SEOmoz has posted a great list of a few things to do with Google Analytics in order to get more out of the tool. Some of the tips are basic and some are advanced, but all help you to better understand what’s happening with your site and the visitors to it. And that’s very important to your digital marketing efforts.

Topics covered include:

• Use regular expressions for fine-tuning your traffic analysis
• Make sure your analytics code is installed correctly
• Segment your funnels
• Track SEO variables
• Track form abandonment

Read the full article here: http://www.seomoz.org/blog/5-quick-google-analytics-hacks

In order to have a mutually beneficial vendor-client relationship both parties must be on the same page. We must make sure we listen to each other and ask the right questions to ensure we truly understand one another.

In an industry that is riddled with lingo and acronyms it is very easy for people to be saying the same word but have different meanings. While someone may throw out the term “brand”, it could mean one thing to a small retailer and something entirely different to a large service oriented company.

Leave egos at the door and keep your minds open to different ideas and perceptions.

There are some amazing people who dive in to make something special happen that we all benefit from. They have big visions, and they don’t just talk it, they walk it…all the way to the finish line. They aren’t daunted by the enormity of the task. Or the numerous barriers in their way. They simply take one step at a time and persevere. And they achieve amazing results.

Anne Trumble and the crew involved with the Emerging Terrain Stored Potential project are among those that fall into this group of people. Anne & Emerging Terrain are behind the visual display on the old Brancroft street grain elevators we see just north of I-80. They spearheaded this collaborative artistic endeavor to re-purpose the derelict, yet iconic, historic landscape structure as contemporary cultural awareness.

I stumbled across a post about this effort last April and was very intrigued by the idea. The more I learned, the more intrigued I became and the closer I followed the developments

On Sunday, a perfect October day, I joined 500 people (including every featured artist) for an amazing dinner prepared with local products by local chefs at the base of the structure to culminate the success of this incredible project. And a success it is.

Rendering of the Concept by Min|Day Architects and Ashley Byars

The reality...Taken from the base

Those silos are so much bigger than they look from the interstate

The selected artists were from all over the country, including Hawaii. And they all came to Omaha to celebrate the project.

Dinner for 500 at one extremely long table. It was a real treat - the food and the company.

There are some great photos of the event and dinner (not like the cruddy ones taken by my phone)  by Sarah-Mai at Eat Pure and on Emerging Terrain’s Facebook page.  Slide show images at KETV. Video on WOWT.

About the visionary and organizer:
Anne Trumble is a landscape architect by training; a writer, teacher, and explorer by desire. Of course everything she does is about landscape, most notably those that actually aren’t designed but happen by chance, necessity, and accident. She’s lived, studied and worked in Vancouver, Cuba, Japan, New York, and most recently Madagascar realizing a serious predilection for islands – the antithesis of her upbringing in the bulls-eye of the United States – Omaha, Nebraska. Although she resides in New York City where she teaches landscape design at Columbia University and works on various design projects, she daydreams about the Jeffersonian Grid, thus explaining why she began Emerging Terrain, a non-profit research and design collaborative with a mission to creatively disseminate information to the public about the social, cultural, and economic factors that shape the built environment.

About Anne from the project background on Kickstarter.com:
“I’ve been obsessed with grain elevators since I was a little kid growing up in the Midwest. I remember going to the elevator to deliver grain. While sitting in line waiting for our turn to unload, I’d stare out the truck window up at the enormous structure and think “that would be so cool as something else”…………

Between then and now, I’ve traveled the world, studying and working in all things landscape; no adventure passed up that is even remotely related to how we use and interact with land. I’ve since re-focused the obsession to the Midwest, in particular suburbs in place of corn fields and thus, derelict grain elevators. They’re no longer necessary.

What do we do with these relics that are too heavily engineered to demolish?”

What she did was amazing. Artists from all over submitted designs and 13 of those now grace the tall slender structures for all of us to enjoy. The panels will hang in Omaha for 3-4 months then move on to other vacant elevators before being re-purposed into temporary shelter and sent to a country in need.

Bravo to all involved. And thank you!

About 45% of consumers don’t have a specific business in mind when conducting a local search online. In fact, more local business searchers begin with general keyword terms in search queries. They have products and services in mind, but they are not sure where to make the purchase, according to a study released Monday from 15miles, the local, mobile and social marketing arm of TMP Directional Marketing.

On the other hand, 56% of social and 60% of mobile users are more likely to search with specific businesses in mind because they are already outside the home looking for a nearby business to fill a need. The study points to a lack of sophisticated search functions in social networks for the differences.

Search engine queries continued to increase at a strong rate with 9% year-over-year growth. Non-search engine queries such as Facebook and craigslist rose 22%, off a smaller base, to capture more than one-third of total query volume. This also impacts local. Of the 9% of local business searchers who use social networks, 93% said they use Facebook to find information on local business.

Most research today focuses on where searches happen, but this study looks at where sales occur. Google, Bing, Facebook and Twitter are just a sample of the major players to enhance local search features in the past year. It also examines how to make sense of consumers’ changing behaviors across various media types, and what impact search trends have on the bottom line.

Trend 1: Online search is the preferred method for information about local businesses, with 70% of consumers citing online sites as their primary source.

Trend 2: Search engines are most popular, but they are not growing as fast as other media.

Trend 3: Local searchers are more apt to buy.

Trend 4: Businesses must develop a comprehensive search presence with essential information.

Trend 5: To develop a complete search presence, local businesses must consider every avenue.

Trend 6: Print is declining, but it still holds value for today’s consumers as a secondary source.

Trend 7: With emerging media on the rise, a diverse media mix must now include social and mobile marketing.

Consumers who use social networks and mobile smartphones are more likely to use and write reviews. More than 40% have submitted between two and five reviews in the past 30 days. In fact, 78% of social networkers — up 3% from the prior year — and 71% of mobile users — up 9% from the prior year — consider consumer ratings and reviews important in making their purchase selections.

Of those participating in the survey, 81% believe it’s important for local businesses to respond to questions and complaints on social sites; 78% want special offers, promotions and information about events; and 66% believe that company photos are important.

Source:  MediaPost

Bozell’s Media Director, Karissa Armstrong, was interviewed for a recent article in Omaha’s B2B magazine. Armstrong discusses the social media app Foursquare and the various ways that businesses can leverage it to gain and keep customers.

Please read the entire article here: B2B Omaha – Foursquare Pays Dividends

After years of speculation and rumors, Canoe Ventures launches their interactive TV platform.

Marketers can place overlays in spots that prompt viewers to click-through and request a coupon or sample. Cablevision’s AMC and Comcast’s E! and Style are teed up to run the spots now, while the Discovery Channel and two NBC Universal cable channels are anticipated to be ready by year’s-end.

Canoe Ventures’ ITV Solutions allow programmers to better engage with their viewers through innovative marketing applications.

So far, the “request-for-information” spots can only be delivered into some homes served by Time Warner Cable and Comcast. Verklin would not release the number, but it is likely no more than 15 million. Next year, Canoe aims to be able to stream spots into households served by TWC, Comcast, Cox, Cablevision, Charter and Bright House — all part owners of Canoe.

Networks license the technology and then sell it to advertisers. Canoe then shares in the proceeds of a deal.

Canoe has data showing that the simple appearance of an overlay on screen during an ad raises brand recall — even if a viewer takes no action. “There’s value to an unclicked banner”.

But could the triggers and prompts cause a backlash? Since few ads have them it’s unlikely but if this concept hits the mainstream then I think it will definitely cause some issues with viewers.  Only time will tell.

Mobile Bar Codes Coming to Your TV

Bar codes have been seen flashing on TV screens across the country allowing you to scan them with your smartphone and get instant information.

The process works like this: bar codes are embedded in commercials that appear on the screen. Then a viewer with a smartphone scans them and gets access to more information about a product, which could also include a discounted price.

These mobile bar codes are known as QR Codes, for “quick response.”

QR Codes, already widely used in Europe and Asia, allow advertisers to place bar codes on posters, product packaging and TV commericals and turn these objects into links to online content.

Using bar codes is starting to spread, because more people are using smartphones, and many of those phones have the scanning application to read the codes.

The Weather Channel and HBO also have tested the technology.

Still, there are challenges for TV advertising, such as time constraints. But other observers see bar code technology as a major advertising tool of the future.

I check my messages and there’s one that says something like, “I am blah, blah and I’m calling from blah company. I would like to learn more about your company and what you do.” Or maybe it says “I have an important business opportunity I’d like to discuss with you.” Read More

Link to Social Media Sites – If you company is already utilizing social networking sites for marketing then you are in good shape. Creating icons and linking to your social networking sites is quick and simple. Before you go down this road however, consider the customers thought process. Is there a strong value for them to engage with you in social media? You may need to consider offering social media exclusive content and offers to get your email users to convert.

Drive in store traffic and sales – Whether you are a traditional brick and mortar or online store, all retailers want to drive traffic to their stores. Using email to send your customers in store only sales is a powerful way to engage with them and drive traffic.

Event Promotion – Since email messages are generally sent in standard intervals, it is the perfect channel to communicate both pre and post event information. Email is also important since you will most likely not have the opportunity to personally connect with each of your customers leading up to an important company event.

Link to online content – If you are currently running a blog or have other powerful forms of online content such as video or photography, direct your customers to it. Don’t let organic search be the only means of getting your customers and prospects to this key form of communication.

Ad rates at CBS are up 30% over upfront rates and the fall TV season is off to a strong start.

Fall Season is Strong

One factor which could help ad rates to continue to increase is the fact that the fall TV season is off to a strong beginning. NBC, for example, enjoyed its most successful series launch in three years with The Event, while ABC’s Dancing with the Stars launched with tremendous numbers (an average of 21.3 million viewers) and CBS had a strong start for Hawaii Five-0 and Survivor.

CBS’s freshman Mike & Molly was strong, as well, and $#*! My Dad Says performed even better. This one surprised me a bit.  I was not impressed with $#*! My Dad Says but I did however enjoy Mike & Molly. Cute show!

Fox, typically one of the strongest nets, is the most challenged in terms of the new fall season, with critically acclaimed Lone Star floundering with so few viewers that rumors have it the show may be canceled after just a couple of outings. Doc drama House debuted the season to lower-than-expected numbers.

But Fox isn’t the only network with challenges. ABC’s The Whole Truth on Wednesday had a low premiere with a 1.5 in 18-49s, and Thursday’s My Generation did only slightly better (1.6). NBC’s Outlaw sank to a 1.1 with its first Friday episode, and The Apprentice bowed to a 1.5 the week before premiere week and sank to a 1.4 last week.

Comedies

The new season’s numbers to date indicate that comedies are once again what people want to watch. Of the 7 highest-rated premieres, 5 were comedies, including Fox’s Glee (up 60%), ABC’s Modern Family (up 21%), The Office (up 7%), CBS’s The Big Bang Theory (up 4%) and Two and a Half Men (up 10%).

I personally love all of these shows except I feel like the Office is loosing steam. Hasn’t been as funny the past few years. It will also be interesting to see how well The Big Bang Theory does on a new night.

I must also give a shameless plug for the Amazing Race on CBS. A good friend of mine is one of the contestants. She is a doctor on the Nat & Kat team. You go ladies!

What are your favorite shows on TV right now?

Reason 1

You’re not put together
It is one thing to be a reputable and wise company blessed with many years of success. However, it’s quite another to have a site that looks old, washed up, and like it was designed and launched in 1997. No matter the product, service, or content displayed, if it looks dated, you can bet users will take one look and walk (click) away.

So how do you know if a face-lift is a must? Check your measurements. Your average number of page views, average time spent on site, and task completion rate, that is. What’s needed to look sophisticated and innovative? A harmonious design. Your site needs to be balanced appropriately, ensuring content, white space, and images complement one another to create perfect equilibrium and cater to the expectations of your audience. Make sure the look and feel of your site is inviting, trustworthy, and current, and your prospects will be seeing you as the complete package in no time.

Reason 2

You’re just looks
To turn a visitor into a prospect, you need to create a truly beautiful web experience that pays as much attention to the perceived credibility of your site as it does to the usability and function of your design.

Pages that require users to scroll more than two screen lengths are asking for a considerable amount of engagement. So if it’s a must for your site, make sure that you’re paying close attention to the structure of those pages. Is there a logical order to the content being displayed that will encourage the visitor to scroll? Are you balancing an appropriate amount of white space and imagery with text so that the page doesn’t seem overwhelming? Navigation also plays a crucial role. Remember that your website should be designed for your users. Be sure your site carries them logically and intuitively through the information on your site that they’re there to find.

Reason 3

You’re socially inept
No one wants to date someone who is socially awkward or appears to be a loner. Letting your social status shine on your website will increase your chances of building more than just your social circle. It will increase your opportunities for business growth as well. It’s not about “going social” because everyone’s doing it — it’s about being where your clients and prospects are. So be sure to prominently link to your social properties from your site if you’d like to cash in on the channel that is changing the way the world communicates.

Reason 4

You’re too closed off
Have trouble opening up and explaining who you really are? It sounds simple, but it’s absolutely vital. If people have trouble finding the essentials on your site, they’re bound to dump it for one that meets their standards and provides what they’re looking for. Ditch the industry jargon and wordy explanations of what your business does and cut to the chase. And again, remember who you’re designing your website for. Consider what it is that they’re hoping to find first. Then, frame the design of your website around your prospects desired action paths.

Reason 5

You’re not dependable
In August 2010, Firefox held 45.8 percent of the browser market, followed closely by Internet Explorer with 30.7 percent, Chrome with 17 percent, Safari with 3.5 percent, and Opera with 2.3 percent. If you aren’t testing the design and functionality of your site across multiple browsers, you’re losing business.

The same rule applies for screen resolution. While 76 percent of users are now browsing the web on a machine that has a resolution higher than 1024×768, pay close attention to the content that user might not be seeing if they’re browsing at a lower resolution.

How dependable is your web hosting service? Does it provide advanced features and truly support your website? If your host isn’t aiding your professional image, it’s definitely time to look for a new provider — one that will ensure your needs and encourage your company’s growth. What two characteristics should you look for in a web hosting company? Security (virus-free systems) and reputation (current and past clients). An inconsistent web host can make any website appear faulty.

Just like dating expectations, realizing the necessities for a well-rounded site can definitely seem overwhelming. Relax, and don’t become intimidated. The initial step for ensuring your site is a winner is to take a step back and look in the mirror (your site). Make sure you critique every angle of your site and be sure to ask yourself valid questions. Are you satisfied with your presence? Is information clearly displayed? Are you having trouble navigating and finding paths to conversions? If you aren’t impressed with you site, then you can bet visitors aren’t either. And remember — disappointing websites and dates often don’t receive second chances.

Source:  iMediaConnection

By Lisa Wehr September 27, 2010