Tarset Epic Design: Tools to measure your social media activities: #1 ...
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Tarset Epic Design: Tools to measure your social media activities: #1 ...: Social networking to promote your online presence can at times feel like a thankless task. If you're using Twitter , Facebook , Google+ or ...
Are we no longer in control of our online destiny?
Thursday, 16 June 2011
A recent article in The Observer on Sunday, reviewed the latest book by Eli Pariser, about his ever increasing fears of the manipulation of the Internet, specially Google and Facebook about the perdetermined choices that they continue to make for us - http://bit.ly/lkPwED
In his book 'The Filter Bubble' he explains how, "An invisible revolution has taken place is the way we use the net, but the increasing personalisation of information by search engines such as Google threatens to limit our access to information and enclose us in a self-reinforcing world view..."
It's certainly true that since th roll out of the Google serach enhancements that I feel myself being narrowed by the choices that Goole is making for me, based on assumption, previous searching and other online behaviour. Infact, Facebook is just as much in control, by the types of adverts I'm delivered, or the personalised views of friends news feeds. Surely, it should be my choice? It's just like having some pushy salesperson trying to sell you a product you know you really don't want, but in the end you just go along with it anyway.
And I guess that's the issue, do we just go along with this? We can't deny that the Internet plays a huge part in our lives now, but do we really want it to run and dictate our choices, what we do and not let us see the bigger picture. As Pariser says, I think that this does have repurcussions not now on a personal basis, but how this will effect our understanding of what all this means for our politics, our culture and our future.
I think this will be a very interesting read.
Happy Birthday to The Athena Network North Oxford
I really enjoy my monthly meetings with all of the ladies from Athena Network North Oxford. It's a great opportunity to make new business contacts in both a friendly and professional environment. Yesterday's meeting was no exception as it was the Group's 2nd Birthday, celebrated in 'pink' style.This group of keen networkers meets at The Oxford Centre in Summertown and attracts businesswomen from a wide range of professions from Accountant to Change Agent to Pilates Coach and just about everything in between.
Being part of the Group enables me to evangelise about web marketing and SEO, as well as get to know a wide range of women professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds and businesses. In September I'll be looking forward to running a workshop for the group, looking at the question of 'So you want to appear on the first page of Google'...
New videos for the Oxford Web SEO YouTube Channel
Monday, 23 May 2011
We recently updated our YouTube Channel and uploaded some new presentation videos from one of our seminars entitled - 'So you want to learn how to improve your website Google rankings?'
We've pulled out some snippets from the seminar, looking at the main areas we should all focus on when looking to make our websites visible in search engines such as Google and Bing. For example, this edited highlight explains what organic search engine optimisation is all about, and how SEO is a device for making your website visible in search engines.
Video is a great content addition to your website. It encourages engagement and provides interactivity on your website. Content optimisation is no longer just about the written word and including not only YouTube vids, but podcasts, quick polls, quizzes or RSS feeds all help to enhance your website visitor experience and hopefully that of the search engines that come to visit your website.
If you're interested in finding out more about how to improve the visibililty of your website in search engines, then please contact Tracy Walker to discuss your content strategy.
We've pulled out some snippets from the seminar, looking at the main areas we should all focus on when looking to make our websites visible in search engines such as Google and Bing. For example, this edited highlight explains what organic search engine optimisation is all about, and how SEO is a device for making your website visible in search engines.
Video is a great content addition to your website. It encourages engagement and provides interactivity on your website. Content optimisation is no longer just about the written word and including not only YouTube vids, but podcasts, quick polls, quizzes or RSS feeds all help to enhance your website visitor experience and hopefully that of the search engines that come to visit your website.
If you're interested in finding out more about how to improve the visibililty of your website in search engines, then please contact Tracy Walker to discuss your content strategy.
A Grand Day Out
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
I had the great privilege of attending the Oxford Brookes University, School of Technology graduation ceremony on a very warm and sunny Friday afternoon last week.
BOCC sponsors an annual student prize at the School of Technology. The prize, entitled 'BOCC Computer Systems Development Award' aims to encourage excellence and the development and effective use of World Wide Web and computer systems techniques in project work.
The award is judged on the effective use of development techniques, as well as accessibility and security issues. Students also have to provide the details of which technologies they have employed in developing their applications and their reasons for making their choice.Oxford Brookes University short-list students and then BOCC awards the prize at that years Graduation Ceremony.
This years winner was Markus Boritz, with his dissertation on 'Approaches to Application Development for High End Mobile Devices: A Comparative Evaluation', which was supervised by Professor David Duce.
It was great to celebrate with the students on their graduation day, as well as congratulate this years Honorary Graduant Ian Redmond OBE, the renowned tropical field biologist and conservationist.
His acceptance speech was very inspiring, as he talked of his work with gorillas and elephants, working alongside Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall. He also encouraged us to think about our impact on the world and what we can all do about the conservation of our planet.
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| Markus Boritz accepting the BOCC Prize from Director Tracy Walker |
The award is judged on the effective use of development techniques, as well as accessibility and security issues. Students also have to provide the details of which technologies they have employed in developing their applications and their reasons for making their choice.Oxford Brookes University short-list students and then BOCC awards the prize at that years Graduation Ceremony.
 |
| Ian Redmond OBE, delivering his acceptance speech |
It was great to celebrate with the students on their graduation day, as well as congratulate this years Honorary Graduant Ian Redmond OBE, the renowned tropical field biologist and conservationist.
His acceptance speech was very inspiring, as he talked of his work with gorillas and elephants, working alongside Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall. He also encouraged us to think about our impact on the world and what we can all do about the conservation of our planet.
How Exciting is Your Website Content?
Monday, 11 April 2011
I'm sure that you've heard this many times before, but your website is nothing within interesting, valuable, quality, interactive and above all up-to-date content.
If you have, but haven't yet reviewed your website with this in mind, then you really need to take action. It's so true - if you want to increase your visitor numbers and your websites visibility in search engines, then take a good look at your content.
Content sells - it sells you, your organisation, your products and services. It's about creating content that people will want to read, find engaging and want to share; as well of course as making it search engine friendly and readable.
Start off with thinking about a logical approach to the information you want to share. How easy as a visitor is it to find details about you. Make content clear, precise and to the point. Make sure that you focus on and include the most important keywords and phrases in the first paragraph of each web page. Look at your tone of voice - just be yourself and remember to write as if you were just talking to someone.
Content however, is no longer just about the written word. It's about providing interactive content, such as Flash, video and audio that will engage your website audience. Get people to engage with you, communicate about issues and just generally network with each other and your organisation. Using tools for business, such as blogs, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn can all help to enhance both your websites and companies visibility.
SEO is all about continually updating and monitoring your website. Reviewing the content, creating interesting articles, investing time in posting to Twitter and Facebook. It need lots of work to make your website a success and to continue to keep your organisation visible in search engines.
If you have, but haven't yet reviewed your website with this in mind, then you really need to take action. It's so true - if you want to increase your visitor numbers and your websites visibility in search engines, then take a good look at your content.
Content sells - it sells you, your organisation, your products and services. It's about creating content that people will want to read, find engaging and want to share; as well of course as making it search engine friendly and readable.
Start off with thinking about a logical approach to the information you want to share. How easy as a visitor is it to find details about you. Make content clear, precise and to the point. Make sure that you focus on and include the most important keywords and phrases in the first paragraph of each web page. Look at your tone of voice - just be yourself and remember to write as if you were just talking to someone.
Content however, is no longer just about the written word. It's about providing interactive content, such as Flash, video and audio that will engage your website audience. Get people to engage with you, communicate about issues and just generally network with each other and your organisation. Using tools for business, such as blogs, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn can all help to enhance both your websites and companies visibility.
SEO is all about continually updating and monitoring your website. Reviewing the content, creating interesting articles, investing time in posting to Twitter and Facebook. It need lots of work to make your website a success and to continue to keep your organisation visible in search engines.
'Content Creation' - thupr Social Media Week Event
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Content on the Web is no longer just the 'written word'. You now have to take into account other media, such as video and audio, as well as the power of blogs and social networking sites. All of these are key to providing quality content on your website.
The thupr 'Content Creation' event, part of this years Social Media Week 2011, highlighted just how interactive and realtime content can greatly enrich your website. The Web is all about engagement. Getting visitors, potential clients and customers to communicate with you online is essential in an ever increasing competitive market. The old addage of 'people sell to people' is still relevant and building rapport and trust is key to a successful business.
A simple communique, such as a short two-minute video to tell people who you are and what you can offer gives a personal touch to your website and develops a bond with your website visitors. I think when recording video for use on your website you do have to be careful of balancing a professional image, with what might look like a quick holiday video. Clear Blue Productions tips on what recorders to buy, lighting and editing software were really useful, but a corporate video may need more polish.
Letting visitors interact with your website is another good way to create engagement. One great idea was to provide a 'VodPod' on your website. This is a widget developed by Nemysis.co.uk that quite simply enables any website owner to record any visitor's message using a webcam and display it on their website. You could use it for message boards, client feedback and testimonials; only thing to bear in mind like any user generated content would be the moderation and approval processes that may be needed.
Another session headed by Amnesty International also highlighted the need to explore further the 'online to offline' relationship between content. Their focus is to look at the use of technology in a human rights context. The issue even now, is that we can't simply rely on the fact that our audience(s) all have access to the Internet and mobile phones. We have to rethink our methods of reaching people by revisiting and not dismissing more traditional offline methods, such as magazines, journals and radio. Especially where human rights are concerned and those most at risk don't have access to online methods.
A really interesting event, some thought provoking sessions and a great way to meet new contacts.
The thupr 'Content Creation' event, part of this years Social Media Week 2011, highlighted just how interactive and realtime content can greatly enrich your website. The Web is all about engagement. Getting visitors, potential clients and customers to communicate with you online is essential in an ever increasing competitive market. The old addage of 'people sell to people' is still relevant and building rapport and trust is key to a successful business.
A simple communique, such as a short two-minute video to tell people who you are and what you can offer gives a personal touch to your website and develops a bond with your website visitors. I think when recording video for use on your website you do have to be careful of balancing a professional image, with what might look like a quick holiday video. Clear Blue Productions tips on what recorders to buy, lighting and editing software were really useful, but a corporate video may need more polish.
Letting visitors interact with your website is another good way to create engagement. One great idea was to provide a 'VodPod' on your website. This is a widget developed by Nemysis.co.uk that quite simply enables any website owner to record any visitor's message using a webcam and display it on their website. You could use it for message boards, client feedback and testimonials; only thing to bear in mind like any user generated content would be the moderation and approval processes that may be needed.
Another session headed by Amnesty International also highlighted the need to explore further the 'online to offline' relationship between content. Their focus is to look at the use of technology in a human rights context. The issue even now, is that we can't simply rely on the fact that our audience(s) all have access to the Internet and mobile phones. We have to rethink our methods of reaching people by revisiting and not dismissing more traditional offline methods, such as magazines, journals and radio. Especially where human rights are concerned and those most at risk don't have access to online methods.
A really interesting event, some thought provoking sessions and a great way to meet new contacts.
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