Archive for August, 2007

On Friday there was a big ole storm in Atlanta (think Chicago too). Know I wasn’t alone that Friday. Poor Kim too (as Bary says you got the short end coming and going).

At 11:40 am I boarded a flight from San Jose to Atlanta. When we reached Atlanta, they were covered with a storm. We ended up flying in circles a lot, and once landed in Huntsville for several hours to get fuel and to wait out Atlanta. Over 12 hours later we we delivered lots of Hot Pizza from Dominoes right on the plane on the runway. It was actually pretty amazing…..it was amazing in that overall no one killed each other…or bitched to the flight attendents. The pilot kept us updated one every situation which made us all understand that ya can’t control mother nature….so might as well make the best of it…..We actually finally got off the plane in Atlanta around 1:00 am (think over 13 hours after departure)…..can you believe I didn’t even get up to go to the bathroom a single time….man, the human ass just isn’t designed for long term sitting on seats made in the 1970’s with over 1 million previously served ass squasing people sitting in them nearly 24 hours a day every day…sorry to ramble…..oh, and not to mention I was in the very back seat….those seats often have 2 major disadvantages.

The first is the every now and then you’d get a wiff of the toilet deodorizer stuff, which often can make one more nausated than the smell of staight shit. The second is that you can’t recline your seat since the airline feel they’ve got to squeeze as many seats in as possible, and those in the back row as stuck in the straight up position for the whole trip….which makes your space even less since the guy in front of you reclines back…making you in a straight up position with someone big bald head you feel as if your breathing down…ahhh!

Speaking of airplane seats…I can’t figure for the life of me why they don’t let you "recline" on take off and landing….To me it seriously feels as if the "straight up" is really "pitched forward"….even at the fanciest of restaurants I don’t sit that straight up…..and the recline…welll that’s a joke……what do you get….maybe 3 degrees?….like that’s really a recline…that’s just "closer" to my normal recline than than normal pitched forward "staight up" seat…….but in any case….there I was…over 13 hours……I didn’t socialize as much, but I was able to survive in a fine mood through all of that.

At the Airport:
I looked for my luggage for over an hour before I was able to find out that "It’ll get to albany somehow….prob won’t be "with you" though.

By that time 2:30 am I realized that the next flight I had been able to book via phone on plane was leaving at 7:00 am, which would mean it wouldn’t even make sense to go to the hotel I had booked.

So I worked for a few hours via wireless, then layed on the hard floor, and used my uncomfortably hard computer bag as a pillow. I kinda layed there for an hour in a half semi-sleeping.

At 5:00 am my flight at 7:00 got changed from the original (Atlanta to Dallas Texas, then Dallas to Washington DC, then DC to albany (flying 3000 miles to get somewhere 1000 miles away), was changed to another flight leaving at 9:55 that went to new yourk city, and then to albany new york. 

At 9:50 I found that that flight was running 1 hour late. Any my layover in NYC was only 40 minutes. I got on the phone and was told that even if I got to New York City on that one delayed flight, that that wasn’t another plane going to Albany from New York City until the next day….but, there was another plane going nonstop from atlanta to albany that had 2 seats left….leaving in 5 minutes at another gate (subway trip). I asked her her advice on if she thought I could make it, and she said "try". So I ran to the 9:55 direct flight….when I got to that gate the lady showed me a standby list with about 20 names on it. And no, the previous lady didn’t book it….F#@*, I should have told her that…wasn’t thinking clear since I was in panic (do I RUN or not).

I can’t even remember how now….somehow I managed to get a flight for later that night going to Cincinnati…that flight was delayed by about 2 hours, but luckily I still had layover time….and the next plane was also delayed by over an hour anyways…..but I made it as you can guess.

Flying Sucks! I guess it’s just an occupational hazzard. At least at airports they’ve got food and water….maybe not beds (wouldn’t that be nice..even army cots…should be a "law").  At least I’m able to do what I gotta do to "get out".

The next day my wife was kind enough to let me sleep for 14 hours even though she’d been with the kids all week. I’m working on getting my time clock back on NY Time (I so easily slip into Pacific time though).

Seems like nowerdays you’ve got a 1 in 4 chance of having "bad luck" with flying plans which can really try the basic human instincts of "surviving". Ya gotta do what you can with what you’re handed….you’ll be lucky at somepoint, and yes, you’ll make it home eventually…and you’ll realize just how comfortable your pillow is tonight.

**I won’t mention the airline name because I had a love/hate relationship with them …some I loved, and some I didn’t understand. **

My plane was leaving on Friday morning from San Jose to Albany New York, and it looked like I’d have time Thursday to go to San Francisco for a trip. I had felt only slightly "robbed" of missing Kings Canyon (at least that’s how I justified a second "side trip" in my mind) and the Haight-Ashbury district seemed to be calling me. It’s been probably 3 years since I’ve been there, and 12 years since I was hanging out on the streets there collecting foodstamps from San Francisco, and it seemed high time to give some back.

That morning I walked through San Jose to a store and I bought a backpack full of bags of peanuts, granola, and nut mixes.

I then rented the smallest car I could get (san fran has small parking spaces) and headed to the Haight Ashbury District. There’s pleanty of homeless people around there. At one time in my life I knew the people there, and was more on their level.  I got lucky and have gone a long ways, but many of these people do not have the opportunites I’ve been lucky eneough to have.

I then walked around and talked to all the homeless people I could find. I also gave them bags of food. When my backpack ran out I picked up another backpack bag full of food and gave almost all those away as well. I also had some very interesting mind provoking conversations with many of these people. I believe they were all thankful for the food, and thankful that someone would talk with them. I could tell you stories….but that’d be another post (would love to write book on interviews with people on the streets)….

I also got a tarot reading from someone on the streets, and halfway through got a tattoo as well (I have the eye of Horus on my arm….but the original guy made the inner eye red…and I just wanted it black (red seemed evil…and I didn’t want red)…..So since I was having him make a red dot, to black I suddenly had another black dot idea…..so on my other arm I got another tattoo of the constellation Orion….only the dots for stars (about 20 dots) like this (but with no lines)…..I guess at first glance you’d think I’ve got a bunch of birth marks on my upper arm! (Why Orion?….I’m not positive….for some reason that’s always been my favorite constellation….I’m drawn to it….now it’s drawn on me ; ). It also seemed like Haight Ashbury would be a great place to get a Tattoo.

I’ll admit that I gave some people some money too….my first thought was "food" but to some, money can be an opportunity too.  And by the way, yes, I felt safe. I had friends all around….they were probably calling me the "Peanut guy", but I think I was "all right" to eneough to feel safe and protected in my business.

I hate seeing people living on the streets….I don’t want to get into politics or into who’s fault that shit can happen….I just know it can be the shits when that’s where you’re at.

I felt best with the last guy I talked with on my way back to my car. He has some serious medical issues, and to be honest, I don’t see much help out of his situation…only what the governemt will pay to keep him alive (and that’s not much)… but in that situation you’ll do everything you can to survive…even if it means living on the street to be near doctors who have the ability to help….I could go on…I also gave him some cash that I know he so seriously could use. When I left he told me he’d been in San Fran for 8 months now and that meeting me was the best thing that’s happened to him since he’s been there.  

At the least I think we both felt better and wiser when we parted. I hope he gets lucky.

No matter where I go in life, I never want to loose touch with who I was once in San Francisco years ago….it taught me a lot. I’ve been lucky and if I can help spread any luck to those in need I want to do what is right. That has been my big question lately…heck, I guess that’s everyone’s big thought "What am I here for?"….I might not know the answer, but I do believe that the answer lies in doing what is good and right.

On a side note, I also  feel guilty about the Delorean I’ll be able to drive in a few weeks. I’ve already decided that I’ll drive it for a few years then donate it to charity (or money from an auction). It’s my "toy", but I’d probably feel even better if my toy could help a charity one day.

Peace.

I’m trying to play catch-up this week after being out last week to San Jose SES. Monday webuildpages.com went down for almost 30 hours…I’m dreading all the lost emails that bounced back….but that’s another rant post not for now….I’ve also got a bunch of pictures from last week that I still have to publish (another post), and I’ve got shaky camera video of Matt and Graywolf from the "Are Paid Links Evil" panel at SES, I’m waiting on Matt to give me permission to publish…if he’ll let me I’ll ask Michael next. I’d like to just publish those 2 for people to see.  Matt’s is a 10 minute video, Graywolf’s (powerpoint link) is about 7 minutes long. I’d like to publish them both.

But I think I’ll take a breather and give a Cat post now…

Some of you may know that I’m a big National Park fan, and admitted tree hugger.  Most business travel trips, including SEO conferences, I try to get a day "getaway" to visit the nearest national park or place of cool views.  In just the past 6 months I’ve been to the Grand Canyon, Yosomite National park twice, Bryce Canyon national park, Zion national park, Lake Meade, Saguaro National Park, Sequoia National Park, and walked the golden gate Bridge. In October I’ve got a business trip to Ireland, and in March Stuntdubl and I are going to be speaking at a conference in South Africa. There’s also webmasterworld in vegas in a few months (I’ll prob see Death Valley on that trip).

So this trip I thought I’d go to Kings Canyon National Park in California. I decided that at 9:00 pm on monday night…and by 10:00pm I had a ford mustang convertible and was headed South East. Actually my first intent on Death Valley when I left….but I later realized that’d never happen (way too far)….so I headed more East after a while.

After a few hours I started to hallucinate so I thought I get a place to stay…..(skipping longer story here)….but ended up staying at a hotel that looked of a lower quality than a Motel 6…by far….so I thought it might be a good idea to put my wallet in the back of one of the drawers for safekeeping….keep in mind it was like 5:00am in my time and I was hallucinating too (from driving when tired, in case you were wondering)….

So the next morning I get up and drive another few hours to the enterance of Kings Canyon National Park….and I think "better get gas before you go in"…and I pull into a gas station…and realize…oh SHIT! I don’t have my wallet (left cell phone there too)…no cash, no cards…no money at all…and 1/8 tank of gas…and somewhere 2 hours behind me is a hotel I know not the name of, nor where it even was (GPS Detour somewhere between heading to Death Valley, to mind change to Kings Canyon)…not eneough gas to even head north/northwest with 1/8 tank…..

So there I was….panhandling in California again…."Please, I need to get back to some hotel somewhere to find my wallet". Second person gave me $15 and wouldn’t give me his address so I could pay him back. The world is good place, and I’m lucky. I turned around, and after about 3 hours I found the hotel, and the wallet and phone were still in the drawer (lucky again).

By the time I got the wallet back, I realized there’d be no Kings Canyon as the Google Dance was that night. But even though I didn’t get to see Kings Canyon I did get a great drive in the convertilbe through Sunny california. It was a great time (as it alway is) to reflect on Life.

Luckily I didn’t freak out when the wallet came missing, and had faith that somehow things would work out, and was able to enjoy the ride. It was also a good grounder for me to keep in mind where I’ve been and how I want to live where I am at now.

I also had the feeling that I owed at least $15 to someone who really needed it. I believe in paying it forward and Karma.

I’m at SES in San Jose this week, but I’ve got a post from my COO, Chuck Price, who was a the Domain Roundtable Conference in Seattle last week. Jim

Hey there - I’m Chuck Price, COO at We Build Pages. Please don’t take offense at the title of this post. As a marketing guy, I just couldn’t resist! I just returned from the Domain Roundtable Conference in Seattle. This event was produced by Jay Westerdal’s company – name intelligence. Jay is probably best known in SEO circles for his website domaintools.com. For the record, all of the domainers that I met at this conference were bright guys with endless ambition.

Jay Westerdal CEO Name intelligence

I was first turned onto the conference by Stuntdubl, during a late night brainstorming / fishing session on the Hudson River. He convinced Jim & myself that domainers and SEO’s went together like peanut butter & jelly and should be internet super friends. Hey - I’m always interested in making new friends, so a trip to Seattle sounded like a good idea. ( Plus, with SES the following week, Jim’s wife would have killed him if he went).

Chuck with some new friends At Sugar in Seattle (pics removed)

The thing that struck me immediately was what most domainers and SEO’s have in common - nothing. Domainers are primarily traders and speculators in the domain name market. Values are determined by subjective traits like how a name looks on a business card, how it sounds on the radio & the amount of type in traffic it generates. But what about age, content and backlinks? As they say here in New York - Fuhget abaht it. (Google: Did you mean: Forget about it. )

Domaining Experts like Stephen Douglas view domains as "internet real estate and an “appreciable marketing asset.” Domain investors and the domain industry in general consist of legitimate businessmen seeing the value in this online real estate and the marketing of such real estate". This is a pretty interesting concept, but I find one flaw in this view. Unlike real estate, where they aren’t making any more of it, they actually are making more domains on a pretty regular basis. Is it possible that dot com real estate could feel the same effects as the real estate along route 66 after interstate highways were introduced? I don’t know what the equivalent of an interstate highway could be in this case, but a .web or standard international domain extension just might do it.

Stephen Douglas - Executive Producer

A notable exception was Keynote speaker Mike "Zappy" Zapolin. He started his career by purchasing Beer.com for 80K and flipping it in less than 12 months for $7Million. Not a bad return - even for a guy with a Drexel Burnham & Bear - Stearns background. Zappy learned a hard lesson with his next deal - CreditCards.com. After investing 6 figures in this name he was able to flip it for 2.75M. So what’s the problem? The guys that he sold it to actually developed the site & sold the business for $140 Million. Don’t expect to see chocolate.com, sweepstakes.com or any other domains that Zappy owns being sold any time soon without a full blown business model attached to it.

Mike Zapolin

I believe that a number of domainers really want to develop some domains, but just have no idea how. Some of the best attended sessions were the SEO sessions. If SEO’s and Domainers are to become "super friends", the real question is this: what is the model for a Successful domainer:SEO partnership? That is the question that I am pondering. What do you think?

Aaron Wall

Since I’ve been on the road all week, I’m keeping this brief, so I can get back to work. If there is enough interest in this topic I will write a follow up detailing the conflict of interest & unfair advantages that the top registrars have over the average domain buyer. I will also detail what opportunities I think really do exist in the area of domaining.

Online custom publishing is a crucial part of marketing strategy.

Also, We Build Pages is working on time travel.

Hello folks, I’m Robin, the new Content Services Coordinator (former Link Ninja) here at We Build Pages. I’m making a guest appearance on Jim’s blog because he’s busy driving the DeLorean around the block a few times. (We plan to offer time machine services in addition to SEO quite soon. Once Jim figures out how to go Back to the Future, you’ll be able to check out your rankings in 1, 5, 10, and 20 years, and then plan to adjust your SEO strategy in the present in order to achieve maximum ROI down the road).

Yesterday, I went to a lunchtime conference in Albany offered by the New York Capital Region AMA. The topic (which Jim has already discussed in an earlier post) was the rise of custom publishing as a marketing tool. The speaker was Michael Winkleman, the president and CCO of Leverage Media, which offers a variety of custom publishing services (including corporate histories, white papers, newsletters, and magazines). His presentation was very informative and included some great data on the attitude of consumers toward custom publishing.

Michael focused mainly on print media, although he did mention online media including blogs, podcasts, and web magazines. Many of his points about print media are applicable to web content as well. Some salient facts:

Custom publishing is currently one of the fastest growing media segments.

85% of consumers said that they would rather get information about a company from a collection of articles than an ad. (Roper Public Affairs/Custom Publishing Council 2005 survey)

93% said that they understood that the underlying purpose of custom publications was marketing-driven, but they like getting them anyway. (Roper Public Affairs/Custom Publishing Council 2005 survey)

And, perhaps most tellingly:

74% took at least one action from reading or looking at a publication.
(Readex/Custom Publishing Council 2005-2007 Custom Magazine Study)

It appears that most consumers view custom publishing as a goodwill gesture by the sponsoring company, and that the consumer response to it is quite positive. Moreover, custom publishing has become a standard part of marketing strategy in many industries, and companies are increasingly finding that it’s a necessary component of doing business.

Michael pointed out that a key difference between print and online custom publishing is that you have to seek out online content, but print media finds its way to you. We’ve all been there—it’s impossible not to pick it up at the doctor’s office, find it in the snail mail, or pull it out of the seat pocket in front of you on a plane.

However, there are a few reasons why custom web publishing is just as crucial:

Content is a driving force behind search engine results.

If you offer useful web content and an easy way for readers to alert each other about it, you’ve just increased your word-of-mouse.

Web and print media can form a great symbiotic relationship; you can use print media to send visitors to your website, where it will be easy for them to take action.

Web content can be less costly; custom print publications can run from 10-50K.

Web content can live on your site as long as you want it to; print publishing turns over monthly or quarterly.

Users expect to find desired information on the web. Online custom publishing can help them find this information and make the most of it.

Check out our custom content services for more information. My favorite thing about this job is the process of discussing a website with a client and envisioning creative, high-quality content that will add value for site users. I can be reached at Robin -at- webuildpages dot com for further information.

Also, if anybody out there has an extra flux capacitor lying around, please contact Jim.

A few weeks ago Chuck (my COO) and I were fishing out back with Stuntdubl until the wee hours of the morning while downing a few drinks, and one of the things that was brought up was the Domain Roundtable Conference that’s in Seattle on Aug 12-15th (official info here). Todd had also blogged about this conference. I think he’s hoping to make it…but last I knew he wasn’t positive….

I know I’d love to go to that conference….Almost all of the sessions sound like music to my ears. Check out some of these excerpts from the agenda page.

• "The Adventure Begins" This "must attend" class for new internet businesses and private domainers will explain all the tricks and tips you need to know about buying, managing and selling your domain. If you’re new at this game, this session you don’t want to miss!
  Speakers: Nate Curran, GoDaddy.com; Matthias Mueller, NameDrive; Sean Stafford, DNZoom.com
• Why you need to know SEO basics if you’re going to build and maintain a successful website. A mandatory session to attend for those who want to know the true secrets of Search Engine placement and how they help you win online. For SEO professionals, consultants and business services. This event is for the beginners and the best of the best in SEO secrets and information.
  Speakers: William Flaiz, VP, Avenue A | Razorfish; Aaron Wall, SEOBook.com; John Tompkins, Trellian.com; Dave Bascom , SEO.com; Dustin Woodard, AllRecipes.com; John Andrews
• "Taunting the Big Kid or Keeping Your Lunch Money" The future of fighting TM C&D’s and UDRP’s, and how far the big corporations can go in claiming domain property.
  Speakers: Brett Lewis, Esq.; Aaron Kornblum, Esq., John Berryhill; Microsoft Senior Atty; Jeremiah Johnston, General Counsel, COO, SEDO;
• Monday night there’s a Trafficz Wild Party night with a "body painting contest"….sounds wild!
• "Content and How To Make It Work For You" Building out your domains can be a very lucrative auction if you have the right tools and direction. Having a website with powerful content and achieving repeat customers is a recipe for revenue! Learn techniques and get advice from some of the best experts in their field on domain buildouts.
  Speakers:
  Joe Davison, TechAnalyst.com; Stuart Wood, WIFI.com (Salient Properties); Frank Michlick, SharedReviews.com
• "The Many Paths To Making Revenue" All domainers and website owners will discover the multitude of revenue paths available to them. You can and you WILL make money off your domain! From SEO and Buildouts to how to use auction and domain listing sites, this session will cover all the ways to make money with your domain!
  Speakers:
  Matt Griffith, eBusinessbroker.com; Joe Davison, TechAnalyst.com; Hal Bailey, Google.com; Ofer Ronen, Sendori; Frank Michlick, DomainCocoon; Chris Ambler, Enom; Yossi Goldlust, LookSmart.com;
• "Marriage Made in Heaven" How SEO techniques include domains, and how domains add power to SEO.
  Speakers: Todd Mintz, SEMPDX; Aaron Wall, SEObook.com; John Andrews

Also on the 15th Domaintools is holding the largest live domain auction ever.

The following week is Search Engine Strategies in San Jose California (I’ll be on one of the linking panels)…and I’ll be gone almost a whole week for that…..there’s no way I can be gone the previous week as well…..

….but I’m sending Chuck to represent We Build Pages there. Chuck has a handful of experience in domaining over the last several years. Chuck is also a Link Ninja, as well as he’s my "right hand business man" and COO at We Build Pages.

If you’re attending, and you see this guy, be sure to say "Hi Chuck!".  Buy the man a drink and have a chat about SEO and/or domaining….you’ll be glad you did!

Chuck also noted the Party on Monday night…as he IM’d me (from 15 feet away):

Chuck: See the Party? - "We are happy to announce TRAFFICZ’s wild "Body Painting Contest" Party at the trendy SUGAR nightclub in downtown Seattle! The party is for a good cause, because it’s a charity event for Michael Mann’s Grassroots.org charity. Everyone will be bidding on the opportunity to paint 10 beautiful models and then vote on the winner! "

Chuck: this looks like a good cause - how much are you willing to contribute in support

Chuck: Of course the words We Build Pages will be prominent!

HaHa!….hum…could I pull some linkbait out of that? It is a business expense…..We’ll see Chuck…man, I Really wish I could go.

Are you going?

Back in December I noted that I had been seeking a Delorean. I’ve actually been looking at them on ebay for over 2 years now. I own a bunch of model Delorean’s, and a handful are floating around the office here…it’s always been "one day…..one day…." (I’ll get one).

I guess it’s never been the right car, or the right time…that is untill a few days ago.  The car was right, and the time was right….and I’m the new owner of this Delorean.

A lot of people think I’m a bit crazy for buying such a car…and maybe I am….but let me tell you the story of why I went for the Delorean (besides the fact that my "other car" has over 125,000 miles on it).

…..When I was a young gullible freshman at college (1989…my gosh…when I was half my current age), I was also working at a local retail store, where a fellow older employee convinced me I could make millions selling something from a company called Amway….At that time I had never heard of them (huge MLM company). I bought the "beginner kit of supplies" (which was A lot of money to me then)…and was told to come to the next local meeting and bring a picture of something that I’d buy if I were a "success" one day in life. ….the only thing I could think of was a Delorean DMC 12 (the Back to the Future Car).  So I brought in a picture of a DeLorean DMC 12.

The first meeting with Amway was my last meeting….I quickly realized that Amway wasn’t my cup of tea…..but in the back of my mind has always been that Delorian….and I never really thought I’d ever get one…but things are going good. I’ve built up a 28 employee company that’s making a nice profit, as well as providing a service that tends to make our clients happy as well, which tend to make all of us happy.  I’ve got a great team on board that is helping to ensure we get even stronger in knowledge and services….as well as I think we have a pretty good time here….I really think everyone here enjoys coming to work….I know I do…..I love coming to work….I love what I do…..I love it when thing work out and people are happy. 

Of course there’s always bumps in the road, but those bumps make me cherish the good times even more.

I’ve reached my Delorean.

I’ve been lucky. I have been.

Should have it here in a few weeks….think I’ll get "Time Car" for the license plate (it’s still available in New York).

When I’m an old man sitting in my rocking chair I’ll think back fondly of these days!

….oh what’s my next "goal"?…..think it’ll be buying a big ole chunk of forest land to keep it a forest…we’ll see….I’d like to do something to make the world a better place when I leave….don’t we all?

I think I’ll change my blog picture to instead of my finger pointing in the air, to me sitting on the Delorean…we’ll see.