We’re back from Miami now, filled to the brim with ideas, enthusiasm and inspiration.
Connect was the first of our brand new search marketing events, focusing on the user and their journey.
During the two-day event, our attendees got to enjoy three excellent and deeply fascinating keynotes, as well as 30 other sessions across two tracks, concentrating on both organic and paid search, and together they featured more than 40 speakers, all picked for their ability to educate and entertain in equal measure.
There was also a variety of networking events, round-tables, beach parties and pool parties that helped our delegates get closer to the experts.
Without wishing to blow our own trumpet, it was a triumph. But for those of you who missed out on the fun, I’ve collected together all the most insightful quotes right here…
Daniel Loebl on customer-centricity:
Daniel Loebl, our opening keynote: “you cannot decide if you’re customer-centric on your own. Your customers will tell you” #connectsew
— Search Engine Watch (@sewatch) February 4, 2016
Key to customer-centric marketing is “deep customer empathy” – need to look at the persona beyond the data #ConnectSEW #marketing
— Marc Engelsman (@marc_engelsman) February 4, 2016
A persona is a description of your customers. A mindmap is who you want to be your next customer #ConnectSEW
— Gerald Murphy (@GeraldSearch) February 4, 2016
Great quote from Daniel Loebl “Don’t ever use surveys. Surveys are used to reassure on a decision already made” #connectsew #customercentric
— Chris Bishop (@cpbishop) February 4, 2016
Stephanie Wallace, Nebo, on integrating SEO with PPC:
Struggling with integrating PPC & SEO strategy? Tip 1: Use PPC ad copy A/B testing to inform site content messaging #ConnectSEW
— iProspect (@iProspect) February 4, 2016
Tip 2: pull your top traffic PPC & SEO keywords and identify the gaps for new PPC keywords or SEO content opportunities #ConnectSEW
— iProspect (@iProspect) February 4, 2016
In the last quarter Rich Snippets and Knowledge Graph has increased 40% in Google #ConnectSEW
— Gerald Murphy (@GeraldSearch) February 4, 2016
In the last quarter Rich Snippets and Knowledge Graph has increased 40% in Google #ConnectSEW
— Gerald Murphy (@GeraldSearch) February 4, 2016
When a paid ad & organic result show on the same page, CTR increases 20%. Collaboration not cannibalization. #connectSEW @swallaceSEO
— Amanda Dodge (@amandaedodge) February 4, 2016
Allison Fabella, Careerbuilder, on SEO diagnostics:
Top 4 technical #SEO audit elements:
Penalties
Robots.txt, meta robots, canonicals
Crawlability
Status codes#ConnectSEW— Gerald Murphy (@GeraldSearch) February 4, 2016
you must know where you stand; can’t optimize in a vacuum! #connectSEW #investigativeSEO @alli12
— Mackenzie (@mackclayton) February 4, 2016
Google bots and #SEO are in essence visually impaired. Use UX principles (LV-HA links, alt tags on images…) #ConnectSEW @eskins
— Gerald Murphy (@GeraldSearch) February 4, 2016
Todd Malicoat, FishingCharters.com, on ranking factors:
There are approximately 200 Google ranking factors. #CTR (click through rate) is probably the most influential. #connectsew
— Kelly Shelton (@kellyshelton32) February 4, 2016
Chris Chang, Elite SEM, on retargeting:
Don’t stalk customers with Remarketing #ConnectSEW @ChrisWChang http://pic.twitter.com/fIYmzMPGws
— Christi Olson (@ChristiJOlson) February 4, 2016
.@chriswchang : “Segment users by frequency to engage them on terms that relate to where they are on their consumer path.” #connectsew
— Shannon McDonough (@shnmcd) February 4, 2016
How to use rlsa and customer martch @chriswchang shows examples @sewatch #connectsew #ppc #retargeting http://pic.twitter.com/ZTKXuF5yOO
— kelly sullivan (@kellylsullivan) February 4, 2016
Carl Larson, AT&T and Travis Tillotson, Surgo Group, on mobile search:
@eMarketer predicts mobile advertising will surpass desktop advertising in 2016 at around $40 billion. #connectsew
— Kelly Shelton (@kellyshelton32) February 4, 2016
“If someone tells you this is the year for mobile, give a deep bellied laugh and walk out of the room.” #ConnectSEW
— Anne Kaercher (@annekaercher) February 4, 2016
44% of fortune 500 companies are not mobile friendly…even during the “year” of mobile #ConnectSEW
— iProspect (@iProspect) February 4, 2016
Users have an average of 33 apps, but interact with just 1/3 of them. #connectsew
— A. Nunn (@A_J_Nunn) February 4, 2016
“Over 60% of searchers use the side swipe when it’s available” – @SurgoGroup #ConnectSEW
— g(H)ood kid (@beN_YC) February 4, 2016
Christi Olson on what Bing has in store for 2016:
Search share volume update from @bing @BingAds – now over 20% and 1 in 3 now use Bing network #connectSEW http://pic.twitter.com/bTDA2iHm8k
— Chris Bishop (@cpbishop) February 4, 2016
I’m excited about @BingAds integration across Microsoft Products to driving query growth. View my #ConnectSEW slides https://t.co/A7sjHinEkR
— Christi Olson (@ChristiJOlson) February 4, 2016
Eric Enge, Stone Temple Consulting on content effectiveness optimization:
Content optimization requires requires understanding of search intent and delivering on it #ConnectSEW #marketing
— Marc Engelsman (@marc_engelsman) February 4, 2016
Google & Bing tested satisfaction vs revenue. Proves if you piss off folks they won’t stay/engage/buy. #ConnectSEW @stonetemple
— Grant Simmons (@simmonet) February 4, 2016
@stonetemple recommends comparing top 10 results to yours. See what they have & what you’re missing #ConnectSEW #SinceYouveBeenGone #Flowers
— Grant Simmons (@simmonet) February 4, 2016
Collin Colburn, Forrester, on the evolution of search to discovery marketing:
Exclusive @forrester study:
How do we search?
25% using @facebook
16% using links on other sites
13% offline media#ConnectSEW— Gerald Murphy (@GeraldSearch) February 4, 2016
El poder de los #consumidores #connectSEW http://pic.twitter.com/WJzzE8ciwA
— Sandra Weber (@sandraeweber) February 4, 2016
Forrester’s approach to search is “discovery marketing” – WHO (what, how, offer) framework #ConnectSEW #marketing
— Marc Engelsman (@marc_engelsman) February 4, 2016
Larry Kim, WordStream, on paid social ads:
WordStream’s @larrykim: 95% of time online is spent consuming content but just 5% searching for it. http://pic.twitter.com/fqBl6Dpii4
— Search Engine Watch (@sewatch) February 4, 2016
Use paid social ads like a firestarter or an accelerant. You don’t have to spend much. @larrykim #sewconnect http://pic.twitter.com/VFW3gpqYjK
— Search Engine Watch (@sewatch) February 4, 2016
Please enjoy @larrykim‘s Organic & Paid Social Sharing/Posting Pyramid Scheme diagram #sewconnect http://pic.twitter.com/bVrBMGhQ2Z
— Search Engine Watch (@sewatch) February 4, 2016
Grant Simmons, Homes.com, on building intent personas:
What do searchers care about? Nice bit of brilliance from @simmonet #ConnectSEW http://pic.twitter.com/GyGMY34O5u
— Danny Goodwin (@DannyNMIGoodwin) February 4, 2016
.@simmonet : Marketers value rankings; Google values quality; users are looking to the best answers to their implied questions. #connectsew
— Shannon McDonough (@shnmcd) February 4, 2016
Erin Everhart, Home Depot, on moment based marketing:
We’re not competing for media placements anymore, we’re competing for attention. via @erinever #ConnectSEW
— Lisa Weinberger (@PearlyWrites) February 5, 2016
There is no such thing as a linear path to purchase anymore. Consumers are constantly switching from 1 digital device to another #connectsew
— Kelly Shelton (@kellyshelton32) February 5, 2016
People feel first and think second. Emotional content is twice as effective as rational content @HomeDepot #ConnectSEW
— Gerald Murphy (@GeraldSearch) February 5, 2016
Martin Macdonald, Orbitz, on the evolution of content:
“More content generally results in better rankings” #ConnectSEW http://pic.twitter.com/fBdgZWtit2
— iProspect (@iProspect) February 5, 2016
Position 2 generally speaking has the most number of words on first page results #ConnectSEW
— Gerald Murphy (@GeraldSearch) February 5, 2016
Analyze the correlation between amount and type of content on page around specific set of keywords and its rankings #connectsew
— Katharina Warzel (@bigdatakatha) February 5, 2016
.@searchmartin : “People do exactly what you want them to do as long as you give them visual cues.” #connectsew
— Shannon McDonough (@shnmcd) February 5, 2016
Luis Navarrete Gómez, The LEGO Group, on customer engagement:
Ask adults to build a Kronkiwongi, they say what? Ask children and they say no problem! @LEGO_Group #connectsew Excited to start the session
— Katharina Warzel (@bigdatakatha) February 5, 2016
Organic Results for #KronkiWongi = 40k Showing that inspiring kids and parents works. #connectSEW
— Christi Olson (@ChristiJOlson) February 5, 2016
The moral of the LEGO story? The Value of Digital ≠ Sales. Holistic campaigns can drive brand value @Luis_Navarrete #KronkiWongi #connectSEW
— Christi Olson (@ChristiJOlson) February 5, 2016
Avinash Kaushik, Google, on driving innovation from customer intent:
Who cares about demographics, it’s all about understanding intent #ConnectSEW
— Gerald Murphy (@GeraldSearch) February 5, 2016
Markters need to understand and find INTENT. Intent is the gift of the internet. @avinash #ConnectSEW
— Christi Olson (@ChristiJOlson) February 5, 2016
Humans are more complex than trying to match them into a stage of the funnel. Funnels don’t make sense.@avinash #connectsew
— Katharina Warzel (@bigdatakatha) February 5, 2016
“Fuck funnels” @avinash #ConnectSEW http://pic.twitter.com/YqEv510GtD
— Lisa Sandano Martino (@lsandano) February 5, 2016
Interesting exercise. Why aren’t you breaking done your business content in this way? #connectsew @avinash http://pic.twitter.com/3UZWK8etv5
— Grant Simmons (@simmonet) February 5, 2016
If you solve for these three things, you’ll finally stop sucking at social media @avinash #connectsew http://pic.twitter.com/BT4U32tTeb
— Search Engine Watch (@sewatch) February 5, 2016
via Search Engine Watch http://ift.tt/1QmJl0s