It’s always good to get a refresher, or another perspective when it comes to doing your job. With that in mind Sara and I took off a couple of weeks ago to attend an Advanced SEO seminar given by Luna Metrics in Pittsburgh.

Presenters Christina Keffer and Jim Gianoglio brought up some very good points that make the optimization process a little easier.

Advanced Link Building
I was especially interested in this subject, as link research can get pretty monotonous and time consuming. It can also be easy to get in a rut. Here are some points that Christina brought up that I think could be very helpful:

• Create a Google Alert for your company – You could potentially receive an alert that a website has mentioned your company. You could contact that website and ask for a link back to your site.
• Advanced search operators - This resource (www.googleguide.com/advanced_operators.html) can come in handy when doing searches in Google.

Social Media
I also found this session to be highly informative. Check the pointers below:

• Research popular hash-tags – Here is an example: You own a restaurant and notice that the hash-tag #iamcraving is currently a trending topic on Twitter. You could leverage that and send out a Tweet incorporating that hash-tag and a link to your website. Everyone using that hash-tag may see your Tweet and visit your website.
• Tag your fans in photos on Facebook – Here is an example: you had an event that several of your customers attended. Tag them in any photos that they were in and all of their friends on Facebook can see they attended an event your company held, possibly piquing their interest.

Overall I was very satisfied with the topics and things learned at the seminar – it was well worth the drive (even though we got a little lost in the big city)! I love learning new things about the industry and getting another perspective – well done Luna Metrics!

TKG’s Breakfast Bootcamps are back for 2010-2011! These hour and a half SEM training sessions dive into one topic at a time and provide an atmosphere with one-on-one interaction and plenty of opportunity for Q&A.

The lineup starts in October:

October 7, 2010 – Website Must-Haves
November 11, 2010 – Landing Pages
December 9, 2010 – Social Media for Newbies
January 13, 2011 – Beyond Twitter and Facebook
February 10, 2011 – Online Lead Generation
March 10, 2011 – Reputation Management

These bootcamps are completely free and space is extremely limited. Learn more about each session, location, times, etc and sign up.
As an added bonus, if you attend all 6 sessions, you’ll receive an “I Survived TKG’s Breakfast Bootcamp” t-shirt!

Our web marketing team is very busy this month educating our community on the benefits of web marketing, mainly social media! On February 10th,  we presented on social media marketing for your business to the Jackson Belden Chamber of Commerce. It was a great turnout (despite the weather) and we met a lot of great people!

This morning, Corey presented with Kristie VanAuken, Sr. VP Marketing & Communications at CAK on Advanced Social Media.

According to Corey, it was a great mix of Canton Stark County CVB members that were interested in learning more about how to market their business with social media.

Check out TKG’s upcoming web marketing speaking engagements:

Society of Marketing Professional Services
February 18, 2010
Topic: Social Media
Panelists: Corey Hammond, BrandMuscle Inc, and Constructive Communication
(this event is by invite only)

TKG Breakfast Bootcamp
February 18, 2010
Topic: Email Marketing Techniques
Speaker: Dana Phillips
(registration is free)

Green Chamber of Commerce Business Lunch Forum
February 23, 2010
Topic: Social Media
Speakers: Jennifer Geh & Corey Hammond
(chamber members: $15; non-chamber members: $25)

For a list of all upcoming speaking engagements, check out TKG’s Press Room.

I will be joining Anita Campbell, editor-in-chief of Small Business Trends for a free one-hour webinar: 10 Quick Tips to Give a Boost to Your Website & Online Marketing Efforts.  It’s presented by the Verizon Small Business Center.

Details:
Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Time: 2:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time
Cost: FREE!
Registration: https://verizonevents.webex.com/verizonevents/onstage/g.php?d=665731581&t=a

On October 27th, the SEO experts at The Karcher Group will be presenting on web marketing & actually discussing strategies that work! Learn ways to increase Search Engine rankings, traffic & most importantly sales & leads!

** Save 40% by registering with the promo code: jen **

When?
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
9:00 AM-2:00 PM (Seminar)
2:00 PM-4:00 PM (Workshop)

Where?
Indiana Wesleyan University – Cleveland Campus
4100 Rockside Road
Indepenence, Ohio 44131

How Much?
$199 – Seminar Only
$149 – Workshop
$299 – Seminar + Workshop

Get more information and register for the next Cleveland SEO Seminar online…

Learn from TKG & The Ruby Group experts on how to use the Internet to drive traffic to your website and how to convert that traffic into leads and sales once they get there! Learn more about this upcoming workshop now!

July 15, 2009
8:30 AM-11:30 AM
Breakfast starts @ 8:00 AM
Cost: $49

Sandler Training Center at The Ruby Group
2251 Front Street
Suite 206
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221

Learn web marketing strategies from the best at our upcoming SEO seminar, May 29th being held at the University of Akron.

Special guest speakers include Anita Campbell; CEO & Editor in Chief of Small Business Trends & Jake Baillie of STN Labs.

When registering, enter discount code: JENNIFER to receive $50 off.

Heading to Columbus tonight to meet up with Jake for dinner, then speaking on link building & social media at tomorrow’s SEO seminar.

Read all the SEO seminar details & register online. There are just a few spaces left…

When registering, enter discount code: JENNIFER to receive $50 off.

TKG is hosting our first SEO seminar of 2009  in Columbus on May 1st.  Our guest SEO expert will be Jake Baillie, managing director of STN Labs and former President of the local Search Engine True Local.

Read all the SEO seminar details & register online.
When registering, enter discount code: JENNIFER to receive $50 off.

Corey & I are excited for our social media presentation this Thursday to the Leadership Akron Alumni Group, which is being held at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank! Unfortunately, this event is closed to the public; however, if you’re interested in learning about how your business can leverage social media marketing, request a free social media analysis today.

The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank has been helping people in need for 26 years. Serving Carroll, Holmes, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne Counties in Northeast Ohio.

Help the Foodbank help those in need by donating today.