!

I really have not noticed much change on SEO - at least for White Hat SEO practices - except the backlinking. Just dont post your links anywhere. So have you noticed any other changes? Please do tell. Thanks!

I now find myself in a situation where I get more Facebook friend requests because of the integration of thse social media plug ins in email.

I would not trust the PTC because the incentive here is to click rather than convert on the site or the the product.

IPad is finally on sale. I dont know if I would get an Ipad so early in the game, especially since we know, there will be different version released that are bigger and better. Would you buy an IPad just to be connected?

Very good point. So for right now, Google Buzz is good to have but not a must to have like Facebook.

So it seems that social media has become a natural part of our lives now. We cant live without it. People are not engaged with social media are seen as off the loop.

Thanks for all the good advice. Have you ever used a facebook page promotional service and what was the result? Please do share.

I dont trust anything that is free. I do wonder about the conversion rate from placing free ads versus those on AdWords.

JennyPitts, that is veyr good advice. I also second to the recommendation of giving the freelancer a test assignment and see if it worked. If not, you know to lok for another one.

This is a very interesting new light on this situation. I will now see FourSquare with a new perspective.

Since its a Google site, just remember that whatever SEO tactics you employ must comply with Google. No Black Hat Tactics! Second, the site must also have the following:
1. relevant content and link it with the URL and internal links to other posting
2. Try to backlink with other blogs.

Wordpress may give you more flexibility than Blogger.

Good to know about Yahoo Buzz. I never knew it existed. I have to check it out.

Also, you got to make sure you folow Facebook policies because your page may get punished. Also, always remember to put new content so you wont loose the current Fans.

I really dont want because we all know that in life, friends and lovers can become enemies one day. These type of tools are just becoming reservoir of information that can be used against you.

I like the concept but I personally use it when I have time to check it out.

I totally agree. There is already too much information on us - imagine enabling additional information. No way!

I think only the starter of the thread is the only one with the power to solve it.

I have the Google Buzz that says I have over 100 new updates. I dont even bother to click it. Do you?

If you have access to the reporting, you can definitely see traffic per hour. I have reporting rights on Webtrends for a client and though I am not the admin, I can customize my data to reflect granular visits. I know I can do the same thing with Google Analytics.

It depends. Remember what the search engines are looking for: relevant context, relevant url, and relevant links. Thus, if you optimize your SMO to reflect text that is also on your website, it can strengthen your placement. Just putting your link and the name of the company wont help.

As an analyst, I have noticed that the performance of banner advertising varies on the following attributes:
1. Is it rich or flat banner ad?
Rich banner ads are more interactive and stirs a higher CTR.
2. Is the creative speaking with the visitor?
Just remember that it also depends on the size of the banner ad. The box usually performs the lowest.

I agree with you. Google has risen from the back then crowded space of search engines to the King it is now. Why? because Google made search better for users.

You need to build a following and keep them engaged.

Just be aware that if the moderators think its self-plugging, your post will be flagged.

GivenJohnADollar - you are totally right. This is what makes me believe that there is absolutely nothing free - yes, Facebook is a free site but members pay the price by being collected free information.

As long as its not self plugging, give it a try. If one of the moderators delete your post, then we both will find out.

I think in the process of Facebook trying to simplify process, it made privacy harder to be controlled by users. What do you think?

Ali, there have been many similar questions posed on this site and many great advice. Also, do think of how you can use these services to:
1. create a sense of community
2. Share and contribute
3. Make it an extension of your brand/company

Also, be realistic. You might not get the 1,000 daily visitors, but you increase the chances of driving very targeted traffic that will convert to your brand!

Thanks for the explanation. I personally dont want people to know where I am at. I have had stalkers in the past and I do think this service can provide stalkers a form of map of places the victim frequents. Otherwise, from what you are saying, it sure seems FourSquare is a more interactive version than Yelp (which I am a huge fan of).

Very excellent point. I actually shared your sentiments completely, especially about Facebook. Since we both know Facebook is in the business of ensuring:
1. that users stay there as long as possible
2. each friend means more $ for Facebook
3. the more privacy for the user means less money for Facebook -
of course facebook will make life harder to protect our privacy since it means they are leaking money.

It might be a little creepy for some but the fact that you can see your business contact's Facebook picture when composing an email on Outlook is all a reality now. I actually use Xobni for MS Outlook and my contact got freaked out when I told her she has a nice picture. Now Xobni released a version on Gmail.
Do you know or use any other social media integrator for your email?

I have heard AdMob as an option. Check them out. I personally have not used them but do let us know how it works out.

Is there a way to secure privacy in Facebook? I used to have very tight security and no one could find me. Now with the change, I get friend requests from people I never know. Annoying. Has this happened to you?

After the FB change, I find it difficult to find the options to create a page. Can someone help?

Darryl, do tell us how it works out for you?

I have found other analytics tools to add better data analysis, some are widgets and some are add-ons.

Something to consider is also - have your campaign been saturated - that means have you reached a point in your campaign where it has reached all the new acquisition it could?

I am in online advertising and I have not heard of PTC either.