Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Google Analytics Change History Feature

Similar to the Google AdWords Change History tool, Analytics is rolling out with its own version over the next few weeks. Exclusively for users who have administrative access, the tool lists:

• Date column: The date and time of the activity

• Email column: Which Analytics user performed the activity

• Activity column: The Analytics object (e.g., account, user, profile, goal, filter), and what activity was performed on the object (e.g., added to account, created, deleted)

The days of mystery in trying to figure out who changed what within your account are long gone. For companies who have more than one person accessing their account (e.g., other employees or outside agencies), you now have the necessary tool for complete accountability. This log will maintain a record of activities within the account for the last 180 days.

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Image credit: katerha

Today's webinar - Creating and Sharing Exceptional Content on Blogger! (webinar)

Since its inception, Blogger has remained one of the leading social sites for personal and business blogging purposes. But many people have either given up, switched to smaller platforms or continue to struggle with their Blogger setups. In this webinar, presented by IMC host Matt Wooddy, we'll explore how easy it is for you to maintain your business Blogger account. Topics from sharing and audience targeting will be covered, giving you an easier way to create exceptional content that your readers will love. 

Click here to register for FREE (2-27-13 at 12:30pm EST)
http://bit.ly/YvTGhf

About Matt Wooddy: 

For the last six years, Matt Wooddy has used his social wizardry to revitalize online marketing campaigns for over 200 brands. Understanding that social media is more than just a place to promote your business, he uses personal interaction and entertaining messages to improve the branding and interest of any given company. Some of his clients have included Art & Ink Publications, CustomUSB, Peachtree Social Agency, Motorsporting and a variety of entertainment companies. While studying Industrial Design at Auburn University, Matt sharpened his graphic design skills to better handle logo creation, website setup and other print media needs. He's also worked as Copy Editor, Lead Writer and Photographer for a handful of print magazines throughout the East Coast, honing his content marketing skills for a better tomorrow.
Click here to register for FREE (2-27-13 at 12:30pm EST)
http://bit.ly/YvTGhf

Thursday, February 21, 2013

TrafficWave - OceanSwell TEAM Update (#73)

Are we still doing the Team Co-Op?  Of course, we are!  I just haven't done a Team update in such a long time because, quite frankly, I don't think that many people actually read them.  Secondly, we've had a lot of Team members quit (sometimes, two weeks after they join) and I just don't have the time or patience anymore to constantly reassure people or to hold their hand... or whatever it is they need me to do.  This thing is enough work as it is!  If the letter series doesn't explain what we are doing, or you 'can't afford' $18.00 a month (or whatever), there's really nothing else I can do for you.  I can help a thousand, but I can't carry three on my back.  No offense, but babies weren't born to be carried all their life.  I'm just too busy with the hospital career and coffee to worry about it. 

All that said, Team Oceanswell is still here and it's not going away.  The system works as designed.  All the links function normally, it's still getting advertised all over the place and - yes - we do have new members joining.  Personally, I am using my TrafficWave autoresponder more than ever.  I know I've said it about a million times, but I don't see how you can do business online without it.

Now if you've read this far, you may be wondering about that portrait of MLK to the left.  Well, last month had Martin Luther King day and it got me thinking about the art piece you see here.  This guy had a simple idea and created a masterpiece with it - using nothing but Rubiks cubes.  That impresses me a LOT because it's a reminder that you can create something wonderful with the most simple building blocks.  All you have to to is apply yourself and see your project through to fruition.  I don't care if it's getting rich with online business, getting rich with coffee, a goal of physical fitness, earning a chemical engineering degree, building a wildlife sanctuary or even leading a civil rights movement.  If you can say "I have a dream", and mean it, then you can do anything.

Just remember that, ultimately, nobody else is responsible for your life but you. Nobody else is accountable for your actions but you. Therefore, nobody’s expectations for you and opinions about you are as important as your own!  That's why YOU have to hold on to your dreams.  And it also means that you must be prepared to sell your ideas to an indifferent world.  This is something I'm very familiar with.

You are going to find resistance and indifference every time you share your dream because people won't believe you, they doubt themselves or they just don't care.  In fact, people are generally more interested in their own dreams and goals than yours.  Even friends and family (especially them) can be suspicious and guarded when anyone tries to sell them on an idea or change their minds.  So my message today is don't let anyone steal your dreams.  Have some faith in what you're doing, believe in yourself and never, Never, NEVER quit.  I'm not going to.

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By the way, JSS Tripler was/is a ponzi scheme and a complete rip-off.  It took me a year to figure it out, but that's why I call this blog 'My Internet Marketing Journey'.  In fact, other than TrafficWave and Global NPN, just about every online 'program' I've been associated with has been a total scam.  There have been a few exceptions (that's true), but only a few.  That's why these two are the only ones Team OceanSwell will ever employ - and I actually use TrafficWave a lot. 

Sometimes, you have set-backs, but I'm not the kind to let it bother me.  Now, after all this writing, it's time for some more coffee...

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Introducing Google AdWords Enhanced Campaigns

Google AdWords Enhanced Campaigns have been rolled out to advertisers this month with a plan to upgrade all campaigns in mid-2013. This feature combines separate desktop and mobile campaigns into one. Rather than editing individual campaigns for possible device combinations, location and time of day, you’ll display your ads across devices with the correct sitelinks, ad text, apps and extensions.

Google positions this product as a way for AdWords to capture the power of context. By utilizing information such as location, time of day and device, advertisers will now have the opportunity to reach their audience with more compelling messages. By way of multi-device marketing, potential customers can seamlessly look for businesses on smartphones, tablets and computers while seeing more relevant ads. For example, if a consumer is searching for a pizza place from their smartphone, they will see a prominent call to action on an ad to click to call.

Love it or hate it, there is no option to opt-out of this upcoming change. You should start reviewing how these changes will affect your campaigns. Although Enhanced Campaigns are aimed at being more unified, you may find many of the fine-tuning capabilities that you are currently taking advantage of will be removed with this update.

Here are a few resources to get you started:

Should You Upgrade To AdWords Enhanced Campaigns?

Upgrading to Enhanced Campaigns

Google Webinars on Enhanced Campaigns

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Monday, February 18, 2013

InternetMarketingClub.org Presents: Google Ads: Writing Copy That Converts! Part 2

Back in May of last year, Margie Schneider and Stuart Smith presented a webinar on Google Ads and writing copy that converts. Part 1 was an introduction to Google Ads and these Pay-Per-Click services and how you can use them to your marketing advantage, while Part 2 will dive deeper into becoming a full online marketing professional. 
You can check the archived recording and slides from Part 1 here:
http://www.internetmarketingclub.org/content.php/319-google-ads-writing-copy-that-converts!
Click here to register for FREE! (2-20-13 at 12:30pm EST)
http://bit.ly/VSCmq8

About Margie Schneider:

Margie Schneider has been involved with the interactive medium since 1994. She has participated in everything the Internet has to offer: developing, designing and delivering web sites; online advertising and promotion; search engine marketing: SEO and PPC and community and electronic communication. Her specialties include: social media, search engine optimization SEO, PPC management, online reputation management, project management, personnel management, strategizing web development and design solutions; as well as experience marketing across all media types.

About Stuart Smith:

A husband, dad & fitness geek, Stuart Smith is an old school internet marketer and social media guru. With over 10 years of experience in Internet marketing involving PPC Campaigns, website/application development, eCommerce initiatives and marketing, search engine strategies, email marketing campaigns and image/brand development, Stuart has worked with a variety of industries to provide cutting-edge consumer connections. His specialties include online marketing such as Social Media, SEO, Email Marketing, Web Design, PPC Campaigns, GAP Certified, MCSE, eCommerce and Management.
Click here to register for FREE! (2-20-13 at 12:30pm EST)
http://bit.ly/VSCmq8

Friday, February 15, 2013

The GPS of SEO for Panda and Penguin Updates



Was your website affected by either of the two major updates (called Panda and Penguin) that Google made to its search engine algorithm within the past year? If so, you may have become an unwilling expert in new search engine optimization (SEO) strategies out of necessity. Even if your website wasn’t hit with any penalties due to the updates, they have changed the way that we look at optimization.
We updated our ABC’s of SEO – Architecture, Backlinks and Content – with an additional set of guidelines to help your search engine optimization efforts meet the Panda and Penguin standards. Presenting the GPS of SEO:
Great Content = Google’s goal with Panda is quality over quantity. It is still important to post lots of fresh content, but it’s just as important that this content is valuable and incites people to share it, bookmark it, engage with it and spend time with it.
Panda = Advanced artificial intelligence programs reward well-designed, high-quality websites that are visually appealing as well as trustworthy. Basically, your website must be attractive on the inside and out. Luckily, tools like WordPress offer simple and quick solutions for posting a website that is both easy to use and easy on the eyes.
Social Signals = These are equivalent to virtual votes for a website or web page. Google used to use the number of links to determine the value or quality of a page, but it was too easy to simply buy links or use other unscrupulous methods to fake your links. Social signals are “Likes” (Facebook,) “Tweets” (Twitter) and “+1’s” (Google +.) These votes are much harder to fake and, thanks to the Penguin update, much more valuable than a link.
Following the GPS of SEO will help your website get “found” in the vast World Wide Web. Good Luck! 

#Hashtag – Buy Something on Twitter via Amex

Twitter and American Express now have a new partnership that allows users to buy products via a #hashtag.

The way this works is fairly simple. Amex cardholders must “sync” their cards with their Twitter accounts. After you tweet the specified #hashtag to purchase a product, Amex will send a second tweet with instructions on how to send your confirmation tweet. Once you send your confirmation tweet, your credit card is charged and the product is shipped to the address you have on file.

From a business perspective, anything you can do to make the purchasing process easier for the consumer, is a good idea. Time will tell if this initiative will catch on, but I think it just might depending on how compelling the offers are.

Security is my main concern with this new payment method. How can you be assured these tweets are not opening you up to being hacked? I think it would be smart for American Express to address this topic sooner rather than later.

What are your thoughts on this new offering? Please leave your comments below.

Like this post? Connect with Erika Barbosa on Google+.