To Each His Own – Each Webpage Should Be Unique

Do you love your kids exactly the same?

They may look alike - but even twins are their own unique people.

 

I would venture to say that you love them the same amount, but no two kids are alike, and I have 11-year-old twins, and even they’re not exactly alike. Each of them gets treated differently while trying to be fair. You may have the same goals for your kids – be happy, successful and to stay out of jail, but each of them gets there in a unique way.

Every page on your website is unique

You may have the same goal for each page – you want it to point the visitor toward some action (buying, signing up for a newsletter or webinar, or coming back to read again). Even though you may have the same goals for each page, how you get there may be unique on every page of your website. This is especially true if you’re doing an e-commerce website. Each product can rank on its own while supporting the overall theme of your entire website.

Think of your website as a family tree

The home page is the patriarch or matriarch of the family. It sets the tone for the website, stating its values and goals. The category pages are like the next generation supporting and learning from the matriarch, but putting their own twist on it. Uncle Bob may really be into blue jump ropes, Aunt Sally may be into wooden handled jump ropes and Uncle George may like only hemp ropes. Their kids may only like hemp ropes with wooden handles or nylon super speed jump ropes. They all have to do with the same topic, but as it gets further down each topic gets more specific.

The Details make a difference

When you search, do you know what you’re looking for? So does everyone else. If you’re looking for a hemp jump rope with wooden handles you’re pretty likely to end up on one of Uncle Georges pages (or one of his kids). Some Search Engine Optimization websites call this the long tail search. I like to think that it’s really just giving people what they want. You tell them exactly what you have. Use keywords that most people are using to search for that product, and you’ll have people finding you who are happy to do business with you, because you gave them exactly what they expected.

 

 

Name Dropping Can Help Your Internet Marketing

What’s in a name?

A name is what you call something. In England they used to have names for types of people – He’s a real Jason, She’s quite a Sharon. If you’re interested, I can tell you what I’ve heard those terms mean. What you choose to call something matters. If you call your wife ‘sweetie’, it goes a lot further than ‘hey you’.

What do you name on your website?

Do you name or label anything on your website? Do you let people know what’s there? What kinds of things do you name?

Use Title Tags and Alt Tags to name things

When you’re writing on your website, be sure to give names to things.

Using Alt Tags to Name Images

1. Name your page in the title tags, using keyword rich names.
2. Name images in the alt tags, again using keywords that describe the picture. This helps both the sight impaired and if something should go wrong with your image. It also tells the search engines about your image – something they may have skipped right over otherwise.
3. Name your image file using keywords as well. Below is the html for the image to the right. Notice how the keywords used in the alt tag, image name and the caption all reinforce the topic of naming things on your website using alt tags and title tags.

Name Your Images Using Keywords

4. Name your links using keywords in a similar manner to naming your images.

<a name=”Naming Links is Easy” id=”Naming Links is Easy” href=”http://jrinternetmarketing.wordpress.com/2011/02/27/using-keywords-when-naming-links/” target=”new” title=”Don’t forget to use keywords when naming links. “></a>

What else you should be naming on your webpage? Shoot me your ideas!

 

I’ve been called a hypocondriac

It’s true, I’ve been called a hypochondriac

I like to think I just know my on body, and so I know when something has gone wrong. I do however have a tendency to want to consult an expert. I don’t want to be wrong about issues of health (I do sound a bit like a hypochondriac, don’t I). To my delight my Dr. has found a way to doctor patients like me – well-intentioned, but seeking advice more than may be necessary.

I like it when I feel I’m being heard

My Dr., one of the Dr’s at Providence in Sherwood, OR, has brought Doctoring into the 21st century. Wait, maybe that’s actually not true, they’ve really gone back in time. Where you got personal service and a house call. Ok – so my Dr. doesn’t come to the house, but she does answer my questions without my needing to leave mine. I can now contact her through their website. After I sign up and they connect me with my Dr., I am able to email her about any concerns, ask for referrals or refills without making a trip to her office. I also get access to all of my medical records. So I don’t forget or lose the information, but I can always refer to it.

What this personal service does (for me and them)

This is an amazing advancement in medicine. I have already used the referrals feature, and wondered if I would get a message from one of her staff, but when she emailed back she asked some questions about some things we had discussed. This kind of personal service without a copay and waiting in her office is fantastic.

She on the other hand doesn’t have to see me either. It helps keep people who have simple questions and easily managed requests out of her waiting room. This means less time making small talk, getting vitals, discussing something you’ve already discussed and gives her time to see patients who actually need immediate attention. You can also email and ask questions about things you’re concerned about, and they can do a sort of triage to see if you need to come in or just wait it out. Obviously you should go to the emergency room if you need immediate care.

Personal Medical Care

While I’ve never been to a Dr. that gave me this much power while streamlining their business, I’m sure that this is the future of medicine. This is brilliant technology, and in my opinion the best way to deal with so-called hypochondriacs like me.

The opportunity to treat patients like people and meet their actual needs means that Providence, Sherwood and it’s Doctors get the Thank You Economy. Better service, personal attention and efficiency for them. Brilliant.

My 11 year old gets it – The Thank You Economy

We all want to feel special

I’m still reading “The Thank You Economy” by Gary V and I’m loving it. He’s talking about using social media to create relationships and let the consumer know you’re listening. Basically by validating what they’re saying with a response.

What I like about hotels, is that they’re doing their best to make me feel special.

Last night my son walks into my room with a totally random comment – “Do you know what I like about hotels?” I love hotels, and there are  lot of things I like about them, but I wasn’t sure which one would make the top of his list. Would it be the nice bedding, room service or the fact that we’re usually celebrating or travelling when we’re staying in one. Nope it boiled down to this for him, “What I like best about hotels is that they’re doing their best to make you feel special.”

On face book and twitter when we “like” something or “retweet” it, we’re basically saying that we think what they said had value. We’re treating them with respect, and building a relationship.

That’s the point of the “Thank You Economy”, You want people to say about your company, “What I like best about _________ is that they’re doing their best to make me feel special (or taken care of).” What are you doing to make your customers, friends and family feel like you’re doing your best to make them feel special?

 

The Thank You Economy – Gary V

Is saying thank you a lost art?

I’ve just started reading Gary V’s new book “The Thank You Economy” on my nook for iPhone. I read while I’m working out. I’m really loving it so far, and think it would be a good read for everyone. That’s right, everyone. In the first few chapters, Gary talks about how the internet has changed our communication back to that of the small town. Online interactions now allow you to rant to your friends the way your grandparents used to do down at their local coffee shop or the barber.

Why should everyone read “The Thank You Economy”?

The reason I think everyone should read this book is that it’s actually a good way to live even if you’re not in business. When I was young, my mom used to tell me – be nice to everyone, you don’t know when you might need their help. It’s true too. Also being nice to people helps you to see them as people. To appreciate that they have something of value to offer you as well.

We all feel under-appreciated

My husband would say about now “not all of us”. Ok fine, I’m sure that some of you feel that you’re appreciated by everyone you know and that everyone values your stunning intellect and amazing wit. NO?  Ok, see - under-appreciated. I think when you live with the Thank You Economy in mind, trying to make other people’s lives better, is a true win-win.

Frustration ensues

Of course this morning I wake to see that my friend has asked me for a favor. This is a friend who has done so many favors for me, it’s absurd to think that I wouldn’t return the favor. Only I’m not sure I’m going to be able to this time. I am however trying to find another solution for her, because I value our friendship and all of the ways she has gone out of her way for me. I’m going to try to find a way to get it done for her. I may even have to just suck it up and do it myself and just work later that night. It would be worth it to help her out.

Treat each person with value – more value than you already do

Take each person’s opinion to heart. Do you have to do everything everyone else says, no. You don’t have to do that, but you should value their input and appreciate their position. Make it clear you care about what they’re saying and treat them with dignity and respect.

I can’t wait to read the rest of this book. If you’re reading it, I would love to hear your thoughts on it as well. What’s standing out for you? How are you going to make your customers, visitors or friends happy?

Dr. Zimmerman’s Tuesday Tip

I have mentioned the book Pivot before, and it’s author, Dr. Alan Zimmerman, has a lot to offer you each week.

Each week, I receive an email called the Tuesday Tip. These tips are useful for marketing, business and your personal life. I think you’ll find something of value in each one. I would love to go to one of his “Journey to the extraordinary”, but I haven’t yet. Please let me know if you have. I would love to know how it changed your life.

http://www.drzimmerman.com/publications/tuesday-tip

Walk a mile in my shoes

What is the other person thinking?

In case you’re wondering, today’s post is inspired by today’s post from Seth Godin on Empathy.

I have always considered myself an empathetic person. I think I was partially right – em”pathetic”. Ok, that might be a bit harsh, but I think that Seth has really hit the nail on the head. We try to be empathetic, putting ourselves in another person’s shoes, but then it’s just me in their shoes. It’s not them and how their feeling.

Even when you’ve been through the same thing – it’s not the same

I recently had a friend call me and tell me some bad news. She was going through something, and it was something I had gone through. Very similar circumstances to her (in my mind). By the time we had gotten off the phone, I realized that all I had said had not helped her at all. Her situation was totally different, because it was her situation.

As a friend, marketer, and self-professed empathetic person, it can be frustrating that we can’t really understand what someone else is going through. Does that mean I’ll stop trying? No, I’ll keep trying, but I’ll maybe have a better understanding of why it might not always work.

Have you ever thought you were being empathetic and found out you were just being pathetic?

Like What You Do

Do you like what you do?

Perhaps someone has said to you “You need to do what you love”. I know I’ve said it to people. It’s not bad advice, and if you do it, it’s sure to be a great way to live. I have really talented relatives. When we sit around talking about the things we love, it’s inevitable, someone will say “You could make a business out of that.” or “You should get a website for that”.

Do what you like or like what you do?

I think it was in (a great book) Pivot that I read you need to put emotion second, action first. Often our actions actually lead to our emotions. So I suggest that you like what you do. Decide to like what you do. No matter if you’re an internet marketer, a minister, a gas station attendant (yes we still have these in Oregon), a bank teller or a teacher. Deciding to like what you do allows you to actually start enjoying it. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Decide to like it

2. Focus on the good things about the job – the people, the pay, the opportunity to grow in patience.

3. Do your best

 

Doing your best helps you like what you do.

When we work hard we feel better about the work. So put your back into it. Stop going through the motions and make a difference at work. It might go unnoticed, under appreciated, but you’ll know you did good work, and you’ll be happier for it.

Like what you do on the way to doing what you like

When you learn to like what you’re already doing, your building the character, determination and stamina it takes to do what you love. People often think when you do what you love, it’s like playing. Most people who do what they love work harder not less. They’re dedicated and inspired and inspiring. They didn’t get that way by complaining and hating the jobs they had. They learned from them and moved on to their calling.

Title Tags – How important are they?

Title tags are an extremely important part of your website.

You want to put your best foot forward in every scenario. That’s part of the reason that you take a shower in the morning, brush your teeth and put on clothes that represent who you are. People’s first impression of you is decided within almost seconds of meeting you.

Title tags – your websites first impression

Those of you concerned with Search Engine optimization have likely already heard the importance of title tags for the search engines. Often our egos seem to get the better of our thinking though, and we end up putting our company name at the beginning of the title tag. It’s like wearing a name tag at a cocktail party, it may help me know your name, but it doesn’t tell me that much about you.

Often the title tag is one of the first thing the search engines see when they come to your site. It’s their opportunity to find out what your site is about. It’s kind of like speed dating. You’ve only got a few seconds to let them know what you’re into and how that’s good for them. Be sure you’re sending the right message.

For a title tag to be more effective for the search engines and your customer, it needs to tell you what the page is about.

When your customer opens your page, your title tag is visible on the tab at the top. If your title tag matches what they’re looking for, they’re going to feel better about their chances of finding what they need on your webpage. When Google (or any search engine) visits your webpage, sees the title tag and all you have in it is your company name, it doesn’t connect that with any useful information. Unless your company name is something like Toyota or Hershey’s, you’re probably not getting a lot of searches on your name, and likely your url is enough to get the people searching for you sent to your site.

Title tags reinforce the keywords you’ve used in your copy

If you’re trying to get the attention of the search engines, you want to make sure you’re sending a clear message about what your page is about. Let’s be clear. I’m not saying just stuff this area with keywords. No black hat tactics here. But in order to give the search engines a really good idea of what your webpage is about, you should select the keyword you’re working to get ranked, and make sure it’s in your title tags as well as in your copy. Don’t try to trick the search engines by slipping in unrelated keywords. It doesn’t do anyone any good, and it can actually do your site some harm.

I don’t know if you use tabs in your browser, but I do. I am looking at the title tags for six pages (without even being on the page – really). Let’s take a look at a few.

Facebook – their title tag is… Facebook. This is one of those times when the name of the company works. They’re also not working to get people to find them. That already happened.

Cozi – Calendar – this is an online calendar – it may be efficient because I’m within the page already, and it’s the kind of thing you keep open all the time.

FrontGate – From looking at their title tag, you would know what this Frontgate webpage is about – Indoor Decor – Area Rugs – Bedroom Furniture – Game Room Furnishings – Frontgate.

I don’t know how Frontgate does on those terms, but their method is pretty strong. I would however suggest they also look at their URL structure.

Are you using title tags for your ego or for informing visitors (people and search engines)?

You’re Going to Make a Mistake

Making Mistakes is part of life

Making mistakes is part of life, but you don’t have to follow-up one mistake with another. What do you do when you make a mistake? Do you get defensive? Deny culpability? Point fingers?

How you make mistakes makes a difference

If you make a mistake, your response can change how your boss, coworkers, clients and yes even spouses respond and respect you. We all know that people make mistakes, but when their our own, sometimes we act as if this is the very first time we’ve made one and are shocked that other people have noticed we missed the mark this time.

I suggest reminding yourself that you’re human. Humans make mistakes. Sometimes we don’t do what we wish we had done. We misinterpret things. Often we’re so afraid of the consequences of our mistakes, and don’t want to face the results of our actions. More often it’s actually the perception of what people are going to think of us that keeps us from fessing up and facing the music.

Own up to your mistakes

When you confess or own up to your mistakes, you take the power back. You don’t let other people’s reactions to your mistake rule you. You are able to show leadership and reliability. Believe me – everyone else is already quite aware that you make mistakes, because they do too.

How do you react when you make mistakes?