My prediction for Google’s next update
March 10th, 2011. Filed Under: Uncategorized. Tags: Cold War, PR, So Google, Wally Web Stars
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few weeks,
you probably have heard that Google has made a huge update to
the way that it serves up search results.
This is a huge deal when you’re a website owner, becuase ranking
highly on Google can literally make or break your business.
You’re either highly visisble, or you’re invisible.
Here’s what we know for sure about the update:
It’s called Panda, and like the cute bear, it tries to draw
black and white lines between good content and bad content.
Google won’t come out and say it, but content farms and article
directories with low quality articles are being targeted really
heavily.
Another thing that we know about this update… It’s going to
take some time to let the dust settle.
Just like in the old days of the Cold War, when you had two
superpowers trying to one up each other, you now have Google
trying to one up the marketers, and stay ahead of them.
So Google has made their change, now it’s up to the marketers
to catch up. And we will, quickly.
Every time a big update like this happens, you hear a lot of
whining and complaining about how marketers are going to figure
out a way around the system. I’ve got news for you. Yes we will.
A marketer’s job is to get found and deliver value into his
customers’ hands. And getting found on Google is a huge part
of doing that.
When Google changes the rules, the marketers are going to change
their tactics.
Unlike much of the online world, my customers and I are not
freaking out.
For those who have asked, I’ve recommended what I always
recommend: “Take a deep breath, pause for a moment, and look
at this objectively.”
And when you do, you’ll find something interesting.
Nothing fundamental has changed.
Google’s mission is still to serve up relevant, organized
information. All of the world’s information.
So creating current, relevant content that matters to your
audience is still going to be important. Maybe even more so.
But it HAS to be original.
Second, I think that Google has found that it’s hard to be
Google. It’s hard to stay on top when you’re the big guy,
because everyone is trying to tear you down.
My prediction is that within the next 12-18 months, you’re
going to see another gigantic update to the Google algorithm.
And that this update is going to involve a social layer,
from real feedback coming into the Googleplex.
We’re talking interactivit y where you can start to delete your
irrelevant results (much like you can delete or hide posts in
Facebook) and Google takes note.
And then adjusts accordingly.
Not only will a change like this make their results much more
relevant, they’ll be focused back where they should be: The
person on the other end of the computer screen.
They’ll also open up more about the changes that they make -
because if they don’t, they’ll find their lack of transparency
becomes a huge PR problem for them.
After all, it’s all about human-to-human communication.
Often we forget that, and it’s important to remember that what
we’re doing here is actually really simple. Communicating from
person to person, from the heart to the heart.
I believe Google will relearn this on the fly, and continue to
serve up the highest quality content.
It’s going to be even more important than ever to stay at the
top of the search engines. Easiest way to do this:
http://tinyurl.com/searchfriendly
Reach for the top,
-Wally
P.S. — You can get your message out to more people, with more
relevance, faster than ever:
http://tinyurl.com/searchfriendly
P.S. — In the last couple weeks I’ve added some incredible
testimonials with the latest of Wally’s Web Stars. I think you’ll
enjoy seeing these:
http://wallythewebguy.com/testimonials.htm
Is Google your friend or your enemy?
March 3rd, 2011. Filed Under: Uncategorized. Tags: Wally
About a week ago, Google did something that has been causing
quite a stir on the internet. What they did was perfectly
within their rights, and is something that you and I might
have done too if we ran the giant googlebot.
But there are a lot of people that are really p*ssed off at
Google right now.
It was a big change that was anticipated for a few months,
and in some circles it was a very welcome change. And in
other circles it was very un-welcome.
Really, what Google did is something that they do all the
time. However, this time it made a lot more enemies (and
frenemies) than usual, so it’s worth taking a closer look
at this.
What did Google do?
Google made a change to the way that they serve up search
results.
The problem was that a lot of search results on the front
page of Google (which is where you want to be if you want
to get found) were basically very thin, almost
borderline-useless content.
Sites like EHow.com and other “content farms” as they’re
known were dominating the front page of the search results,
and then when you went to those pages you’d get really
crappy content with – guess what – a bunch of Google ads
on the side.
So, for Google, it was a closed loop. You sell ads on
the top search pages and boom – making money all around.
But they got away from their mission, which is to serve
up current, relevant, good content. And the internet
started calling them out on it. And they made a huge
change to the search results, and the fancy algorithms
behind it.
So far so good. But what if you own a site like Ehow ,
or if you used to be getting a ton of traffic a week
ago – and now your traffic has dried up?
You’d best have a backup plan, partner.
The thing about having a money generating website, is
that traffic is king. The more ways you are getting
found and bringing folks into your pipeline, the better.
Because if you only had one strategy in place – rank in
the top of Google with crappy content – you just went
broke last week.
But if you have multiple strategies in place – both to
bring people into your funnel, and also to keep them
coming back – well, you’re not too concerned about any
single Google change. Your bases are covered before
you even begin.
Over the last month I’ve been working with one of my
customers on creating this exact multipronged strategy.
Multiple lead generation sources. Multiple follow up
sequences. Multiple automated strategies that leverage
their marketing 10x.
They just had a record month. The best part?
They’re just getting warmed up.
They’re not affected when something like this happens,
because they are diversified in their strategies.
It’s easy to do. Just follow these easy steps.
First, commit to take action. Define at least 3
additional ways you want to drive website traffic
over the next month.
Second, when you’ve defined your 3 website traffic
channels, choose the one that you think will bring
in the most traffic. Work on that one first.
Third, make sure to measure your results.
What gets measured gets improved.
Finally, if you want to make it getting traffic
completely effortless with a guaranteed result,
click here.
Reach for the top,
-Wally
PS – Spring time is coming. Up in the mountains,
snow is stacking up and getting ready to melt in
about a month. Then the rivers are going to start
gushing. Same thing is happening every day on the
internet. Are you positioned in the stream when
the river starts to gush?
You can be, just click here.
The $750 glass of scotch
February 28th, 2011. Filed Under: Uncategorized. Tags: Great Britain, Wally, World War
On Monday night, after a long afternoon of filming and hanging out
with some fellow marketers, I found myself sitting at an English
pub that had somehow been plucked right out of Great Britain itself
and plopped right down in the middle of down town Denver.
Four of us walked in, at about 8:58pm and were promptly greeted by
the stern warning: “If you want to get dinner, you have less than
five minutes to order. The kitchen is about to close, and once
it closes it’s closed for good.”
No smile, no hello, just the facts. It really felt like true
British hospitality.
We sat down, and immediately ordered as fast as we could. The
only thing was, that we had come looking for burgers.
What we found instead were something called “Wimpys”. Someone
explained to us that Wimpy is English for burger. Must have
something to do with World War 2.
So after ordering up a fast couple of wimpy’s, we began to check
out the drink menu.
We were about to find out something very special.
This English pub place was known for one very special thing, one
thing that makes it unique and creates a mystique around it.
One thing that makes no other place on earth quite like this
little pub.
And that is…it’s scotch selection. To my right was a giant
wall of glass bottles, all containing a different type of scotch.
You’re given two drink menus. One for beer (very thin, two pages).
Then a much larger and specially bound scotch list.
As you go down the list, you’ll notice hundreds upon hundreds of
scotches to choose from. And you’ll notice the prices of a glass.
Five dollars.
Nine dollars.
Seventeen dollars. Everything is in a column, so you can scan
real quick down the side and see the names and prices, and select
your perfect drink.
On about page 3, there’s a glaring bulge on the right hand side
where the prices are. You’re going down the list, and all of a
sudden there’s a glass of scotch being priced at $750 – seven
hundred and fifty dollars!?
At first I thought this had to be a joke. But it wasn’t.
Later as the night went on, I found myself standing outside talking
to the guy who ran the place. I asked him about the $750 glass of
scotch. Has anyone ever bought a glass of this special scotch?
No, he said. In fact, he had been working there for 3 years and
the bottle was still sealed.
“Why do you have this bottle then if nobody drinks it?” I asked.
“It’s so we can say that we have the biggest selection of scotch
in this region.”
It’s what makes them special.
Each one of us has something just like this bottle of scotch.
Something that makes you special, and unique, and attractive to
your market.
The key is to unleash the part of you that is special to as many
people as possible, in a way that is proven to work again and again.
When you have a money generating website, you’re able to
effortlessly unleash your personality and uniqueness onto the world.
Like a magnet, people are attracted to you from wherever you are
physically, and they keep coming back for more.
But just like the $750 bottle of scotch, those who step up to the
plate and take action are rare indeed. And that is what makes
them special.
The good news is that it is a group that you can join today.
For a limited time you can join this exclusive club by simply
clicking here for a $497 phone consultation…free.
Until next time,
-Wally
PS – Check out what these unique, successful, action oriented
folks are saying about their results and experience:
http://wallythewebguy.com/testimonials.htm
Will you join them?
Google updates its algorithm to fight spammers and cheaters
February 26th, 2011. Filed Under: Uncategorized. Tags: Search Engine Optimization, Wally, WSJ
In response to a lot of complaints that have been building over the last 6 months, Google has finally updated it’s algorithm to deliver better content, and less content from spammy content farms.
This is a good thing, and a welcome change, as Google’s credibility was beginning to be called into question.
More on this here (WSJ.com) and here (SearchEngineWatch.com).
My two cents: It shows the importance of following best practices in Search Engine Optimization, and also how important it is to keep creating current, valuable, relevant content for your readers and market. Remember, at the other end of the web is another human being who you are speaking to, and that will never change.
-Wally
PS – The basics of driving traffic to your website never change. But the specifics on keeping in the front page of Google, Bing, and the other search engines is always changing. Here’s how you can keep up.
4 Surefire Ways To Declare Your Independence
July 2nd, 2010. Filed Under: Special Occasion, Uncategorized. Tags: Cluttered Action, Cluttered Mind, Dan Kennedy, Happy Independence Day
Todayh is a really huge day. It’s the exact middle of 2010, the catalpa tree out behind my office is in full bloom right on schedule, and 234 years ago on this day, Thomas Jefferson submitted the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Congress to be signed two days later, on July 4th.
Every year at this time, I take a few minutes to read te Declaration of Independence. Especially the first couple paragraphs.
A powerful snapshot of the human spirit is captured within this document, and I would be hard pressed to believe that anybody in the whole world did not feel deep down that Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness are birth rights that we all have by simple virtue of being human beings.
That means you. You deserve your freedom, simply by being alive and walking on this earth.
It’s not always popular, but from my view, creating more freedom for individuals is the job of a business, and that is what I am here to do for you today, tomorrow, and always.
But there’s always a catch, right?
The cost of personal freedom is that the more personal freedom you have, the more responsibility you take on.
Which really makes sense when you think about it. Everything in nature balances, so if you can handle the freedom, you can handle the responsibility. And if you can’t…the freedom will vanish like water through your fingers until you can handle it once more.
Being successful, and creating your own freedom can bring a lot of pressures.
Especially time pressure.
Because no matter if you’re running a single person outfit, or you’re leading 100,000 people, there is still only one of you. And let’s face it, there’s never enough time.
And since there’s no way to change that, it’s time to get creative and build on thousands of years of civilization, technology, and machines to extend your reach far beyond what you could to alone.
Here are 4 ways you can Declare Your Independence this 4th:
1. Clean your office, ruthlessly. Sounds strange, right? Without sounding like a feng shui hippy, it’s really as simple as this: Cluttered Office equals Cluttered Mind.
Cluttered Mind equals Cluttered Action. And cluttered, unfocused action creates slow, unfocused results. Half the year is gone! Time to clean and refocus. If it’s older than 6 months, toss it or give it away.
2. Once you can focus again, make sure you’re following the holy grail of marketing. The 3 Ms of Marketing as told to me by Dan Kennedy.
3. Re-Use Your Already Created Offline Marketing Pieces as stories and case studies on your website. You invested time and energy into your marketing – why aren’t they being seen by your website visitors? Recycle, reuse, and repurpose as much of your own hard won content as possible. Tell your story! Here’s the way to do that like a pro.
4. Get A Website Sales System in place to make you money while you sleep. If you can think of a better idea than making money while you sleep, I’d love to hear it. Check out Kevin Thompson’s site that is making him money while he sleeps here.
Every day, I work with a select group of individuals and businesses to create more time and monetary freedom. It’s a great journey to share with you.
Together we make it happen.
Happy Independence Day,
-Wally
PS – If you haven’t read the Declaration of Independence recently, give it shot and let me know how it makes you feel.
PPS – Take a step forward and create more freedom for yourself here.
4 practical things you can do to improve your website
April 23rd, 2009. Filed Under: Internet Business Tips, Online Marketing, Sales Tips, Uncategorized. Tags: Driving Strategy, Matt Furey, Wally, Zen Master
Last night I was on a coaching call with the Zen Master of the
Internet, Matt Furey, and he said something powerful that
slapped me up side the head, and reminded me of something very,
very important. When the Zen master speaks, I listen. Today
I’d like you to do the same.
He reminded us that “Marketing is an endless parade. And, most
people don’t know about you.”
Now there’s something to think about. Because in business, we
spend a lot of time talking to others – giving them our
“elevator speech” and telling them what we do for people, and
just generally telling our story. Fishing for clients, for
customers, for sales.
But the truth is, that even if you network 24/7 – the majority
of the 6 billion plus people on the globe – and the portion of
them who want to buy from you – simply don’t know you exist.
Well, that is a problem! So there’s two things here – one, is
that you can never quit marketing. Even when you want to,
because you’ve already “told your story to everyone”. Two, is
that you’ve never told your story to everyone!
That is why the internet is so powerful. Only by connecting
yourself with enough other people, and serving them – can you
truly get whatever you want out of life. Sometimes you’ll find
these folks across town and sometimes across the globe, but they
need to know who you are, and what you do. And they need to
trust and like you.
The first step is to connect. And that’s where your website
comes in.
Today I wanted to share 4 practical things you can do to improve
your website, so that you can connect with as many people as
possible.
But before I do, a word of warning. Don’t just read these and
toss them aside. If you do that, it won’t matter. Think about
how you’d like to use the web to increase your own business -
and then take action. Without action, it’s all just talk. And
as my elementary school gym teacher used to say, “talk is cheap”.
4 Practical Things You Can Do to Improve Your Website
1. Add a blog
Seems like everyone has a blog these days. There’s a reason.
You can build trust and a worldwide following – people who rely
on YOU – simply by writing down your thoughts. You can double
the power of your email newsletter by adding it to your blog.
Instead of an email that might have sat in somebody’s inbox for
ages, it’s on the web being read and re-read. Find out more
here.
2. Get found by the search engines
If nobody knows you exist, you have problems. You need to ensure
your site is found and that your content is found. The easiest
way to do this is to begin by ensuring that the search engines
find you, and that when they do, they can find the stuff you put
on the web. Simple, but a HUGE first step. Details here.
3. Get more traffic to your website
A couple weeks ago I told you about the importance of numbers.
Here’s a simple math equation for the web:
More traffic = More sales.
It really is that simple. But unfortunately a lot of folks have
these great websites, but no traffic at all. That’s lame.
Here’s the quickest, easiest, (and for the next 72 hours…free)
way to remedy this:
http://www.wallythewebguy.com/services/traffic-driving-04-23-2009.html
Update: This offer is closed. Be sure to stay tuned for a new one soon.
4. Capture contact information
Capturing somebody’s information, and keeping them informed
about what you’re up to, and what you’re offering is the most
powerful thing you can do. I heard one guy call it “follow up
’till they’re dead”. Kinda funny, but it’s super important.
If you’re just beginning on the web, or you’ve been online for
years, it’s the same. You gotta figure out who is interested
in what you’re offering.
No matter where you are in the process, the biggest room of all
is the room for improvement. But to get results requires
action. Take action on one of these four steps, and if I can
help you get there quicker, be sure to get in touch.
Reach for the top,
-Wally
P.S. — Wally, if blogging is so important, where is your blog?
It’s on it’s way. Here’s one that I’ve been working on in
the meantime, for the newest of Wally’s Web Stars:
http://fittolead.com/blog
P.P.S. — Be sure to take advantage of my no-cost Traffic
Driving Strategy session. This is only available for the first
3 lucky people who sign up in the next 72 hours…worth its
weight in gold:
http://www.wallythewebguy.com/services/traffic-driving-04-23-2009.html
Update: This offer is closed. Be sure to stay tuned for a new one soon.
It pays to be different (a story about DEVO)
October 7th, 2008. Filed Under: Success Stories, Uncategorized. Tags: Booji Boy, De Evolution, Dennis Kucinich, DEVO, website sales system
Back before I was born, my parents lived outside Akron, Ohio.
They lived in an area of Ohio known in the seventies for a bunch
of stuff that nobody was proud of.
The Kent State shootings, the shrinking tire and steel
industries, the rivers that were on fire.
Oh, and Dennis Kucinich.
But there was one thing happening in that area that was going on
that I’m really proud of. And that was the creation of one of
the strangest bands ever – DEVO.
You see, before D E V O was a household name, known for their
weird energy domes (um, flowerpots on your head?) and singing
whip it – they were a bunch of guys out of college having fun
with a strange new wave punk sound.
My dad used to play ping pong with one of the guys from the band
- and whip him.
Devo was a word that stood for “De-Evolution” and they built up
a bunch of stories around themselves. They were recruited by
some strange General and his assistant, Booji Boy. I don’t even
remember what their purpose was, if there was even a purpose to
begin with.
The point was that we as humans had devolved instead of
evolved. I’ll leave it up to you to decide.
The great thing about DEVO, whether you like them or not, is
that they’re memorable.
They’ve made a career out of playing strange music, wearing
plastic cups on their head, and fake radiation suits. Laughing
their way to the bank and having a great time on the way.
They have a memorable look, sound, and storyline.
So should you.
And I am sure that you already do. When you spend a number of
years going through life’s experiences, you begin to build up a
back catalog of stories, experience and value that nobody in the
entire universe has. It is unique to you, and whether you know
it or not, people want to hear about it.
Of course, it’s not your job to make everyone like you. But if
you want to be successful, it’s your job to get the word out
about what you’re doing, and to tell your special and unique
story.
If a bunch of dudes from Akron who call themselves DEVO can do
it, so can you.
Reach for the top,
-Wally
P.S. – The best way to get your story out to a huge audience is
through a powerful method called the “website sales system”.
Find out more HERE.
So freaking hard core
September 10th, 2008. Filed Under: Success Stories, Uncategorized. Tags: hard core, RIGHT, Wally
I’m sitting here at the construction site that is my home office
right now, looking out of a brand new set of windows. That
isn’t even the beginning though.
In front of the house is a port-o-john, and a large crane that
is lowering 13 foot diameter pipe sections way down into the
earth – building a better drainage system under the city.
During the workday, the house often shakes as if there was an
earthquake going on, as the workers pound a large piece of metal
far into the ground. The metal acts as a wall that is holding
the dirt in place, to allow the workers some breathing room as
they piece together the largest pipe I’ve seen in my life.
As part of this adventure, Kyle, the guy who put the new windows
into the house today told me a crazy battle story from the old
days, which I had to pass onto you.
He was on a roof, working with his dad. His dad was an ex-drill
sergeant, so needless to say, he is a little intense. But very
focused. Very hard working.
They’re moving right along, putting new shingles onto the roof.
They’re using nailguns to put in row after row of new material,
trying to beat the clock. Then BAM. The sergeant nails RIGHT
THROUGH his own foot.
A normal person would call it a day, head to the doctor. Not
this guy.
He calls for his son “throw me the pry bar so I can get this
thing unstuck”.
He gets the nail out of his own foot, and then with a
combination of a McDonald’s napkin on either side of his foot
and a lot of duct tape, proceeds to put himself back together.
Kinda stops the bleeding, but definitely finishes the roof.
The next day, his foot is swollen and gigantic from the trauma.
He finally goes to the doctor, and gets the help he deserves.
Holy cow, now that is putting in a hard day at work.
Reach for the top,
-Wally
P.S. – Work doesn’t have to be that hard. Find out how to make
life easier while making more money at:
http://www.wallythewebguy.com/
A Tale of Two Ski Areas
July 24th, 2008. Filed Under: Internet Marketing, Traffic Driving, Uncategorized. Tags: aspen, BIG, Jason Wally Waldron, NONE, Ski Conquistador, Traffic Driving
A couple of weeks ago I took the family – my wife and my dog -
on a road trip into a beautiful Colorado valley. It was lined
by 13,000 foot peaks, climbing way above timberline.
Quite a sight.
The bald mountain peaks as far as the eye could see, a green,
lush valley that we were travelling in, and over on the right
hand side, as we drove, the best surpirse of all.
A ski area!
But this wasn’t just any ski area. This was a ski area that my
wife and I – both avid skiers – had never heard of before. And
this suprised us, because we thought we knew where all the ski
areas in Colorado were.
We started to rack our brains.
“Have you ever heard of a ski area around here?”
“It looks pretty new. It’s not overgrown with trees. Why
haven’t we heard of this place before?”
As we hung out in the valley, and got to know the area a little
bit, we started to learn a few things.
First, it was definitely an area that got a lot of snow each
year. So that wasn’t the reason we’d never heard of this place.
Second, the ski area was sitting on national forest land. Just
like most other ski areas. So that wasn’t why we had never
heard of this place.
No, there had to be another reason.
We searched further, and looked on the map. We started to find
some clues.
First of all, there was an abandoned airport in this valley.
Aah – maybe that has something to do with it. Nobody is flying
into this area.
Next, there wasn’t a major highway, or town, anywhere near by.
There’s another big clue.
Finally, this area existed a part of Colorado that didn’t have
very much population.
Now we got it. Have you ever heard of a place called “Ski
Conquistador”?
When it was open, it barely lasted for 10 years.
Avid skiers have never heard of it.
But it looks to be a fine mountain.
So what is the problem?
I can even think of another ski area that fits the same
description.
It sits in a beautiful Colorado valley, on national forest
land. It gets a lot of snow, and is nestled among 13,000 foot
peaks.
You may have heard of it. It’s name? Aspen.
So what made the difference between these two places? One is
known worldwide as a skiers mecca, and the other is lost amongst
the overgrown trees.
There is one BIG difference: Aspen has traffic coming to it,
over and over again, and Conquistador has NONE.
Let me ask you something. Is your website more like Aspen, or more like Ski Conquistador?
If you don’t have a traffic driving strategy in place to get
them to your site, and a follow up strategy to keep them coming
back, I’m willing to bet – you’re more like Ski Conquistador.
Ouch.
I sincerely want you to succeed, and become the Aspen of the
web. No reason to put that great website investment to waste,
where nobody is seeing it.
This month I am offering a special traffic driving strategy
session – normally a $297 value – for free. But only for the
first 3 customers who get in line.
You’ll know where your website visitors are coming from, how to
increase qualified visitors, and how to make them into lifelong
customers.
My wife thinks I’m nuts, because I should be charging well over
$1,000 for this. And I am a little crazy, but at least I’m
crazy about your website.
To get in on this limited time offer, go here NOW.
Reach for the top,
-Jason “Wally” Waldron
P.S. — Success comes to those who blast through the door of
opportunity. Here is your chance.
