Friday, February 29, 2008

Google playing with PageRank again

Google appear to be messing about with PageRank again. They've just downgraded themselves to an 8/10, which seems strange. Google is the most used site in the world so how come it's not a 10?

Everything you read tells you to ignore the PageRank as it's out of date and no real indication of the quality of a site. I tend to agree but if that's case why do they still use it?

The real issue is don't sweat the PageRank, if you rank well for your terms in the serps and the cash/conversions are still rolling in then everything's fine.

Friday, February 22, 2008

How insignificant are we?

How insignificant are we in the greater scheme of things? I often think abut this.

I'm 5 ft 11, so I'm not too big anyway. Then think about how big your city is, then your country, then the continent, then the world. Move on the solar system, then the galaxy, then the universe!

Right now think about how important what you're doing really is.

Humbling isn't it?

Take a read of this http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/02/21/galaxy-hubble-stars.html

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Tom Peters 100 ways to make more money

Over on Change This a site full of manifesto's, need to write one myself. Tom Peters who's always a very inpiring read has put together the second half of his 100 ways to make more money manifesto.

For those who've never read Tom before, this isn't 100 ways to make a quick few quid. These are truly life changing attitudes which are simple to impliment but that you won't think of while you're stuck up you backside getting on with things and wondering why you're getting your share of the good stuff. Having just read this, lots of little light bulbs have gone off and just reaffirmed for me why I'm changing jobs.

Tom's manifesto is available as a PDF download from the site so you can read it at your leisure and pass it round to your friends and colleagues.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Great design makes all the difference

I'm a sucker for great design for it's own sake. If a great design helps to sell products then even better. Most of the time it does.

It's part of the intagible bit of marketing that most of the public think they can't see because they're "not designers or artists". The thing about great design and art is that the man/woman on the street instinctivley knows good design, they just never trained themselves how to recognise it or describe it.

This is a great site I've just found which has some of the best product and packaging design I've ever seen. The examples are clear and work wonderfully, enjoy.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

New BBC Homepage Beta

The BBC have just launched a Beta of thier home page. It looks like they've put a lot of work in to it and the functionality looks great.

It's not very subtle though and could do with a little refinement. Still it shows how the BBC want to enbrace online and I think they've been very brave.

What do you think?

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Seth Godin on the Placebo effect

Seth's come up with the goods again. This is a great blog about marketing and a definate read.

It got me thinking about something my mate asked me the other day.

"How do you become and artist?"

My answer is that it's down to perception. As soon as one person, who apprears to have authority, says you are something and give you the title then everyone else will accept it as well. The next objective is to find someone else who agrees with the first person. Then you begin to get a chain and it all builds from there.

Doesn't matter what you want to be as soon as one other person says that what you are, job done. Most people are nervous to give themselves the title though.

So if you want to be an Actor, Rock Star, Model, Marketer (god help you), jockey, keep listing for ever. Then tell someone that's what you are not long after guess what you'll have managed it.

Good Luck in your new Careers!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Google Adwords test

Just spotted a little Google test on my site. The Ads, see above, now have little shuffling arrows so you can go to the next ad. Great idea and preumably a great way for Google to see which ads convert best and pass this back. Only problem is the randomness, you've no idea what's coming up.

What marketing equals

Seth Godin hits the spot again on what marketing is about. I really don't know where he get's his inspiration from, just wish he sold it! Here's his blog on what Marketing equals.

To get a bit of the Seth Magic, give his books a go. My favourite is the Purple Cow. For me this is one of the greatest marketing books of the last few years.

Friday, February 01, 2008

If you know something talk about it

I've just given a free consultation to two guys who are friends of my boss. The original idea was that they needed help with Pay Per Click campaigns. What they really needed was help with marketing thier product full stop.

They've got a business which sells high performance car days, you know 6 laps in a Ferarri. They are getting over run with booking but want to make more out of it.

I probably spent about 1 hour with them and mentioned Pay Per Click for about 2 minutes. They were looking at the problem from the wrong end.

They needed overall advice on how to get thier product to market at the lowest cost with the biggest return on investment.

The best bit of advice I gave them?

Make it easy for your customers to book, get the crap out of the way and make it simple. They'll be adding a large click here to book button to the top of every page.

The return on investment will go through the roof. I'll guarantee that.

If you've got a problem with your site, I'll happily take a look. Failing that ask someone you know who isn't a marketer, doesn't know your product really and doesn't use the web much. If they can't make your site do what you want your customers to do then you need to think again.

My best critic like this, my wife.