Monday, December 24  

Just One Thing......

Thursday, December 20  

Uggs The Most Searched For Fashion Item

Oh man.

Ugg boots were the most searched for fashion item last week!

Those American friends of our really have to get some taste!

Just kidding :o)

According to Hitwise, Uggs" was the 158th most searched for term and the # 1 fashion item.
Check out our ugg boots info here.

Wow!

Cheers

Brendon

Labels: uggs

Wednesday, December 19  

Geelong Web Designers

Ross from Thrive Web Marketing is a consistent and valued contributor on this site with his comments.

So in the interests of me staying on Santa's 'Nice' list, we'll make mention of that he's a Geelong Web Designer and well worth a look up if you're after a web designer in Geelong.

Sure, he probably goes for Geelong FC, but we can't all have taste!

Cheers

Brendon

Labels: geelong web designers

Free Chapters of The Web Design Business Kit

Thinking of buying The Web Design Business Kit 2.0 (yep, even better than the original!)?

Check out the free chapters here.

Cheers

Brendon

Labels: web design business kit

Tuesday, December 18  

Make It Easy To Use You

One of the sites we work with is the sports nutrition site, HammerNutrition.com.au.

Hammer Nutrition sponsor a heap of athletes and events.
But we talk about only one on a very regular basis and in glowing terms. We publish her photos, race reports and more. We tell thousands of people just how good she is.

And you know why?

Because out of all the athletes and events, Michelle is the only one who makes it easy for us.

She sends us:

• race reports,
• tidbits of info,
• links to media stories about her,
• photos and
  
• product endorsements.

All Michelle does is make it incredibly easy for us to talk about her. So we do.

Here's an example.

• Today Michelle sent us a race report.
• With photos.
• In the Race Report (where Michelle stunned Pro triathletes by winning a Half Ironman race as an Age Grouper!), Michelle mentions Hammer Nutrition as a key part of her success.

Of course we are going to feature the Race Report on the Hammer web site!

Showcased In Front Of Thousands

Michelle gets showcased in front of thousands and thousands of people because she does that.


Site visitors see she rides a FELT bike and uses an Orca wetsuit. All great exposure for her sponsors. And great exposure for Michelle.

She's a much more valuable person to sponsor because she does this simple thing of sending info and photos.

What she does only takes an hour per race, but it's the thing that sets her apart and makes her an athlete who gives great value to her sponsors.

Make it as easy as possible for people to use you and you make more 'sales'. Easy stuff.

Brendon

P.S: And Michelle gets mentioned again!

Monday, December 17  

Why You Need Case Studies On Your Web Site

Just read an interesting study from Avenue A|Razorfish's "Digital Consumer Behavior Study:

"55% of the 475 US Internet users surveyed in July 2007 reported checking other people’s opinions online."

Just 22% looked at comparison charts and 21% read expert reviews.

I know that I'm more influenced by reviews by 'real' people than almost anything else.

What That Means For Your Web Site

Firstly, it means that my post below about Stitch n Print is more likely to generate a sale for them than almost anything else.

The use of case studies and testimonials on a site is essential.

Cheers

Brendon

Labels: web site marketing

Embroidery on Shirts Etc - On Gold Coast

I've been looking for a place that does embroidery on the Gold Coast (on shirts and caps and the like) for ages.

I've finally found a decent guy who knows what he is doing and provides excellent customer service.

Kingsley at Stitch n Print is currently doing some work for us by embroidery on shirts and caps - he had his guy do a one off to show me how the colours would look on the shirts and caps and had us in to approve.

They look sensational.

Prices Low, Quality High, Service Higher

Anyhow, the quality is great, the price is low and the service high.

If you're looking for embroidery services on the Gold Coast, give Kingsley a call down at Stitch n Print.

Cheers

Brendon

P.S And nope, we don't do Kingsley's site or get paid for the testimonial. Just a great service if you're on the Gold Coast (or elsewhere for that matter).

Labels: embroidery Gold Coast

Murphy's Law 101

Whenever you mention a web site....i.e.

• SEO Book Review
• QT Homes

The server will go down 2 minutes later.

This just in from support:

"Brendon,

There is a reboot in progress for your server. Please allow 15 minutes for all services to come back online.

Regards,

Nick"

The trouble with the web is that we can't always control what's happening. But with the right providers you can minimise the amount of hassle.

Excellent Web Hosts - Despite This Little Glitch

I think, from memory, we've ever had an issue with Host Dime. Excellent hosts if you're looking for a decent one.

We host many client's site with them.

How that works is we buy a heap of space and simply sell hosting space at an increased rate and make a profit.

The big benefit for our clients is we take care of all the hassle and tech bits. And if there is a problem we deal with support (and generally get a super quick response).

So if you want your web site hosted, we can do that for you - an average sized site is $219 AUD (+GST for Australian clients) per annum.

Cheers

Brendon

Edit at 1.01 pm - 30 seconds after I posted the above the sites were back online.

Labels: hosting web site

Relocatable Homes In Queensland

Today is link love day where I mention a few sites, like this relocatable homes web site we've just completed.

QTHomes not only builds relocatable homes, but also a range of other products.

Well worth a look if you're in the market for a relocatable home.

Cheers

Brendon

Labels: relocatable homes

Pool Fence Hire Site Makes A Splash

We've just completed a web site for a mate of mine who has a pool fence hire business here on the Gold Coast, Australia.

The local laws say that when you dig a hole for a pool deeper than 1,000 mm then you have to have a fence around it.

This is the case, of course, when an in-ground pool is being built.

My client hires you a pool fence for the duration of the pool being built, before you install your permanent pool fence.

This is an example of a nice simple site:

• great domain name - poolfencehire.com.au - simple and descriptive
  
• logo designed via a SitePoint contest
• site designed via a SitePoint contest
• photos found via istocpkphoto
• the site itself is configured using WordPress

All in all, a simple site that is very attractive, functional and easy to use - and developed pretty cost effectively. It should be a great asset for the business.

So if you're looking for an example of a nice, easy site - then Pool Fence Hire could be the perfect example for you.

Cheers

Brendon

Keyword Research Tool Updated

Selecting the right keywords to target is a very important part of your online marketing strategy.

My favourite search engine guy (Aaron Wall) has just launched an updated version of his keyword suggestion tool.

It's an excellent tool to help you figure out what terms get searched for the most.

Check out my review of Aaron's SEO Book here.

Cheers

Brendon

Labels: search engine marketing

Friday, December 14  

Top 10 Searches - 6 Out Of 10 Are Hot Women

Yahoo's top searches list makes fascinating reading.

Train wreck Britney Spears comes in at # 1.

Top queries of the year on Yahoo are:

1. Britney Spears
2. WWE
3. Paris Hilton
4. Naruto
5. Beyonce
6. Lindsay Lohan
7. Rune Scape
8. Fantasy Football
9. Fergie
10. Jessica Alba

6 out of the top 10 searches are celebrity women. This is why you see these people, like Paris Hilton, out flogging stuff all day long.

Because people are fascinated with them and the exposure helps sell product.

Cheers

Brendon

Computer Repairs on the Gold Coast

We're just launching a client's site now for his computer repairs business here on the Gold Coast (APLUS's office is just a couple of hundred metres away).


Steve and Lillian run a great little business and are, without doubt, one of the best computer repair and set up businesses I've seen.

The vast majority of client's find us through referrals. Steve and Lillian found us through a web search. Even though they'd drive past the office 1,000 times a year.

I need a bigger sign!

The great thing about having APLUS I.T as clients now is that we now know a great computer repair guy on the Gold Coast. And trust me when I say they're like gold!

Cheers

Brendon

Labels: computer repairs Gold Coast

Thursday, December 13  

The Funniest Copywriting Ever?? And How To Ensure You'll Be Sleeping In The Spare Bedroom 101

I don't want to turn this into the funniest blog ever.......but.....

I've been writing a client's web site. His business name is Abacus XXXXXX.

I'm writing some sales copy and I've just written:

"... contact our friendly team on xxxx xxx xxx and we'll take great care of you - you can count on Abacus!"

Ha!

On a more serious/somber note:

My wife has just come back from dinner with friends (it's 10.45 pm).

I said, "Oh hun, your mascara has run. You've got big black spots under your eyes.....you look like a raccoon."

You've already guessed, haven't you?

Yep.

She wasn't wearing any mascara.

Those black eyes happen when she gets tired.

I could well be the world's most stupid man.

I'll be sleeping alone tonight.

On that sad note I'll sign off.

Cheers

"Brendon The Subtle" Who Has Foot In Mouth

Tuesday, December 11  

The Tough Question - Even Though She Wrote Them

My 16 yo daughter has a blog.

She's just written a list of Most Liked/Least liked things.

Here's a sample:

=========================

Favourite Book

Bugger. Can't think of anything. Yeesh, this is pathetic. It's not like any of these questions are a huge surprise, since I WROTE THEM.

=========================

That's funny!

Cheers

Brendon

Any Cold Fusion Gurus? And Ray's # 1

Hi

Are there any Cold Fusion experts amongst my readers?

If that's you then please shoot me through an email at admin@tailored.com.au if you'd be interested in a little work (Gold Coast/Brisbane based would be best).

Cheers.

Ray's Now # 1

And nope, it doesn't look like Google indexes Blogger content instantly - although this blog does get indexed quickly.

Just checked then and the post below is # 1 for Raymond F Sinclair.

It's been just under 6 1/2 hours.

Still, that's very quick.

Cheers

Brendon

Are Blogger Posts Getting Indexed Almost Instantly?

This web site uses Blogger as the blogging software - that just means I use Blogger to update this site.

I've been noticing with other sites we use Blogger with that the content gets almost instantly indexed in Google.

Let's give it a go.

Raymond F Sinclair

My dad's name is Raymond F Sinclair - this site currently comes up nowhere on Google when you search on that name (see the image on the left).

It's now 10.59 am on Tuesday 11 Dec, 20087 (oooops, see what you meant Meg) by my watch.

The Ramifications

If Google have worked out how to almost instantly update their index (even if it's just from Blogger sites) the benefits of that are enormous and will consolidate their position as the # 1 search engine to use.

Cheers

Brendon (son of Raymond F Sinclair!)

Labels: raymond f sinclair

Monday, December 10  

Marketing for Maximum Advantage

I ventured into Surfers Paradise yesterday to take a look at some serious criterium bike racing around a tight 950m circuit.

I found out about the race from the guy who owns one of the best bike shops on the Gold Coast - Roger is the former Head Bike Mechanic of the Australian Triathlon team and owns Palm Beach Supercycle.

• Then another client, David who owns Hammer Nutrition, mentioned the race.
• Then another mate rang me up and asked if I was going.
• Then I received an e-newsletter from the race organisers.
• Then I heard an ad for the race on the radio.
• And saw a story about it in the newspaper.

Effective Marketing Via Different Channels

All effective marketing - because what the race organisers have done is get the message to the right people in a number of ways:

• web site
• radio advertising
• e-newsletter
• PR strategy
• encouraging word of mouth

Using multiple channels to spread your marketing message works because we all get our information from different sources.

Some marketing channels are better than others for some people - so by implementing a mix you're maximising your chances.

Cheers

Brendon

Friday, December 7  

I Have No Idea Why I'm Doing This

Tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 3.25 am my alarm clock will go off.

I'll stagger out of bed half asleep and put on my bike riding clothes.

I'll toss my bike onto the bike racks, wait for my brother to arrive at 3.45 am and do the same with his bike.

Mel will then drive us to another friends place and pick him, and his bike, up.

1. We'll drive 100 km up the road to Brisbane arriving at about 5.15 am.
2. Mel will toss us out of the car and drive the 100 km home. She'll be back in bed by 6 am.
3. Us guys will go over to a registration table and pay someone $50. Money goes to a charity I've never heard of and have no connection with.
4. We'll then mount our bikes and ride down the same road we just drove up.
5. Once we hit our destination 100 km away - we then have to ride another 25 kms home.

We I buy stuff I always like to think of the motivation behind me buying it.

The ride organisers have 'sold' me their event.

Let's look again at what I get.

• A 3.25 am start
• A 100 km drive
• $10 in petrol
• Pay $50 entrance fee
• Ride with the guys I would have ridden 100 km with on Saturday morning anyway
• Have to ride an extra 25 km to get home from the ride finish

There is no answer here for me at the minute.

I'm wondering what the hell I'm doing.

• Maybe it has something to do with riding a road I normally wouldn't ride?
• Or perhaps it's about spending time with my brother and mate.
• My favourite theory is because we all want to be part of something bigger and get involved.

I'm wondering what the hell I'm doing writing this post at 10.24 pm on the Friday night.

I'll be doing the above ride on 5 hours sleep.

I am some kind of idiot.

Goodnight.

Brendon

"Get Your Fat Ass Up The Stairs You Lazy Old Cow" And Other Stories

The beautiful, wonderful and just plain lovely Mel (she makes me call her that) comes running with yours truly and our 2 sons (our daughter is usually snuggled up in bed) on Monday and Friday mornings bright and early (5.30 am or thereabouts).

We run with one of the leading Gold Coast personal trainers Chris from Chisel Fitness, who has been doing a bit of work with Jack and I (2 days a week) and Mel on Tuesdays.

Anyhow, the run involves a warm up of a 2.4 km section - at the start of the run is a rather large hill called Woodgee St.


Mel struggles up Woodgee. She runs as far as she can, then walks what she can't. She's never been able to get to the top without stopping.

Until today.

Today I couldn't do the run (I crashed my bike yesterday and was a recovering from terrible grazes and cut and bruises.....okay, okay, I got a little scratch!) - and sure enough I get woken at 6.45 am by a very proud Mel saying "I ran up Woodgee, I ran up Woodgee!"

Why couldn't she, for just once, wake me with "Woooohoooo! I've made you Eggs Benedict, French Toast and a coffee just how you like it. Would you like your massage now or after you finish breakfast in bed?"

But nope.

What I get is a sweat soaked 42 year old woman in stinky running shorts and t-shirt shaking me awake with a shout!

I have to say it was easy for her to run all the way to the top of a hill she saw as only slightly less daunting than climbing Everest wearing a bikini and high heels, wielding a toothpick.

Here's how she did it:

• She has run twice a week for 6 weeks
• She's gotten a little bit stronger with each run
• She has Chris with her encouraging her the whole way

Bit by bit she worked at it. Got better and did it.

I'll digress here for a moment.

The Stair Running Incident Of 07

Last week we were in the middle of a rather harder stair running session. You know the song "Stairway to heaven"? Yep?

Well, this is the stairway to hell. 6 times.

Mel was half way up the stairs on the 5th set and was, to my eye anyway, walking. So I said an encouraging "Run Mel."

Well, that's what it sounded like to me. That's what I had in my mind. That's what words my tongue went to say. Those are the words I heard. And those words sounded encouraging.

But no, apparently they weren't the words I uttered.

What I really said was "Get your fat ass up the stairs you lazy old cow. Mooooooooooo."

I said "Run Mel."

Mel heard "Get your fat ass up the stairs you lazy old cow. Mooooooooooo."

Back to Chris

Anyhow, back to Chris' encouragement.

It's interesting to watch him in action.

There is never any hint of negativity. Not a hint.

No:

• Push harder
• Run faster
• You're doing that wrong

It's all:

• You are doing great!
• Perfect!
• Amazing stuff!
• Great form!
• Fantastic!
  

And yes, Chris does speak with all those exclamation marks.

He doesn't throw in one "Get your fat ass up the stairs you lazy old cow. Mooooooooooo."

Not one.

And it works really well. Really, really well.

Well enough for Mel to conquer a hill she never thought she'd run up.

The point is this: People respond very, very positively to positive stuff. We all respond even better to super positive stuff.

People don't respond as well to criticism.

Give it a try.

Try this one for starters:

Find you spouse/partner/loved one and say this when they do something for you:

"Thanks, that's a great job. I really should say more that I appreciate what you do - you work so hard to make my life better and I don't say "Thanks" enough. So thanks - you're a wonderful, wonderful girl/boy/woman/man."

Anyway, Mel ran up the hill. And her husband is an insensitive pig.

I think that covers enough farm animals....if I keep talking I'll be hoarse. I'll keep talking if I want, I'm not chicken.

Okay, bad jokes. They must be getting on your goat. I know I'm feeling a bit sheepish.

Definitely the end.

Cheers

Brendon

P.S: I just checked to make sure the links worked and have just seen on Chris' personal training site that he mentioned Mel on his blog.

A women runs up a hill and gets 2 bloody blog posts written about her!

1 Minute Video - How To Attract Long Term Clients

Enjoy your Friday.

Get Flash to see this player.

Labels: video

Wednesday, December 5  

Ugg Boots Going Large

I can tell it's Christmas time coming up when the visitors to my ugg boots page start increasing.

If you're selling stuff for Christmas now is the time you'll be making sales. If you're just about to start your marketing campaign you're almost certainly too late.

If you don't already, mark out the major times your stuff might sell - Christmas, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, whatever - and start planning to be in the right place at the right time for potential customers.

Cheers.

Brendon

Labels: ugg boots

Tuesday, December 4  

".....As Stupid As George Bush."

Whilst my telemarketer yesterday was just plain tedious, it's nothing compared to the brilliant insult from this telemarketer when the poor guy on the other end (who has hearing problems) can't understand the question.

The telemarketer is from a business called Blue Print Web Marketing.

Right now the guys at Blue Print Web Marketing are sitting there thinking "Aaaaaaaargh, what are we going to do now??!!"

Their web site has either crashed under the weight of visitors (the post about the insult has made the front page of Digg), or been removed by the owners.

Will be interesting to see how these clowns respond to the PR nightmare they have created.

Click here to listen to the call.
Click here to read a transcript.

Cheers

Brendon

Monday, December 3  

Do You Ask This Question?

The person from the directory who annoyed me for 10 minutes has made me think of something we should all do when calling someone. on the phone.

We should ask them 1 question right at the start. And that question is this:

Have you got some time to talk, or should I call back at a more convenient time?

It's good manners that one. I usually forget to ask, but I have just been reminded how annoying it is to be interrupted by someone you don't want to talk with.

Cheers

Brendon

A Directory To Avoid

I've been on the phone for 10 minutes now listening to a a guy from Big Roo (an Australian directory - no link love for them) trying to sell me a premium listing at the rate of $65 per month.

The conversation is going like this "Brendon, right now Brendon, the important thing Brendon is, Brendon, that next year, Brendon............Brendon."

And then comes the "Brendon, Big Roo will submit your site to the major search engines......... Brendon."

I stopped the salesperson right there because now he's started to either lie to me or baffle me or has absolutely no ideas how the major search engines work (and there are only 3 major search engines - Google, Yahoo and MSN) and they find out about your site from links to other sites.

So get links from other sites.

Which is why we got listed in Big Roo - but then they use that listing as a lead and hard sell their particular brand of whatever it is (my mum tells me not to swear) to the unsuspecting.

So we'll stop getting clients listed in Big Roo.

Don't be sold by someone who doesn't know what they're talking about/tells you stuff because they think you won't understand it. It's just wrong.

Cheers

Brendon