» Internet Marketing http://electrosmart.com/Blog Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:55:52 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= Google’s Big Panda Not So Cuddly http://electrosmart.com/Blog/google%e2%80%99s-big-panda-not-so-cuddly/ http://electrosmart.com/Blog/google%e2%80%99s-big-panda-not-so-cuddly/#comments Wed, 09 Mar 2011 04:30:48 +0000 Esmart http://electrosmart.com/Blog/?p=164 Continue reading →]]> According to Google their latest algorithm supports ” sites with original content and information such as research, in-depth reports, thoughtful analysis and so on”. In contrast, it will penalise low quality sites – with little added value, content copied from other sites [including RSS feeds] and sites that are just plainly ‘un-useful’. This will include content farms, and article directories, which will impact back-link tactics by article marketers. Just two days following the change, Ezine Articles claims to have a 35% reduction in monthly unique visitors. Normally, 57million, this represents a significant drop in traffic. However, it is likely the impact will only apply to low quality articles – you know the ones, 320 words of drivel that tell you nothing. Perhaps Google has just helped Article Ezine to filter out its spam quality articles. It will however impact news aggregators such as the popular Huffington Post.

According to Alexa statistics, EzineArticles has dropped 16-17% in ranking with a 11-13% decline in reach over the past week. Its too early to see how long term this impact will be but it must sure have the sites team working hard to respond to the potential threat.

The change is estimated by Google to impact 11.8% of queries. The goal of Google’s change is to create a “healthy web ecosystem”. The change was made in the USA only, with other global regions to be rolled out in the future.

Fortunately, since launching in 2006 my business strategy was to always provide valuable content – aka no auto-posting scripts or automated blog posting plug-ins for WordPress. I do however use RSS scripts to add specialist content updates to my websites, however this accounts for less than 5% of total content. I doubt this will impact the ranking of these sites. Its early days yet, but I have not noticed any negative impact.

The lesson here is to always aim to provide value to customers – no value, no point making the effort. Personally, I think it’s a good thing to get rid of spam sites. Maybe the BIG and FAST strategy most top IM gurus proclaim is the way to go may not work out so well afterall.

]]> http://electrosmart.com/Blog/google%e2%80%99s-big-panda-not-so-cuddly/feed/ 0 Domain Investors or Squatters? http://electrosmart.com/Blog/domain-investors-or-squatters/ http://electrosmart.com/Blog/domain-investors-or-squatters/#comments Sun, 03 Oct 2010 19:38:57 +0000 Esmart http://electrosmart.com/Blog/?p=159 Continue reading →]]> I was reading an old CNN article on domain investors this morning. Whilst I was well aware of this practice it got me thinking as to why Google hasn’t been all over these crappy link sites that are pulling in tens of millions of dollars a year using ‘bait and switch’ tactics.

I am struggling to see a parallel investment model for domain trading. When one considers property investment or share investment, there is a legitimate business behind it. Not that domain investment is not a legitimate business, but it is certainly in the black hat arena along with other tactics that Google has slapped all over the show.

Of course, we then have the other extreme, where in Australia you cannot get a ‘.com.au’ domain without it being attached to an Australian registered business – owned by an Australian domicile. This sort of builds a wall around international business which is frustrating for those attempting a legitimate entry into that market.

So what are your views on domain investors? Are they investors or squatters?

]]> http://electrosmart.com/Blog/domain-investors-or-squatters/feed/ 0 Digital Publishing Formats & Security http://electrosmart.com/Blog/digital-publishing-formats-security/ http://electrosmart.com/Blog/digital-publishing-formats-security/#comments Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:00:12 +0000 Esmart http://electrosmart.com/Blog/?p=140 Another worthwhile presentation on digital formats and epublishing security

Richard Pipe
]]> http://electrosmart.com/Blog/digital-publishing-formats-security/feed/ 0 Ad Campaigns on Social Media Sites http://electrosmart.com/Blog/ad-campaigns-on-social-media-sites/ http://electrosmart.com/Blog/ad-campaigns-on-social-media-sites/#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:08:24 +0000 Esmart http://electrosmart.com/Blog/?p=126 Continue reading →]]> If you have been wondering how successful those small ads are on social media sites such as Facebook – check out this blog post on compete.com.

In this example, IT job site Dice [which gets about one million visitors per month] was used to run a controlled experiment to identify just how effective such media campaigns are on these sites – the results were impressive. In this 2 day campaign, Dice doubled its share of competitor job site visitors, capturing 6% of job site visitors [compared to 2% of the control group].

]]> http://electrosmart.com/Blog/ad-campaigns-on-social-media-sites/feed/ 0 Media Pitches That Work – Fast! http://electrosmart.com/Blog/media-pitches-that-work-fast/ http://electrosmart.com/Blog/media-pitches-that-work-fast/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:01:19 +0000 Esmart http://electrosmart.com/Blog/?p=123 Continue reading →]]> An interesting clip [in amongst the clutter] on the seven essential elements of a media pitch

1. Compelling headline
2. Get to the point in the first sentence
3. Credibility – it doesn’t have to be a past appearance on Oprah!!
4. Tips – to help the media as much as possible
5. Availability – if its a highly current topic, be prepared at short notice
6. Contact – include after hours contact and BE AVAILABLE!
7. Link to Hi Res Book Cover [Press Kit Online]


The Pitch That Gets Media Attention

Download the actual
pitch made for this appearance

]]> http://electrosmart.com/Blog/media-pitches-that-work-fast/feed/ 0 Recovering From Google Slap Aug 2009? http://electrosmart.com/Blog/recovering-from-google-slap-aug-2009/ http://electrosmart.com/Blog/recovering-from-google-slap-aug-2009/#comments Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:59:24 +0000 Esmart http://electrosmart.com/Blog/?p=118 Continue reading →]]> If you are a serious internet marketer, you will be aware that something happened a few days ago – another Google Slap. Google’s policies are pretty static, so it is not that Google has added some new terms and conditions for Adword campaign marketers, adsense publishers or affiliate marketers. Rather, they jsust do a bit of housekeeping now and then to clean up the spammy sites and campaigns that offer little in terms of real value to the Google public.

None of my sites were affected as I offer genuine content. However, I like to know what’s going down so after running around the Net a bit, I put together a plan of recovery for those who have received a none too gentle reminder of what Google expects.

Find out more about how to recover from Google Slap Aug 2009

]]> http://electrosmart.com/Blog/recovering-from-google-slap-aug-2009/feed/ 1 The Best Book Marketing Campaigns Ever http://electrosmart.com/Blog/the-best-book-marketing-campaigns-ever/ http://electrosmart.com/Blog/the-best-book-marketing-campaigns-ever/#comments Wed, 19 Aug 2009 06:36:14 +0000 Esmart http://electrosmart.com/Blog/?p=109 Continue reading →]]> In my last post I told you how how the experts get to Number one on Amazon. Now I am going to tell you exactly how it is done.

If you have already published a book and want to re-energize your sales, or if you have a book in progress – then this blog is especially important to you. The biggest secret book authors find out AFTER they have published their book is that the marketing is up to – who? YOU!!!

There are is only ONE WAY to ensure your book sales are the best they can possibly be – follow a proven method already used by #1 best selling authors. The two best options I can recommend are:

1. Peggy McColls Best Seller Campaign – starting a new course soon – costs around $USD 3000. Details at yourownbestseller.com
2. The Best Seller Secret – by two top selling authors Dan Strauss and Mel McIntyre – costs $37

Now, if you are someone who is disciplined enough to follow instructions and you already have a good knowledge of online marketing – then following a step by step guide is ideal for you. If you just know you need someone to help you every step, then investing in a mentoring program with Peggy is undoubtedly a wise investment.

Special Bonus

To help you get on your way, Electrosmart has secured a special one month only price for The Best Seller Secret of just $27.00. Now there is absolutely no excuse to not be able to afford the best marketing guidance there is!

To find out more about The Best Seller Secret

To claim your Special Price – Click Here or Pay Using Paypal
NOTE: You must use this special offer link to immediately download your Best Seller Secret marketing guide for this super low price.

]]> http://electrosmart.com/Blog/the-best-book-marketing-campaigns-ever/feed/ 0 Amazon Spam Cam http://electrosmart.com/Blog/amazon-spam-cam/ http://electrosmart.com/Blog/amazon-spam-cam/#comments Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:33:32 +0000 Esmart http://electrosmart.com/Blog/?p=106 Continue reading →]]> It’s legal, its permitted by Amazon and the best book marketers in the world do it – what is it? It’s the Amazon Book Marketing Spam Campaign.

Here’s how it works.

Amazons book ranking system is based upon sales. As soon as your book makes a sale you can expect it to jump from a no ranking to about 230,000. Make another sale that week and you jump to around 100,000. Three sales in a week will get you to around 30,000 – starting to get the picture?

Imagine if you facilitated sales of 200 books in a single day – you can expect a very, very good rank [top 20 or so], and if you make them within a single hour [the period during which Amazon recalculates its ranks for the top books], then it is not difficult to get to the top 100 – and even better, in certain categories you can expect to get to No. 1 bestseller!!. Even if your book never sells another copy.

Black Marketing – perhaps! Smart marketing – definitely.

However, from that point on, the publisher and author can claim to be a #1 Amazon Best Seller. This definitely makes an impression with the media and with publishers – even though they know the game. Media is not always about the truth, but about the perception of the truth, and the media are being totally honest in reporting your amazing feat.

Have I done it – No. Should I have – Yes. Will I in the future – Maybe!

You will have to be your own judge and jury on this one.

]]> http://electrosmart.com/Blog/amazon-spam-cam/feed/ 0 Squidoo Ousts Junk Lenses http://electrosmart.com/Blog/squidoo-ousts-junk-lenses/ http://electrosmart.com/Blog/squidoo-ousts-junk-lenses/#comments Sun, 21 Jun 2009 03:18:44 +0000 Esmart http://electrosmart.com/Blog/?p=104 Continue reading →]]> In a welcome move to clear the Internet of junk web pages, Squidoo is taking bold steps to rid its website of lenses that fail to meet certain quality standards.

To maintain the quality of their service and discourage IM spammers, Squidoo is introducing new quality standards aimed particularly at six key areas:

  1. IM Spammers creating hundred of lenses all pointing to the same domain
  2. X-rated lenses with Adult content
  3. Lenses focused on any spam hitting Squidoo or junk topics, with cited examples including movie downloads, Hoodia Gordoni, Acai berry reviews, LoseBellyFat!, Pharmaceuticals, Forex reports etc
  4. Overly sales promoted lenses
  5. Over zealous link building – with the maximum outbound links to a single domain to be restrictured to 9
  6. Lenses showing clear plagarism

The new standards are expected to be in play by end of July 2009,

For more details on the new Squidoo Policy –
4 Things You Can Do Now to Tidy Up Your Squidoo Lens

]]> http://electrosmart.com/Blog/squidoo-ousts-junk-lenses/feed/ 1 Amazon Sales Rank Express http://electrosmart.com/Blog/amazon-sales-rank-express/ http://electrosmart.com/Blog/amazon-sales-rank-express/#comments Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:38:25 +0000 Esmart http://electrosmart.com/Blog/?p=83 Continue reading →]]> I want to add a plug for an amazing free online tool for those wanting to keep track of sales on Amazon. Called Amazon Sales Rank Express, it offers a very quick way to not only check your current sales rank [which also provides an indication of how many books you have sold that day], but also:

  • Sales by different formats – print, audio, kindle
  • Top pairings – other books brought together with your book
  • Sales Page data – current discount, reveiws, used books for sale [incl price]

My personal thanks to Aaron Shepard for developing this widget and making it available to authors and publishers.

Check it out for yourself here - it is amazingly fast and retains your data from previous checks. No more waiting for sluggish the Amazon Sales Page to load and you can check on multiple books in a flash.

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