SEO: Not Just For Online Marketers

If you are a web designer, it would greatly improve your business to learn the basics of SEO. As a web designer or front-end developer, most on-site SEO is your responsibility. However, if you are working for an agency with a complete online marketing team, knowing SEO could make your team more effective…and make everyone’s job a little easier. Not to mention that fact that web designers/developers with SEO experience or knowledge are much more valuable to the marketplace.

With 90% of Internet users using search engines to find websites and the majority of those people only looking at the top two results pages, having a high search engine ranking really can make the difference between business success and failure. As a designer, learning how to optimize a website for a particular search term, you are able to attract traffic to it from people who are actively looking for your products and services.

For a website to be successful, both design and search engine optimization (SEO) play an important role. Can you imagine how valuable the art of web design and the technique of SEO would be to both clients and potential employers? If you are a talented designer, there’s really no good reason not to learn SEO.

Looking for an online marketer? Look no further, visit Mandarich.com today!!

Tips For Successful Email Marketing

Email marketing is one of the most powerful marketing tools available to any businesses, no matter what size. With email marketing, you can reach a greater audience, while investing only a small amount of time and an even smaller amount of money.

Here are proven tips to ensure the success of your campaign:

• Make sure that everyone on your list has given you permission to include them; don’t randomly add names
• Guarantee your recipients that their information will not be shared or sold
• Provide a means of contacting you by phone
• Always provide a option to unsubscribe
• Keep information concise, to the point, and focused on their needs
• Don't over do it; e-mailing more than once or twice a week is redundant and could be annoying
• Always provide a choice of HTML or TEXT version

For more information on email marketing strategies, visit Mandarich.com today!!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from MANDARICH.COM

Snowy Day Videos...

Well, winter is definitely upon us and there’s lots of video opportunity outside!! Shooting video in the snow can be tricky and we are here to help!! A few minor adjustments in how and what you shoot can make the difference in the quality of your shoot.

Its probably the most important and the one thing we take for granted; lighting. Lighting in the snow is deceiving; though the temperature in the middle of the day when the sun is high is the most comfortable, but this when shooting snowy video is the worst because brightness makes everything look too white and washed out. If you really want to shoot midday, do it when it’s slightly overcast. It may be a little colder, but you should try to shoot your snow videos at sun-up and sun-down, which gives you richer colors and you will have a vast array of colors like, pink, orange and purple to work with.

Most camcorders have preset configurations, but don’t rely on those. Use your manual settings for snow shooting. The “auto white balance” might work at times with snow, but you'll get the best results using the manual over ride and dialing in the white balance yourself.

You might consider using a neutral density filter; this can be a great way to take that harsh edgy look off the snow. These filters come in all sizes and you shouldn’t have a problem finding one that will fit your camcorder.

Playing in the snow is great fun and capturing candid shots or snowball fights will make great footage. Just remind your subjects to wear bright colors so they won’t blend in.

Here's a great tutorial to help you make better snowy videos!



For more photo and video tips, visit Mandarich Photography on the web!!!

The Importance of Off-Page Optimizing

Last week we talked about “on-page” optimization and the how important it is in increasing page ranking. Equally as important and sometimes overlooked is “off-page” optimization. You may already be doing most of these functions periodically, and it could be that you don’t realize how taking the extra time to properly manage off-page optimization and make it a part of your regular routine can make a monumental difference.

Where on-page optimization is performed within the pages and coding of your website, off-page optimization includes strategies for optimization that are done off the pages of your site to maximize its performance in the search engines. The strongest attribute of off-page SEO is link popularity; any method of obtaining links can also be considered off-page optimization and includes the following:

• Article distribution
• Social networking
• Blogging
• Bookmarks
• Forum Posting
• Anchor text
• Public Relations
• Directory Listings
• ...and of course Link Campaigns
  

Whether you chose to optimize your site daily or weekly, off-page optimization can be pretty time consuming and it requires a lot of work on a continuous basis. But in the end, all your hard work and diligence will pay off and you will be enjoying the rewards of being ranked high on the SERPs.

Looking for an Internet marketing company with proven results?
Contact Mandarich.com today!

Being a Fitness Model Takes More Than Just Muscles

Being a professional fitness model takes more than just being in great shape…and it takes more than being a great model…it’s actually a successful combination of both and having a team of pro’s a must!

Pro number 1: You will need to get in the best shape you can when trying to become a fitness model. Starting your own exercise program is a great start but for truly professional results, find a personal trainer that can tell you exactly what you will need to work on and what you will need to show off your assets in fitness model photos. You will specifically want to work on becoming toned and slim and while you will want some muscle definition, avoid overdoing it.

Pro number 2: The next professional you will want to hire in your quest to becoming a fitness model is a professional photographer who specializes in fitness photography. These photographers will take many photos, focusing on the theme of sports and fitness although they will also take shots including glamour and swimwear shots. Arizona fitness photographers Char & Tony Mandarich are highly experienced with putting together portfolios and owning one is an important part of becoming part of the fitness model industry.

Pro number 3: You will need this portfolio when you begin calling around to agents, which is your next step. Look around at fitness modeling agency in your area and ask if they are taking on new clients. They will ask you for your portfolio and how much experience you have had. They will also ask you to come to the office so they may meet you face to face. When you go to that meeting, it’s important that you bring along your portfolio. If they like your portfolio, they will most likely decide to do a test shot so they can see how you work with their product and staff.

Once you find an agent, they will start to schedule you for go-sees. These are simply interviews with a potential client that you will be fitness modeling for. You want to look your best when you attend a go-see and make sure to be on time. Remember while you are there that you need to leave them impressed so they remember you and call you to become their new fitness model!

Environmentally Friendly Web Design?

It doesn’t matter what you do, where you go, what you watch on television, GREEN is everywhere!! Well, we have a new one for you, how about green web design? Is it really possible? Believe it or not, it is!! Your website can be "green" (or environmentally friendly) and look professional too. With the introduction of the energy-saving, black version of Google, Blackle.com, Internet-based companies and web designers have jumped on the environmental bandwagon! In addition to building sites with darker colors (which has been proven to take up less power then brighter colors), some of the eco-friendly service providers also offer solar-powered, eco-web hosting! The really cool thing about these eco-savvy companies is that they have “greened” up their activities; they have company-sponsored recycling programs, most donate to an environmental support organization, and some have gone to the extreme that all employees either walk, ride bikes or drive vehicles with alternative fuel systems to work.

IT'S ABOUT TIME!
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the world population is expanding at a rate that is hard to wrap your mind around; by 1800, the world reached 1 billion people; two billion by 1922; and by the Millennium, over 6 billion people. It is estimated that the population will increase to an unimaginable amount of over 9.3 billion people by 2050. The frightening part of all of this is if the world’s natural resources were evenly distributed, people in 2050 will only have 25% of the resources per capita that people in 1950 had.

WHY GO GREEN?
Perhaps the question should be "why not” go green? Just looking at our landscape you can’t help but see the impact industry has had on the environment. The world's natural resources are disappearing at an astounding rate.

So again, why green design? Because every little bit helps our energy-stressed environment!

Interested in an eco-friendly web-design? Contact Mandarich Media Group today!!

The Art of Conversion Optimiztion Part II - Do Your Customers Trust You?

Last week we defined conversion optimization and how to start implementing it in your overall Internet marketing scheme. Now that we have you thinking like a customer and not the creator, let’s look at ways to build trust and make people want to buy from you.

Its human nature, before people will spend money with you, they have an inherent need to trust you. Here are some things to check for that will make you and your site more trustworthy:

First you want to make people feel that it is safe to buy through your site; there are many companies that offer secure ordering and when you choose one, they typically give you an icon to place on your site or shopping cart; another e-commerce safety feature is making sure your shopping cart uses the standard SSL encryption for processing orders.

Building trust only begins with your e-commerce safety features and ends with customer satisfaction. Make sure that you offer a product guarantee or service warranty … and make sure that your guarantee is seen up front and before purchase. You can mention it on your ads or in your PPC campaign that you have the industry’s best warranty…and stand behind that warranty.

Aside from gaining your customer’s trust, you want them to spend money, right? Once they pick a product for purchase, make sure you install a feature that suggests accompanying products to enhance their experience … and the shopping cart!!

If you need more information on Search Engine Marketing, visit Mandarich Media Group on the web!!

Shooting On The Green...Screen That Is!!!!

Green chroma screens have become more and more popular in recent years. The relative brightness of green makes it a bad choice for shooting blonde hair though, which is a lot easier to key against blue backgrounds. Using a green screen can help you create amazing video without leaving your studio. You won’t necessarily have to go to the expense of location shoots, the green screen technique will make it seem as if you actually did.

Video editing software, such as Final Cut Pro removes the green background from the video clip, and fills in the empty space with the picture from another video clip. A good example is the weather reports shown on television, which shows the weatherman standing in front of a green screen while the animation displays maps and graphics. The green background of the video is replaced by the animation.

You will want to make sure your subjects do not wear green and you will also need to avoid green props or other objects. As well as avoiding green, you will probably notice that some colors and shades work better than others. For example, dark colored clothes may create more of a green rim around foreground objects than light colors. As with any type of video, practice is very important and you need to experiment with lots of different colors.



Looking for a professional photographer? Visit Mandarich Photography online at www.mandarichphotography.com.

On-Page Optimization Made Simple

Every online marketer knows that one of the very first steps of successful SEO is on-page optimization. But don’t worry…its not as difficult as you might think; you just need to know your content and have a little intuition and you are already half way there. Proper on-page optimization not only improves your visitors’ experience on your site, but will help you rank higher with the mighty search engine.

So, what is on-page optimization? Simply put it’s what you do to your website to attract more traffic. The two most important factors of on-page optimization is using powerful keywords customizing your design where search engines could easily detect your title, which again, should include your keywords or phrase on the page.

On-page optimization involves modifying keyword frequency in your URL, Title, Headings, Hypertext Links and Body text. It may also involve reducing redundant HTML codes and restructuring your site to with focused content and more relevant links.

Here’s a quick list of on-page optimization techniques you can start with:

Content Optimization

TITLE-Tags

META-Tags

Attractive Headlines & Text Attributes

Links and Mouseover Attributes

Continually Updating Your Content

Be sure to visit us next week for a look at off-page optimization. If you need help with building a successful online marketing plan, visit Mandarich Media Group at www.mandarichmediagroup.com.

The Difference Between Taking Pictures and Being a Photographer

Almost anyone can push a shutter down. Being a photographer requires more. People skills are crucial and need to be appropriate to the context of the shoot. The ‘art’ of photography requires skill and talent to take beautiful, exciting, attention grabbing pictures. The ‘business’ of photography requires people skills. If your people skills are lacking, your business will suffer.

An important people skill is facilitating a sense of comfort and relaxation in the client. Part of your goal is to have a long list of return clients. Feeling comfortable with you is good insurance for their return in the future. If they feel uncomfortable in any way, you could lose their business for life.

Some People Skills Suggestions for Photographers:

1. Maintain Eye Contact: Eye contact with a smile communicates acceptance and trust. Get out from behind the tripod and make eye contact with your client.

2. ChatterBox: Keep dialog going with your client throughout the entire session. Make conversation, offer compliments, instruct him in his position; help her feel like she is talking to her best friend, someone she has known for a long time.

3. Natural vs Posed: Natural, unposed pictures are treasures! This is especially true for pictures of children. Fidgety and playful children present a challenge to the photographer who wants a posed picture. Our advice is to let them just be themselves. You can capture some wonderful and beautiful pictures of a child dancing, playing with a stuffed animal, dressing up in play clothes, and more.

4. Keep it Honest: Your client might want a picture of himself or herself with a smile, but they might look more natural with a frown. Keeping your pictures and clients honest will result in better pictures.

So, remember that having good people skills as a photographer can really make a difference in your photography business. Keep good eye contact, keep a good conversation going, allow your clients to be themselves, and keep it honest and natural.

Be sure to visit Mandarich Photography at www.mandarichphotography.com for more great photography tips!!

Did Technology Kill The Browser-Safe Color Palette

With the advancement of technology comes several debates of the Internet's old-school of thought. One of which is the traditional web safe color palette.

A Lesson in History...
The color management system historically used by Web browser software is based on an 8-bit, 216-color (not 256) palette. The web (browser)-safe color palette was a solution devised by Netscape to solve the problem of displaying color graphics in a similar way on many kinds of display screens, with browsers running under different operating systems (such as Mac, Windows, and UNIX).

The Debate...
Most Web users have computers and monitors set to "thousands" or "millions" of colors, so the importance of the so-called Web-safe palette has sharply diminished in the past few years. When the user has a monitor set to thousands or millions of colors all colors display properly, so there is no longer any need to restrict your color choices to the 216 Web-safe colors.

Just the idea that it is now safe to design without the palette has many designers and programmers up in arms. But let's face it, so few computer users view the web in 256 colors anymore.

And the beat goes on...
Today's computers have more memory, faster processors and don't suffer from the color palette restrictions of the computers from the early days. The need to use the browser-safe palette for color consistency just about become obsolete. As technology advances, so does our flexibility of design.

Its not to say that using the browser-safe palette isn't still a good design practice. It simply limits your choices to 216 colors; and this is okay for those who aren't gifted with color picking skills, and I have to say, it makes designing a whole lot easier when working with limited color choices.

At this point, there's no right or wrong when it comes to which colors you pick, but more important to know how to combine colors in that will portray your business and increase traffic to your site.

For more web design tips & techniques, visit Mandarich Media Group on the web!!

The Art of Conversion Optimization - Part I

In Internet marketing, conversion optimization is the science and art of creating a unique experience for a website visitor, with the goal of converting that visitor into a customer. More simply put, it is the process of making it easier for a visitor to buy from you. Sounds complicated, but it is really simple common sense.

Conversion optimization begins with site analysis and thinking like a user. So, take a look at your site from a non-company perspective: as an end-user:

• How does the site look to you?

• How is the navigation?

• Is the information useful or useless?

When performing your site analysis from a user's perspective, you have to keep in mind the "three-click rule". Can you find the information you want in three clicks or less?

The next step in conversion optimization is studying your competitor's sites; how does their functionality compare to yours? What features do they have that are more appealing? How safe is their site? You should also look at the high ranking, main contenders, such as Amazon or Ebay; what features is your site lacking?

Next week we will talk a little more about conversion optimization and building a site that user's will trust. In the meantime, if you need more information on Search Engine Marketing, visit Mandarich Media Group on the web!!

Video and Lighting Basics - What Everyone Should Know!

ATTACHED LIGHTING:
The light that you attach to your camera is usually unflattering and captures unwanted shadows. But if that is the only choice you have, stick with a 25-watt light. It will illuminate your talent and won’t drain your battery.

EXTERNAL LIGHTING:
The most recommended lighting is "3-point lighting". You can shine the light on your talent from up above, from one side and from the back, casting the right element of shadows in the right places. Using soft lights, the shadows will be less harsh.

COLOR TEMPERATURE:
Color temperature is very important. Fluorescent lights shine a little greenish, where incandescent lighting is reddish (about 2000 degrees K color temperature); Quartz halogen TV lights are also reddish (3200 degrees K). Outdoor light is usually bluish, (about
5400 degrees K) except during sunrise and sunset.

Give close care to skin color when using more than one type of light. The bluish light from a window could make one side of the talent's face look pallid and ghost-like, while indoor lighting may make the other side of the face look red and sunburned. Use gel filters to balance out the lighting in combined situations.

REFLECTORS:
When shooting outdoors, you definitely want to use reflectors; they use no electricity and the color temperature is exactly the same as the sun. To soften shadows, you can use a white poster board or a large sheet.

BE PREPARED:
When you are preparing for a shoot, consider where and what time of day you will be filming and always, always carry extra light bulbs. Not being able to finish a session because you weren’t prepared is never good!

Bad, Bad Bot!!!

The definition of a "bad bot" varies depending on who you ask, but most would agree that bots are actually spiders that do a lot more harm than good on your site. Bad bots typically ignore the wishes of your robots.txt file, so you'll want to ban them using means such as .htaccess. But the tricky part is identifying the bot.

How to identify a bad bot: If you aren't already doing this, you really need to start checking your logs to see who is visiting your site, how often and how long they are there. From your logs you can start identifying the bad guys. There's too many to list here, but if you Google "how to identify bad bots" you will find blogs that list the bad guys and tools to help you protect your site.

Just keep in mind that having a search engine bot on your site is good for your site as they crawl and index your website faster; but you need to take the time to identify the bad bots and keep them from crawling your site. If you have someone doing optimization for you, you should make sure that this is part of their service offerings.

Want to learn more about SEO? Visit us on the web at mandarichmediagroup.com.

Seeing the World Up Close and Personal with Macro Photography

Macro photography is basically super close-up photography where the image projected on the "film plane" is close to the same size as the subject. Using a 35mm camera, the lens is typically optimized to focus sharply on a small area approaching the size of the film frame.

A standard 35 mm SLR camera is quite useful for macro photography. Macro photography images let you see what you typically cannot with just the naked eye. SLR digital cameras with interchangeable lenses are ideal for macro photography and there's really no need to spend thousands of dollars on equipment. Using a close-up lens, you can focus on the intricate details of a ladybug or grasshopper, even a dewdrop.

Like any other form of photography, a successful photo shoot takes practice.

Here are a few tips to get you started on your way:

1.) Keep it simple.
2.) Sharp focus is imperative.
3.) Fill the frame with just your subject...no background noise.
4.) No two sides are the same so shoot from different angles.

Next time you are searching for your composition, just remember that there is so much out there to take pictures of, just keep your eyes open and look at the world a little closer...you'll be surprised what you see!!!

Need more photography tips? Visit Mandarich Photography on the web!

Creating a Unique Site Using Web Design Templates

We all know that creating a unique and professional looking website greatly increases traffic and the amount of time visitors stay on your site…and spend money!! There was a time that getting that unique site meant hiring a professional web designer and spending a great deal of cash. If you are a small business owner and just starting out in the Internet marketing game, you can actually put together a great looking website on your own using pre-designed web templates. They’ve been around for quite a while, but are still way under-rated.

I know your first objection is customization; if your website is a reflection of you and your business, then just how custom can you get with a template? Pre-made website templates are available in thousands of individual designs and you can pick the one that best matches your image and service offerings. Once you have selected a template, you can start customizing it and making it your own by adding your business name, photos, text, links and products.

Using web templates can save you a ton of money and time, and best of all gives you the control and freedom over content. And if you are using software such as Dreamweaver or FrontPage, the commands and functions are as simple to use as MS Word.

When shopping for a web template, make sure they include the following features: compatibility with popular html editors; coding should be such that there is no alteration in the structure of the template on content/graphic insertion; template should be easy to upload; and a webpage generated by a web template should download with ease in any browser.

As your business grows, your need for a professional designer may increase as well, but using a web design template will give you a good start.

For more web design tips, visit Mandarich Media Group on the web!

Internet Marketing & Social Networks: A Powerful Partnership

On October 24th we talked about the importance of Internet branding and building a brand that effectively represents whom you are and what you do. Now that you have your brand, what do you do with it?

Get it out there!! Be seen, be visible. Make sure you and your business are everywhere you look!! Its time to start thinking about networking, and we’re not talking about power lunches or happy hour. We’re talking about Internet-networking. You need to be where people can find you quickly; and the more networks you belong to, the more credible you and your business will become.

People like doing business with people…not companies, so having a branded presence including your photo, bio, and company logo on multiple social networking sites will give you immeasurable visibility and will get you found by the your ideal customers! You need to make it easy for people to find you – and in doing so you will dramatically increase your search engine ranking as well.

So go on, get out there, be seen…

Need help with your Internet marketing plan? Visit us on the web at mandarichmediagroup.com.

Chosing the Right Video Editing Software

When making a decision about which video editing software to buy, there are quite a few things to take into consideration. One of the most important is the computer you are currently using; do you have sufficient memory to work with video files? Take a look at the system requirements for each program before you make a purchase, last thing you want to do is buy a program that your computer cannot run.

Here are a few other things to look for when purchasing your editing software:

Ease of Use: Video editing requires multiple steps, so the program needs to be as easy to use as possible. Make sure the software includes easy-to-use instructions and solid customer service.

Editing Tools: Find software that allows you to edit video in timeline and storyboard mode; make trimming scenes, cutting video, and adding text a simple process. The best video editing software even corrects lighting and helps stabilize shaky camera work.

Editing Effects: You are definitely going to want a library of effects, or filters to give your clips a unique flare. Transitions help you segue from scene to scene smoothly, so having a library of standard transitions is also important.

Audio Editing: Not all video editing software comes with audio tracks included, so you must be able to import your own music from CDs or your hard drive. Trimming, fading, and extending audio tracks to fit a scene are essential.

Exporting: Once you've completed all editing of your video, you'll want the flexibility of exporting it to several video formats. Common formats include flash video (FLV, for YouTube), MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4, VCD, SVCD, DVD, AVI, WMV, MOV, and even AVCHD.

Disc Creation: If you want to showcase your videos on a computer or DVD player, you can create a disc with or without a menu. Good video editing software comes with a library of DVD menu templates, and even makes it easy to create your own.

For more tips on photo and video editing, visit us at MandarichPhotography.com.

Grabbing Your Competition’s Market Share During The Recession of The Century

As our nation prepares for new leadership, one of the worst recessions in US history is well underway. The recent failures in the US housing and credit markets have resulted in a slowdown in the US economy; with approximately two-thirds of the total production of the country is driven by personal consumption, the US economy has seen a drastic reduction in spending, further worsening our economic condition.

With the recent economic downshift and our nation’s extremely unstable market, companies are rethinking the way they do business, and the front of the firing line, their marketing budgets. Cutting back on marketing strategies and expenses is ultimately counterproductive to any company’s overall business plan. In our present economy, we need to find alternative marketing solutions at half the cost, and with maximum returns.

With the larger competitors cutting back, small businesses now have an opportunity to stake their claim in the market. This means making changes in the way you reach out about the products. Some businesses, marketers, and PR firms are turning to Internet marketing and social media to get the word out about themselves, and their products and services.

Our weakened economy and threat of recession doesn’t mean that small businesses are being set up for failure, it simply means that now is the time to become smarter and more resilient. The good news in all the doom and gloom of our economic state, is that the while high profile marketing campaigns are experiencing a downturn, that small businesses have a golden opportunity to get recognized.

Takin' It To The Streets

Street photography captures life in its finest, while it’s happening. There’s much more than skill and technique required for a unique and compelling street shot. Given that, we have compiled a few tips to help make your street photo shoots more successful:

Tip # 1 (and probably the most important): Confidence:
Street shooting requires confidence; just knowing that you are among strangers…people watching you watching…them requires you to have nerves of steel. Be brave and confident in what you are doing and don’t be afraid to aim and click!!

Tip # 2: Confidence’s partner, Attitude:
With the right attitude, you will be able to focus on what’s going on down a busy street; the lighting, the scenes, the people, and yes even the sounds. Just remember, you are doing nothing wrong, so don't sneak around! Show an interest in your subjects, and work swiftly and politely, you'll be surprised at how cooperative people are and how great your photos will turn out.

Tip #3: Readiness:
Learn your camera's controls so you can shoot in a way that let's you shoot quickly! Watch the lighting and shadows, they can change when you turn a corner or shoot in the opposite direction.

Tip #4: Shoot a lot:
Shoot more frequently than you expect to shoot and weed out the boring shots when you download your pictures. Not only is this good practice, but the more photos you take, the more you have to chose from, and the less missed photo opportunities you will suffer!

There’s a lot of life out on the streets, be sure to be a part of it. Participate in the scenes and have fun. Your photos shoots will be much more successful.

For more great photo tips and tutorials, visit www.mandarichphotography.com.