Google Docs Launches Research Tool

google docs research tool

In what is surely another blow to Microsoft Word, Google has launched in “in-app” research tool dubbed simply “research”. This new feature can be launched by clicking Tools==>Research. A display box then pops up in the right hand corner where you can do a couple of interesting things. Chief amongst these the ability to add contextual links related to the subject matter of your document. While many will not consider this groundbreaking by any means, it is a right step in making the cloud-sharing of documents more interactive and collaborative.

It’s also handy with pictures

google docs research tool picture function

Need a fast way to upload pictures to your document? This app also uses your keyword search and draws from Google Images. All you have to do is drag and drop. Pretty easy huh? I don’t know for the life of me why anyone would consider using Microsoft Word of the free Google Docs.

Seven Jeans – Another Great Use of Video Marketing

Say what you want about James Franco: he’s an egoist, entitled, asshole, whatever. This video is pretty damn cool. I am an admittedly huge Seven Jeans fan so I’m pretty much sold on the product already. While blatantly hipster, this video utilizes the concept of a “web marketing video” well for a few reasons:

  • The music: I’d never heard of Alexander or the Magnetic Zeros before but this song is downright cathartic and lends well to the beach/Southern California feel of the video.
    alexander-ebert-seven



  • Uses a celebrity: I’m not sure that James Franco is a beacon for fashion enthusiasts but his name alone will at least get eyeballs on the video. He was supposedly a photographer for the project and they were smart to have the video actually showing him taking pictures (in action). It gives the project a voyeuristic quality.
    james franco celebrity for seven jeans
  • Blog integration: Seven Jeans has done a nice job of including the James Franco-directed video series in its blog, centering each blog post around Franco directing a certain model.

    • james franco for seven seans blog
    They even go as far as to include the music from the video on an embeddable music player. I must also mention that the blog is built with WordPress. I believe that any marketing activity a company does should be fleshed out onto a blog. Why not? It’s automatic content. It lessens the burden of having to constantly come up with content.

Seven Jeans is smart to give an actor creative control

Although most can’t argue with an easy paycheck, a lot of actors are bombarded with offers from advertisers/companies to star in commercials (print, tv, online) that may not be aligned with their own values. Giving a celebrity creative control of a project makes the whole thing come off as more organic. Audiences are pretty savvy these days, we know when their heart isn’t in it. Seven Jeans does the right thing with this video series and their brand will undoubtedly be improved by this simple, yet effective way of incorporating pop culture with their clothing.

Top 10 Chrome Extensions for Productivity and WorkFlow

1)SEOmoz toolbar

seomoz-toolbar-chrome-app

This toolbar enables you to see some very key metrics: page authority, domain authority, domain trust, linking root domains etc. If you’re heavy into SEO, this extension is vital in assessing the power and potential link juice a certain page or domain may pass (given that you can get a link:). There’s even a handy SERP overlay that shows these metrics below the meta descriptions. For me, it’s the most essential tool in my arsenal.

2)AdBlocker Plus

adbolcer-plus-chrome-extension

What a game changer this little guy is. It virtually blocks EVERY advertisement on EVERY website, even YouTube videos. The implications of this are far reaching: faster page load times, better multimedia experiences, faster access to information, and just the plain fact that you’re not blasted with advertisements. If this weren’t free I would doll out $10/month easy.

3)Checker Plus For Gmail

checker-plus-for-gmail

Simple yet effective. This extension alerts you every time you get an email. It also has the ability to track multiple accounts including both personal Gmail and Google Apps. You can reply right from within the browser pop-up too. It makes answering emails easy and keeps you from navigating to another tab just to check your mail.

4)Chrome to Phone

chrome-to-phone-google-chrome-extension

This app is helpful if you need to see how certain websites look on mobile devices. I’m big into HTML5 and flexible layouts so this is nice if I’m trying to see how a site I’m working on scales out. It’s also handy if you need to send a phone number to your mobile device or finish reading a webpage when you’re on the go.

5)TooManyTabs

too-many-tabs-chrome-extension

I have so many tabs open at any given time I had to upgrade my RAM just so my MacBook would still function. This is a great tool if you’re like me and spend all of your day web browsing. It shows you what tabs are open and gives you the option to close multiple tabs at once. A great way to declutter your browsing experience.

6) MightyText

mighty-text-google-chrome-extension

This app is nothing short of groundbreaking. Simply put: send and receive text message through your phone via your web browser. I’m much more efficient at typing on my MacBook Pro than my phone. It also looks bad if you’re in a meeting and you’re constantly looking down t your phone to answer text messages. The beta version of the new Mighty Text also lets you send messages to 3 people. There are major implications for group collaboration with this app, merging your phone with the power of a laptop or desktop computer.

7) Do Not Track Plus

do not track chrome extension

A little known fact: many of the above extensions keep tabs on your all of your browsing activity as well as place tracking cookies on your browser. Who wants that? This extension blocks all of that nonsense. I installed it a week ago and it’s already blocked over 5,000 instances of tracking companies.

8 StumbleUpon

stumbleupon-chrome-toolbar-extension

I’ve learned a lot of using this extension. It drops a handy toolbar on your browser so you can make the best out of your downtime. Simply click the “stumble” button and it takes you to a page that corresponds with your set interests.

9) SEO Site Tools

seo site tools chrome extension

This is quick and performs as advertised. Shows you some basic numbers with a simple click. The “indexed pages” metric is especially important. If I’m looking at a site with low domain authority and a high number of indexed pages then I can assume it’s a content farm.

10) Straight To Full Size for Google Images

large image google chrome extension

Especially handy for web designers. Isn’t it annoying when you look for pictures via Google Image Search and have to go to the webpage the image is embedded on and then click on that image to go to the original source? This extension automatically opens the full-sized image.

WordPress Tips For Small Businesses: Priceless

I originally saw this video on WordPress.tv a couple weeks ago and thought I would share it here on my blog. I was hesitant at first. Seeing a middle-aged real estate agent talk about WordPress doesn’t exactly scream “authority”. Biases aside, this is probably the most informative and straightforward explanation of running a WordPress site for your small business. Some great takeaways from this video:

wordpress-tips-for-small-business

  • Define your goal: “More money” simply isn’t realistic in the online business arena. Of course that’s the end game but you need consider things like bounce rates, page hits, and the almighty conversion rate if you want to make progress with your website
  • Crappy Design Can Be Effective: Craigslist is hideous. We’ve heard this argument over and over but it’s true, Craigslist is a shining example of functionality trumping design. A simple website can be wildly popular if the content transcends the bells and whistles.
  • Use An Editorial Calendar: Although scheduling posts can be done on the actual posts themselves, an editorial calendar is useful if you have several contributors or roll out massive amounts of content.
  • Go Small or Go Home: A testament to the long tail. A niche market is easier to crack into than a broad one. You also get more qualified traffic and clients if you’re focus is more narrow.
  • Comment And Link Out: Motion creates emotion. Don’t worry about “nofollow” comments. You need to let the blogging community know that you exist. The WordPress ecosystem is a vast network of webmasters, bloggers,and business owners. Give and you shall receive. #linklove
  • Don’t be afraid to fail: Duh. This sounds cliche but remains true, especially when tinkering with a content management system like WordPress. “test and tweak and break things up”
  • Write. A lot Generating content consistently is easier said that done. This guy likes writing so it probably comes a little easier but the message is clear. It’s impossible to build any kind of fan base or following if there’s two weeks between your posts.
  • Show Personality: A blog is a great way to show your persona, depth of knowledge, and show your would-be clients that you’re more than just a business/consultant.
  • Calls To Action: You want people to do something when they get to your site that turns them into a customer. Pretty simple. A lot of websites don’t take advantage of valuable screen real estate that can be used for to get people to convert, I.E.- “buy now”, “free trial”, “sign up” etc.
  • Test, Tweak, Retest: A/B testing is a must if you’re running a lead-gen/eCommerce website. This comes in the form of switching headlines, serving up entirely different pages (templates), or sending people to different form processes. An invaluable method for understanding what converts visitors on your website. Form analytics is another great thing to include in your A/B testing.
  • Get An Effective Home Search: Implementing a proper WordPress site search is often a clumsy process. Instead of producing the most relevant/popular results it gives content in chronological order. Using a plugin like Search Unleashed helps to make a more coherent search experience for your visitors. Or integrate Google Custom Search, but keep in mind that your site visitors will be subjected to AdWords advertising just as they would if they were using Google.com

A refreshingly simple take on running a WordPress site.

I was taken back by how adept this guy is with WordPress. He’s pretty much dead on about a lot of this stuff. Admitting that he often “plays around” (technically) with WordPress is especially refreshing. A lot of people are terrified to even add plugins, fearing that it will send their site crashing down and customers running for the hills. This is great content and a reason why I frequent WordPress.tv. Well done Mr. Thompson.

Zendesk – This Is How Startups Should Use Video



For years companies have been scrambling, trying to figure out how to use online video in their marketing plan. Haven’t we all sat in on a “strategy session” where people discuss creating a “viral” video? Planning to “create a viral video” seems forced and paradoxical in nature. The term video marketing just puts a sour taste in my mouth. The beauty of videos that catch fire (think “Charlie bit my finger”) is that they’re unplanned and have an innocent appeal. Trying to manufacture that kind of sentiment seems like it should be reserved for fat cats behind a one-way mirror on Madison Avenue.

Easy Lesson: Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

What does ZenDesk know? Customer Support. Riding on the wave of the recent “shit people say” craze, ZenDesk created a short, entertaining spoof on what they know best. Not only is this video funny, but it also strongly ties in with the brand. Videos like this are proof that you don’t need an expensive advertising agency to produce great web content, just a little self-realization and a HandyCam.

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