The MarketingExperiments Quarterly Research Journal

Packed with proven techniques for optimizing every aspect of e-marketing campaigns -- value propositions, email messages, landing pages, websites, PPC ads, sales leads ... . You name it, it's in there.

The MarketingExperiments Quarterly Research Journal, Q1 2011

Skim the esoteric research protocols if you must and read the succinct intros, conclusions and key principles.

HubSpot's Website Grader

My CC-T Unlimited website scored better than 69% of the 3.5+ milling websited ranked to date, according to HubSpot's Website Grade. Now, this sounds a little unlikely to me, but according to the SEO tool, my site does a few things right.

On the upside, it has a blog. On the downside, few people read it (you do -- thanks!). And, none of my recent posts have been reTweeted.

Another plus: 54 pages have been indexed and stored by search engines. But, apprently you need at least a high school education to read them.

Also, there is metadata -- the tags that tell search engines what the site is about -- but there are no heading or image summaries, or description tags on each page.

Finally, 18 other sites link to my site. But the sum total of their authority or popularity ranks just 3.7 out of 10.

There's more. But, frankly, it's a little overwhelming. I have work to do. 

And this is why I am skeptical about that ranking. To see how your site stacks up, just go to websitegrader.com and plug in your URL. It's free.

hashtags

I have remained resolute in my resolve not to use Twitter, but I just learned about a truly useful tool -- the hashtag. The Twitter Help Center offers this explanation:

Definition: The # symbol, called a hashtag, is used to mark keywords or topics in a Tweet. It was created organically by Twitter users as a way to categorize messages.

What's cool about hashtags is that you can search Twitter for #keyword, and tap into the current conversation on the topic.

For example, I'm a huge fan of SYTYCD. So when I searched Twitter, I found a reference to a NY Post article featuring the top 7 partnerships of previous seasons, with links to their duets. Some of my favs!

PR pros use hashtags to search for trending topics in their industries, according to Beverly Bevis Jones of BB Jones Communications. Then, they can participate in the conversation or lead it in a new direction.

Thanks, Beverly, for sharing this tip at the FPRA's 2011 Media Conference!

 

Pronounce Names

As someone who once told friends I was going to La Jolla (sounds like jolly with an "a"), California, I am grateful to learn that there is a website to teach me how to pronounce names. Brilliant!

URL Shortening Services

Looking for an alternative to URL shorteners with a Libya connection? Mashable lists 90+ services, none of which use the non-PC .ly domain controlled by the dictator's eldest son.

Services with the shortest URL are best for Twitter, thanks to the 140-character limit. I like TinyURL because you can create a custom alias and preview where the URL goes before you click.

Tamar Weinberg's Best Internet Marketing Posts of 2010

Compiled by Social Media Consultant and Tech Geek Tamar Weinberg, this exhaustive list presents hundreds of articles on social media, blogging, reputation management, content development, web strategy, SEO, analytics, usability and much more. Get it free now, because in 2011 it's only available by subscription, dished out monthly. Tamar is community and marketing manager for Mashable.

Free ebook by Debbie Weil

The Corporate Blogging Book author has a new ebook for free download: Why Your Blog is Your Social Media Hub. Should be good!

QR Codes

QR (Quick Response) codes can be read by any cell phone with a camera and reader app. They're used to send data like contact info, web addresses, promos and coupons, offer details, and event invites. Put them on business cards, print ads, coupons--anywhere a reader can reach.

This article by Search Engine Land contributor Marc Lyne gives a great overview, complete with how-to videos. Used as an SEO tool, QR codes can be indexed by Google when you add them to your website.

Generate your own QR codes at Kaywa.com. I created this one for my webiste URL in seconds. Of course, I am going on faith here, since my archaic phone can't read it:

Wylie's Writing Tips

Ann Wylie of Wylie Communications never ceases to amaze me with her non-stop stream of truly useful writing tips. After reading her October e-newsletter, I scoured my website for weak links. (Didn't find any. Whew!)

Learning SEO from the Experts

HubSpot's free e-book, Learning SEO from the Experts, is a step-by-step guide to identifying keywords, using keywords in context, building links and constantly tweaking your site so the search engines find you. It's a good how-to intro or refresher course--stuff we should be doing daily.

Thanks to Debbie Weil for the heads up. Her favorite tips:

• Ditch industry lingo and think like a customer when you choose keywords
• Identify geographic identifiers to capture local markets
• Narrow targeted prospects with specific keyword phrases
• Attract inbound links with great blog content

I favor the tips for on-page optimization "the new way" by SEO Book Author Aaron Wall, who says:

"Rather than repeating the same word over and over again, you should use a diverse set of related keywords to help you rank for a variety of long tail keywords."

This overthrows the old-school practice of repetitive copywriting, which drives me crazy.