For the most part, when I come across an issue on a site, I just search for the solution and someone has previously identified the solution. Last week I came across a problem that I didn't know how to deal with and neither did anyone else. Issue: In optimizing a client's website, I came across some images that might seem unsuitable for children. Not vulgar or crude, and were there in a health care sense, but were still not suitable for ...

Click here if you just want the LiveBall Review without the background story. Background I am not a tools type of search engine marketer. Well, in terms of PPC bid management tools. I love Raven Tools and SEOmoz and some of the newer PPC tools like WordStream. (Yes, some of those are affiliate links) There are some tools developers in the PPC space that I keep hearing about but have never seen. For the most part I don't have the clients ...

March 5 Update: Success! Body scan is clear. Will have to run a staged test in September, but it won't be like this one. Just have to stay on top of it. Happy Dance! March 2 Update: Ok, just “udderly" got tired of the weight gain from having no thyroid and now in isolation for radioactive iodine treatment. I needed exercise. Plus my speech was slurred! So I started an exercise plan last night. Not sure if the pill has anything to do ...

Update Feb 28: The folks at XO have joined in the conversation and cleared up many of the issues I was having. I still think they need to clarify these things in their backend system, but it seems as if there is a way to do redirects, just no way to get help if something goes wrong. Feb 23 - I have moved the client to HostGator. Every once in a while an SEM consultant will come across a gem of a client. One that understands enough ...

Twitter can produce the most off the wall thoughts and conversations sometimes. Just what I need for inspiration. I went to SMX Advanced in 2008 and Michael Dorausch posted to SEOmoz about SEO's favorite Starbucks Orders. So fun to read. No real point, but why does everything we read have to be work related? Taylor Pratt asked if cereal was allowed as a mid-afternoon snack today. A resounding yes was heard from what I saw, and that sparked my ...

Making resolutions can be easy at the beginning of the year. Keeping them is another thing entirely. I resolved to pay off either my student loans or my car this year, and to complete a training program called P90X. I did none of that, but accomplished so much more. I started working on my own (which tied up my financial resources) and finished up the last of my classes for my MBA. I didn't finish the training program, but I have lost 23 lbs ...

A good friend of mine that is getting into PPC asked me a question today. A question that I think is common to many people that are really digging into their campaigns. I am not talking to people just getting started (though you should read this too if you are) but those that are wanting to find the next step in campaign optimization. The question centered around dayparting in Google but based on the specific industry their client was in, so ...

It's official - I have chosen a winner for the Raven PubCon shirt. It was a tough decision. But it goes to the funniest entry (posted at the last minute) about t-shirt and tools. It was followed closely by a reference to MIB, but I had to give it to ... Kristy Bolsinger Congratulations! Check out her post and all the other comments reviewing the best things about Raven Tools. You all did great, thanks so much for entering. Keep up with Raven ...

In a global and Internet-based economy, they [brands] build trust and reinforce value. - Strategy: A View from the Top Are brands dead? Have we killed traditional marketing? Are newspapers dead? Will television ads die? In a simple answer: No. I wish I could say that this topic has been beaten to death (it has, really) but people keep bringing it up. With the influx of buzz around new media (read: social media and online marketing) there is ...

Pubcon is always a great time. This year was no different - staying up until the sun comes up, crazy antics, and the best SEM information in one place. This year's PubCon was sponsored by Raven Tools - a tool that I use and talk about regularly. I am a fan of their product and their whole team. [caption id="attachment_952" align="center" width="300" caption="Raven Team"][/caption] A few weeks before PubCon, Jon Henshaw sent me the coolest ...