Top 3 Takeaways for SMB Online Marketers from PubCon South 2010

Last week, I got to hang out with some of the smartest folks in search engine optimization and social media marketing at PubCon South 2010 in Dallas.  It was also my first opportunity to “live blog” an event for LinkShare. You can read more highlights of each session I attended at the LinkShare blog for PubCon South 2010 Day One Highlights and PubCon South 2010 Day Two Highlights.
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If you want the quick takeaways, here’s my (unpolished) 3-minute video with the top three ideas for your plan to become an expert:

Summary:

1.  Local search: Claim and completely describe expertise in your local business listings on Google Places and other local search directories. Include website and blog content for each region, state and local area you serve and each location of your business.

2.  Inbound links: Your great blog content will help you get more inbound links to your website with appropriate anchor text for your top keywords (related to your niche and area of expertise) to help your business get found online.

3. Fresh, frequent content: Your website must be more than a 24/7 online brochure for your expertise and business.  Include fresh,  relevant articles, blog posts, images, and video to improve your visibility with the new universal search.

Discovering Your Life Purpose

“Why am I here? What am I supposed to do with my life?”

I know these questions started me on my lifelong search for meaning and purpose. I found help from some traditional sources (like career counseling, temperament assessments and testing, and psychological counseling) and from some quirky individualistic sources (like astrology, intuitive guidance, and psychic counselors)

I’ve boiled down my life purpose to two words:  Be Happy!

Now the way that I find happiness varies from moment to moment. I do have a longer statement of my life purpose that I review every morning, and edit every so often:

“My definite chief aim is to create a joyful experience!”

I will be an uplifter and a value to others by using my special talents and abilities in writing, teaching, speaking designing, technology, marketing, organizing, and the metaphysical.

In later articles, I’ll help you discover and hone in on your lifestyle design and life purpose, too. You can start thinking about your life purpose now!