Search Engine Optimization

Be wary of self-professed internet gurus who claim to be able to propel your website to higher organic rankings. We all know that google is the only search engine that matters and google changes the algorithms by which their bots rank sites about every 23 seconds. Google pay-per-click is a revenue generator for them, so what's the incentive to make organic optimization easy?

Some basic tips to enhance your organic optimization:

- Link, link, link to other websites and ensure they link back to you
- Write simple main page text and meta tags
- Don't load your homepage down with video and flash
- Consider a Facebook or twitter account to update special events, news, etc. And work on a following...and stream from your website. Make your website an information hub that is updated at least daily.
- Eblast, Eblast, Eblast and direct people back to your website for more information

Just a few simple tips to help your organic SE placement!

Rebranding a Special Event

Don't throw the baby out with the bath water. Most any special event that has had a modicum of success enjoys some elements that can perpetuate. What works with the event? What does not work? What are the easier and less costly elements that can live on--especially the name! Many times it is easier to "massage" the elements and identity of an event, rather than simply starting from scratch.

Shout Out to EastLake Business Association

Here's a high-five to EastLake Business Association (www.eastlake-sml.com) for having the foresight to agree to become a "Virtual DMO." Virtual DMO, or Virtual Destination Marketing Organization, is an entity that serves as a marketing entity for a region, while being almost 100% online. EastLake Business Association consumes little to no natural resources (other than the power of several computers and the Diet Cokes consumed by its Executive Director), but is beginning the process of becoming a marketing powerhouse for the Smith Mountain Lake region... Virtually. A new tourism and economic development website will soon be launched at www.destinationsml.org... Rack cards will be produced to promote the organization and the new Destination SML website, but the use of paper products and printing will decrease and the marketing capacity of the website and a social networking campaign increase. Go Green and Go SML!

The Susan Boyle Phenomenon

Even today, everyone likes a pleasant surprise. And if the content is markedly different from the packaging, the reaction is even more profound. Think about it the next time you are launching a product or an idea. The Shakespearean philosophy of appearance deviating from reality has held true for over 400 years.

A Resurrection of Academic and Athletics?

You know the old saying: "Once you go Greek, you're good for a week!" And while that really is a adage I just made up, it seems to hold true. Our Greek forefathers promoted both mental and physical fitness and I see this personified in the third annual Great Richmond Region Adventure. Solve a clue. Haul ass (on foot mind you) to the Richmond attraction referenced in the clue. It's an athletic geek's dream! And of course I plan to copy the event at Smith Mountain Lake in a slightly modified fashion...Smart Cars, Hybrids, and Segways will be allowed to account for our slightly more mature demographic...

As I have said in previous posts, there is no such thing as an original event concept. But I can sure as heck tweek it to fit my purposes.

A Tribute To Horton Foote

Playwright and screenwriter Horton Foote passed away yesterday at 92. Foote's brilliance was in his simplicity. He took the likes of "ordinary" people and gave them a wider audience through both the theater and film. He is most widely known for bringing "To Kill a Mockingbird", "A Trip To Bountiful", and "Tender Mercies" to the screen. All films won their leading men Academy Awards. A true actors' writer...

As we all brainstorm on how to build a better mousetrap, keep in mind the power of simplicity and the ability of the human mind to interpret.

Mucinex Equals Inspiration?

It appears that a combination of Mucinex, Benadryl, and Advil (well, really the generic versions of all three) might just be the key to jump starting the creative process. I would like to say, for the record, that I am a fairly creative person to begin with. However, there are certain quiet gloomy days when the buzz of the heat pump and the sporadic rumbling of a car driving by do not perpetuate those brain bursts of ideas and the energy to follow up on said ideas. Or the humility to accept a client's less-than-enthusiastic response to another fundraiser or concert series.

The simple fact is that not many folks in my line of work are looking to create a new event, especially one that requires the initial expenditure of reserve funds. I really think the level of seratonin released is directly proportional to the amount of money in their bank accounts (relate back to the generic reference in the first sentence). HOWEVER...

It is my argument that right now is exactly the time to create a new funding or marketing initiative that is based on the concept of a "special" event. People want an affordable distraction from the news. They want a distraction from the cold weather. People want to feel like they can pull together to have a positive impact...SOMEWHERE...and not simply be at the mercy of a nebulous pain in the ass called "The Economy."

Therefore, I vote for Dr. Richard Florida's "Creative Class" to pop a Mucinex, Benadryl, and Advil and focus on an initiative in the Historic Richmond Region that deserves attention. Ideally, when the pills wear off, enough people will be behind the initiative to perpetuate the motivation.