October 28, 2009
Almost on a daily basis we are faced with the question “how do I optimize my website for search engine performance“. The truth is there are so many factors that have a direct impact on your results there is really not one “correct” answer. It is only based on a combination of SEO tactics that a company can obtain the exposure they are looking for. With that said, here are some tips that we have compiled that hopefully will help. read the full story...
- Be sure you have a unique, keyword focused Title tag on every page of your site. And, if you MUST have the name of your company in it, put it at the end. Unless you are a major brand name that is a household name, your business name will probably get few searches.
- Fresh content can help improve your rankings. Add new, useful content to your pages on a regular basis. Content freshness adds relevancy to your site in the eyes of the search engines.
- Content is king, so be sure to have good, well-written and unique content that will focus on your primary keyword or keyword phrase.
- If content is king, then links are queen. Build a network of quality backlinks using your keyword phrase as the link. Remember, if there is no good, logical reason for that site to link to you, you don’t want the link.
- Focus on search phrases, not single keywords, and put your location in your text (“our Palm Springs store” not “our store”) to help you get found in local searches.
- Use keywords and keyword phrases appropriately in text links, image ALT attributes and even your domain name.
October 23, 2009
Well, it was probably only a matter of time that Twitter would pick a big time suitor. And Twitter couldn’t just pick one, so they decided to go with two.
Both Google and Bing will start indexing “tweets” from public Twitter profiles in their search results. To date, tweets were not indexed by either search engine. But given the micro-blogging site’s current popularity, it was time for Twitter to test the dating pool.
If you have been following Twitter’s rise of success (50 billion tweets and counting), what it gained in popularity it lacked in revenue generation. While Twitter has received millions in venture capital, it has not been able to monetize its business model. The current partnership with Bing and Google looks to be the start, even though Twitter’s CEO Evan Williams denies this as the driver.
So what does the future hold for these new partnerships? We will just have to wait until after dessert is served.
October 22, 2009
The other day I read a post by a designer who posed the question: “Should we be including mailing addresses on business cards?” He stated that out of 38 cards he viewed on a design site, only 6 included mailing addresses. I didn’t want to take this guys word for it. So I went online and looked through some of the sites that I use for inspiration. Sure enough, only 6 of the first 30 samples in the gallery had a mailing address. Has this total stranger lifted the vail from my eyes?
I’ve designed my fair share of business cards. Historically, clients supply address, phone, fax etc. — you choose type, font size and design away. Done and done. But I’ve never found myself stopping to consider that maybe by not including a mailing address we can increase communication for ourselves, and for our clients.
New technologies are being invented almost every month, getting us closer and closer to being in the same room without actually being in the same room. When you have biz phone, cell phone, email, Skype, texting and iChat to choose from… who is going to use a stamp?
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I did some digging, and here is something to consider. According to statistics taken from USPS.com: mail volume in the fiscal year 2008 declined by 4.5 percent compared to the previous year. And is stated to be the largest decline since 2002.
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Like every other debate; there are pro’s and con’s to this simple idea. Maybe the address itself is a big deal. Or maybe your client is proud to be locally owned and operated and they want to promote it. This isn’t a right or wrong blog post. This issue is not about to save the world. It’s probably not about to be the big WIN with your client. But as an art director it seems it might be something we should start considering. Taking the time to consider any issue we can that ensures the success of our clients. Which in-turn will make you, or your agency more successful. Something to consider. read the full story...
October 21, 2009
A long-time client of ours, Howl at the Moon, has opened its doors in Scottsdale, Arizona! Howl at the Moon is the nation’s original dueling piano bar chain.
Located in the heart of the nightlife hub of Old Town Scottsdale, Howl at the Moon’s 14th location opened Friday, October 16th. The pianos are now playing in what was formerly club Lyte, bringing a new concept to the area.
Jimmy Bernstein, owner and CEO of Howl at the Moon, is very excited about this new location: “We have always been interested in the Scottsdale and Phoenix area, and we thought it would be a perfect fit for their vibrant community.”
If you’re in the Phoenix area make sure to stop by and request a song! If you’re not, check out Howl’s other locations! Also, for the latest news and specials, make sure to read their new blog.
Congratulations!
October 20, 2009
Lifelink, a charitable organization devoted to serving those less fortunate in the Chicagoland area, hosted their annual fundraising gala last Friday in Oak Brook, IL. What a wonderful evening – and a great chance to get insight into the amazing stories that speak volumes about all that Lifelink staff does to provide better lives for the 25,000 people they touch each year.
The evening began with a silent auction and cocktail hour (is it just me – or is this everyone’s favorite hour?). We chatted and mingled it up, bid on prizes that we knew we wouldn’t win – and then did actually win one. Luckily, Lifelink takes Visa…
During dinner, we had the real treat of sitting with a member of Lifelink’s board. He and his wife adopted their daughter from Korea 26 years ago through Lifelink’s International Adoption program. They regaled us with stories from “the good ‘ol days,” when Lifelink’s community support was at its peak. We listened together as Lifelink’s CEO, Tim Rhodes, delivered a moving presentation about how everyone in the room contributes to helping those less fortunate – a foster child who is spending his first night tonight in a new home free from abuse; an immigrant mother that can barely make ends meet now knows that her son will get the education he deserves with Lifelink’s Head Start program; a senior citizen in his or her new apartment that won’t have to worry anymore at the prospect of spending a night on the streets.
We are profoundly touched by the work that Lifelink does, and firmly believe their impact on society is immeasurable. We’re so proud to support them and provide assistance where we can so that others have the opportunity to learn about and support this wonderful organization. read the full story...
October 15, 2009
We’ve had the privilege to work with the renowned and ever-charismatic Chef Joho on…count ‘em…three websites. (Check them out, and then treat yourself to a meal at one of his restaurants, you will not be sorry: Brasserie Jo, Everest Restaurant, Eiffel Tower Restaurant.) So I was thrilled to learn a few weeks ago that he was making an appearance as a guest judge on a French-centric episode of Top Chef, Las Vegas. Watch a clip of the episode.
But wait! There’s more…Eiffel Tower and Everest were both recently recognized by MSN City Guides as having 2 of the best restaurant views in the United States. Read the full article.
So, Chef, on behalf of the envisionit media team: félicitations!
(Yes, I used an online English to French dictionary for that.)
October 7, 2009
For any of you that have not heard, Google has just launched a new technology called Google Voice. It is currently invitation only, so I have provided a link for anyone interested in obtaining an invite. https://services.google.com/fb/forms/googlevoiceinvite/
Google Voice is a free services that offers the following features:
One number for all your calls and SMS
* Call screening – Announce and screen callers
* Listen in – Listen before taking a call
* Block calls – Keep unwanted callers at bay
* SMS – Send, receive, and store SMS
* Place calls – Call free within the continental US and to Canada
* Taking calls – Answer on any of your phones
* Phone routing – Phones ring based on who calls
* Forwarding phones – Add phones and decide which ring
One number for all your calls and SMS
Voicemail as easy as email, with transcripts
* Voicemail transcripts – Read what your voicemail says
* Listen to voicemail – Check online or from your phone
* Notifications – Receive voicemails via email or SMS
* Personalize greeting – Vary greetings by caller
* Share voicemail – Forward or download voicemails
Voicemail as easy as email, with transcripts
More cool things you can do with Google Voice
* Conference calling – Join people into a single call
* Call record – Record calls and store them online
* Call switch – Switch phones during a call
* Mobile apps – Try our apps for Blackberry and Android phones
* Mobile site – View your inbox from your mobile
* GOOG-411 – Check directory assistance
* Manage groups – Set preferences by group
October 5, 2009
The scores are in and it is the creative team that seemed to dominate the bowling match this year. On Friday, October 2nd, envisionit media treated its agency to a half day off after a month full of process and strategy training meetings to an afternoon of bowling.
While the account team held their own (well…gave it their best) and the interactive team lobbed their balls at the pins (it almost worked) it was Zeke and Rob of the creative team that came home with the highest scores. So, as much as we hate to do it, we must give this round to them.
