State of Search is doing something awesome, a campaign for the WWF (here is the US side) called “The Panda Made Me Do It.” Targeted at search marketers (giggle), it’s a drive to let others know about how they can help our world and endangered species in many ways.
I chose to adopt a tiger on the US site (pending, was having some issues over there) but if I got to choose on the UK site, it would have been to sponsor an acre of forest. No matter how you want to help out I urge you to consider it. There are a number of ways to help and not all of them financial.
The environment is something near and dear to my heart because after a long day on the computer, the one thing that calms me down is nature. Flowers, wildlife, and the earth overall. If we keep going the way we have been as a society that will all be over very soon.
So blame the Panda and join us in the fight to help the wildlife and nature.
Updated (Like 2 hours later) – They’ve done it! The ad below goes to the Bossa Nova dress in the ad. <3 Thank you!
Dear ModCloth,
I love your Facebook ads, they are one of the few that work for me … repeatedly. I even bought one once, took it with me to Mexico and it was even borrowed from a friend! Great stuff.
On the left, myself and Lauren Polinsky. To the right, Kristy Bolsinger wearing the same Plum Role Dress.
and
There is an issue though. Those ads … they feature pretty dresses that catch my eye. I click … and am taken to the dresses page. The dress I loved is NOT THERE. I have to search for it.
Talk to your developers. Find some way to land on something like this:
Or the product page (bonus you have suggested other products!). Maybe retrofit the landing page to be the product page but rather than suggested accessories, you suggest other dresses. Or add a call to action at the top of the page “see other dresses” or something more catchy.
Thank you for your time,
Kate Morris
PS I do love your products. Ordered another one the other day. But please make it easier!
I seem to always get the inspiration to write on a plane. I think it has to do with the solitude and ability to reflect. I have not had the time to write on my personal blog for almost 7 months. Not to make excuses, but this is largely due to my job at Distilled. I have not found a position I am happier in but it takes most of my best writing ideas. I post regularly on the Distilled Blog and SEOmoz. More than that I have been adjusting to life outside of my MBA.
My update there is that I will be getting that piece of paper this month. I finished my last course last semester, but had to transfer everything in from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. I never finished my thesis. Longer story there. Long and short of it is that I made an executive decision not to beat my head into a brick wall of educational red tape and insanity anymore. Instead I sucked up thousands of extra dollars in tuition and sunk costs of thesis courses and took a class in Tacoma in the Fall of 2010. One of only two awesome classes I took in my entire MBA. Both were marketing electives and taught by professors that understand modern marketing and research.
In the next few months I plan to write a book review I have been meaning to do for a while. It’s on one of the few ”business” books I have really ever enjoyed. The author is a friend, but I purchased the book on my own and intend to write a review that conveys what the book really does for the reader.
But tonight I am just reflecting on some changes in my life and how that will affect this blog. First, there probably won’t be much SEO on here anymore. You’ll hear much about my readings, my workouts (get ready for CrossFit), and whatever else crosses my path. I’ve missed my personal writing. I just penned a poem, and that has been a long time. My poetry is something I don’t share much with the world. Maybe someday, but not for now. But writing is one of my most cherished outlets.
I had a great discussion with Vanessa Fox at SMX Toronto this week and it has lead me to really remember who I am. That always changes, but times like this weekend when I can get away and really reflect on life is when I realize what has changed. I say a lot that life has not ended up like I expected it. It’s better in some ways, not better or worse in others. Just different.
I want to write and express myself more, hone back in on my technical skills, launch some sites and refresh some older ones. It’s feeling like time to work on the next step, whatever that may be. But I do know these few things. I have an awesome set of friends and family to support me along the way. A company that I can truly be honored to work for and colleagues that continually push me to learn and be better in so many ways. I could not be a happier woman at this woman in my life. Thank you to all who have impacted me, you know who you are. And if you are reading this, my guess is that you are one of those people.
This is going to be a quick post, but I feel it needs to be said. I am on an Alaska flight back to Austin for the weekend. I fly Alaska Airlines because they are an awesome airline in my experience and have a direct flight from Seattle to Austin. I have a feeling I’ll be an MVP by the end of the year.
In addition to just being a good airline, most of their flights now have wifi. I’m on it right now actually. It’s fast and very convenient, but there is one thing lacking that I am seeing more often when it comes to traveling. Lack of power. We have wifi and ample space to work (well for me I have plenty of space), but on a 3-4 hour flight, most laptop batteries will not last the entire trip.
Now don’t get me wrong, I am NOT complaining about my flying experience. And I am not sure that there is a quick fix to this issue, but I want to air it (giggle, unintended pun) in case someone can fix it. What I would love is the addition of power outlets under the seats in all planes.
I have an adapter for my Macbook just for planes, but rarely can I find a flight that has these power outlets. Not only that, but you have to dig to find the diagram of your plane to see if there are any outlets and get a seat near one because they aren’t always in every row. With wifi and the adoption of gadgets being used on flights, it seems as if this should have come before wifi.
There are things you and I can do to help the lack of power on continental flights including:
Powering up fully before a flight. (I tried to on this flight)
Bringing an extra battery. (Who wants the extra weight?)
Fly first class. (I never have but I hear it’s nice …)
Using an iPhone, iPod, Zune for music and maybe movies. They are battery sucks.
But in the end, I just would love to be able to charge as I am flying. Hopefully as the planes get better (Boeing Dreamliner anyone?) they will include power options as well as wifi, satellite TV, and all the other extras. We have fought over water, oil, and other things over history during travel. Now it’s the magical power outlet. Think about it the next time you’re cursing the person who got the outlet before you at the terminal and you are stuck reading the airline magazine … again … for 3 hours.
Warning: This is entirely a personal post, but if you live in the Austin area and interested in a personal trainer, keep reading. Or if you’re just curious about the randomness of my life.
There is a new face in the Austin Personal Training scene, and he happens to be my brother. Brian Morris just finished his certification from PFTA here in Austin. He will soon be starting as a personal trainer on some lucky gym’s staff, but is also looking for clients.
Most personal trainers are all about finding the young people looking to prepare for bikini season, but Brian is hoping to reach people of all levels of life and fitness. We come from a family with a history of obesity, so Brian and I both know adversity when it comes to weight loss. He is even working with our mom right now. She has gone through a gastric bypass and thyroid cancer, making for an interesting combination of fitness and nutritional needs. No situation is too difficult with someone this dedicated to a healthier life for everyone.
For example, he wants to reach the baby boomers that want a better quality of life, not a beach body. Keeping up with grandchildren and traveling the world (that hike up St. Paul’s Cathedral in London is 1000+ steps!) are their goals.
I am very excited about this new part of Brian’s life because I can not only aide in this new venture, but it’s awesome to see him this excited about his career. Brian really does love helping people with their fitness goals. He has been telling me every week for the past 9 weeks about what he is learning in class and helping me change my habits for the better. (yes Brian, intervals are what I need to do, I’m working on it)
So as promised, if you are in Austin, and always wanted to work with a personal trainer, let me know. I’ll get you the hook up. *wink wink, nudge nudge*
