Mainstream Media’s New Source For News, Opinion, And Content Is The Blogosphere

Blogburst blog contributor Daysha gets all the credit for writing a very compelling article on how the relationship between bloggers and the mainstream media is an ever changing landscape. Her fine piece “Blogger’s Influence on Print Media” was the impetus for this snapshot into the evolution of the blogosphere

Daysha’s research was based on a report by Cision billed as the “leading global provider of media monitoring, research, distribution, and evaluation services for PR professionals” released an article July 17 that “demonstrates the growing influence of blogs in the mainstream print media.”

The findings support the premise that mainstream media organizations and their writers mention and utilize blogs for their own stories and content generation. Simply put “we” are viable and important, and in many cases, more relevent than many mainstream media organizations

Discovery

1. “The Top 20 national magazines and newspapers mentioned blogs and bloggers 13,066 times in the one-year period ending June 30, 2008, according to Cision”

2. 2004 total year long mentions of “blogs” and “bloggers” totaled 795 times

3. 2005 total year long mentions of “blogs” and “bloggers” totaled 2,179 times

Mainstream Media Importance

“The stunning growth in blogger influence magnifies the importance of employing common sense when contacting bloggers”, according to Cision Executive V.P. Peter Granat

1. PR firm Brodeur Partners reported that in a January 2008 Survey the following results:

*Of 178 journalist contacted “57 percent said they read blogs at least two to three times per week”

*18% of journalist said “they spend at least one hour per day reading them (blogs)”

Ultimate EyeOpener

1. PRWeek/PR Newswire Media Survey revealed:

*40% of participating journalists employ blogs to find content topics for stories

Analysis

The mainstream media and it’s writers are recognizing the value of blogs as viable research tools, sources of new information, places to immediately measure reader opinion, and as a testing ground for their own opinions

What this means to bloggers:

1. Credibility with public and media

2. Media related exposure to mainstream media writers and editors

3. Possible mainstream media collaboration with writers

4. Recognition by public and professionals

5. Solidify Web 2.0 collaboration as the media platform for now and the future

6. Global Reach to a world wide audience

7. Instant measurability

8. Advertising monetization platform

9. Business marketing platform

10. Joint Branding opportunities

“Hyper Local” Blog Strategy Is Realtor’s #1 Weapon Of Mass Introduction

The following is a brief description and outline for Realtors to consider when formulating strategies for their blogging efforts, considering SEO tactics, and preparing an action plan for their next generation online marketing campaign.

What Is Hyper Local Content?

Hyper local content is content that describes a community’s characteristics, assets, and overall climate. It is a method of blogging that produces a wide variety of information about a community not restricted to real estate subjects.

Hyper Local Content Topic Examples

Schools; Political scene; Dining; Parks; Festivals; New businesses; Local businesses; Concerts; weather; community services; non profits, charities; local heros; historical buildings; WiFi access; coffee houses; public transportation; city planning; sports teams; where are they now segments; and the list goes on and on

How about this for hyper local content: Realtor John Harper’s brother Craig and friends jam for fun and profit

Why Is It Important?

1. Become an expert on your area

2. Perception as community go-to source of information

3. Search Engine Optimization on multiple topics provides exposure during multiple topic searches

What Does It Mean To Your Blog?

1. Never ending source of content

2. Well rounded content

3. Internal linking strategy

4. Multiple subjects provides multiple “Guest Contributors” possibilities

5. Opportunities to provide exposure to community businesses, citizens, and policies

Hyper Local Blogging “Superstars”

1. Teresa Boardman St.PaulRealestateblog.com

2. Kevin Boer 3oceansrealestate.com

3. John Harper theharperteam.com

CSIX Silicon Valley Employment Networking Group Invites Wanda Ross To Speak

CSIX Silicon Valley’s premiere resource for employment information and networking provided yet another information rich, talented speaker to their July 15 meeting: Wanda Ross. Ms Ross is an executive recruiter with many years of experience both in Silicon Valley and overseas. Her workshop “Marketing Yourself with a Powerful Resume-Top Ten Tips from an Executive Search Professional was packed with valuable advice. Thanks go to CSIX Founder Hamid Saadat, Barbod Varjavandi, and Nobuko Isomata!

Top 10 Tips

1. Your Resume is a Marketing Tool: 20 seconds to a good impression
2. Believe in Yourself: positive energy equals positive results
3. Be Honest But Be Wise: Always be honest
4. Have a Clear Focus: Clearly indicate what you are seeking, job title at top of resume
5. Emphasize Your Accomplishments: Highlight actions and quantify results with numbers
6. Keep it Simple and Succinct: only the most relevant data, use bullet points
7. Use Powerful Action Verbs: specific action verbs nothing vague
8. Provide Helpful Information: company descriptions
9. Create a Powerful Summary: How are you different from others?
10. Edit, edit, edit: remove all words that do not add value, check spelling

Attendees with Expertise

1. Barbod Varjavandi– An irrepressible charismatic man with fantastic communication skills, Barbod’s expertise includes: Engineering Operations; Software Engineering; Product Management; Release Engineering; Information Technology. Barbod is the type of person every organization should have in order to prosper. Contact Barbod at barbod@varjavandi.com and 408 802-9120

2. Nobuko Isomata– Nobuko is such a joyful intelligent woman. She is fluent in English and Japanese and her background specialty is Asian Market Entry and Product Launch. Her consulting services, Market Entry Experts, provides a full array of market to market management and strategy. Contact Nobuko at nobuko@marketentryexperts.com and (650) 922-1786 or 240-0460

3. David Markowitz- Artfoundry, David has extensive experience in 3D Character Design, Fine Art, and Game Design. David would be a valuable asset to any progressive firm. Contact David at dave@artfoundry.com

4. Say Soukammenth- A wonderful man with a background multiple subjects of expertise with 10 years of DOD Projects, 10 years of Web Technology, 4 years of Medical Devices experience, and management experience. Contact Say at SaySouk@hotmail.com

5. Cecilia Toy- Celcilia has 15 years of experience in Order Management, Material Planning and Control, as well as Inventory Management. She has a delightful smile and will work well in a supportive environment. Contact Cecilia at CeciliaSToy@gmail.com

6. James T. Fahey- James substance factor is as a Product Marketing Manager and Product Manager. For more information reference James Linkedin profile at linkedin.com/in/jamesfahey or jamestfahey@gmail.com

7. Susan Siegel-Susan is an intelligent communicator who I only had a moment to connect with at our meeting. She impressed me as well spoken and hard working in her approach to business and networking. Susan can be contacted at smsiegel1@aol.com or (415) 602-1120

8. Bill Gascoyne-A man of substance he is an ASIC Engineer, a corporate technical trainer, and an amateur Physics lover. Bill is the type of guy who can train and relate to an audience of experts, hold their attention, and most important of all–be effective communicating complex theory in the most effective manner. Contact Bill at bill@billgascoyne.name and 408 497-5682

9. David Strom-David is a Technical Writer with expertise in API, software, and digital video. David’s strength is not only his substance factor but as an effective communicator through both the spoken and written word. Contact David at davestrom@mac.com and www.davestrom.com

10. Oliver Barrett-Oliver has experience and substance factor as a Electro-Optical Test Engineer. He has 10+ years design/development experience, electronic and optical instrument programming, and test software methodology development. Email Oliver at orbs@triangulum.net

11. Linda Alejandro-Dumont-Linda has 10+ years Human Resources and Organizational Development experience in a large well known Silicon Valley firm. Email Linda at lindaadumont@gmail.com

12. Ken Weidner-Ken has 10+ years as a credit analyst in Silicon Valley. His experience would be a benefit to any firm looking for proven expertise. Email Ken at kaweid@pacbell.net

CSIX meetings are held every Tuesday from 10:30-1:30 at the iRestaurant at 20007 Stevens Creek Blvd in Cupertino

Inner Architect And Life Pioneer Randy Pausch Gone But Never Forgotten

Reuters.com published this deansguide article July 26, 2008

Why is Randy Pausch one of the most important people you could ever listen to in your life? He is the essence of living your dream, deconstructing and obliterating obstacles, and if there was a picture next to the word “courage” in the dictionary it would be Randy’s picture. I never knew the man personally but I feel like he is my friend–just a friend I had not met yet.

Life Pioneer

Randy Paush was a life pioneer, an inner architect of the truest sense, who valued and coveted his time here like nobody I have ever witnessed. You can not help but be touched or greatly effected by Randy Pausch. If you watch his greatest triumph the last lecture the youtube video of his final lecture “Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” performed September 18, 2007 before a packed house at Carnegie Mellon University, you begin to understand the message: live life embrace your obstacles and triumph through your will

Words can not express our sorrow and sympathy for the Pausch family and Randy’s friends. Stay strong Randy would want that from every one of you.

Google Updates “Keyword Tool”: “Significantly Improve Your Keyword Research Ability”

FoxBusiness.com published this deansguide article July 25, 2008

Google’s Adwords “Keyword Tool” is one of the cool relatively new tools you can utilize when formulating your keywords, keyphrases, and longtail search terms. A simple tool to utilize, Keyword Tool is like having a brainstorming session or idea think tank consulting firm at your finger tips.

The Cool Features: How Would You Like To Generate Your Keywords?

1. Option #1: Descriptive words or phrases; choose this option when searching for keywords like “green tea”

2. Option #2: Website content: choose this option to find website keywords like http://www.deansguide.wordpress.com

Pick Your Language

Mind boggling extensive list of languages from Urdu and Togalog to English and Slovak; and countries from Burkina Faso and Burundi to Yemen and Zimbabwe give anyone globally the opportunity to hone in on their keyword targeting

The Numbers: Actual Figures For Search Terms

Google now returns for your keyword query the following categories of information:

Our keyword search was “San Rafael real estate”

1. Advertiser Competition shows a bar graph for competitiveness for each keyword

2. Approximate Search Volume for the month (June) 9,900 searches

3. Approximate Average Search Volume per month 8,100 searches

4. Keywords Related to your search terms, their strength of advertiser competition and all realted numbers

5. Additional Keywords To Consider gives you closely related keywords and keyword phrases further adding to your research

The Reviews

1. Searchenginepeople.com ,a fantastic resource site, Paul authored the following review:

“Simply type in your keyword and you can see a long list of related keywords with approximate search volumes for those keywords as well! You can even customize the results with this tool: everything from the location (country) of your keyword results to finding out which month had the highest search volumes.

“In short, the tool rocks and it instantly makes keyword research way easier and much more efficient!”

2. SEO Revolutions’ Jerry West:

“In short, Google’s update to their Keyword Tool will SIGNIFICANTLY improve your keyword research ability. Review how in just four minutes with the screen shots, commentary and (steps in post) test results

“Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”: How Do Consumers Evaluate Bank’s “Statement of Condition” Advertising Plea?

Today’s banking industry climate, with mortgage meltdown disasters laying waste to financial institution books, demands consumers pay attention and perform due diligence before depositing their hard earned monies. The following ad has a unintended “Enron” feel to it in my opinion.

In what may become a defense mechanism brought on by the IndyMac Bank failure and “run” lines reminiscent of the stock market crash of 1929, local small bank Luther Burbank Savings of Northern California has gone on a reputation management campaign in local print media. The campaign has a simple message–we are solvent and in good shape therefore don’t be afraid to deposit money with us.

“Statement of Condition”

This is an advertisement comprised of a letter to customers touting the “exceptional year 2007 was for the bank with deposit growth of 24%. The statement also addresses the bank’s 25th Anniversary and how “relationships developed. . . are among our most rewarding results.”

Assets

This section of the add gives a accounting line item breakdown as follows:

1. Cash & Securities: $14,569,000

2. Loans Receivable: $2,968,032,000

3. Other Assets: $69,430,000

Bottom Line= $3,052,031,000

Liabilities & Capital

Deposits: $2,129,633,000

FHLB Advances: $642,811,000

Other Liabilities: $21,126,000

Capital: $258,461,000

Bottom Line= $3,052,031,000

Note-Disclaimer :The ad features in tiny print the disclaimer as follows: “This unaudited statement is prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.“

Analysis

Does this disclaimer really mean that they can twist the numbers in any fashion legally to make them look more solvent? Is this institution fooling itself? Fooling consumers? Or is this a form of advertisement we will see moving forward for every banking institution?

In my opinion this type of advertisement, in the face of the Enrons and cooked books business culture we have suffered through in the past, is nothing more than meaningless fluff.

Why fluff? Because for this ad to have ANY validity they should have two independent accounting firms, with no PRIOR contract work with Luther Burbank, conduct separate audits for transparent and objective information. That would be the only believable scenario in my opinion

“Green Economy” Powerhouse Van Jones To Speak At Commonwealth Club In San Francisco

Van Jones

Van Jones is one of the most powerful men in the drive to bring economic relief and prosperity to inner city citizens through the new opportunities growing out of the green movement.

Green for All founder Van Jones and California State Senator Darrell Steinberg team up with the Commonwealth Club of California’s INFORUM division to present “Who’s Building The New Green Economy?” This discussion is characterized as a “timely discussion about the intersection of environment and economy.”

Real Estate Professionals and Affiliates

For any mortgage broker, Realtor, broker, builder, or construction affiliates this discussion will shed light on where the profits are going, the funding is being spent, and the niches that are being created.

Place

The Commonwealth Club, commonwealthclub.org, 595 Market Street, San Francisco

Date and Time

Thursday July 24, 2008 6:00pm

3 Feng Shui Tips For Aligning Your Home With Your Vision: Energy We Allow To Surround Us Is As Influential as Vitamins To Our Physical Body

FoxBusiness published this deansguide article July 23, 2008

Who is Susan Hanshaw? She is an author and Founder of Inner Architect and Inner Architect Media the publishing arm to her personal development firm.

Who is Dean Guadagni? I am her business director, editor, and agent. Throughout the time I have partnered with Susan, she has written some impacting (The power of making a strong, immediate impression) articles that have been the platform for her workshops.

As a featured guest on Martha Stewart Living Radio Network show “Career Talk” hosted by Maggie Mistal, Susan addressed her own transition and change from a very successful corporate position as a V.P. of a Direct Marketing firm to that of entrepreneur small business owner.

The article below is a short article Susan wrote with 3 easy to remember tips that you have HEARD before. Why is it so different to what you heard in the past? Pay attention to the “green.”

————————————

“The other day I sat in on a presentation about the basics of Feng Shui by my charismatic French friend, Sabine Lamoureux. In a very simple way, it changed the way I think about the environment that surrounds me every day. Sabine helped me to see that the energy that we allow to surround us is as influential as the vitamins that we feed our physical bodies. It fuels our moods and acts as a mirror for how we see ourselves. Without this awareness we can sabotage our greatest desires.

Tips for aligning your home with your vision:

1. Eliminate clutter. It keeps you bogged down with the energy of your past. To make room in your life for new opportunities, you have to make space in your physical energy field.
   
2. Get rid of what doesn’t feel good in your environment. It decreases your level of positive energy.
   
3. Create an environment that expresses what you want to experience. This isn’t about buying things. It is about surrounding yourself with simple things that represent what you want to achieve, create or become.

Photo courtesy ebay

Okun Indicted On 27 Counts: Is Okun On Suicide Watch?

Ed Okun and accomplice Lara Coleman, somebody the mystery caller mentioned months ago as “going down”, face a 27 count indictment as handed down and reported by Gerald McHale this past week. The indictment laundry list of counts:

1. Wire and Mail Fraud Conspiracy: Count 1
2. Money Laundering Conspiracy: Count 2
3. Wire Fraud: Counts: 3-15 (1343)
4. Mail Fraud: Counts: 16-18 (1341)
5. Money Laundering: Counts 19-21 18 USC & (1956 (a) (1) (A) (i))
6. Money Laundering: Count 22 18 USC & (1956 (a) (1) (B) (i))
7. Money Laundering: Counts 23-25 USC & (1957)
8. Bulk Cash Smuggling: Count 26 31 USC & 5332
9. False Declaration: 18 USC & 1623

In the face of this indictment, the fact reported by Mark Heschmeyer that one of his buildings (Shreveport) has natural gas deposits valued at $30-60million-something he can’t touch, and the possible collapse of his marriage and network of friends, it is rumored that Ed Okun has been placed on suicide watch.

Here is one of the only pictures available on the internet of Ed Okun (far right) during a press conference announcing the sponsorship agreement with Foyt Racing. Photo courtesy of Foyt Racing.

Note: This conference was in 2006 long before it was public news that Ed Okun’s wealth was derived from the ponzi scheme known as 1031 Tax Group and affiliates:

Women’s Business Advantage: Women’s Networking Organizations Fastest Growing Trend In America

One of the biggest misunderstandings in establishing new business, lead generation, and gaining valuable exposure is the advent of niche referral groups. Although these groups, like BNI (poorly named in my opinion), can be effective for many people, they lack the basic most powerful component-networking. Networking is not handing out unqualified, poorly connected, referral slips for a one time shot at connecting. Networking is creating, over time, a relationship that will attract business.

One of the biggest secrets that really isn’t a secret is how active woman business owners have become in networking off line in the real world. Women-centric networking groups outnumber men’s groups by a wide margin in our Northern California region and I suspect it to be the case in many parts of the country.

Important Note

You do not have to limit your networking to industry specific organizations or groups. Stretch out and aim to meet community leaders, political leaders, and other top notch organizations in your area

The following is a list of women-centric networking groups who support women business owners, provide fantastic exposure, great connectivity, and resources:

1.National Assoc. of Women Business Owners: NAWBO is a national organization with pull

2.Women’s Council of Realtors: WCR has many fantastic industry specific resources

3.Women in Consulting: WIC provides a great measuring stick for fee structuring, training, and resources

4. Schiff Hardin Networking Group: SH LLP is a regional organization with power

5. Webgrrls International: Webgrrls has 100 chapters around the country

6. American Business Women’s Assoc: ABWA is a stalwart in networking

7. American Assoc of University Women: a great chance to reconnect with alumni

8. Commercial Real Estate Women: CREW is another solid choice

9. National Assoc For Female Executives: NAFE is anther source of powerful executive women

10. Women in Housing and Finance: WHF is another source of partnership opportunities

More resources go to this link for 29 more organizations