Search Engine Optimization

SEO:

Before Start on Page and Off Page SEO:-

• Keyword Research and Analysis – 10 to 15 Keywords
• Competitor Research and Analysis – top 5 on major search engines and directories
• Website Analysis
• W3c Validation

On Page Activities:-

• HTML Meta tag, Alt tag, H1-H6 tag and Title tag optimization
• Necessary changes in page content
• Creation of new pages if required
• Change in Page name, Image name and folder name if required
• Change in Site navigation if required
• Individual Meta Information per product for dynamic site
• Inclusion of robots instruction file
• Inclusion of search engine site map
• Google Sitemap generation
• Yahoo Sitemap generation

Off page Activities:-

• Directory Submission
• Article Submission
• Content Writing
• Blog Creation
• Forums posting
• Social Bookmarking
• Blog Directory Submission
• Twitter Marketing
• Classified submission
• Digg Marketing

Guest Blogging Is Nothing New As Compared To PR

Guest blogging is nothing new. In the world of Public Relations (PR), we are writing articles, press releases and features. The concept of PR is to create awareness, especially to the industry which you are targeting.

Likewise, in blogging, we talk about SEO and having content to beef up the site. Blog owners may also face challenge in writing daily or frequent blog articles to feed their subscribers or readers. Blog owners may also become opinionated and fail to write objectively. Nonetheless, the question is not about having an objective perspective to an issue. It is about your personal contribution and how you feel about the topic.

Back to PR again, our message may tend to slate towards a product offering. As a PR practitioner, you wanted a particular publication to feature your articles. And somehow, you do not want to lose the value proposition when you present the goodness of the product offering, while fending over a close competitor with similar products.

Likewise, in guest blogging, you may have become too affixed with your blog that you may not be able to inject new ideas. That’s when your content becomes repetitive and you may just sacrifice content over traffic.

The idea of guest blogging could probably originated from PR. Having guest bloggers on your site not only improve content, it gives a wider perspective to a topic that your site is trending on. Compared the narrow insights one author may have, few or several authors make it the discussion more lively and interesting. Like PR, host site of guest bloggers serves as an authoritative source. Guest bloggers are “established PR practitioners” in their own field or “trending”. From there, they will create a more dynamic content, linking to their sites or other authoritative sites. As a subscriber or reader, we will be pampered with information on the topic we thread on. This information may be difficult to discover as Internet is full of spam.

Truth enough, information may still contain a certain degree of spam. Sieving them out is another process which host site has to take note as well. Just like a publisher, filtering out commercial-related articles.

Alicafe Featuring Our Local Singapore Comical Artist 辉哥

Three Builders

An inspirational story which was shared yesterday by our Advisor. Nothing fanciful, however I believe most of us have heard this story before.


There was a construction going on. A pass-by asked 3 workers whom were on the site, what they were doing.

Worker #1 - Can't you see I'm laiding the bricks?
Worker #2 - We are constructing a building.
Worker #3 - We are building the House of God, so that everyone can visit this temple and worship him!

Though these three workers were tasked with the same job, each of them interpreted their role differently and mostly, how they view their role and how significantly they can contribute.

Each of us are tasked with different gifts. We are not "equal" in talent, physics or academic but we can contribute in the most significant ways. Be it our society, our community or our peers.

Also let's not forget the purpose of serving and what's the reason for you to serve in the first place? Over time, we may have forgotten our goals and we need to re-look again.

What Do You Think - Using iPad As Incentive For Marketing Campaign For Consumers?

Feel free to input.

Kaki - A short film on colorectal cancer

 

Roystan Tan, local Singapore-breed director has done another wonderful short film on colorectal cancer awareness. Playing on friendship and emotional bond, the story portrays 2 different ethnic friends on daily matters. Jokes, Pranks and Laughter are key elements on the set.

Health Promotion Board has taken this opportunity to launch a new quick and effective test kit. Look similar to a pregnancy test kit, it is used to test for colorectal cancer.  Cancer of the stomach is the 1st killer in Singapore and ranking #3 globally.

For more information, you can visit HPB website.

Volkswagen TSI & DSG

Stay tuned! Video clip coming soon. Meanwhile visit http://www.thinkblue.sg/#!/stories/

Five Things To Consider In A Job Search

Article extracted from My Paper, Page A18

Time May Be Running Out For Your Bones

Execs Find New Ways To Skive At Work

An article extracted from My Paper, 27th July 2011, Page 2 - How social media & free apps have changed work environment.

Creative QR Codes

"Scan and Print" - that's what enable us to scan and print our document fast, and while we are on the GO.

With modern technology and creative out-of-box advertising techniques, marketers have been able to put a Fast Marketing Campaign, without complex deployment.

A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) that is readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and camera telephones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded may be text, URL, or other data. - quoted from Wikipedia

QR code is unique as it generates a URL (for G2000), allowing the mobile users (since it's downloaded using mobile app) to create bookmark for http://www.g2000.com.sg/ss11/

Instead of memorizing the URLs, it typically makes use of graphical capturing technology of a barcode reader or camera. Mobile phone, nowadays, comes with camera - more than sufficient to cater for such needs. Making a campaign much more "enjoyable" and fun for consumers. Marketer may also require users to have a login - this, in turn, loops back to CRM (Customer Relationship Management) for loyalty and retention programme.

The challenges may arise when users do not have a "reader". QR codes may need proper tagging and categorizing by marketers to prevent mix-up.

How long can a marketer use QR codes for advertising purpose? Who's there to keep tag? What's if the barcode mis-read? Will it cause a commotion, especially for a campaign which lacks of proper control and reporting?

Side note:
Considering using a QR code on Name cards, which you can re-direct recipients to more information - Read more

Great Singapore Sales 2011

Great Singapore Sales (GSS) has finally come. This annual affair is uniquely Singapore, where the May-June period features retailers and fabulous promotions. Business owners dish out huge marketing dollars to entice consumers to make the extra purchase.

Looking at this form of marketing, GSS appeal is slowly dying. Will consumer make the purchase just because of the additional discount given?

We look at the recent crave: group buying coupons and discount phenomenon - Example, Groupon. How are they changing consumer behaviour. I look at Groupon as more of a sampling method for consumers. To advertisers, they are getting bulk sales which is ideal for new setup company to create awareness.

The pitfall for consumers come when they make purchase in GSS. Similar analogue in "Relativity and Immediate Gratification", a simple sales tactic "20% for 2nd Pair of shoes, 30% for 3rd Pair", in fact ask consumers to buy more FAST. Intentionally, discount is given but at tier level. This is good for retailers to clear their stock. Not to forget, their product costing includes shipping. With bulk order, the 20-30% is relatively covered. On top of that, they may save on warehousing since you have help to clear their stocks. Of course, all these are done with carefully planning. You do have to give credits to the merchandising department.

Create more Social Media Links

Someone just tasked me to create more social media tools such as Twitter, LinkedIn. Well, I do agree to populate the internet as these provide useful backlinks and garner more eyeballs. My only concern would be to manage them.

Operating in an Asian context, users are still skeptical on sharing their personal information online. Personally, LinkedIn offers upload of resumes, thus allowing resume search by potential employers. This is not ideal if your boss realise you are going on a job shopping spree.

To man the various new media tools require articulated use and proper monitoring. Being a user, I'm caught in a dilemma: resources management VS KPIs

When an organisation decides to embark on the new media platform, it must prepare to take on a new online identity. Thus, also allow for headcounts for such projects.

GE 2011 Aftermath

This was a sensational weekend. With GE 2011 coming to an end, all rallies and political lobbying would not be allowed in public places without first obtaining a permit and without a cause.

In this GE, we see the rise of a new political landscape which could bring forward many new evolutions. Gone were the days that people are living in "fear", nor are they ignorant. Though I foreseen this day, I have still saddened by the facts.

The loss of Aljunied GRC with a political leader, a liberal Foreign Minister. The team were average. The Opposition team has brought in new blood and rise the "voices" of the residents. What really sadden me is: whether people vote just because they want to see the changes, or are they "slated" by the Opposition or they are really aware of the current situation facing by the Nation?

Cost of living is increasing, do we want to remain stagnant for the sake of people who can't catch up with the pace?

I, for one, dare not to answer as I believe in self-achieving. But I'm still concerned after my forties, what will happen if I do not have enough for retirement or no job?

Am I still going with the crowd or apathetic towards National policies? Or are Singaporean remaining in their "comfort zone" as neighboring nations turn over and "eat" us from within, and external forces crushing on us?

Emotional Attachment In Election

Coming this 7th May, General Election 2011 is a great day where our Nation, Singapore may undergo political changes.

With the media proliferation, politicians and lobbyists have moved onto the online platform to call upon human self-gratification. This year, I feel the emotional element setting in.

"Who won, who lose; we are all history sinners" - a quote from a local writer. "谁输谁赢，我们都是历史的罪人"

Through media channels, we are able to communicate in a much "faster and efficient" way. Facebook has many "Likes". Through the tools available, key players have tried to engage communities. But perspective wise, it is still to the basics. We are looking at issues which are not easily comparable - "Relativity and Immediate Gratification".

 

Marketing basics have taught us relative and cognitive. Hopefully, this clip serves its purpose and its useful applications in many scenarios. This clip was done by Jeff Monday. He uses dots to make complex ideas easy to understand and apply to your life.

Cloud Computing - The Next BIG Thing

We heard about “Cloud” but have you heard of “Cloud Computing”. For the non-savvy, basically it means virtual servers available over the Internet.

Cloud computing services are provided either by subscription-based or pay-per-use, in real time over the Internet.

But "How does it work for you?"

Imagine being an executive of a company, with the responsibilities to ensure all your employees have the right hardware and software for their jobs. Typical company setting would be one computer to one head count. However, software licenses may not, due to costing. Therefore, you may have to be selective in your purchase decision.

Instead of installing a suite of software on each computer, you can make use of Cloud Computing service. All you have to do, is to run a cloud computing system's interface software. This application allows employees to log into an Internet-based service which hosts all the programs a user need for his job. A simple cloud computing system's interface software is a Web browser.

Remote machines owned by the service provider would run everything from e-mail to word processing to complex data analysis programs.

Think Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail or Gmail; perhaps you may already have some hand-on experience with cloud computing after all. Instead of running an e-mail program on your computer, you are logging onto a Web email account “remotely”. The software and storage for your account doesn't exist on your computer - it's on the service provider's "computer cloud".

Think Now: Cloud computing may be revolutionized the technology era in next few years.

Marketing Campaign

Adapted from Silver Bullet Marketing,

They hoped and believed – erroneously – that they could deploy a single message that would bring them instant fame and fortune.
What they failed to do was to rely on two very helpful friends in marketing: repetition and frequency. Instead of thinking in terms of a campaign, they took what they considered to be their best shot.

So what do you do when you need a silver bullet and don’t feel you have the time to sit down and do some serious planning or the resources to implement an expansive campaign?

Don’t knock social media because you think it is beyond your means, time, or abilities.

I agreed to a certain extend. Frequent emails may create a nuisance rather than having a reminder effect. Then again, a "reactive" message can trigger off a chain of activities, over a boring message without any content.

Use of Social media is on the rise. In my previous post, there's a mention that Facebook is becoming popular. I agreed with the writer that social media is a way to crawl to "other users" but what makes them want to sign up with you? Your content e.g. your website is irrelevant or obscure, should there is a viable business transaction when you fail to deliver your first impression?

Chartering a course is pretty important especially in a management in strategic role. Wouldn't that be the case?

Support Earth Hour - Spread the Word

The latest online campaign craze is on the Earth Hour 2011. Companies are also showing their supports in channeling the campaign message to their partners and clients.

Creative Software Pte Ltd in Singapore has began its movement to do her bid to support Earth Hour. Let's do our part and share tips on how to save our Planet Earth and show our deep condolences to the people in Japan on the latest disaster.

Microsoft Office 2007 Interface

Many may have upgraded from the 2003 to 2007 version of the Microsoft Office software. With every updates, the interface and efficiency would be greatly improved, thus allow users to better perform their tasks using the new application.

Some users may have experienced unfamiliarity with the application as compared to the older version. Most of the previous updates, interface has remained unchanged unlike the current one, which has changed the "many" functions and grouping them under a tab feature.

Call it good, I personally find it troublesome, especially to search for your "wanted" feature on a multi-level interface. Confused?

I have downloaded a classic menu manager which you will find it familiar and much easier to use. See how "nostalgic" it is (see below).

Facebook "Check-In"

Facebook has launched the "Check-In" feature, which I believe strongly opposed foursquare.

They allow users to "check-in" to their current location, connect and share with friends on their locations. I heard there is even a feature which gives users and their friends interactive ways to explore the cities and earn game points. The very thought is very entertaining, plus educational factor. I have not used it personally though.

Now FB comes with the "check-in" feature, enables to do all of the above. Maybe not the game portion.. yet..

I do realise that it will be a useful App for "social butterflies" who like to interact and meet up with people which are around the vicinity. It is also great to know the whereabouts of their friends if they have plan to meet up. And that saves the hassle of even communicating your current whereabouts.

With proliferation of online web space and technology, privacy remains a concern. We may just let our gadgets "automatically" log on for us. But will we want that? There are still skeptical people out there. However, my concern falls on individual who comes under the category of "stalker".