Comments on: Get Top Search Rankings with Sneedobb http://eighttrails.com/2010/01/28/get-top-search-rankings-with-sneedobb/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=get-top-search-rankings-with-sneedobb Smarter websites and online marketing for outdoor recreation and destinations Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:29:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Ed http://eighttrails.com/2010/01/28/get-top-search-rankings-with-sneedobb/comment-page-1/#comment-114 Ed Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:27:23 +0000 http://eighttrails.com/?p=290#comment-114 There's definitely a lot of confusion around SEO, what's possible, and what's not. When I give my SEO workshops I always crush a lot of dreams by telling the attendees that they're probably not going to be able to rank highly for their super desirable terms, such as "family lawyer" or "home remodeling" or "advertising agency." There's just too much competition. I have definitely seen the agencies you mention, Chuck, who claim they'll get those top rankings, and their customers are in for a surprise or a disappointment. Clearly, this isn't what Josh's agency was trying to do, and I didn't mean to imply that they were. As Josh points out, theirs is really a traditional media strategy (business card) that pushes people to their website through a carefully chosen search term. Not really SEO at all. There’s definitely a lot of confusion around SEO, what’s possible, and what’s not. When I give my SEO workshops I always crush a lot of dreams by telling the attendees that they’re probably not going to be able to rank highly for their super desirable terms, such as “family lawyer” or “home remodeling” or “advertising agency.” There’s just too much competition.

I have definitely seen the agencies you mention, Chuck, who claim they’ll get those top rankings, and their customers are in for a surprise or a disappointment. Clearly, this isn’t what Josh’s agency was trying to do, and I didn’t mean to imply that they were. As Josh points out, theirs is really a traditional media strategy (business card) that pushes people to their website through a carefully chosen search term. Not really SEO at all.

]]> By: Chuck http://eighttrails.com/2010/01/28/get-top-search-rankings-with-sneedobb/comment-page-1/#comment-113 Chuck Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:08:45 +0000 http://eighttrails.com/?p=290#comment-113 Funny you bring this up, I was just having this talk yesterday with a couple guys at Gangplank. They had been talking to some seo company and were all stoked they were going to "be #1 on google" in a few weeks... I laughed and walked up to them and all I said was "I want to save you from a big headache" and they were interested... I explained the whole thing and told them anybody could rank for "sneedobb" ;) or any weird or long term. I need to get my post out about seo and magic but it's funny how, not saying your buddy did, agencies and people use stupid tactics like that to try and 'prove' how awesome they are to the uneducated. Though sadly it happens all the time, and in (probably) every industry... Cheers for the post Funny you bring this up, I was just having this talk yesterday with a couple guys at Gangplank. They had been talking to some seo company and were all stoked they were going to “be #1 on google” in a few weeks… I laughed and walked up to them and all I said was “I want to save you from a big headache” and they were interested… I explained the whole thing and told them anybody could rank for “sneedobb” ;) or any weird or long term.

I need to get my post out about seo and magic but it’s funny how, not saying your buddy did, agencies and people use stupid tactics like that to try and ‘prove’ how awesome they are to the uneducated. Though sadly it happens all the time, and in (probably) every industry…

Cheers for the post

]]> By: Ed http://eighttrails.com/2010/01/28/get-top-search-rankings-with-sneedobb/comment-page-1/#comment-112 Ed Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:36:11 +0000 http://eighttrails.com/?p=290#comment-112 Thanks for sharing some more of the strategy behind your campaign, Josh. I understood this to be a way to show off your SEO chops to prospects, and clearly in that regard it's just an illusion. I do like the idea of giving someone something on your business card to entice them to dig a little deeper, and your unique phrases certainly must get more attention than just listing your web address. (And thanks a bunch for pointing to the die-cut, foil-stamped, pop-up business card guy...now I'll have nightmares.) Thanks for sharing some more of the strategy behind your campaign, Josh. I understood this to be a way to show off your SEO chops to prospects, and clearly in that regard it’s just an illusion. I do like the idea of giving someone something on your business card to entice them to dig a little deeper, and your unique phrases certainly must get more attention than just listing your web address. (And thanks a bunch for pointing to the die-cut, foil-stamped, pop-up business card guy…now I’ll have nightmares.)

]]> By: Writer/Online Marketing Guy From Local Ad Agency http://eighttrails.com/2010/01/28/get-top-search-rankings-with-sneedobb/comment-page-1/#comment-111 Writer/Online Marketing Guy From Local Ad Agency Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:14:26 +0000 http://eighttrails.com/?p=290#comment-111 Ah yes, the magic of SEO isn't in getting to number one for just any term, but making sure your site is easily found for words that are relevant and will attract traffic. The main point of the business card search phrase isn't simply to display the chops it takes (or lack thereof) to get a page to number one for any particular word. It's neat, mind you, but the ultimate goal it is not. The ultimate goal is to create a memorable experience with the business card. Something more for the recipient to do than just take the card and look at it before they stick it in the trash. By adding a phrase like <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=5+year+old+puzzle+wizard&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" rel="nofollow">5-year-old puzzle wizard</a> to your business card, you're inviting its recipient to interact beyond entering your info into their address book. Truly, it's a push maneuver that's tied to a typically pull medium. A memorable interaction that will leave a true impression. I guess you could just follow <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YBxeDN4tbk&feature=player_embedded" rel="nofollow">this guy's advice</a> if you don't like the idea. Ah yes, the magic of SEO isn’t in getting to number one for just any term, but making sure your site is easily found for words that are relevant and will attract traffic.

The main point of the business card search phrase isn’t simply to display the chops it takes (or lack thereof) to get a page to number one for any particular word. It’s neat, mind you, but the ultimate goal it is not. The ultimate goal is to create a memorable experience with the business card. Something more for the recipient to do than just take the card and look at it before they stick it in the trash.

By adding a phrase like 5-year-old puzzle wizard to your business card, you’re inviting its recipient to interact beyond entering your info into their address book. Truly, it’s a push maneuver that’s tied to a typically pull medium. A memorable interaction that will leave a true impression. I guess you could just follow this guy’s advice if you don’t like the idea.

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