Thank you Cheryl and Jeff Morey for hosting such a powerful event.
It was well attended by the GC's and vendors and full of educational seminars, good food, good music and good friends.

Chicago is such a beautiful city. The blue water of Lake Michigan and the cool breezes blowing across it. Nice.

I am already looking forward to IGC 2009.

See you there.

Steve

'Local Search' is a term that is gaining a new perspective among today's businesses (even though the model is over 100 years old).
 Question is, what does 'Local Search' mean?

I am going to join Greg Sterling (Greg's blog) and agree that the defenition is: "Reaching particular people in particular places — who will typically buy something or do something in a physical location."

For you and me in the 'green industry' the term 'locally' drives the bus:
    ~ Contributing locally with people
    ~ Contributing locally with products in and products out
    ~ Contributing locally with services in and services out

It's not like most of our businesses are branded multi-location businesses. Most in this industry have a local flavor.

Reaching 'particluar people' in 'particular places' means you have to meet them where they are, when they are.

The Internet is where they are - locally, and they are looking for you.

This survey drives that point home:
"A Nielsen survey in May 2008 found that among a representative group of people who had recently made consumer electronics purchases in a brick and mortar store, 80 percent bought from a store whose Web site they visited first. Further, 53 percent purchased from the retailer on whose Web site they had spent the most time." (Here is the link)




Here is a table that shows the preferred source of Information gathering

Table 1: Information Sources ranked by Preference among Consumers
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Preferred Information Source                   Percent of Consumers
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Internet                                                                 58
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Visit to local stores                                                    25
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Reviews in newspapers/magazines                                           8
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Friends and family                                                        8
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Other                                                                     1
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Source: Nielsen Online

There are lots of things happening in the 'green industry' that will make your web site 'more visible'.

Best bet is to have a professional web site and engage those who are visiting it in a professional manner.

Yes, it is The Information Age, and our businesses need to serve it up with a local flavor.


Steve




  

For about a year, an idea, 'Oxygen Footprint' has been stuck in my brain as a way to promote the green indsutry.

Now, more than ever, the 'green' movement is coming alive.

I read across the blogsphere about the movement slowing down. In my opinon, it is only going to get stronger and lounder, and the cream will rise to the top.

We as an industry have HUGE opportunity to get the message out to the kitchen table.

As of this date, I have posted a 'Summary' of "Oxygen Footprint' on www.OxygenFootprint.org for all to reveiw. There is a message board for discussion. There are logo's to download as you see fit.

Soon, the site will take on a consumer facing perspective that addresses the tagline "Fresh Air, Clean Water, Healthy Plants".

Comments appreciated. Preferred as discussion here.

Steve

Cre8asite Forums site has some SEO information.

Title: What are the Most Important Search Engine Optimization Practices?

1. When you start doing SEO, write down every thing you do and monitor results closely. If you make a change, write that down too -- and continue reviewing.
2. If you work with clients, you may want to opt in for an NDA so that they don't "reuse any specialist codes you might be using as part of [your] strategy to work that magic."

The rest are in the link above.


Steve

Well, I must admit, things have been crazy.

I have turned a blind eye to this blog and the newsletter for the past few months.

What can I say?

Ok.  Back in gear.

Steve