I know this old marketing trick is worn out and it still works. But this one came about in a real way.

Living back and forth in NYC and North Carolina gives me a chance to take advantage of events to stay in touch with
SEO, marketing and how it applies to Charlotte, the Carolinas, and the the world.

I made this video in NYC during the past Christmas Season. My intent was to post it for you, and all my loved ones and relatives.

Well here it is. ( finally) This quick Holiday Greeting to you is sincere even though it is now summer.

As cold as it was in NY last December, this scene is always welcome. People having fun, enjoying the

Holiday’s and celebrating life. I appreciated the moment then and enjoy the memory through this video. Hope you do as well.

Of all the ways to present an idea, there is one that is most effective.

This method has been

• studied,
• analyzed,
• pondered,
• researched
• and tried

until it just flat out wins the prize for best, most effective way to communicate.

No kidding

Here it is, from human developmental specialist Bill Torbert. Bill is an associate of Suzanne Cook-Greuter, one of my favorite people on the planet.

Step one- Frame what you are about to say- Put it in context. This is important because most people have not a clue where you are coming from ( out of the blue usually ). When you frame it with context, they know.

Step two- Advocate. Tell what you want. If you want to change a local street name to Conan O’Brien Boulevard, then say so.

Step Three- Illustrate. Show what it will look like or describe it in a way that brings it to life.

Step Four- Ask for others input. Be open to new twists on your idea. Solicit feedback and opinions.

Using this formula will get you the best communication possible more often than not. It’s a way to stack the odds in favor of accuracy when you’re trying to get an idea across.

Bonus info

Here’s the interesting thing about these four steps. The middle two are self centered and the way manyfolks ( including me) usually jump in to a typical talk.

The outer two are other centered and create a balance for the overall communication.

To be blunt-

Jerks use the middle two pretty much all the time.

More diplomatic people use all four together in an artful style of talking that gets best long term results.

This style of talking and writing can be used

• on the phone,
• in sales letters,
• emails,
• and with family members.

It gives you the best chance of having the best communication and it is simple to do.

Here’s an example of how you could use it-

Let’s say you have a sudden need for food for an event.

You walk into a chicken place and have two choices.

1-     You can use steps two and three and blurt out ” I need 50 pieces of chicken put in boxes and ready to go in 20 minutes.”

2-      You can use all four steps.

(1)”Hey, how are you? We have a group of 30 people to feed, they are already gathered at the community building and getting hungry.

(2)I would like 50 pieces of chicken to go.

(3)If you could pack the chicken in boxes and recommend some extras like side dishes that would help too.

(4) I’d also welcome any suggestions you have from the menu as I’m sure you’ve got experience in this sort of thing.

As simple as this method is, it can make a huge difference in the effectiveness of your message.

Next…

Some people don’t want to use it. It doesn’t fit their style.  The funny thing is, they end up using the middle two steps and get a short circuited, limping result and wonder why.

Using this full method takes patience and extra effort. It feels a bit longwinded sometimes, but it works.

Yes. I can work with you in Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro  South Carolina or Virgina.

I have clients in these regional areas and I am familiar with these markets.

What is SEO?

Search Engine Optimization is the overall name used to describe the process of  setting up your website

to be most attractive to the search terms your customers type in Google, MSN or Yahoo.

For Example: If a customer searches for ‘ red golf balls  in raleigh’ and your site is optimized properly for ‘red golf balls ‘ in the text and other

places on your site, your site will come up as the one with ‘red golf balls’.

How do I know if my website is helping or hurting my business?

I will do an analysis of your site, goals and keywords. We can talk about your needs for the site

as it relates to your business. We will work out  a strategy to get the most from your site.

Do I even need a website?

Most likely, yes.  More and more business is heading to the web. It takes time ( months and years) to get up to speed on the web.

Even if you don’t see the need today, you should have a presence so it can be there when it is needed.

How does your service work?

I stay with your project and see it through. Web optimization can take a few months. The most succesful sites are changing all the time and they need to be looked after. Think of a great site as something like Yahoo or MSN. They change daily, sometimes hourly. Yours can be much less active but that is still the general idea. You need to have an organic site that is interactive with your audience. Not a pamphlet on the web.

What services do you offer?

I build or makeover websites and conduct optimization to make them successful for you.

I  partner with talented people to enhance your overall marketing on radio, TV, print and the web when needed.

From Charlotte to Raleigh and even the West Coast  my SEO can  help make your web site work for you 24-7, even while you are sleeping.

SEO is a fairly new service. How can I tell the good from the bad? Who can I trust?

• Many large companies are starting to offer Search engine optimization services as part of their packages. Here are a few signs to look for-
• One price fits all- usually a sign that this is not good SEO or SEM ( Search Engine Marketing) SEO is unique for each project.
• One set price simply does not cover all this kind of work. Some websites need touch ups and some need a major overhaul.Important- Money is only one bottom line with Search Engine Optimization. You want quality and a strong track record of ethical practices. Leverage is powerful but if your practices are penalized you could get in a bind money cannot easily fix.
• Many sites need months of link building with highly credible connections.

If you find a dedicated professional who will focus on your project and consistently work to reach your web goals, hire them.

You can expect to pay from one to  a few thousand dollars a month for this kind of excellence.

SEO is a new game and it is changing as the internet gets more sophisticated. There are new developments your professional must know

to give you the most effective results.  –Kyle Whitford