Falcone Consult and Design Web Blog

Telling stories

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:25:08 +0000

There is perhaps no more powerful way of influencing others than to tell stories. What I mean is that no matter how you're attempting to influence, use the example of others around you to make a point.

For example, a software client was having trouble with someone on their sales force who was producing but was a disruptive influence and was, in my opinion, hurting the efforts of the sales group. And so I introduced a story of my experience with a similar person I worked with in a sales organization at AT&T. I described the short term gains but long-term pain associated with the person. This helped fuel the dialogue around the rep's future with the company.

In selling situations, I have typically used another person as an example of how they came to decide on the product after working through some doubts and the example has translated to the person I was selling to. Through the introduction of a similar example, people are less likely to be defensive and actually welcome communication that will help them to better understand.

Wise people use stories to relate because they know people are comfortable with them. I suggest that you use this in marketing, sales, and other communications situations. A good example of this in the marketing sense is the use of case studies.

Do you use case studies? How have they worked?

Google Launches Knowledge Graph, ‘First Step in Next Generation Search’

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:25:07 +0000

Three new Google Search features are part of their “next generation search” project, Knowledge Graph. Info boxes, segmented results based on query context and suggestions based on popular queries negate the need to even click off the SERP for info.

Mobile Sites: Choosing an Implementation Process & Strategies

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:25:07 +0000

No matter your approach, the mobile landscape is a tricky, expansive space of uncertainty filled with twists and turns that would give even the most solid minded developer or site owner points to pause. Here’s a guide to help you go mobile.

Why Your SEO & Social Strategy Should Include Pinterest

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:25:07 +0000

You don’t have to be a lifestyle-type site to win on Pinterest, you merely need to make your brand fun and create interesting, shareable images. Pinterest offers other benefits, including social links generated from content shared on Pinterest.

Google NSA Relationship Secrecy Continues Despite Courts Efforts

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:25:07 +0000

Google and the National Security Agency’s possibly secret relationship will remain secret. The Federal Appeals Court has upheld the NSA’s decision not to release information confirming or denying if they have a relationship with Google.

So What If Google Previews Count As Active Pages In Google Analytics Real-Time?

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:24:39 +0000

A client pointed out interesting behavior in their Google Analytics Real-Time report – when a user mouses over previews of your site’s URL in the SERP, it is reported in the Top Active Pages report. This may not be a fully-rolled out feature as I cannot replicate it on other accounts I have access to. Here’s how it gets triggered:

1. Open up the Real-Time report in GA

2. Search Google for your site using a site: query (e.g. site:domain.com/directory) – it seems to work only if you search for a specific directory v. the entire domain

3. Hover your mouse over the preview arrows for one of the results until the preview of the cached page appears

4. Check out the Real-Time Top Active Pages report and the URL you previewed should pop up there shortly

This feature makes sense as previewing a page is an active interaction with your site, but it’s not quite the same as a person actually going to your site.

If this is a true feature, my initial take is that interactions with Google Previews will eventually factor somehow into the ranking algorithm as another measure of Engagement. For example, if a user previews your URL and doesn’t click, that could count against you, perhaps even more than if they just didn’t click your URL from the results. It’s kind of like sampling the food and spitting it out, right?

And those URLs that convert Previews into clicks likely will do better in the rankings.

In the last redesign you did for your site, how many of you took how the pages will show up in Google Previews into account? Don’t all jump in at once…

Ford Retains Confidence in Facebook Ads as GM Quits

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:24:39 +0000

Automaker tells ClickZ it will continue advertising on the social site. While General Motors may halt Facebook advertising, according to a Wall Street Journal story today, Ford has a different attitude toward paid promotions on the social site.

Life After Google Penguin – Going Beyond the Name

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:24:39 +0000

Don’t try too hard to look for dates and names of updates. Rather, look more to the effects as Google’s algorithm evolves so you can adapt accordingly. What really matters is that Google is looking harder at link spam now, so you should be too.

7 Time-Saving Google Analytics Custom Reports

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:24:38 +0000

The right Custom Reports can be incredible time savers. Instead of spending time digging around for important metrics, you can find what you need separated neatly into columns for some analysis that will lead to some actionable insight.

Piwik Open Source Analytics: A Primer

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:24:38 +0000

With a focus on privacy and keeping data safe, Piwik is a web analytics package that aims to be a free software alternative to Google Analytics. Here are some of Piwik’s features and how it compares to other top-billing analytics packages.