Archive for the ‘SEO’ Category
Android. Google Earth. Google Maps. Adwords. Adsense. YouTube. Ad Planner. Google News. Google TV. Chrome. Google Docs. Orkut. Picasa. Knol. G-Mail. Google phone (aka non-virtual hardware). Wave. Google 411. Google Images, etc., etc. etc. You get the idea.
Google. First of all, is Google a “them” or an “it”? For conversation sake here, let’s just call them/it Googzilla.
I just finished reading “Googled – The End of the World as We Know It”. Absolutely fascinating. The author, Ken Auletta, gave an interesting inside view of Google that I would say is mostly unbiased, and certainly daunting when you realize how many things Google has its virtual hand in.
The pervading message throughout the book was Google’s ability to abuse their power and knowledge if they ever choose to do the opposite of their corporate mantra, “Don’t be evil”. Yet this message is countered with the consistent theme from founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, also often chimed by Eric Schmidt (Google’s CEO), that they just want to help make interactive technology a great, user friendly, reliable, relevant, safe resource.
But here’s the twist – every step Google takes to be more useful is often because they’ve learned more about us. For example, search relevance improves via behavioral targeting because they’re watching us closer. Our continued diminishing privacy makes the web more convenient for us. Not to mention that opting out is a lot more complicated than opting in. The trillion dollar question is – do we really care?
It comes down to this simple dividing line. There are those who trust Google and those who don’t. And, as long as there are more that do, Google will continue to grow and own the online world. Could that change? Sure. If they mess up. If I had to bet, I’d say they probably won’t. But then again, in spite of all their algorithms, PhD’s, and rocket scientists, they’re only human.
What do you think?
It’s only Tuesday and it’s already been an interesting week. Depending on what news you listen to or read, the economy might be in store for a “good-but-not-great-and-certainly-cash-not-credit” holiday shopping season. With Black Friday just around the corner, this TED talk by John Gerzema of Young and Rubicam seemed like a timely 16-minute video to show my staff today. So I thought I’d pass it along here. John has a great background in consumer behavior and advertising, along with being co-author of a terrific new book, The Brand Bubble.
True story that happened a couple of weeks ago: Just as I was reading the umpteenth article written by a self-proclaimed “social media guru” a good friend of mine in the industry called to say, “I’m so sick of all these gurus”. Laugh, laugh, chuckle, chuckle, what a coincidence, couldn’t agree more, etc.
I decided to look up the current (i.e. Wikipedia) definition of “guru”, which states “one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others (teacher).” Hmmm, I can remember a few teachers from my past that definitely do not fit that definition, how about you?
As the owner of an agency that has made it through 20 years of transitions in marketing and advertising, I would like to say I know a lot about today’s new world of social media. And, just like most others, I’ve learned what I know through a lot of reading, practice and, yes, failures. But every time I begin to think of myself as a “guru” I pick up a book from Seth Godin, Guy Kawasaki, Chris Brogan, and now Mitch Joel (way to go Mitch!) and I’m instantly humbled back into the position of a never-ending learner. And you know what? That’s perfectly ok.
So why am I writing this? Who cares, you say. I agree. Except for one thing.
If anyone reading this is trying to become more involved in the world of social media so that you can make money in the industry, I encourage you to come every day as a learner. You don’t have to be a guru to work within these new parameters. If it’s all about truth, trust and transparency, then live these characteristics in your own self-promotion. Most of us are not worthy of being called Social Media Gurus, so let’s not weaken this industry’s authority with falsely self-proclaimed titles just because we can.
Remember, if you understand just a little bit about how Linked In, Twitter and Facebook work you’re ahead of most. You can still be helpful, and earn an income from it, if that’s your goal. But if this industry ends up being viewed as nothing more than thousands of self-proclaimed gurus, it will hurt the validity of those who really can use their knowledge, wisdom and authority to guide others.
I’ve got a self-proclaimed title that I’m working on for myself. I want to be a Social Media “Student Teacher.” The only requirement is to come as learner and be passionate about sharing what you’ve been taught. I can do that. Want to join me?
