Marketing Logic

As I wrap up my sixth month as a bona fide internet marketing professional under the influence of Matt Bailey, I’m starting to hit my stride. I’ve figured out in which areas I’m naturally talented, what most interests me, what is effective and what isn’t, and what I’d still like to know more about. Besides, this industry is constantly evolving and there is always more to learn.

So I am beyond excited about attending the Small Business Marketing Unleashed conference in Houston on April 21-22. Facilitated by the team behind Search Engine Guide and Small Business Brief, Unleashed is a two-day intensive conference complete with workshops, networking events, and a host of talented and knowledgeable speakers. It’s geared towards small business owners and newbies to the internet marketing industry.

I’ve been fortunate to quickly build a solid search engine marketing foundation working under Matt here at SiteLogic. But I’m not about to pass up a chance to learn from some of the best in the business!

Helping Small Businesses Level The Playing Field
I’ve always loved working with small businesses to help them make their communications more professional and effective. And the great thing about online marketing is that the internet levels the playing field between big business with big advertising dollars and small business with, well, not so much. With some SEO and a great link building campaign (for starters) a small business website can rank right up there with the big guys. And it doesn’t cost tons of money (or even very much) to get there.

Unleashed is geared towards small businesses and internet marketers who want to get the biggest bang for their buck out of their websites. Whether your site is geared towards sales, leads, memberships, or page views, the sessions at this conference will give you practical, easy-to-implement tools and strategies to vastly improve the effectiveness of your site.

The conference is purposely being kept small in order to facilitate the best possible learning experience for those who attend. Instead of a major industry conference with thousands of people and basic sessions, Unleashed will dig deep into each topic.

Practical Sessions And Workshops
The sessions and workshops I’m planning to attend are a nice mix of topics I know something about and ones I know little about. Regardless, I’m expecting to learn a lot from all of them. The first day of the conference is informational sessions. The second day is filled with a variety of intensive workshops to supplement the sessions from day one. Topics I plan to attend include:

• Keywords and Content. This workshop is all about how to choose the right keywords and then integrate them into your content. It’s about a whole lot more than just title tags.
• Link Building. I know why it’s important to get links, and I know how to get them for my blog. But I’m going to this workshop to learn how to plan and run an actual link building campaign. It focuses on creating a long-lasting strategy that will improve traffic and sales as well as rankings.
• Viral Marketing. I know a bit about viral marketing, the buzz phrase of the day. But I need to know how to actually plan and implement a viral campaign; what works and what doesn’t; and how to identify key “influencers.” All of these are key topics for this workshop.
• Blogging for Business. I’m a big believer in blogging for gaining links and traffic, branding yourself as an expert, and for fun. I’ve seen firsthand how successful running a blog with a few key tactics can be. This session will cover blogging as a component of your greater marketing scheme. It includes tips and tricks for building your blog and audience.

Those are some of the sessions that interest me most, but they all look amazing. I wish I had Hermione’s time-turner so that I could check them all out! Other topics include:

• Site Architecture
• Social Media Marketing
• Web Analytics
• Site Clinics
• Building a Community
• Paid Search Advertising

Knowledgeable, Approachable Speakers
The speakers for the Unleashed conference really are some of the best in the business. I’ve had some contact with several of them, met several personally, and read blogs for most of them. They really do know their stuff. Their expertise is also recognized by other top industry professionals.

Most of them will be available after their sessions and during various network events. They love to meet you, answer your questions, and talk about the industry or life in general. (Personally, I can’t wait to meet Christine Churchill and talk to her about that gorgeous horse I’ve seen in her profile pictures.)

Register Now And Get A Discount
The total cost for Small Business Marketing Unleashed is $975 and includes all of the sessions and workshops, a networking dinner, and a flash drive with conference materials. Enter the discount code PUPPY when you register and get a $100 discount. Workshops are limited to 50 people, so register soon to make sure you can get into the ones you want.

I recently came back from an extended trip to England, where my wife and I spent some time in Northern England with Mike Grehan. Mike is incredibly passionate about living in Newcastle, and should be knighted as an evangelist for Northeastern England. Visiting Mike’s pub was probably the most enjoyable experience I had. Not in the least of which was the glorious fish ‘n chips and sticky pudding. It was one of the best meals I had that week.

The people are very proud of their city and their way of life, of which I admit a profound jealousy. I think we let life get to busy for us here in America, and we typically feel out of control. We lose touch with those that live across the street, or on our block, and we long for simpler lives, but can’t find the time to make it happen.

The English pub is nothing as it is imagined in the States. Many of my observations about the pub were remarkably similar to the concept of Social Media. Of course, this could just be the nerd in me, contrasting every “real” experience with online behavior.

1. No TV’s, no juke boxes.
The typical distractions are removed. I loved that there were no barstools. As Mike explained, “in the US, I have to get my drink over some guy’s head.”

Observation: You can hear the conversation without the pounding of music or the distraction of sports on the television. It’s focused on developing a relaxed atmosphere for conversation.

2. Focus on conversation
Areas of chairs and table were scattered about, depending on what type of visit you were making (drinking, drinking+ eating, or sitting). However, I immediately noticed that there were no barstools. We got the large over-stuffed chairs next to the fire. We intended to stay for a while and have some great conversation. Later we moved to a larger table for dinner, but the conversation kept going.

Observation: There is more emphasis on leaving the bar and sitting with people. You can still get drunk if you want, but you’ll be having fun with everyone else while you do it.

3. Sense of Ownership
Mike kept saying, “my pub.” Mike’s son, Joe, explained the three priorities in life: “football, the pub, the wife. In that order.” The pub is a local meeting house and is located near your home. Everyone who lives near it calls it “their pub.” What’s interesting is we also passed by his brother’s pub and his mother’s pub. Everyone knows where THEIR pub is.

Observation: Ownership is vital to a sense of community. Unless you feel a sense of pride in what is being built and a sense of participation in the success, then you don’t have a true investment in the community.

4. Sense of Belonging
You belong because you live nearby. Everyone knows each other, and you can meet your neighbors at the pub. Because it’s the pub from your area, you care about it and want to be a part of the success.

Observation: Similar to the sense of ownership, the sense of belonging. It is a vital part of the community and everyone is welcome. Even is you choose to site near the fire and read the newspaper, you still belong. You are still part of the conversation.

5. Sense of Priority
See #3. Even though football is higher than the pub in priority, very few pubs offered televisions. I was surprised that the local football team was in a very important match that night, but they did not have it on television, there were no televisions available. I know it drove Joe nuts, but his friend kept texting him the score.

Observation: Even the priority of football in Newcastle didn’t supersede the priority of the pub. It didn’t replace the conversation of the community pub, even though it was of vital importance. There was a place to go if you wanted to watch the match, but it wasn’t being watched at the pub.

6. Sense of Community
Conversation with your friends is to be valued. If everyone knows who you are, then you are accountable. You have to be friendly. Mike pointed out the history of the pub as coming from the concept of Public Houses, where homes were opened up to the community for socializing. They grew into the pub, where the concept of community and socializing is lived out today.

Observation: If you want to get something out of the community, you have to contribute. Those that contribute the most are rewarded the most.

7. Old stuff is Cool
Sometimes, you don’t need technology. The best times are with people, and technology only keeps us unsatisfied. Taking time away to invest with people, rather than pursuing “what’s next” is very rewarding and fulfilling to one’s soul. We went to the Durham Cathedral, completed in 1096. It’s old. I haven’t felt a sense of awe like that for a very long time… I think we get so caught up in the “new” that we forget that there is still quality to be found in the “old”.

Observation: I was struck that conversation with people is what lasts. Friends that I made on forums ten years ago are still friends today. The forum helped to develop conversations both on a public and private level. Meeting people afterwards in “real life” simply cemented those friendships. You don’t build relationships like that by gaming Digg.

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I am a child of the 80’s. Play some New Order, Yes, or Van Halen and you’ve got my attention. And yes, I’ll even admit that I like the power ballads, especially from Journey. I mean, really, who didn’t grow up in the 80’s and slow dance to “Open Arms?” That song was standard homecoming and prom material. Well, couple my love of 80’s music and internet marketing and this has to be one of the best stories to come out of the age of YouTube. Hattip to ClassicVinylRecord.com

The Story
The Zoo was a rock band in the Philippines that liked to upload video of their performances to YouTube. They have a solid following in the Philippines and most of their videos are from their performances at the Hard rock café in Makati. They are very well known for their covers of well-known rock songs from the 80’s and 90’s. Their lead singer, Arnel Pineda garnered a lot of the attention because of his clear tone and amazing voice.

Here is Arnel and The Zoo performing one of my favorite Journey songs, “Faithfully.” Give it a listen, you’ll see what I mean,

Did you know Journey was hiring?
Now, here is the amazing part of the story. Halfway around the world original Journey founder, Neil Schon, was trolling videos of bands on YouTube one night and finds this video. He contacted the band through YouTube, convinced them he was for real, and in short time auditioned to become the front man for Journey. It didn’t take much convincing, and he was announced on December 5th 2007.

Now Journey fans, and even those that with a passing familiarity, know Steve Perry was “the voice.” Replacing him bordered on sacrilege. However, after hearing Arnel, I am fully convinced this guy can handle the job.

So, here is your new Journey frontman, Arnel Pineda. From cover band to frontman, all via YouTube, plus some amazing vocal talent.

Is YouTube the new Broadway?
The marketing aspect of this has to be respected. YouTube has been the conduit to many contacts, contracts and discoveries. Apple’s use of a fan’s self-created commercial for the iPod Touch was one of the first YouTube sucess stories. Instead of suing the fan base, Apple realized that the user base were becoming passionate evangelists for the product and it was better to promote the evangelists than shut them down with lawyers. What better way to help people go to the next level of being a fan of the company?

Marketing via YouTube
YouTube has enabled a whole new form of discovery for artists. Singers, filmmakers, actors, designers, animators, and on and on. The new pathway to becoming discovered is much shorter and much more broad. The abilities to reach more people and distuguish yourself is easier than ever. However, the stakes are also much higher. Because the access is so easy for anyone to upload themselves, the competition has increased. There are more people uploading than ever before and creating consumer-generated video.

This is the difference that this story highlights. Even among the thousands of videos of people singing Journey songs, this is the one that got noticed. Why? because the kid has scary talent and a voice that is almost (dare I say) better than Steve Perry. He had a product that got noticed. It was better, stronger, and “stickier” than the competition.

The secret to success
Even though the access is greater, the competition will also be greater, and no amount of additional visibility on the web helps an average product. Products that kick ass and are the ones that get noticed.

As a search engine addict, and a search engine marketer, I’ve been fascinated with the evolution of the search engine ever since I started marketing online, well over a decade ago. One search engine always attracts my attention, especially over the past two years, with great innovation and features. And no, it isn’t Google. It’s Ask.com.

Multimedia is Content
Ask got people talking early last year with its breakthrough 3-D interface. I was able to enjoy this interface to the fullest a few weeks ago when my child was doing a school report on Glenn Miller. From the Ask search results, we
were able to listen to his recordings, view video, read his biography and see pictures. We didn’t even click on any of the search results for the first 10 minutes!

The 3-D interface is one of the best innovations in search since the spider. It recognizes that images, video, and audio are content as well, and they have integrated multimedia into the search results. Maybe you’ve seen the latest commercials, which I have to say are a drastic improvement over past Ask ads. (Chicks with Swords, anyone?)

The results page now allows searchers to get information handily and preview other sites before they even click on the result. It is the first interface that truly recognizes the needs of the human searcher. We are not always looking for text, and the internet contains a multitude of good information just waiting to be found. Ask makes it easier to uncover that information.

Mobile Speech Interface
The latest Ask innovation made me stand up and take notice. Ask has gone beyond the browser boundaries with the newest search feature. Typically, mobile browsing has been a stripped-down version of the web interface, usually a simple list of links.

Last month, Ask unveiled a voice-activated feature for mobile directions. This feature allows you to speak the address when searching for directions. Within seconds, you receive your directions. Even better, you can choose driving or walking directions as a list or turn-by turn.

I can’t tell you how many times I have attempted to type in directions to a mapping program or the search interface (not while I’m driving, of course), or have been in a city and just needed to know where something was.

Ask has driven the human-computer interface deeper by allowing a more immersive experience, first with the search interface, and now with the Star Trek inspired speech interface. I am very eager to see what the Ask.com team will unleash next.

One for the Privacy Advocates: Search History
Oh, and by the way, Ask not only deletes your search history after 18 months, but allows you to step up your privacy with Ask Eraser. Your search activity is deleted within hours. Now this isn’t the search history on your browser, it’s the search history that EVERY search engine keeps on you in their database. Remember when AOL accidentally released user search histories? Other search engines haven’t been as honest about your search history, and how long they keep it.

take a look at the innovation over the past year at the Ask.com Blog. I am sure that you’ll be impressed with the dedication to the user experience.

If you haven’t used Ask.com lately, I challenge you to take a test drive for a week and use Ask as your primary search engine. Try the customization features and explore. It may not be for everyone, but it may be just right for you.

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My Web Analytics Course is featured on the SlideShare homepage today! Hooray!

Certainly not a newcomer to the social space scene, SlideShare has become one of my favorite social sharing sites in a very short time. Granted, seeing a slideshow without hearing the presentation is a little odd, but I always have requests for my slides after a presentation.

There are a few reasons that I hesitate to share my PowerPoints, the first of which is the time that goes in to create one of these, the second the clip art that I purchase for use in the presentation, and thirdly, because sometimes I look at these things and wonder what people will get out of these. Those that have attended my presentations know that I attempt to make my slides as visual as possible, so I often wonder what people will get from screen captures and pictures of Captain Kirk.

I like the SlideShare concept, as I can simply upload a presentation immediately after a presentation and mention the link to the SiteLogic SlideShare page. This also eliminates the hassle of sending 4-6 Meg files by email, and your slides stay intact.

SlideShare also provides the code for you to add a slideshow to your website or blog. This is great for sharing the PowerPoint in your blog without large images and PDF files. The interactive viewer allows users to click through the show. The only downside I have experienced is that a font will get “blown out” once in a while and replaced with something that is not even close - but, i can deal with that (sometimes).

For fun, and by demand, I uploaded the Red Shirt Analysis slides to SlideShare. You can view them here:

In my seminars, I enjoy teaching analytics because the fun is in finding effective and memorable methods to help people understand the concepts. One of my favorites is an analysis of the Red-Shirt Phenomenon in Star Trek.

What? You don’t know about the Red Shirt Phenomenon? Well, as any die-hard trekkie knows, if you are wearing a red shirt and beam to the planet with Captain Kirk – you’re gonna die. That’s the common thinking, but I decided to put this to the test. After all, I hadn’t seen any definitive proof; it’s just what people said. (Remind you of your current web analytics strategy?) So, let’s set our phasers on ’stun’ and see what we find . . .

The basic stats:
The Enterprise has a crew of 430 (startrek.com) in its five-year mission. (Now, I know that the show was only on the air for 3 years, but bear with me. 80 episodes were produced, which gives us the data to build from.) 59 crewmembers were killed during the mission, which comes out to 13.7% of the crew. So, that will be our overall conversion rate, 13.7%.

Data Segmentation:
However, we need to segment the overall mortality (conversion) rate in order to gain the specific information that we need:

• Yellow-shirt crewperson deaths: 6 (10%)
• Blue-Shirt crewperson deaths: 5 (8 %)
• Engineering smock crewperson deaths: 4
• Red-Shirt crewperson deaths: 43 (73%)

So, the basic segmentation of factors allows us to confirm that red-shirted crewmembers died more than any other crewmembers on the original Star Trek series.

However, that’s only just simple stats reporting – ready for some analysis?

In-depth Analysis:
Analysis involves asking questions about the data. Analysis attempts to bring reason and cause to the reported data in order to find why something is happening. With that data, one can improve the situation based on the intelligence gained from the analysis.

Q: What causes a red-shirted crewman to die?

• On-board incident – 42.5%
• Beaming down to the planet – 57.5%

There were also many fights during the mission; on the Enterprise, on planets, and various space stations. The fights were also divided between alien races or crazed crewmen (usually wearing red shirts).

• There were 130 fights over 80 episodes.
• 18 of the 130 fights resulted in a fatality.
• 13 of the 18 fatal fights resulted in a red-shirt fatality.

Q: what was the rate of red-shirt casualties?

• 18 red-shirt fatality episodes:
• 8 multiple fatality occurrences; involving 34 red-shirted crewmen.
• 9 single re-shirt fatality situations.

It was found that red-shirted crewmembers tended to die in groups. In 17 red-shirt fatality episodes, 8 were multiple incidents, 9 were single incidents. In a little less than 50% of the fatal red-shirt situations, multiple crewmen were vaporized.

Q: What factors could increase/decrease the survival rate of red-shirted crewmen?
Besides not getting involved in fights, which usually proved fatal, the crewmen could avoid beaming down to the planet’s surface, which is inherent to their end. However, that could result in a court-martial for failure to obey orders.

Besides not beaming down, another factor that showed to increase the survival rate of the red-shirts was the nature of the relationship between the alien life and captain Kirk. When Captain Kirk meets an alien woman and “makes contact” the survival rate of the red-shirted crewmen increases by 84%. In fact, out of Captain Kirks’ 24 “relationships” there were only three instances of red-shirt vaporization.

The caveat to this is when Captain Kirk not only meets the local alien women, but also starts a fight among alien locals. The combination of these events has led to the elimination of 4 crewmembers (3 red-shirts).

Here are the statistics:
Red Shirt Death episodes = 18
Episodes with fights = 55
Probability of a fight breaking out = 70%
Kirk “conquest” episodes = 24
Kirk “conquest” + fights = 16
Kirk “conquest” + red shirt casualty= 4
Red shirt death + fight + Kirk “conquest” = 3

And the data trends;
Probability of a red-shirt casualty= 53%
14% of fights ended in a fatality (with a 72% chance the fatality wore a red shirt)
Probability of a red-shirt “incident” when Kirk has a “conquest” = 12%

The red-shirt survival rate is slightly higher when Kirk meets women than when a fight breaks out. This trend necessitates the question: How often did Captain Kirk “meet” women? In 30% of the missions.

As the data shows, Captain Kirk “making contact” with alien women has an impact on the crew’s survival. The red-shirt death rate is higher when a fight breaks out than when Kirk meets a woman and a fight breaks out. Yet the analysis shows that meeting Kirk meeting women only happens in 30% of the missions.

Conclusion:
We can reliably improve the survivability of the red-shirted crewmen by only exploring peaceful, female-only planets (android and alien females included).

Reporting the Data:
Now, researching the data can be fun and informative. However, that is only half of the battle. The interesting part comes when you have to communicate not only the data, but your conclusions in an effective, persuasive manner. The best analysis won’t go far if you can’t communicate the conclusions in a manner that people understand.

There are a few options at our disposal. First, the PowerPoint Method.

There are a number of things wrong with the typical method of presenting data. For starters, this presentation could bore even the most hardened Starfleet manager (CEO). The typical corporate PowerPoint slide design is obnoxious and does not leave room for information, the charts are redundant, even unnecessary, and it does not do a good job of communicating the information or the analysis.

In most cases, PowerPoint is NOT the recommended tool for communicating analytics data. It is not the right tool for the job. Communicating analytics data involves providing conclusions based on facts, tests, comparisons, and research. In order to display the necessary data, a better method must be used, and not one that forces redundant bullet point and “snazzy” charts.

Visualizing the Data:
There are some necessary elements required in developing a chart for this type data:

1. A list of the specific episodes
2. Events that happened in each episode
3. The number of events that happened in each episode
4. An easy way to identify data, then compare and contrast actions in all episodes

By seeing all of the available data in one chart, associations, patterns and conclusions can be drawn simply by comparing the relationships as they are presented. This is something that I learned from Edward Tufte – 1. More information is needed to simplify data presentation. 2. Unless all of the data is presented, there is no data integrity.

Information is Primary to Design
This is critical in developing a chart of information – the information is primary. List the necessary data elements first. Then, develop the design around the information, and not the other way around. Otherwise, a beautiful chart will lack the critical information necessary to support your conclusions. The graphing software that I found extremely effective for communicating the episode data for this Star Trek analysis is Microsoft’s Office 2007, and in Apple’s OS X graphics software.

click for full-size version

I like this chart – eliminating the need for a legend is critical to allowing the information to flow. The data is the same color or object as the information we are trying to convey. Because there is no suitable color for Captain Kirk’s affairs, we substituted a very flattering picture. Fights are represented by tiny phasers, which are not the best representation because of the size, but can easily be determined by the process of elimination. This chart allows conclusions and observations that simple charts, numbers, and explanations may never bring to the surface. It allows for easy comparison, both to other shirt colors, and in relation to other episodes. It also looks as though Kirk was a very busy man.

In the first year of the series, red-shirt casualties were lower than other color-shirted crewmembers. The second and especially the third seasons were especially brutal. In the third season, only red-shirted crewmembers died; maybe because the other colors enacted better safety protocols, or maybe because they avoided the bridge when a new planet came into view, for fear of beaming down with Cpt. Kirk.

Summary:
Of the elements that helped to provide this analysis, segmentation was key. Segmentation of groups allows for comparisons. Comparisons allow you to spot trends that by be different from the rest. Asking questions of the data allows you to dig into specific trends and spot additional factors that have affects the original analysis. Unless we dug into Kirk’s personal life, we may never have spotted the contrast of Kirk’s attraction to alien females as it related to saving red-shirt crewmen’s lives.

Remember, when you have to account for lost crewmembers, your report needs to account for the how, the why, and the ability to draw specific conclusions as to how to affect the trends in the future. Depending upon your approach, you could either doom the project, and future red-shirted crewmen, or you could be visiting planets full of peaceful alien women.

Addendum:
I found this motivational poster, that could well be hanging in a cubicle at Starfleet headquarters . . . (courtesy of StarTrek Motivational Posters).

Added 1/4/2008: This just seemed too perfect and had to be added:The Sexy Women of StarTrek

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I had a great time this week speaking to the Lexington, KY Advertising Club. The hospitality was outstanding and the event was a lot of fun. There were over 100 guests to the luncheon, and many stayed afterwards into the afternoon for an extended Q&A time. The questions were very good, and I definitely want to get back to Lexington very soon, as the people were very inquisitive and were genuinely interested in search engine optimization and website marketing.

I was impressed with the level of understanding and talent in the room. Many of the attendees had award-winning sites themselves and there was a lot of quality understanding already there, but they allowed me to present and I appreciate the invitation.

Accordingly with the hospitality, I was asked by Tim Coles, Multi-Media Sales Manager for WKYT-TV to attend dinner with him at the Atomic Café (which I highly recommend), and as an added bonus, attend the UK game.

Now, for this who have not had the experience of being in Lexington, KY during college basketball season: These people are rabid fans of UK basketball. Win or lose, they love their Wildcats. It is an experience to see an arena filled with blue and white while viewing the game in almost hushed tones of reverence for their team.

The game was OK – pretty sloppy until the last 3-4 minutes. However Tim and I had some great conversation about blogs, viral marketing, competitive marketplaces and his vision of marketing his sites. While we enjoyed the conversation, I doubt many around us did. I caught many a glaring glance shot our way, as we just weren’t paying the proper attention to the game.

Thank you, Ad Club of Lexington – I look forward to making another trip there and meeting many of you again.

Last week’s Search Engine Strategies in Chicago probably holds the distinction for being the coldest SES on record. This presents some interesting logistical problems, such as how far can one walk to a restaurant before losing feeling in their extremities? How can you be sure to get the cab driver who is NOT on their first week on the job? And other critical entertainment related questions.

Because of the location, the cold weather, and the logistical interest of hosting parties on the other side of the city, I’ve decided to give away unofficial marketing awards to the companies at Chicago SES that I thought stood out from the rest by their ability to market, get attention, and cause a stir. There were a hundred vendors in the exhibit hall, but how can you distinguish yourself?

Exhibiter Award
The exhibit hall award goes to OneUpWeb. By purchasing sponsorship and using it to pitch a white paper on Corporate Podcasting, I thought they created a unique voice from the rest of the vendors. With a low-pressure approach, they delivered a mini-disk with a Guide to Corporate Podcasting, Podcasting & SEO, Podcasting Tour, and Testimonials. The content is engaging, very well done, and understandable to the layperson. I know because I showed it to my father. If he gets it, then . . . .

Something Different Award
Laura Thieme of BizResearch told me about her idea this summer, and I thought it was brilliant then, but then to see it in action was very cool. Laura invited 250 attendees to lunch one day. Anyone who has ever attended an SES knows the joy that is the box lunch. Laura offered up a hot buffet lunch, complete with an ice cream sundae bar.Laura had a chance to tell her story, which is impressive and explain more about her company, BizResearch.

She didn’t hold the people that only came for lunch hostage either. After her introduction, she invited those to leave that were only there for lunch – even more surprising is that not many left. Laura had the attention of a large group of attendees and evaluated websites, answered questions and built up some solid goodwill.

Chicago Blues Award
Maybe this one should be named after my friend, Jake Baillie. After all, it was he and Webmaster Radio that put one of the best SES parties ever at Buddy Guy’s club last year. Not to be outdone, Jake and TrueLocal took the party to B.L.U.E.S. on the other side of town. The only drawback was that BLUES is 1/10th the size of Buddy Lee’s. The crowd was huge, but I didn’t hear anyone complain about the cab ride, the cold, or being in a packed club. I credit that to the band, and most of all, the guitar player: Chico Banks.

Lee Odden got some video of Chico’s cover of Voodoo Child – which was awesome.Chico has to be one of the best rock/blues guitarists that I have heard in a long time. It was a real pleasure to go back to BLUES later with ClickTracks and hear Chico again as part of Big Ray and Chicago’s Most Wanted.

ClickTracks had a great party, as they not only paid the door, but they also provided some great bar-b-que. I think the band was happy about that as well. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen John Marshall dance. ClickTracks gets the honorable mention simply because anyone who has a party at a Chicago Blues club is OK in my book. That’s it.

Don’t expect this all the time, as this is mainly the result of inspiration on other people’s part. If these companies didn’t look at SES and think “what can we do different?” than this blog post and these pseudo-award don’t exist. Congrats to the idea-makers at these companies and their willingness to try something different.

Google sitemaps has been a boon to large websites, it has enabled site owners to submit an xml structured document of all of the pages in a website and receive reports about the indexing and compatibility of the site.

In a surprising development, Yahoo and MSN combined with Google and announced that the sitemap protocol would be accepted at Sitemaps.org, where one submission will go to all three of the major search engines.  This is surprising in that Yahoo has always maintained a paid page submission program.  Yahoo’s paid submission program Guaranteed that site owners could submit pages to the Yahoo index and have them spidered frequently.

This development eliminates the need for site owners to pay for page submission and inclusion, although it is not yet clear if Yahoo will still maintain the paid site submission program.

The advantage of this service is significant to large websites that are powered by content management systems.  Typically, these sites do not allow search engines to naturally crawl the links and find all of the content and pages that are available.  Page links that carry too many variables in the URL and are too long tend to be ignored by the search engines.  While the programming could be improved to allow for a natural indexing by a search engine spider, the sitemaps program allows many large sites to have their pages in the search index.

Via Kim Kraus’ increasingly unhealthy obsession with MS Dewey.
(really Kim, I am starting to become concerned)
Kim blogged yesterday about Microsoft’s new search engine MsDewey. My first thought was “interesting.” Ask finally dropped the butler, Jeeves, in order to change their image, and Microsoft has unveiled a sort of Jeeves 2.0.

I will say that I found it to be patently irritating. Sure, Ms Dewey is attractive and gets your attention right away. Of course, I don’t go to search engines to be entertained. I go to find stuff called “information.” So, anything that gets in the way of that process irritates me. It’s obvious that this was not created to be an effective means of searching the web. The search results are shown in an opaque window against a variate background.

This wasn’t made for search – this is subservient chicken search engine, or virtual bartender search results host.
It took me a few minutes to drive by this accident; however, others have not been as lucky. Kim Kraus made her second post about MsDewey today, and she is starting to show signs of an unhealthy obsession. MsDewey is flirting her husband. Kim – it’s a compliment. Isn’t that right, Eric?

Eric, really - turn off Kim’s monitor before she sends it through the wall . . .