SEOblog

Hear me speak at SES London 2009

2009-02-05T09:27:00.007-01:00

Ok probably not worth coming to the conference just to hear me speak, but if you are going to SES London on 17th-19th February why not drop by my sessions? The line up of speakers this year is looking cracking and there will also be plenty of time for networking. LondonSEO is organising it's usual networking party on the last day of the conference this year (Thursday 19th Feb), again with free beers and the chance to network with fellow search marketers.

This year I'm speaking at the following sessions:

Tuesday 17th February at 11 am

Universal & Blended Search Session
This is going to be a great session, I love talking about Universal Search and can't really get my head around people not taking the opportunity to totally dominate the SERPs by optimising ALL it's digital content and not just text. Optimising your images, videos etc can have a big impact and is often easier that optimising content. Although techincally you are optimising the content still as of yet the search engines can't read audio (but they will one day). Anyway, this is a well worth session to attend. I know I'm going to learn a lot from the other speakers and I'm hoping it's going to be a nice juicy discussion afterwards. If you are there, please feel free to chip in. It doesn't need to be a question if you know something we don't know please share. That's what this industry is all about =)

My second session is on Thursday 19th February at 11:45

Social Media Optimisation (I can't bring myself to spell it with a z!)
This is going to be a fun session and usually has loads of great example of success and how to get it right. There is so many ways of doing SMO now, it's not just utilising social media networks such as facebook. In fact I think that's a bit last year now. I have started calling this Online PR instead of SMO as I think the term SMO doesn't describe how BIG this truly is. Using SMO for gaining links is a old line, but still so true. People are getting more creative on how to do this and this will be the session to find out. I think this is the first year in ages that Ciaran Norris is not on this panel, which is a shame as his SMO presentations are always good. Hmm maybe I can steal his presentation, only kidding. But I'm sure he will be in the audience heckling.

All in all this is set to be a great SES conference, I'm looking forward to it. Are you going? If so please don't hesitate to come and say hello, I'm really not as scary as Julie says I am ;)

Speaking at a Chinwag Live Event

2008-08-27T11:50:00.005-01:00

I've been invited to be on the panel at the next Chinwag Live event "Search Vs Recommended"

I'm really excited about this event as I've heard so many great things about these events. Instead of having a panel with each person presenting some old powerpoint presentation they have presented a thousand times before, these events is ACTUALLY a proper LIVE panel. Where all the panelist discuss their views (hopefully even a heated debate) and the audience gets to ask questions for more than 5 min at the end. Really looking forward to it.

This Chinwag event is about Search Vs Recommendation site. For example this extract from the Chinwag website "recommendation need search engines so people can find their content. But what about when users become regular visitors to recommendation sites? Could these visitors abandon search altogether, or do people use search and recommendation for different things?" Now just this paragraph has me already wanting to talk, in fact I'm biting my tongue not to start right here and now.

So if you are in London on Tuesday 2nd September at 6pm, please feel free to join us in this debate. It's being held at The Slug & Lettuce in Wardour Street (central London, just off Shaftsbury Avenue). If you book now it's only £25 and you get free drinks and snacks!

Oh and as for the other panelist, on the search side of the panel its myself and Jon Myers (my fiance, Head of Search at MediaVest), we are so going to kick some ass. Recommendation sites would be no where without the search engines...

For more information check out the Chinwag website

Far Far Away.......in Cyber Space

2008-08-06T10:25:00.005-01:00

The last few months have been hectic to say the least. I've recruited more people into my team, actually managed to LAUNCH Base One Search (after what seems like a lifetime!) and also launched a movie for the launch campaign of the site.

The movie is called "SEO Wars" , starring:

Rand Fishkin as Rand LinkWalker
Fantomaster as Darth CloakMaster
Greg Jarbo as SEOda
and
Matt Cutts as Googlesaurus

The plot:

Far far away............... in cyber space, the Jedis (white hat SEOs) and Siths (black hat SEOs) are fighting for the best rankings in the mighty Googletrons results pages. In the first series of SEO Wars we see the mighty Darth Cloakmaster take on Rand LinkWalker and gets rudely interrupted by SEOda....

It was so much fun making this movie so even if its not a hit it would be worth it. If you want to view the movie please visit the B Search Blog

Let me know what you think =)

Awards, speaking at conferences and my own column - up and beyond!

2008-03-16T07:05:00.009-01:00

The past year has been an amazing year for me; SEO-Chicks has been a great success, I won the B2B Newcomer of the Year back in November, I've been a speaker at both SMX London and SES London. I'm also, as of next month, writing a regular column about Search Marketing in B2B Marketin g Magazine.

To top it all, this month I've been shortlisted for the Blackberry Women & Technology Awards in the category "Best Use of Technology by under 30 year old woman". Just being shortlisted for this award is a major achievement for me. The winner will be announced at an Award Ceremony on 6th May =) Cross your fingers (and toes) for me!

It's all a bit daunting, seeing as 3 years ago this month I was just getting ready to get back to work after 9 month maternity leave. And I knew just about nothing about search marketing. But I was hungry to learn, after sitting at home for 9 months, doing my fair share of nappy talk. I was ready to prove that your career doesn't need to end when you have children. In fact it turns out my career STARTED after having my daughter. I always thought having children would make you care less about your work, but in my case it hasn't, I feel very passionate about what I do (for the first time in my life), I work hard but it's easy when you actually love what you do =)

I'm a finalist in the B2B Marketing Awards

2007-08-29T09:54:00.000-01:00

I'm genuinely stoked to be shortlisted for the final in the B2B Marketing Awards 2007 in the category "B2B marketing newcomer of the year". It's been such an exciting year for me and to be shortlisted for an award like this really makes the hard work worth it =) I think I'm most excited about the Gala dinner, this Cinderella gets to go to the ball!

Out of date I know - but check out SEO Chicks!!

2007-08-10T13:18:00.001-01:00

Just in case you are thinking, this blog is OOOOOOLD! You're totally right, I haven't posted here for donkeys. I haven't disappeared from the blogging scene though, I have just been busy with the SEO Chicks blog, which is going great by the way.

So if you are looking for some fantastic SEO information, tips and news, head over to the SEO CHICKS website!!!

getitornot

Reviewlicious - a internet marketing review site with flare

2007-06-01T14:08:00.000-01:00

Wow, my fellow SEO Chick Anita Chaperon just launched her own website this week called Reviewlicious, I had a look through it today, this girl has been busy. And it's super cool! It's definitely a need for this type of review site.

The site covers information, reviews and case studies from the Internet marketing world. And although this site is new it's already packed with useful information and reviews, it's sweet! The big aim of the site is to combine the opinions of all levels of users on the products that are reviewed, eventually allowing a dialogue between the vendors and the end users.

I can see this being a hit! Well done Anita!

SEO Chicks Launch

2007-05-30T10:17:00.000-01:00

I'm very excited to be launching this new collaborating blog, it's an all female bloggers, and we will be blogging about SEO, PPC, SMO and Web Analytics. The current SEO Chicks Crew includes myself, Anita Chaperon (PPC Queen) and the very funny Julie Joyce (from Str0ud Consulting).

We are expecting a few other SEO Chicks to join in the next couple of weeks.

Check it out the new SEO Chicks blog and let me know what you think?

Happy days =)

Bits & bobs from Lisaland

2007-05-22T09:51:00.000-01:00

Wow, now this has been a super hectic month. I've been utter rubbish at keeping this blog updated, and feel really guilty for some reason. I've only got about 4 regular readers lol..

So what's up in Lisaland?

Base One Search
It's been an exciting but stressful month. I've been working on the new Base One Search site, which should be up sometime in June. It's going to be a fabulous new Search Marketing site with articles, info and a SEO/SEM blog. Really looking forward to see the end result! Will give an update when it's live.

I've been published - Wohoo!
This month I also been published. I wrote a chapter on SEO & SEM in this years B2B Marketing Handbook. The book is published by B2B Marketing Magazine and is given out to all their subscribers. Pretty cool =)

New contributing SEO blog
I've also been working on a new contributing SEO blog, gathering the best female SEOs under one blog. Watch this space for launch date.

SMX Seattle
I'm also very excited about going to SMX Seattle in the beginning of June. Danny Sullivan's first Search Marketing Expo conference. Speakers and agenda looks fantastic, I think this is the conference to attend this year. Hopefully I will make a better impression on Danny this time around (and not just steal his doughnuts..ok that sounds all wrong). Are you attending SMX? If so leave me a comment and we'll meet up in sunny Seattle!

All in all I've been busy, but good busy. Hoping to get back to blogging properly again in June!

Junior SEO Vacancy

2007-04-19T10:10:00.000-01:00

Update: position filled. I will let you all know about my new recruit very soon =)

We are currently recruiting for a Junior SEO to join our growing team here at Base One Interactive . A great opportunity for someone wanting to break into the world of Search Engine Marketing. Experience is not necessary but ENTHUSIASM is a must. Preferably you would have a general knowledge of Search Engine Optimisation and Pay Per Click Advertising. But most importantly you must have a serious passion for online markeitng and ability to learn quickly.

Job Description
This position would be ideal for someone interested in breaking into the Search Industry. Previous search industry experience is not necessary but online marketing knowledge is a plus.

Job Title: Junior SEO
Salary: 16-18K
Location: Teddington, Middlesex, UK

You will be reporting directly to Head of Search and you will be involved in:

Manage a broad range PPC campaigns (b2b and b2c clients).
- Keyword research
- PPC Ad copy writing
- Optimisation of PPC campaigns
- Monthly reporting of PPC activity

Search Engine Optimisation of websites
- Keyword research and keyword compiliation
- Content analysis and optimisation
- Writing search engine optimised title tags
- Writing Meta description tags
- Directory sourcing for relevant industry and directory submission
- Link building.

SEO Blogging
- Writing blogposts on Base One Search Blog
- Keeping up to date on SEO industry related blogs and forums

Skills & Education
- Degree educated
- Basic HTML/XHTML a bonus
- Basic knowledge of SEO & PPC
- Passion and enthusiasm for the Search Industry is a must!

If you are intrested in this position please send your CV to me on the following email: jobs[at]baseonegroup.co.uk

Saab East Anglia Dealers - New Site

2007-04-10T08:45:00.000-01:00

Ok, ignore the post I did last week about this site (I have deleted it lol). Really not professional to post when you have had a drink lol.

This site has been re-designed for SEO purposes as it wasn't ranking very well in the SERPs. And although link building will be tres important for this site the basic SEO stuff like title tags, content optimisation and anchor text etc etc is going to be the ground works. I would greatly appreciate it if you have a moment to look through the site, and please feel free to comment.

East Anglian Saab Dealers - New Website

thanks =)

How to do Link Building in B2B

2007-03-27T14:28:00.000-01:00

Judith Lewis (aka deCabbit) wrote a fantastic article over at mad.co.uk in their Technology Weekly section. The article contains some great principles and tips on how to build links in a B2B environment.

In my opinion you need a totally different strategy, and alot more time and patience to achieve great links to a b2b website compared to a b2c website. It's just not the same thing, Judith outlines this perfectly in her article.

LondonSEO party Wed 21st March

2007-03-16T09:04:00.000-01:00

Evilgreenmonkey aka seopartymonkey (ok I made that one up) has just posted the details for the next LondonSEO party.

It's on Wednesday 21st March (yep this Wednesday) at Mable's Tavern in Euston. For more details go to LondonSEO.org

If you are an SEO in London next week, please come along!

Oh and if you fancy sponsoring a LondonSEO.org event please contact evilgreenmonkey through the LondonSEO site.

Search Engine Optimising the powerful Title Tag

2007-03-13T10:33:00.000-01:00

The title tags are crucial for the search engines. The copy you use in the title tag is one of the most important SEO factors in how the search engines decide to you’re your site. The title tag is also what appears in the search engine result pages as the heading describing what your site is all about. It’s very important to get the balance right in optimising the title tag with keywords relevant to the web page but also making it stand out in a way that people are more like to click your listing instead of the competitor. Together with the meta description tag, an appealing and relevant title tag can be the difference between just ranking well and actually getting click throughs to your site, and ultimately conversions!

How the title tag appears in the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs):

How the title tag appears in your browser when you view a website:

The most important factors to keep in mind when you write a title tag/title attribute:

1. Write unique title tags for each page. Having the same title tag on each page is just going to confuse the search engines and make it difficult for them to determine which page is more relevant for the keyword being searched for. For more on this read SEOmoz excellent post on keyword cannibalisation

2. Keep it relevant. Write a title tag that is relevant to the page, which what the page is about.

3. Don’t keyword stuff. Target max 2-3 keywords, ideally two for each title tag. AND do remember not to target the same keyword in several title tags, this will again confuse the search engines determining which page is the most relevant for that keyword.

4. How long should a title tag be? Google truncate a title tag after 64 characters, this doesn’t mean your title tag can’t be longer but a good tip would be make sure you have the important words and a complete (readable) sentence within 64 characters. Also remember that the title tag isn’t only for SEO purposes but also your “free ad heading”, so you need to describe what the website/web page is about to increase the chances of people clicking through.

For example: Conference Call Service & Web conferencing with Powownow | the conference calling company
(Google ends the tag after the..BUT still read and index the entire title tag)

5. Where should your company name appear in the title tag?
Now this is one of the most discussed questions about the title tag. And it’s all about personal opinion, except from that I’m right =)

Is your brand a well known brand? A brand that people would search for, i.e BBC, Apple, Sony, Saab etc If so, yes the brand name should be in the title tag as the first word.

Example: “Saab London Dealers – Official Saab Dealerships in London”

But if your brand is not well known….yet. For example your website sells/offers a product or service that people are more likely to search for I recommend the brand name to be in the title tag on the homepage, but not as the first word

Example: "Conference Call Service & Web Conferencing with Powwownow"

Final words
Spend time planning what keywords you target, think about appealing to the searcher as well as the search engines. In the end it’s no point being #1 if no one actually clicks through to your website!!

"Writing a title tag - It’s like sudoku with words!!"

Lastly if you disagree, you have something to add or just want to say I’m great =) Please feel free to comment!

MSN adCenter Keyword Forecaster

2007-03-02T08:50:00.000-01:00

This is a pretty cool new keyword tool from Microsoft adCenter Labs - Keyword Forecaster

Giving monthly history trend based on impressions as well as predictions. Especially useful for comparing keywords. Fair enough it's from Mircrosoft and it would have been ten times better if the data was from Google (sad but true) it's still a great tool for trends and comparing keywords. I like it!!

What do you think?

Cool podcast about managing and building a website - by Paul Boag

2007-03-02T08:38:00.000-01:00

My favourite project manager, Susanne Wraight, who has a fantastic ability to find new cool stuff on the web came across this great site/podcast called Boagworld

And to quote Paul Boag himself "This site/podcast exists to help you poor sods who have been lumbered with the job of managing the company's website."

ps: I'm trying to convince Susanne to start blogging on this blog, she's like a "cool websites and tools detective". If it excists she can find it, who needs the search engines..ermm...

Definitions of Social Search

2007-02-28T12:50:00.000-01:00

Over the next couple of months I am going to comment on the world of Social Search! I am just about to start a dissertation on the effectiveness of search engine marketing (SEM). I am intrigued to find out whether what I have been hearing is correct. Is social search going to become the new big thing and give search engines a run for their money? Already I have read a number of conflicting views on this subject.

There have already been dramatic developments with company after company jumping on the band wagon with the introduction of social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Myspace (for the little nippers) and Friendster (for teenage ninja turtles..only joking). I have to say I am a member of facebook and despite being a little reluctant to use the site at first; I am now quite a big fan.
Social networks are already pulling in a significant and increasing number of web users.

It is a new subject to me but I plan on becoming an “expert”-so watch this space!

My research into social search so far has been mainly focused upon definitions, other people’s ideas and the latest news. I felt it important to find out all I can on social search before I can cast a critical eye.

So what is Social Search?
Social search is a type of social networking. Before internet and major search sites, such as Google, social networking was our way of collaborating information on services, products or anything for that matter. For example asking a neighbor for advice on a good hairdresser - now we'd just type it into Google! Social networking is extremely old and it was really a matter of time before someone bought it online. Social networking as defined by Google as 'a map of the relationships between individuals, indicating the ways in which they are connected through various social familiarities ranging from casual acquaintance to close familial bonds'.

Written in simple terms, social search tools provide users with way finding services conversant by human judgement.

I have searched meticulously for the different types of social search tools which are around. I decided categorising them was the easiest way. However, there are many different terms, descriptions and groups that have been used to describe the many diverse social search tools. Below are some of the most popular social search tools and i have placed them under headings which i felt were most appropriate.

Social Bookmarking Sites
Social bookmarking sites are sites that allow the user to save a particular page into their favourites, using tags to catalogue and arrange them. These bookmarks are then added to their own compilation and can be shared with other users.

The top 10 Social Bookmarking sites are (websearch.about.com):
del.icio.us
digg
Listible
Furl
Yahoo MyWeb
Flickr
Slashdot
YouTube
Simpy
Popurls.com

Social Networking Sites
Social networking sites offer a virtual community to people with similar interests, hobbies or for those that like to "hang out". Communication between users is brought on through voice, chat, instant messages, videoconference and blogs.

The most popular Social Networking sites:
Friendster
LinkedIn
Myspace
facebook
Tagworld
Tagged

Social Tagging
Social tagging is a popular way to locate, classify, rank, and share Internet resources through the use of shared lists of user-created Internet bookmarks.It is a way of recommending sites to other web users.

Two examples of social tagging sites are Stumble Upon and Eurekster.

I found loads of different views, even on the definitions, so if anyone has any comments or things to add please feel free. I would love to hear some different opinions.

Danny Sullivans - Daily Search Cast

2007-02-28T07:28:00.000-01:00

The "search God" that is Danny Sullivan has his own podcast
- The Daily Search Cast. And of course it's awesome!

Highly recommend you visit Danny's podcast daily if you are a professional SEO. (hey if Matt Cutts listens every day Danny must be doing something ritght).

Damn I so wish I had tried to talk to Danny Sullivan at the SEOLondon party, all I could say was "I love doughnuts" when he offered me a doughnut. Hey I'm not even sure he offered me one, I might have just grabbed it.......so much for not giving the "dizzy blonde" impression.

SEO blog post of the week - Daniel Tynski

2007-02-23T08:43:00.000-01:00

Wow just read a fantastic blog post on SEOmoz by one of the readers, Daniel Tynski. It's a post about Daniels very successful attempt at link building through submitting an article to Reddit & Digg.

Here's the post by Daniel. Anatomy of a super Digg

He has explained in great detail his link building experiment and the results. Well worth a read!

SEO Quake - Mozilla Add On

2007-02-21T14:44:00.000-01:00

Househunter tipped me about this Mozilla Firefox add-on; SEO Quake. And oh my god, I can't believe I haven't stumbled upon this tool before. It rocks!!

If you are an SEO and you haven't already got it, GET IT NOW!

Update: More fab Firefox extensions and SEO tools on househunters blog

Search Marketing Gurus Interview

2007-02-17T20:17:00.000-01:00

I got an email from the faboulous Liana Evans (from Search Marketing Gurus) last week asking if she could do an interview with me for her series "Women in Internet Marketing". She basically feature two woman every wednesday, and this time she was interviewing Marie Howell from Bruce Clay and me. Obviously I was stoked and said yes =)

Here is the Lisa Ditlefsen - Woman in Internet Marketing Interview

I also had the pleasure of meeting Li Evans in person at SES London, where she did a video interview of me , which is slightly embaressing cause I look like a total fluse and stotter through my answers. But Liana did a great job on the interview and she is such a lovely person. A big thanks to Liana!

Li Evans at SES London

LondonSEO.org Party Photos

2007-02-16T14:16:00.000-01:00

SES London 2007 was fantastic, finally managed to drag my flu ridden self to ExCel in London. Will give you all an update on the best seminars and talks and stuff later. But first the most important event, the London SEO Party Photographs =)

Promised I would get these photos up on my blog sharpish. The party was a great success, well done evilgreenmonkey for organising it all! The FOX Bar was a perfect venue for the occassion, literally just outside the entrance of the exhibition centre. Thus limiting the time from last seminar session to drinking time to under 5 minutes, wohey!

Househunter (Dan) knocking back the tequilas, he had to go back to Britghton in the evening but never made his train.

Vanessa Fox - knocking down the tequilas =) Now this girl rocks, she's a Buffy fan as well and she can handle her drink. She can be an honorary Norwegian =)

Vanessa Fox (Google), Brian White (Google) and David Naylor (DaveN)

Danny Sullivan (ok I got a bit star struck when I met him, not only was it "The" Danny Sullivan but he brought doughnuts. I was in love =)

Viking SEOs

Sverre Sjothun aka "Sweater Showtune" as everyone kept on calling him. Hey Sverre, you should buy the domain sweather-showtune.com. Me and Sverre are both Norwegian, look out for a possible "SEO Viking Blog"...ok we were drunk so it might not be the greatest name. Sounded great at the time though of course =) And who's the Bridget Jones in the picture? Yeah that would be me, not sure why I look sunburnt??

THE DUDES OF SEO - "Aiiiiiiiii"

Evilgreenmonkey & Joe Comotto

The Awesome Three - Evilgreenmonkey, Lisadit and SEOfangirl

- oiii evilgreenmonkey what you pointing at?

Jay Young - handing out the prices from the sponsors PartyPoker.

David Naylor happy with a beer =) This guy is seriously funny, if you don't already read his blog and listen to his podcast you should.

Christian and Joe, both from jobsite.

Heated discussion or just pissed talk? Dixon surounded by SEOs..

A worried looking Joe and a very happy Tony King (from findaproperty.com)

More photos
Evilgreenmonkey has also posted some party photos from the LondonSEO party.

Fun tag game - You might be an SEO If...

2007-02-13T17:06:00.000-01:00

It's the first day of SES London and I'm stuck inside with a bad case of the flu, seriously bad luck. Gutted I missed the first day, but hey I'm going no matter what tomorrow.

Just checked my blog and realised I have been tagged by Kichus in this fun tagging game that Skitzzo started on SEOrefugee. So to cheer myself up here is me trying to be funny.

You might be an SEO if:

• You think Google would be an appropriate name for your first born
• You get weak at the knees by hearing the name “Matt Cutts” or “Rand Fishkin”
• You think Rand Fishkins proposal was the most romantic proposal ever =)
• When someone mentions off-line advertising you feel like hitting them in the head with a hammer
• When your idea of a compliment is: “Nice PageRank” or “I love the way you write a title tag”
• When your idea of the perfect man is someone that works for the government and your ideal engagement present wouldn’t be a ring but a link.
• When someone says hat you immediately think, “uh, white or black?”
• When you really wish you have thought of the slogan “Never Mess With a Woman Who Can Pull Rank”

Now I think I will tag: rmccarley, Sugarrae, Rebecca at SEOmoz, Darren Moloney and kid_disco

Rand Fishkin and his SUPER Proposal

2007-02-07T08:21:00.000-01:00

Oh my god! Came to work this morning, turned on my computer and as usual went to SEOmoz to read the latest happenings in the SEO world. And while I was sleeping Rand Fishkin (CEO of SEOmoz) was busy proposing to his girlfriend Geraldine (aka Mystery guest) online.

Now this is just the most romantic proposal ever, I cried my eyes out. Basically Rand proposed to Geraldine while she was watching her favourite show, Veronica Mars.

Now if you thought the proposal was sweet, check out her response.

The proposal has been put on Digg as well, to digg it go here.

Congratulations Rand and Geraldine! All the best to you love birds =)

The New SEOmoz website is up!

2007-02-05T10:50:00.000-01:00

Wow, they have done it again! Check out the new SEOmoz site, it looks fantastic.

If you are in the SEO industry and don't know who SEOmoz is, shame on you! These guys really knows the business of SEO as well as having the best Search Industry blog out there (in my opinion). Now they have expanded and are offering articles and seminars for their Premium Members at a very reasonable price. Although all use of the SEOmoz website used to be free I really think you will get your moneys worth with this membership.

I love these guys so much I have added a "I heart SEOmoz" icon in the side bar.