Japan’s Nuclear Issues, Obama, US Launches Military Action Against Libya, Is No News Bad News? SES: What your business can learn from silence and social media

Posted by Salem Global on Mar 22, 2011

Our sympathies continue to go out to close to 10,000 dead as a result of last week’s tsunami off the coast of Japan. I also heard that another 12,000 are missing. That doesn’t sound good.

The fact that nuclear reactors are melting and sending radiation into the earth and air mean problems for everyone near the reactor, in Japan, close to Japan and around the world. My understanding of the situation is that all of these workers were trying to save the reactor because its not only worth billions of dollars but also generates billions of dollars every year. It probably saves the country billions in energy costs as well. Not to mention how the military uses nuclear plants is beyond me. Regardless, these are the stories you will not hear on the evening news. Various bloggers and pundits will give their opinions but no one really knows what’s going on except the government and the people on the ground. Good luck to all of us seeing how this will all fallout. We know what happened in Chernobyl 25 years later and its not pretty. Of course you have to go down the mountain to go up the next one. We as a world will globally understand more about earthquakes, tsunamis and their relationship to our environment after this tragedy.

And then there is Libya. Who knows what’s going on there? All of a sudden Obama wakes up one day and decides that enough is enough. Come on people. Why do we pick and choose who to pick on, who to deal with and when do we turn our cheeks?

Thanks to social media and the Internet we have a better understanding of what is going on behind the scenes. Now that everyone has a cellphone with a camera built in we can get news instantly.

So I ask the question; Is no news good news or bad news? Clearly if civilians and reporters (who skew the news anyway) can’t get to a scene, there is something missing.

SES – search engine strategies is the trade show for my industry. Internet marketing at its finest. Software, hardware, marketing companies. You name it, we are all in New York, NY this week at the Hilton Hotel at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Wanna meet? Just email me and lets get together. Want to know more about me, my company, internet strategies, social media and lead generation? Give us a call at 212-222-3292.

Virtual Desktops With Ace IT SOLUTIONS, Japan Tsunami, Rebecca Black Friday, Worst Song Ever, Corey Worthington Delaney House Parties: What your business can learn from viral news and preparedness

Posted by Salem Global on Mar 15, 2011

Our hearts go out to all of the people that are suffering due to the latest world disaster; the Tsunami in Japan. If you search the following “relief for japan tsunami”

http://www.google.com/search?q=relief+for+japan+tsunami you will get sponsored ads by global relief organizations that will donate money, food and anything necessary to helping the victims and everyone and everything related. Just a quick note to non-profits, these organizations don’t pay for their listings. Google has a non profit grant program located at: http://www.google.com/grants/ . It is Google’s way of giving back and I think it’s awesome. Never before in the history of the world has a medium been able to gather people, efforts and donations to help a cause on a global scale. The internet with all of its evils and negatives has to be recognized as this incredible positive tool by which more can be done faster than ever before. The flow of information and funds was simply never possible prior to the commercialization of the Internet. Growing up in the 70′s we would see TV programs, commercials and infomercials, news programs and the like regarding a national or global disaster, but the Internet allows every man, woman and child on the planet with access to be informed, educated and motivated to act. Once again, the Internet has trumped TV, radio and print as the ultimate medium that is interactive, re-active and of course pro-active.

You will notice that organizations are calling for funds for children, earthquake relief, homeless, medical care, clothing, food and the list goes on etc. etc. Please give what you can and aid in any way that you can. The world will be a better place if we all are able to do our part.

And though there is tragedy in the world, life and business move forward…

I wanted to bring to your attention a great webinar that my friend Warren Finkel at http://www.AceITS.net will sponsoring tomorrow regarding Virtual Desktops and how to make desktop virtualization a reality in your company. How desktops and applications can be delivered as a service to any user, on any device — laptop, Mac®, iPhone®, BlackBerry®, iPad® etc. Details here: http://aceits.net/citrix-partners.aspx?svpage=products_desktop&sid=f8f909755de87f9622ac70f57cb335e5#

It’s all about preparing your office and your desktop or your “virtual” office for the ease and demands of the new wired (and wireless) world. I highly recommend it.

And since the news has been so heavy for the past week, I thought I would end on a very light note of what goes viral on the web and what you can do about it…

Corey Worthington Delaney promoted a house party at his parents’ house while they were on vacation in Australia on MySpace. As a result of the 500 people that attended, dozens of police officers, a helicopter and the dog squad had to be called in to restore the peace. Corey became a notorious celebrity but then was fined $20,000 in damages to neighbors property and cars and the like. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/party-pest-starts-to-pocket-riches/story-e6frf7kx-1111115335114

But then when interviewed on live television, the reporter/ anchor asked him to apologize and he wouldn’t. He also wouldn’t remove his sunglasses. Talk about badass! This kid is trouble. Then again, he might make much much more than the $20k he owes doing party and club promotion. Here is the interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm61svN4U5g (over 1.5 million views)

But wait, there is ALWAYS more… Innocently, a 16 year old girl also posted her party to facebook and over 200,000 people said they would be attending! But do not go the party… Not only will her father be waiting there for you, so will the police. The party has been canceled. http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/australian-teens-party-draws-180-000-on-facebook-91792

And lastly, when your video on Youtube gets over 5.6 million views, you might not have the best song or video, but you might make some money and get a few laughs… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD2LRROpph0&feature=player_embedded My favorite quote’s are from Yahoo: http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/videogaga/71429/is-youtube-sensation-rebecca-blacks-friday-the-worst-song-ever/ like “is this real or is it just an SNL short?” Good luck Rebeca Black wherever you are…. whatever day it is. Maybe Friday?

Want to know more about my own bad viral videos and internet marketing strategies? Call Raphi Salem today at 888-578-6732 or email info@salemglobal.com and we can talk about it.

Google Farmer, March Madness, Fastest Tennis Serve, St. Patricks Day: What your business needs to do online right now – fast!

Posted by Salem Global on Mar 8, 2011

Has anyone noticed their search engine rankings have dropped? Well guess what? Mine haven’t! You know why? Because I started building my websites in 1997 and have been building consistently since day one. Sure I have taken off a week here and a month there. But altogether I have worked according to Google standards (even though my own company preceded Google…. ok ok fine fine – so they are BILLIONS of dollars ahead of me in the Internet game. I am ok with that. Just as long as my share of the pie is coming

And just for the record, for the following keywords we dominate the first page of Google results in the 1st, 8th and 9th position: “website marketing ny”

“ny website marketing” 1,6 and 9

“internet marketing ny” #1

“ny internet marketing” #1

There are five things that will determine your search engine ranking. And guess what? You don’t have to be the Chief scientist or engineer at Google to know them. They are:

- Your keywords in your domain name (Though SalemGlobal.com doesn’t say “website” or “internet” or “marketing” or “NY,” I have other domain names that do

- How many pages you have indexed by Google: Search “site: www.salemglobal.com” in google. You should see 637 results.

- How many links are recognized by Google: Search “link: www.salemglobal.com ” in google. You should see 62 results.

- The history of your domain name: We started using our domain name in 1997

- Meta data properly optimized with keywords: Here is our title:

Bonus: The location from where you are searching will also be a factor. We are in New York, NY and that is where we rank highest.

But we also add content weekly to our website. This shows google we are alive and kicking.

But enough about me and Google. Let’s talk about our latest client: http://www.QueensFamilyDental.com/ . Not only are they in Queens (see, http://QueensDentist.net/ ) but they have two locations: http://AstoriaDentist.net/ and http://FlushingDentist.us/ . Now they will get more leads due to our strategies. So what business or profession are you in?

I know Charlie Sheen is still trending and still being talked about. You would think that he alone is participating in March Madness…. but he isn’t. I am not a huge basketball fan but I know you are. What interests me more is the fastest tennis serve ever… 157 miles per hour. Do you realize how fast that is? Oh – you do? Well – try driving that speed and see if you get caught. Just don’t get hurt and tell the cops I told you to try it. Better to go on the discovery channel or one of those reality shows and do it in a safe environment with a crash test dummy. Anyway – congratulations to the 6’10″ Croat Ivo Karlovic for setting the new world record. But as this blog states, its not the speed that counts, its the placement that will ace your opponent: http://www.sportsgrid.com/media/ivo-karlovic-fastest-serve-in-tennis-history-video/

And that’s what I have been trying to tell you all along. Consistency and placement win the search engine optimization and Internet marketing game. It’s a slow brew over a long time that gets you results. You have to work at it but if your competitors don’t stick with it you will get there…

Want to know more about my tennis serve and lead generation techniques and strategies? Call Raphi Salem today at 888-578-6732 or email info@salemglobal.com and we can talk about it.

Reputation Management, Charlie Sheen, Muammar Gaddafi, Natalie Portman, Christian Dior: What your business can learn from the Red Carpet and your local bar

Posted by Salem Global on Mar 2, 2011

Has anyone noticed that Muammar Gaddafi and Rick James look very much alike? Same hair style, skin color. You tell me.

I will tell you that that someone named Charlie Sheen might not look like Gaddafi, but according to this British website, they have a lot in common. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/quiz/2011/mar/01/muammar-gaddafi-charlie-sheen-quiz

And since all of that commonality is negative, I figured today I would recommend them both to attend a panel on which I will be speaking, all about reputation management from legal and what you can do about it perspectives.

Reputation management comes in various shapes, forms and sizes and can be relevant to individuals and businesses alike. Ok – I guess it can be relevant to idiotic actors and dictators also. Now I can understand ruling a country with an iron fist. Throughout history we have witnessed the Machiavellian way of running your country. Fear vs. Love. That’s what it’s all about. If someone in your kingdom doesn’t like you, you get rid of them. You say your people are unhappy with your policies. Throw them in jail. People talking badly about you as a Monarch? Off with their heads. History repeats itself and evil leaders can still do what they want. But in 2011, now you have to deal with the internet.

Sure. Back in the days of the French Revolution, it was easy to say “off with their heads.” But now with video cameras on everyone’s phone and YouTube, word spreads around too quickly for a dictator to get away with current shenanigans.

So I know how Gaddafi deals with revolution. Old school. He gets out his secret police and sends people off to jail, prison or simply gets rid of them.

Charlie Sheen on the other hand is a lowly American actor. Sure he comes from a family of greats. (Martin Sheen – Apocalypse Now, Emilio Estevez – The Breakfast Club) And he was making millions on his most recent TV hit Two and Half Men. But some people just can’t deal with success. So they go on a drug induced sex spree and throw it all away. Charlie, get thyself to rehab. Become friends with Brittany Spears and Lindsay Lohan and create a support group. Oh – and hire my firm to do some reputation management.

But lets say you aren’t an actor and you are a simple designer at Christian Dior like John Galliano. Once again, try not to get drunk and play all anti-Semitic Mel Gibson on us. People will think you are insane and you will be fired… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GngFQLo8rIY&feature=related And the best part of this guy’s ignorance is that homosexuals would’ve been murdered during the holocaust as well. I also just learned that Anti-Semites can get up to six months in jail in France. Oh – and on top of everything else – if you are working with the same company where Best Actress of 2011 Natalie Portman just won an Academy Award, don’t be knocking her heritage.

Ok – so lets say you aren’t in the spotlight or an academy award winning red carpet actor, or sports star (OJ Simpson, Tiger Woods, Michael Vic) dictator or artist, but you have made transgressions in the past. Let’s say you “cooked the books” in a financial deal. Let’s say you were desperate for money. Or you forgot your license at home while driving over the speed limit. Or how about you forgot that dog fighting was illegal.  Or even being in the wrong place at the wrong time. And sometimes other people are just mean and write nasty things about you or dispute a bill you sent them for services rendered. The person posting these might be completely out of their mind!

WHAT – What is Reputation Management?

Search Engine Reputation Management (or SERM) tactics are often employed by companies to proactively shield their brands from damaging content brought to light through search engine queries. Some use these same tactics reactively, in attempts to minimize damage inflicted by inflammatory (or “flame”) websites (and weblogs) launched by consumers and, as some believe, competitors. Given the increasing popularity and development of search engines, these tactics have become more important than ever. Consumer generated media (like blogs) has amplified the public’s voice, making points of view – good or bad – easily expressed.

Search Engine Reputation Management strategies include Search engine optimization (SEO) and Online Content Management. Because search engines are dynamic and in constant states of change and revision, it is essential that results are constantly monitored.

WHO – To Whom is Reputation Management relevant?

Quick answer: Everyone.

WHY – Why is this relevant to me?

Even though you might not have done anything wrong, you might find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or you might even have the same name as someone else that did do something wrong.

HOW – How can we combat negativity on the Internet?

A) Control your own social media – get your own Facebook, LinkedIn and twitter accounts. Though these are the main ones, get the minor ones too. Get a YouTube account. Yahoo. Google. Anything in the top 10 – 100 sites that deal with social media should be under your control.

B) Control and take over your own name. Ok – if you are John Smith, you might have a problem. But if you are John StringGuitarSongMan then you have a better chance. And remember the five golden rules of domain purchasing

1) Buy your name DOT COM, DOT ORG and DOT NET, other extensions too.

2) Variations of your name. JonnyPlaysGuitarSongMan

3) Remember your location, city, country. JoeShmoNY, NYC, New York etc.

4) Include your product or service. John StringGuitarSongManPlaysWeddings.com

5) Include the year. JonnyPlaysGuitarSongMan2011.com

C) Build real websites at those domain names and update them as often as you can. Maybe not daily or weekly. But maybe monthly or quarterly. Certainly annually.

D) Hire a great local PR firm that knows you, your industry, can make you a positive superstar by boasting your positive professional, charity and community work

And the best thing you can do is come to the following event:

Online Reputation Management Event: March 3, 2011

What can you do when your business is under attack by competitors who are defaming you, your products and services, buying your trademarks as keywords, or copying your intellectual property?

Date and time: March 3, 6pm

Location: Sheraton Hotel, Tarrytown NY10530

Members: $40, Non-members: $48.

Register by emailing: info@acw.org

-OR-

Register and Pay Here:

http://onlinereputationmgmteventswestchester.eventbrite.com/

Want to know more about managing and maintaining your reputation online? SalemGlobal can help. Call Raphi Salem today at 888-578-6732 or email info@salemglobal.com and we can talk about it.