Corey Smith's Random Thoughts

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I try to write about three times per week. Most of it is pretty good and will probably help you grow your business. If it doesn't, then I probably can't help you.

You can use a traditional RSS Feedreader with this fancy-dancy link. I think this approach is harder but if you want to do it the hard way, who am I to say otherwise?

You can use a traditional RSS Feedreader with this fancy-dancy link. I think this approach is harder but if you want to do it the hard way, who am I to say otherwise?

Black Hat SEO (search engine optimization). That's an interesting term. It hearkens back to the idea that the cowboy with the black hat must be the bad guy. He's evil. He's obvious. He breaks the law.

The sheriff, the good guy, the hunter of the black hat, is the one wearing the white hat.

When you consider the black hat and white hat, it makes you think that black is bad and white is good. Unfortunately, SEO doesn't really work that way.

Let me give you the top reasons why black hat SEO isn't necessarily wrong.

Posted in my web strategy blog on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at about 9am.
This posted is tagged: Black Hat, SEO, Search Engine Optimization
Is Black Hat SEO Really That Bad? Marshall Dillon

Black Hat SEO (search engine optimization). That's an interesting term. It hearkens back to the idea that the cowboy with the black hat must be the bad guy. He's evil. He's obvious. He breaks the law.

The sheriff, the good guy, the hunter of the black hat, is the one wearing the white hat.

When you consider the black hat and white hat, it makes you think that black is bad and white is good. Unfortunately, SEO doesn't really work that way.

Let me give you the top reasons why black hat SEO isn't necessarily wrong.

Posted in my web strategy blog on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at about 9am.
This posted is tagged: Black Hat, SEO, Search Engine Optimization

Google has long been the primary search engine on the internet, bringing in over 65% on average of search engine queries. The term Google has become so ubiquitous that google is the verb for searching on the web. Bing tried to make the same move but it will likely never happen even though they are in second place in the search engine market share; they are a very distant second at about 16% search share.

Posted in my web strategy blog on Monday, September 30, 2013 at about 9am.
Monday Marketing - The Almighty Google Update

Google has long been the primary search engine on the internet, bringing in over 65% on average of search engine queries. The term Google has become so ubiquitous that google is the verb for searching on the web. Bing tried to make the same move but it will likely never happen even though they are in second place in the search engine market share; they are a very distant second at about 16% search share.

Posted in my web strategy blog on Monday, September 30, 2013 at about 9am.

Hold your horses. I am going to talk about health insurance.

However, I am going to avoid waxing too political... primarily because I am tired of the politics surrounding a financial decision. I am tired of the Democrats accusing the Republicans of being partisan and vice versa.

I think that if people understood that health insurance is a financial decision and not a decision based on "caring" or "compassion" then we would probably come to a solution to our problem. In fact, if people really thought about it, they would never want insurance but simply pay their own bills as they come up.

Posted in my business blog on Friday, September 27, 2013 at about 9am.
This posted is tagged: Health Insurance, Obamacare
Health Insurance - The POV of a Thinking Man

Hold your horses. I am going to talk about health insurance.

However, I am going to avoid waxing too political... primarily because I am tired of the politics surrounding a financial decision. I am tired of the Democrats accusing the Republicans of being partisan and vice versa.

I think that if people understood that health insurance is a financial decision and not a decision based on "caring" or "compassion" then we would probably come to a solution to our problem. In fact, if people really thought about it, they would never want insurance but simply pay their own bills as they come up.

Posted in my business blog on Friday, September 27, 2013 at about 9am.
This posted is tagged: Health Insurance, Obamacare

Nearly ten years ago, I accepted a new job and moved from Salt Lake City, Utah to Boise, Idaho. My employer previous to that provided me with tools that my new employer did not. Among those tools was a cell phone.

My first order of business when I arrived in Boise was to get a local cell phone. I shopped around a bit and decided that, for the money, T-Mobile was the way to go.

If figured I'd find what I needed at the mall since there are usually a plethora of kiosks and stores to choose from.

I found my target salesman and went in for the buy.

Posted in my business blog on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at about 8am.
This posted is tagged: Sales

Nearly ten years ago, I accepted a new job and moved from Salt Lake City, Utah to Boise, Idaho. My employer previous to that provided me with tools that my new employer did not. Among those tools was a cell phone.

My first order of business when I arrived in Boise was to get a local cell phone. I shopped around a bit and decided that, for the money, T-Mobile was the way to go.

If figured I'd find what I needed at the mall since there are usually a plethora of kiosks and stores to choose from.

I found my target salesman and went in for the buy.

Posted in my business blog on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at about 8am.
This posted is tagged: Sales

You may have heard the terms SEO and SEM bandied about over the last few years. I am reasonably confident that at least half of the so-called professionals that are in the search industry don't really know what they are talking about. They tend to use these two terms interchangeably.

In fact, you can especially identify someone that doesn't understand the distinction of these two terms when they say things like:

Posted in my web strategy blog on Monday, September 23, 2013 at about 9am.
Monday Marketing - SEO versus SEM

You may have heard the terms SEO and SEM bandied about over the last few years. I am reasonably confident that at least half of the so-called professionals that are in the search industry don't really know what they are talking about. They tend to use these two terms interchangeably.

In fact, you can especially identify someone that doesn't understand the distinction of these two terms when they say things like:

Posted in my web strategy blog on Monday, September 23, 2013 at about 9am.

When trying to market yourself online, you have the ability to demonstrate yourself as a credible source. What's interesting is how many people and companies don't maximize this opportunity that Al Gore built for us online.

There are some key components that every website should contain. If your website doesn't include these elements, then you are missing out on opportunities.

What is especially amazing is how many web designers and marketers don't have these basic elements on their websites.

Posted in my web strategy blog on Friday, September 20, 2013 at about 9am.
This posted is tagged: Web Strategy, website
Five Things Your Website Might Be Missing

When trying to market yourself online, you have the ability to demonstrate yourself as a credible source. What's interesting is how many people and companies don't maximize this opportunity that Al Gore built for us online.

There are some key components that every website should contain. If your website doesn't include these elements, then you are missing out on opportunities.

What is especially amazing is how many web designers and marketers don't have these basic elements on their websites.

Posted in my web strategy blog on Friday, September 20, 2013 at about 9am.
This posted is tagged: Web Strategy, website

As the owner of a business you can imagine that sales people call on me all the time. I get emails, letters in snail-mail and phone calls on a daily basis. I even get the occasional pop in to the office in the hopes that I'll be available to be sold to.

Most of these sales people have one key thing in common. Most of the time the attitude is that of, "I have something to sell and I want to see if you want to buy."

I hate that. I hate being looked at as a wallet. I'm fortunate my children aren't old enough yet to ask me for more money and I'm sure I'll hate it when they are.

Posted in my business blog on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at about 9am.
This posted is tagged: Business, Sales
How to Sell to Me

As the owner of a business you can imagine that sales people call on me all the time. I get emails, letters in snail-mail and phone calls on a daily basis. I even get the occasional pop in to the office in the hopes that I'll be available to be sold to.

Most of these sales people have one key thing in common. Most of the time the attitude is that of, "I have something to sell and I want to see if you want to buy."

I hate that. I hate being looked at as a wallet. I'm fortunate my children aren't old enough yet to ask me for more money and I'm sure I'll hate it when they are.

Posted in my business blog on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at about 9am.
This posted is tagged: Business, Sales

I'm surprised how often I still get friend requests on Facebook from businesses. It's been a couple of years since I wrote my post on "Facebook No-Nos." It's time to revisit.

Choosing the correct type of Facebook page for your business is extremely important. If use a personal account for your business page, not only will you not be able to manage your business information properly but you will miss out on many features that can allow you to better promote your business offerings.

Posted in my web strategy blog on Monday, September 16, 2013 at about 8am.
This posted is tagged: Facebook, Facebook Pages, Monday Marketing
Monday Marketing - Facebook Fan Pages

I'm surprised how often I still get friend requests on Facebook from businesses. It's been a couple of years since I wrote my post on "Facebook No-Nos." It's time to revisit.

Choosing the correct type of Facebook page for your business is extremely important. If use a personal account for your business page, not only will you not be able to manage your business information properly but you will miss out on many features that can allow you to better promote your business offerings.

Posted in my web strategy blog on Monday, September 16, 2013 at about 8am.
This posted is tagged: Facebook, Facebook Pages, Monday Marketing

I mentioned in my last post that I was in Sun Valley last weekend. We stayed at the very nice Sun Valley Inn. It was a great location and a great place to spend a weekend away.

I was getting my bike out of the bell closet one of the days and I noticed a sign. The sign told the bellmen and the valet that they are not allowed to play games on duty.

Normally, customers wouldn't see that sign because it was an employee only area but I had just followed the valet in. At first I thought it was a little funny that they had to have that sign. It didn't really occur to me why they had to have that sign.

Posted in my personal blog on Friday, September 13, 2013 at about 9am.
This posted is tagged: Customer Experience, Customer Service
Your Most Important Customer

I mentioned in my last post that I was in Sun Valley last weekend. We stayed at the very nice Sun Valley Inn. It was a great location and a great place to spend a weekend away.

I was getting my bike out of the bell closet one of the days and I noticed a sign. The sign told the bellmen and the valet that they are not allowed to play games on duty.

Normally, customers wouldn't see that sign because it was an employee only area but I had just followed the valet in. At first I thought it was a little funny that they had to have that sign. It didn't really occur to me why they had to have that sign.

Posted in my personal blog on Friday, September 13, 2013 at about 9am.
This posted is tagged: Customer Experience, Customer Service

For most of my life I've been an indoor guy. Sure, I've gone camping or eaten on the patio when going out to eat at a restaurant. But, I've not really taken seriously outdoor activity. By extension, I've not taken seriously my health.

Recently I decided to turn over a new leaf for real. No, really for real. I now go to the gym every weekday that I'm in town and workout with a trainer that likes to cause pain (lots and lots of pain). I have set a goal to be able to say that when I turn 40 (less than a year away) that I'm in the best shape of my life.

Posted in my personal blog on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at about 8am.
This posted is tagged: Work, Bike
The Lesson of the Bike Ride

For most of my life I've been an indoor guy. Sure, I've gone camping or eaten on the patio when going out to eat at a restaurant. But, I've not really taken seriously outdoor activity. By extension, I've not taken seriously my health.

Recently I decided to turn over a new leaf for real. No, really for real. I now go to the gym every weekday that I'm in town and workout with a trainer that likes to cause pain (lots and lots of pain). I have set a goal to be able to say that when I turn 40 (less than a year away) that I'm in the best shape of my life.

Posted in my personal blog on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at about 8am.
This posted is tagged: Work, Bike

When you first get your new website, it's a momentous occasion. You'll usually expect bells and whistles mixed with a few fireworks by way of celebration. In fact, as you might expect, the entire world joins in one common thought of how wonderful you are and how fortunate you are to have accomplished a feat such as telling your server guys to flip the switch.

But, after the honeymoon of a new website launch wears thin... and even before you launch the website, there are a few things you need to be sure to take care of. One of the most important is checking for broken links.

Posted in my web strategy blog on Monday, September 9, 2013 at about 7am.
This is not the page you're looking for.

When you first get your new website, it's a momentous occasion. You'll usually expect bells and whistles mixed with a few fireworks by way of celebration. In fact, as you might expect, the entire world joins in one common thought of how wonderful you are and how fortunate you are to have accomplished a feat such as telling your server guys to flip the switch.

But, after the honeymoon of a new website launch wears thin... and even before you launch the website, there are a few things you need to be sure to take care of. One of the most important is checking for broken links.

Posted in my web strategy blog on Monday, September 9, 2013 at about 7am.

When I was just about four classes shy of earning my Bachelor of Business Administration I got very bored. I no longer wanted to earn a business degree. I was so bored I decided to change my degree to Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.

It was a strange shift made even stranger by the fact that I was the only businessman in my entire program. I learned Java, C, SQL and a dozen other acronyms.

There were times that I struggled because I am not a coder. I'm not a programmer and my mind doesn't necessarily think the same way that an IT professional's mind thinks. In fact, most in my program were working in the field so they could practice everyday at their job.

Posted in my business blog on Friday, September 6, 2013 at about 9am.
This posted is tagged: Education, Learning
Learn More Stuff

When I was just about four classes shy of earning my Bachelor of Business Administration I got very bored. I no longer wanted to earn a business degree. I was so bored I decided to change my degree to Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.

It was a strange shift made even stranger by the fact that I was the only businessman in my entire program. I learned Java, C, SQL and a dozen other acronyms.

There were times that I struggled because I am not a coder. I'm not a programmer and my mind doesn't necessarily think the same way that an IT professional's mind thinks. In fact, most in my program were working in the field so they could practice everyday at their job.

Posted in my business blog on Friday, September 6, 2013 at about 9am.
This posted is tagged: Education, Learning

My father-in-law is a retired farmer. He has worked years in various types of ranching and farming.

Before he retired, I remember him working long, long days at the beginning and the end of the season. When it was time to plant or when it was time to harvest, he would have a very small window in which to do his work.

Now, if you aren't familiar with farming, you may wonder why the window was so small. You might think, "Well, doesn't he have all year to do his job?"

Posted in my business blog on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at about 8am.
This posted is tagged: Business, Work

My father-in-law is a retired farmer. He has worked years in various types of ranching and farming.

Before he retired, I remember him working long, long days at the beginning and the end of the season. When it was time to plant or when it was time to harvest, he would have a very small window in which to do his work.

Now, if you aren't familiar with farming, you may wonder why the window was so small. You might think, "Well, doesn't he have all year to do his job?"

Posted in my business blog on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at about 8am.
This posted is tagged: Business, Work

You may have recently decided to jump into the wonderful world of web marketing. You figured you'd show how cool you are by doing your own search engine optimization or pay per click management. As a result, you just set up your first online ad campaign and now you’re ready to sit back and reap the benefits of its inevitable success.

Posted in my web strategy blog on Monday, September 2, 2013 at about 9am.
Monday Marketing - Tracking Your Web Marketing

You may have recently decided to jump into the wonderful world of web marketing. You figured you'd show how cool you are by doing your own search engine optimization or pay per click management. As a result, you just set up your first online ad campaign and now you’re ready to sit back and reap the benefits of its inevitable success.

Posted in my web strategy blog on Monday, September 2, 2013 at about 9am.

In order to build and maintain a fire, you need three components: fuel, heat and oxygen. When it comes to heat and oxygen, the more you have of one, the less you need of the other. When your fuel is more dry or combustible then you need less heat or oxygen to spark a flame.

As I was camping with my son, we decided to try a little experiment with our campfire. We had a fire that had been burned out for a few hours and had no smoke at all. I decided to stack my firewood in preparation for the cooking fire even though I knew I wouldn't need it for a few hours.

Posted in my business blog on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at about 8am.
This posted is tagged: Employees, Management, Business
Light the Fire in Your Employees

In order to build and maintain a fire, you need three components: fuel, heat and oxygen. When it comes to heat and oxygen, the more you have of one, the less you need of the other. When your fuel is more dry or combustible then you need less heat or oxygen to spark a flame.

As I was camping with my son, we decided to try a little experiment with our campfire. We had a fire that had been burned out for a few hours and had no smoke at all. I decided to stack my firewood in preparation for the cooking fire even though I knew I wouldn't need it for a few hours.

Posted in my business blog on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at about 8am.
This posted is tagged: Employees, Management, Business

For years you've known how important it is to be found in the search engines. If you have not found success increasing your rankings then you've probably wondered how to do it.

In my book, "Do It Right: A CEO's Guide to Web Strategy" I talk about the three components of SEO or search engine optimization being content, code and links. Since my book is strategic in nature, I don't spend a lot of time discussing what to do what that information.

There are some simple things you can do right now to help you on your way.

Posted in my web strategy blog on Monday, August 26, 2013 at about 9am.
Monday Marketing - Increase Your Search Ranking

For years you've known how important it is to be found in the search engines. If you have not found success increasing your rankings then you've probably wondered how to do it.

In my book, "Do It Right: A CEO's Guide to Web Strategy" I talk about the three components of SEO or search engine optimization being content, code and links. Since my book is strategic in nature, I don't spend a lot of time discussing what to do what that information.

There are some simple things you can do right now to help you on your way.

Posted in my web strategy blog on Monday, August 26, 2013 at about 9am.

When my wife and I were ready to sell our first house after living there a few years, we were able to sell it pretty quickly. A very nice young couple made us an offer that we accepted.

The last name of this couple was Smith. In case you haven't realized it by now, since my name is Corey Smith, our last name is Smith as well.

We laughed at the idea that we were able to sell our first home to another couple buying their first home with the same last name. But, that ended up not being the funny part.

We found that the couple, at the time of the purchase, was still engaged. Her maiden name was Smith. So, a Smith marrying a Smith bought a home from the Smiths.

Posted in my business blog on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at about 8am.
This posted is tagged: Email, Email Marketing, Mail

When my wife and I were ready to sell our first house after living there a few years, we were able to sell it pretty quickly. A very nice young couple made us an offer that we accepted.

The last name of this couple was Smith. In case you haven't realized it by now, since my name is Corey Smith, our last name is Smith as well.

We laughed at the idea that we were able to sell our first home to another couple buying their first home with the same last name. But, that ended up not being the funny part.

We found that the couple, at the time of the purchase, was still engaged. Her maiden name was Smith. So, a Smith marrying a Smith bought a home from the Smiths.

Posted in my business blog on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at about 8am.
This posted is tagged: Email, Email Marketing, Mail

Since the beginning of time, businesses have started locally. When phone books started getting popular, it was common for new owners to name their businesses with the goal of appearing at the top of the white pages. As a result, you have companies that still have names that start with A, A1, A+, AAA, etc.

Today, marketing is a bit more complicated. Aside from the obvious that the best use for yellow pages is as fire starter or packing material, there are too many ways your listings are categorized to assume that A1 Boxers will just be at the top of the list because of the name.

Posted in my web strategy blog on Monday, August 19, 2013 at about 7am.
Monday Marketing - Local Listings

Since the beginning of time, businesses have started locally. When phone books started getting popular, it was common for new owners to name their businesses with the goal of appearing at the top of the white pages. As a result, you have companies that still have names that start with A, A1, A+, AAA, etc.

Today, marketing is a bit more complicated. Aside from the obvious that the best use for yellow pages is as fire starter or packing material, there are too many ways your listings are categorized to assume that A1 Boxers will just be at the top of the list because of the name.

Posted in my web strategy blog on Monday, August 19, 2013 at about 7am.

In 2007, I built my own house. I decided that I wanted to be the general contractor and do a lot of the work myself. I had never built a house so it was quite an experience. In fact, if you've read my first book, you'll know there are many applications of building this house to many other areas of business and marketing.

I hired a framing crew and timed them to start as soon as the foundation was ready to go. They drove in on a Tuesday night at about 5pm and started working by about 5:20pm.

Posted in my business blog on Friday, August 16, 2013 at about 8am.
This posted is tagged: Efficiency, Job
Corey Smith House

In 2007, I built my own house. I decided that I wanted to be the general contractor and do a lot of the work myself. I had never built a house so it was quite an experience. In fact, if you've read my first book, you'll know there are many applications of building this house to many other areas of business and marketing.

I hired a framing crew and timed them to start as soon as the foundation was ready to go. They drove in on a Tuesday night at about 5pm and started working by about 5:20pm.

Posted in my business blog on Friday, August 16, 2013 at about 8am.
This posted is tagged: Efficiency, Job

Understanding and embracing technology is an important part of today's marketplace. Learning to interact in today's digital world is a must for individuals to embrace.

Certainly, it's easiest for the younger generation (does that make me sound old?). It's critical for the more mature.

But, with all this online collaboration, have we forgotten something about what it means to be human?

Posted in my business blog on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at about 8am.
This posted is tagged: Business, Communication, Collaboration
Being Human in a Digital World

Understanding and embracing technology is an important part of today's marketplace. Learning to interact in today's digital world is a must for individuals to embrace.

Certainly, it's easiest for the younger generation (does that make me sound old?). It's critical for the more mature.

But, with all this online collaboration, have we forgotten something about what it means to be human?

Posted in my business blog on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at about 8am.
This posted is tagged: Business, Communication, Collaboration

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