Dave Morrison Custom Photography

Already Missing Google Reader? Feedly Provides a Familiar Face

gwen@endurancemktg.com — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 15:28:42 -0400

Google announced on its blog last week that it is going to shut down Google Reader this July, due to decreased usage. For Google Reader, “decreased usage” still means hundreds of thousands of users—most of whom have been looking for a replacement service.

Many of those users have found a replacement with Feedly. Shortly after the Google announcement, Feedly announced that they were building a clone of Google Reader. In less than a week's time, the service gained more than 500,000 users. Most analysts expect the service to gain more users in the weeks to come.

Founded by DevHD in 2008, Feedly is a news service that aggregates information from RSS feeds and social media buzz. After the Reader clone announcement, its iOS free news apps become the #1 free news applications for the iPad and iPhone. The service also offers an Android news app through the Google play store, as well as add-ons for Chrome and other browsers.

Best of all for Google Reader users, the service offers a pain-free migration from Reader. The Feedly blog published a blog post today on how to import RSS feeds from Google Reader to Feedly, as well as how to customize each individual user experience.

5-Step Guide to Surviving Panda

gwen@endurancemkrg.com — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:28:58 -0400

Most SEO experts agreed this week that the semi-regular Google Panda Update updated again this past week, just as Google head of Search Quality Matt Cutts promised. Panda has become a regular feature of the Google search landscape, having updated about once a month since February of 2011—often causing considerable chaos when it does.

The effects haven't been quite as dramatic this time as at some times in the past. The first Panda update modified results for almost 12% of search queries. Later updates affected fewer results, but still often had dramatic effects on businesses who generated some or all of their income online.

The original Panda roll-out was meant to penalize sites described as having thing content. Often, these were affiliate sites selling products on commission, or other sites with generic, non-unique content that existed primarily to host advertisements.

Of course, algorithmic processes aren't perfect when it comes to deciding who has quality content and who doesn't. Several legitimate businesses had their sites penalized in Google's search rankings; several perfectly ethical businesses lost large portions of their revenue with various Panda updates.

Now, Google is promising that it will no longer inform webmasters of Panda-style changes to how the search engine works, but will instead rely on rolling updates to the Google search algorithm. These changes will theoretically by less detectable, but also less dramatic.

What's a webmaster—or business owner—to do? Online marketing site Hubspot recently posted this 5-Step Guide to Surviving Panda, useful for experienced SEOs and non-technical business owners alike.

How creative content writing can cater to mobile technology

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 21:45:41 -0500

While many businesses are still undecided about branded apps for mobile users, there’s no denying that rising smartphone and tablet use requires marketers to consider how on-the-go users can access web content and other outreach efforts. Email marketing, for example, is a top mobile web activity. Without developing a whole new campaigns, brands can leverage well-written digital content and target consumers’ inboxes, offering up-to-date news, coupons and genuine B2C or B2B interaction.

How Facebook’s new News Feed rewards good content marketing

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 18:43:58 -0500

Facebook dave has just announced its new and improved News Feed, which will roll out to a small percentage of users in the next few days, before a more widespread launch. The updated News Feed focuses on three principles: Richer stories, choice feeds and a consistent user interface across devices. The update creates a more personalized content experience, making it easier for people to find stories relevant to them. What does this mean for social marketing? Brand Pages will need to be fueled with engaging and relevant updates to get products and services in front of the right people online – and the rewards are better than ever for companies that deliver.

Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, GA

dbmphotos@hotmail.com — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 12:34:44 -0500

The Georgia Aquarium in HDR, taken at night, during the winter time.

A Wall of Wine Bottles

dbmphotos@hotmail.com — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 11:13:00 -0500

Taken at a North Georgian Winery, this wall of wine bottles is behind the long bar as you walk in, where the wine tastings are held.

Wine Glasses

dbmphotos@hotmail.com — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 12:35:22 -0500

Wine glasses in a row along the bar ready for a wine tasting