So, before yesterday, I had never heard of the Link Title Attribute, which is an HTML tag you can assign to a link that will provide more information via mouseover. It’s a lot like the alt text that can be added to images. There were some questions about whether this would be a benefit to one of the ECommerce websites I am working with, and thus research had to be done.
First off, most of the information relating to the Link Title Attribute was outdated and I had to really dig to find anything I could trust. A lot of the conversations were happening in forums that weren’t really related to SEO or Internet Marketing, and you really should be looking at an industry-specific forum if you have industry-specific questions.
I won’t bore you with more of the details. The bottom line is that the Link Title Tag still has a place in your website, but only in terms of increasing usability. The sad fact is that search engines don’t assign weight to the link title attribute.
We have decided to move forward with our implementation of the Link Title Tag, but only for links where the anchor text is one word, vague wording, or obscure and so specific to the industry that you’d never know where the link could possibly lead without it. These seem like pretty good reasons to add this particular tag.
Success definitely has it’s perks. More money is good. Recognition for doing something that means something can be a very satisfying thing. Taking an idea and turning it into a reality would instill pride in anyone. Don’t forget, though, that success also has it’s pitfalls. If you’ve cashed in with your success, your style of living is going to be higher. And, as some guy some years back said, Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems. Also, with success comes great responsibility. If you have employees then you’re partly responsible for their financial well being. If you do something stupid right before the AFC playoff championship, you get a light shined on you so bright that you’ll wish you were a nobody again.
Classic under-achievers, I’m talking to you. I know you’ve got some great ideas. You sit around and think about the strangest things while you’re watching TV, playing video games or shopping. You come up with some pretty interesting things sometimes, but that’s really where it should end for you. Why? Well, you don’t like things like responsibility or pressure, and if I’m being honest, sometimes you’d rather just talk about doing something great than actually getting out there to do it.
When I was younger, I was a classic under-achiever. My brain was working all the time but I lacked the get-up-and-go to turns those creative thoughts into a solid product or service. I suppose that would be Jekyll. Hyde is more of a lazy guy. He’s not really interested in getting his hands dirty. If that means we miss an opportunity to do something great, then that’s okay. Maybe it’s better that way.
As my life has changed, so have my priorities. My way of thinking has shifted such that it’s virtually impossible to sit still while the world passes me by. If you think about it, I am the victim here. I’d love to hang out all day long and do nothing, be responsible for nobody but myself. But I can’t do that because I’ve stupidly gone and grown as a person. Just because it happened to me, however, doesn’t mean it has to happen to you. Avoiding success is easy if you follow these fundamentals.
Think of a Good Idea
No great failure can occur without first acquiring that great idea. Many of you will already have thoughtful, unique ideas that would add to society if done properly. Some of you don’t. If you already have an idea, you can move on to the next step. If you don’t have an idea yet, take all the time you need. Getting out in society, being around people and being more active is a great way to get the juices flowing. But don’t over-do it. Remember, you’re an under-achiever. Not over. Under.
Get Organized? Please!
Having a good idea is one thing, but forming a strategy is quite another. Successful people do things like make a business outline and formulate strategies to execute the tasks they’ve identified in order to realize their dream. But don’t worry, you can forget all that. In fact, don’t even write anything down. Outlines are for pussies, right? People who are organized are boring! It’s best to keep all this in your head, no matter how complicated things may get up there. Everything will come together when it’s time, right..?
Spend All Your Cash!
So, maybe you actually have some money behind your idea. That’d be something! Even if you don’t, the same rules will apply here. Whether you have a lot or just a little, be aware that spending your money wisely and paying attention to where that money goes is one of the key factors in having a business that lasts. Is that really what you want? If you’re playing to lose, then consider following some of these important guidelines.
- Don’t Shop Around. Comparing prices for goods or services takes time, and the only thing you really save is some money. What’s the point of that?
- Just Pay It. You might have some monthly bills that seem a bit high. The best thing to do here is just ignore it. I’m sure the water company has a good reason for that super high bill.
Getting Serious is For Babies
If you’re meeting with a potential client, you want to put your best foot forward. Or do you? If you get all impressive on a maybe investor, you might actually get some more capital. I know we talked about spending money before so that’s not really the focus here. The problem with spending this money is that THIS money is not your money. If you lose all this money, people are going to hold you accountable. That accountability is the kind of thing that motivates people, so you definitely want to steer clear of money. Here are some ways you can keep your business contacts uncertain, unsteady and a little uncomfortable around you.
- Mobile Meetings: It’s not enough to conduct a meeting at a coffee shop or something cool and trendy like that. Take things up a notch and do your business in the dining area of a convenience store or even an automotive repair shop while you’re waiting for your car.
- Dress Code: Save your clean clothes for the weekend and going out. Also, you don’t have to tuck anything in or button anything up. People will see you coming with your casual style, and they won’t be able to resist. Well, as far as doing business they’ll be able to resist, that won’t be very hard. But in terms of, like, spreading the word that you’re unprofessional and not serious at all, yeah they won’t be able to resist doing that.
Be Accountable, or Always Have an Excuse?
If you follow the above guidelines, you’ve got a snowballs chance in hell of even starting, let alone maintaining anything of substance, meaning or longevity. Failing is easier than succeeding but it does come with it’s drawbacks. The most important drawback to failing is that people are going to hold you accountable. After all, it is your fault, right?
Whatever happens, whoever you piss off, always be sure to have a reason it didn’t go the way you planned. Between you and me, though, you didn’t plan much of anything. That’s okay, because as soon as someone starts to point the finger at you, you’ll have a sure-fire excuse why. The economy was bad, your employee’s were bad, your investors didn’t come through, the list goes on. The good news here is that excuses are a dime a dozen so you’ll probably already have a pretty extensive menu to choose from when things finally do go south.
There are a lot of different factors that go into avoiding success, but if you stay unfocused and keep things light, you’ll surely find that rock bottom you seek. Once you get a taste of success, there’s no turning back. It’s extremely important to avoid that addictive, positive thing in your life with every fiber of your being. Success leads to responsibility and that’s when things start to get really dangerous.
Learn Your Trade
You’re not going to get anywhere if you don’t know what you’re doing, and there’s just no excuse for doing a bad job because all of your tools to succeed are there for you. If you’re new to Internet Marketing, you would do well to start visiting forums like Webmaster World. Other websites are great sources of information such as Search Engine Roundtable, SEOMoz, PPC Hero and SEO Boy. Of course there are a lot more than that, and you can usually find them if you compile a good Twitter following list. Twitter actually makes this easy with their Lists feature which allows you to follow other people’s lists. I have a great SEM Oracles list that will usually give you some excellent article links and point you in the right direction in terms of who knows what they’re talking about and who is totally full of it.
If you’re looking for something a bit more interactive, try picking up a few webinars on the SEM Oracles list from some really great professionals who have been in the business for years and know their way around the block. You can also attend conferences in an effort to network within your industry, or gain some valuable insight from key presenters who you may not otherwise have the the opportunity to hear from. Buying drinks works really well for this, and it seems to be the consensus within the Internet Marketing industry that you do not turn down a drink, not from anyone. One of my favorite conferences is Search Engine Strategies New York which is coming up soon. Check it out if you’re on the east coast!
Know Thy Friends and Enemies
The Internet Marketing industry seems a little off in some respects. On one hand you have a collection of super-intelligent, super motivated professionals who, time and time again, prove that their trade is legitimate and that following the rules of search marketing will undeniably benefit businesses of all types. On the other hand, the industry is also filled with lazy, inarticulate free-loaders who won’t hesitate to take short cuts with your strategies while charging you loads of cash and straight up lying to you about what they’re capable of, and what they can actually do for you.
The search marketing community looks out for their own, almost to a fault. It’s hard to get into the various inner-circles, but you can do it via avenues like Twitter, blog comments and conferences. Once you’re in, you can find a wealth of information in those willing to mentor, offer tips to help, even a great source of work if you really show that you know your stuff. Even if you’ve made some great friends, it’s always a good rule of thumb to watch your step. My impression of the search marketing community is that they can be a fickle bunch, loving you one minute and casting you out the next. Of course, most everyone who gets black labeled does seem to deserve it, but this industry can look a lot like a school of sharks if there’s blood in the water.
Work Your Ass Off
Okay. You know your stuff because you’ve proven that your tactics work. You’ve had enough opportunities to test theories, you’ve showcased your knowledge in forums, blog posts, Twitter, maybe even face-to-face with some of the well known presenters out there. What now?
Work it. It’s time to hunker down and get busy. If the clients aren’t coming to you, go out and get the clients. Don’t bullshit anyone about what you can do for them or about how much it will cost. Be honest, do honest work and you’ll find success in whichever corner of Internet Marketing you find yourself in. At first you’ll take whatever jobs come along, and as you find more success you’ll also be able to pick and choose more which types of projects you want to be involved in.
Being successful in the Internet Marketing industry isn’t easy. It takes hard work, dedication and a love for tedious tasks. Don’t let money be a driving factor in your career choice because I guarantee you that it won’t be worth it if you don’t truly love this profession. If I’m being honest, I think you might have to be a little sick to even stay in this field. That said, go forth and optimize!
I’ve never been a big phone communicator. In fact, I got my first cell phone only a few short years ago after my car broke down in the worst possible place, on two separate occasions. My wife upgraded her phone and I inherited a gray little flip with a keypad and tiny display. It wasn’t much. It was technically capable of things like Internet, Email and more, but actually using it for those high-powered purposes would ultimately result in me committing some sort of crazy-person crime followed by a desperate police stand off and ensuing surrender and/or suicide. Nobody wants that.
To make matters worse, I’ve had a healthy fear of mobile phone technology ever since the iPhone shattered all of my traditional beliefs related to what cell phones can do. I mean, they’re not just phones anymore. They’re email, web browser, radio, photo album, camera, video recorder, television… It can be very overwhelming, even for a technology enthusiast like myself.
In September, I finally found the courage to face this brave new mobile world and bought an Android Motorola i1. I went through boost mobile because they’ve got excellent rates for unlimited everything including talk and data. Sure, some of my friends complain because they can’t always hear me. Sorry but I’m not going to take out a 2nd mortgage on my house to afford Verizon or ATT so that you can hear every word I say. I’m not big on phone talk. Send me an email or a text and we can talk!
I’ve had a few months to play around with my new toy. I’ve managed to get my wife to upgrade to the Android i1, and have a healthy list of things I like to use my phone for the most. Here is my list of the best Android Apps for Newbies like me.
Google Maps
I’ve often heard that GPS is great for making sure you don’t get lost, and I quickly discovered how much less stressful it can be to find a new location if you’ve got your Google Maps Navigation app. All you need to do is enter the destination. Don’t worry about your location, that will be triangulated by a few little satellites so you don’t need to know the address of the bank parking lot you’ve turned into because you’re completely and utterly lost.
Facebook for Android
I don’t check Facebook very often. I don’t know why. I spend all day in front of my computer working, and then spend half of my evenings doing the exact same thing. Facebook is only a click away, but I can never quite get around to it. With Facebook for Android, I check Facebook regularly while waiting in line. Yes, I’m finding out about my Mother’s exciting weekend plans while buying groceries. I learn that an old friend from high school had a baby while waiting for prescriptions at the drive-thru pharmacy. I rattle off some semi-inappropriate comments while sitting at a dead stop in traffic. It’s important to note here that I don’t use my phone when my car is moving! The point here is that with Facebook for Android I’m able to keep up a bit more with friends and family without losing productivity in terms of working in front of my computer. My phone has become my social media device and since I can take my phone out, I’m really just making more efficient the time I spend waiting in line.
Calorie Counter Android Apps
I used to use the calorie counter at The Daily Plate but once they merged with Livestrong.com, it sort of got lost in the mix and I didn’t keep up with it. I’m not the kind of guy to go on a diet or anything but I’ve put on a few pounds over the past year and need to get back in fighting shape. I’m not cutting out carbs, fats, or even sweets, because all I need to do is keep track of my calories. See, knowing how many calories are in the things I eat helps me keep an idea of how much I’ve eaten throughout the day. I specifically use MyFitnessPal as a calorie counting web app. You can search existing foods, create new foods, scan barcoded items for nutrition info, or enter quick calories. The app can also keep track of your exercise, how much water you drink and is a great way to meet any weight loss goals you may have. I can’t live without something like this, because it keeps me pointed in the right direction and helps me not to over eat. It’s not my fault I love the way good food tastes!
Pandora for Android
With the Pandora App for Android, I can listen on the go to all the music I love. This app really only works well if you have an unlimited data plan and an open wireless connection since it requires large amounts of data to be transferred, so it doesn’t work that great if you’re not in range of an open wireless connection. I can see an app like this all but replacing my car stereo if data transfer speeds can be improved without requiring a wireless connection, but we’re not there yet.
ScanLife Barcode Scanning App
I don’t use my barcode scanning app too often but I like to have it available, just in case. The simple fact that you can encode vCard data into a QR Code so that your contact information is automatically entered into the scanning phone is reason enough to keep this app around. It takes a lot longer to enter my name, phone, email, address, etc. than it takes to scan a barcode that contains all the information. Scan, then click add to contacts. Call it a time saver.
Seesmic Twitter for Android
Admittedly, I’m a Tweetdeck user on my laptops. I came up on Twitter using the deck and never was a fan of Seesmic. But, the Tweetdeck app for Android doesn’t want to work with my i1. That said, Seesmic has a great app that allows me to do all the things I want on Twitter. I’m not that guy who wants to tell you every little thing about my life, where I’m going and why, but I definitely like to have access to the Twitterverse if something great happens in the real world, or if I can get a good picture of something. There’s nothing better than capturing some crazy shit and Tweeting about it. Okay, there are some things better but not as far as Twitter goes.
Foursquare
I’m not a huge fan of Foursquare but it shouldn’t be ignored. I don’t think you should use Foursquare to check into the grocery store, or your work, or the bathroom. Foursquare is a social application meant to bring users together in common knowledge about the establishment, i.e. is it worth going to? What should I look out for?
I think Foursquare is great for checking into bars, clubs, restaurants, things like that. I used it when we went to Seasons 52 for our holiday work dinner and took up a user on the suggestion to try the venison chops. Later that night, we met up with some friends at The Dubliner, where fellow foursquarers (?) suggested some really excellent and unique beers.
Most recently, however, I picked up Chili’s take out. I checked in and was offered free chips and salsa if I show my checkin to the cashier. How cool! I showed it to the cashier. Sadly, she told me that I don’t get free chips and salsa because I already got the Queso appetizer which has chips and salsa in it. So that’s it? Yeah, that’s it. No discount, not even extra chips and salsa. Way to honor your special, Chili’s!
There are a number of different apps on my phone that I haven’t mentioned, but they’re just as useful in my day-to-day life. Here are a few quick recommendations:
- Wifi Catcher: Get a good app that will seek out open wireless connections and notify you so that you can use the much faster wireless as opposed to regular cell connection.
- Games, Games, Games: There are about a million weird little games out there but I find it’s best to stick with what works. Pong, Pac Man, Chess, these are my favorites. Tetris is fun too.
Wish List Android Apps
Despite the fact that my Android i1 meets many of my needs and saves me so much more time that I never knew I was wasting, there are some things I would like to see on the app horizon. Maybe they’re already around and I just don’t know it, or maybe they don’t exist yet.
- Bejeweled or Zuma For Facebook: They have so many games available to play for Android, but nothing yet for Bejeweled or Zuma on Facebook. iPhone has it. Why not Android? I have needs, and they must be met. Sometimes I need to play Bejeweled against my Facebook friends when I’m waiting for my notoriously late pediatrician.
Okay, I am sure my wish list extends beyond being able to play Facebook games from my phone. Frankly, that’s all that is coming to mind right now. What are some apps you’d like to see in 2011?
