Archive: November 2007

Nov
29

Is Wikipedia Really Worthy of #1 in Google?

I’ve been immersing myself into the world of search engine marketing lately. One of the very first things I did was “Google” the term: “search engine marketing.” I was simply curious who made the top 10 listings in the industry where they teach you how to make the top 10 listings.

The first listing: Wikipedia’s page for the term “search engine marketing.” Search for “podcasting” and you get the same thing: the Wikipedia page for the term: “podcasting.”

The problem is, neither of those results deserve to be number one. I know what search engine marketing is. I know what podcasting is. If I know enough to type in the term, I know enough to know what the basic definition is. And I couldn’t care less about the history of the term.

I would guess that most people who type in those terms are not looking for definitions or history. They, like myself, are looking for help in the subject. The first listing should be the best “how to” article available, with the next 100 listings being a close second. Until Wikipedia starts listing resources and outbound links to great sites that answer the “how to” question, Google is wasting my time by making them them #1.

Nov
29

Does having Wi-Fi turned on with the iPhone speed up battery drain?

I’m curious if anyone has any experience with the battery drain speed of the iPhone when it has Wi-Fi on all the time vs. not having it on. Basically I’m looking for either scientific or unscientific tests (or even anecdotal evidence) that shows:

1) Battery use time until re-charge necessary WITH Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on all the time
1) Battery use time until re-charge WITHOUT Wi-Fi and BlueTooth on
2) Battery use time until re-charge with just Wi-Fi on
3) Battery use time until re-charge with just Bluetooth on

Nov
29

Taking VC Money - Where Does It All Go?

AdBrite, an Internet advertising company, has raised $23,000,000 according to PaidContent.org. Om Malik is saying it’s probably not the last infusion. The company raised $4 million in 2004 and $6 million in 2006 for a grand total of $35,000,000 to date. My only question: where the heck does all this money go?

I can see this kind of money would be necessary for something like a startup pharmaceutical company, where the cost of entering the game in both equipment and specialized knowledge is astronomical. But an Internet company? I just don’t see why so much is necessary. After four years, shouldn’t the company be making enough to fund it’s own growth?

I can’t imagine the first investors who put in the initial $4 million are pleased. If I’m missing something here, please let me know. But this news just solidifies the fact that I just don’t get the VC world.

Nov
21

How NOT To Handle Email Unsubscribes

I just unsubscribed from British Airway’s email marketing messages - for the second time - so who knows if this is actually working. After I clicked on the unsubscribe link, I was taken to a page where I have to choose which country site to go to. Huh? Then after choosing the USA site, I’m presented with a form where I have to type in my email address. Why in the world should I have to type in my email address? Anyway, after doing so and clicking Submit, the confirmation page says:

Thank you. We have received your request to unsubscribe from British Airways Group special offer emails. Please allow 10 working days for this to be completed.

Ten working days??? Are you kidding me? What on earth could possibly take two weeks to accomplish?  TNC New Media has about 1/10,000th of BA’s annual revenue and we have an automated one-click unsubscribe function in our email newsletters.

Give me a break, British Airways. This ain’t 1995.

Nov
19

Think Your Idea is Too Niche? Think Again…

I just finished talking to a reporter from one of the tradeshow and conference magazines about how to research starting a new event.  One of the things I mentioned was making sure your event was highly targeted for a niche community.  When I’ve said this, most people tell me their idea and it’s still rather broad.  As a general guidepost, take the audience you think is the perfect niche for your event (or website) and cut it in half again.  What you’re left with is probably the right niche.Worried about getting too niche?  Don’t.  Here’s a blog about one thing and one thing only - tomatoes - http://www.TomatoCasual.com.

Tim Bourquin

ABOUT TIM BOURQUIN

Welcome! I'm Tim Bourquin, the Founder and CEO of TNC New Media, a Mission Viejo, CA company that produces online media and events for fanatical communities. You can contact me at 949.348.2590 ext. 15 or email me here.

   

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