#LocalU Baltimore Highlights, Tips & Updates

[Linda Buquet]

LocalU Baltimore is this AM for business owners.
LocalU ADVANCED is all day tomorrow.

Joel Headley from Google just took the stage, so I wanted to start sharing posts from the SMB event.

Tomorrow I'm going to the 2nd happiest place on earth - LegoLand, so hopefully Colan and others can watch the Twitter hashtag #localu and post any good tidbits here that are shared tomorrow.

3/8/13 LocalU Quotable Tweets

Stay tuned for more tomorrow as LocalU ADVANCED hits Baltimore.

Again I will be gone all day, so please feel free to add anything noteworthy to this thread!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"If you don't have a store front then <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23GooglePlaces">#GooglePlaces</a>+ isn't ready for you yet." - Joel <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localU">#localU</a></p>— Thomas Ballantyne (@Thos003) <a href="https://twitter.com/Thos003/status/310063124894064640">March 8, 2013</a></blockquote>
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OK so that one bears repeating. According to quote above Google finally admits:
"If you don't have a store front then #GooglePlaces isn't ready for you yet."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>so, @<a href="https://twitter.com/thos003">thos003</a>you're saying I can't list my "place" on "google places" unless I really have an actual "place?"</p>— Ryan Jones (@RyanJones) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanJones/status/310063893391216640">March 8, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/ryanjones">ryanjones</a> yep.. What I didn't catch in Joel's comment is if "ready for you yet" means "coming soon". <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localU">#localU</a> </p>— Thomas Ballantyne (@Thos003) <a href="https://twitter.com/Thos003/status/310065571867799552">March 8, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"At a glance" section is taken from reviews and associated web content. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localU">#localU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23GooglePlaces">#GooglePlaces</a>+</p>— Thomas Ballantyne (@Thos003) <a href="https://twitter.com/Thos003/status/310062742964936707">March 8, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>RT @<a href="https://twitter.com/davidmihm">davidmihm</a>: 90% of <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localu">#localu</a> Baltimore attendees have a FB business page; ~50% with a claimed Google+ Local page. (Fairly typical)</p>— LocalU (@localuniv) <a href="https://twitter.com/localuniv/status/310053775438127105">March 8, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localu">#localu</a> from @<a href="https://twitter.com/niftymarketing">niftymarketing</a> if you don't have Google Authorship eventually you won't be relevant.</p>— eileenlonergan (@eileenlonergan) <a href="https://twitter.com/eileenlonergan/status/310053540297068544">March 8, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[Linda Buquet]

Stay tuned for highlights from LocalU ADVANCED tomorrow.

Again, I'll be gone all day so feel free to add to this post anything noteworthy, you hear if you are there,
or you read on Twitter or any live blogs.

 

[Linda Buquet]

MDBIZ News, a publication of the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development just did a great write-up about LocalU

10 online marketing tips from Local University: Baltimore | MDBIZNews

Nearly anything is better than nothing when it comes to Internet marketing for small businesses, online marketing expert Aaron Weiche said during Friday’s Local University: Baltimore conference at the Hilton Garden Inn in White Marsh.

Lisa Dotson of Essex-based Hunt Manor Insurance attended with the hope that she could sort through the clutter of technical jargon.

“Attending the Local U seminar was an eye-opening experience. I’m not up to date on social media technology, and today, they defined many of the terms I have heard over the past few months. The information has encouraged me to build on what I learned today,” Dotson said.

So, what essential steps should a small business take when expanding their online presence?

Click above to read their 10 takeaways from the SMB perspective.

 

[Nick.SEOSpark]

Thanks for sharing all of this Linda.

I (in particular) love this quote:

"if you don't have Google Authorship eventually you won't be relevant."

Sooo true - Can you imagine (in the future) when 80% of the page 1 SERPs are using authorship? If you don't have it, you will be invisible.

 

[Chris Ratchford]

Here at the Baltimore #LocalU meeting... things are about to get started.

 

[Chris Ratchford]

First up, Bill Slawski presenting on Local Search as Science Fiction

 

[Chris Ratchford]

Re: #LocalU Baltimore Highlights, Tips &amp; Updates

Interesting thought- business owners should make their street number easily viewable on their building... for image recognition.

---------- Post Merged at 09:08 AM ---------- Previous Post was at 09:04 AM ----------

Now up, David Mihm... Advanced Local Search Tactics.

 

[Linda Buquet]

Chris so excited you are there to give us live updates when you can!
I am living vicariously through you!

I got up super early to get my "forum" fix and was excited to try to catch some of the action at LocalU, before I head out to LegoLand. Need to leave at 8 PST which is right in the middle of Joel's talk which sucks. But I'm going with 10 people, so can't just say "hey let's make all the kids miss an hour of fun" so I can stay here and work a little longer.

 

[Chris Ratchford]

Re: #LocalU Baltimore Highlights, Tips &amp; Updates

Great idea!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Niche citations like state registration pages should be linked from your site to encourage spidering. Strong NAP signals. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localu">#localu</a></p>— Casey Markee (@MediaWyse) <a href="https://twitter.com/MediaWyse/status/310392789819068416">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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FROM LINDA: OK that works now. Just use the straight embed tweet code from the ... drop down.

 

[Linda Buquet]

Whew! Lots of folks live-tweeting lots of great tips from LocalU this time!
Lots of action!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>mobile search is becoming predictive - both Siri and Google Now predicting where you're going and your interests <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localu">#localu</a> (via @<a href="https://twitter.com/bill_slawski">bill_slawski</a>)</p>— davidmihm (@davidmihm) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidmihm/status/310386148851724289">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>don't ignore google's suggested query refinements for keyword research!! <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localu">#localu</a> (@<a href="https://twitter.com/bill_slawski">bill_slawski</a>)</p>— davidmihm (@davidmihm) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidmihm/status/310390313262907392">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Niche citations like state registration pages should be linked from your site to encourage spidering. Strong NAP signals. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localu">#localu</a></p>— Casey Markee (@MediaWyse) <a href="https://twitter.com/MediaWyse/status/310392789819068416">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Wow, @<a href="https://twitter.com/davidmihm">davidmihm</a> just packed in more than a dozen awesome local search tactics in 20 minutes!<a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localu">#localu</a> <a href="http://t.co/y7V75saX5y" title="http://twitter.com/BackyardMktg/status/310397889430044672/photo/1">twitter.com/BackyardMktg/s?</a></p>— Matt Marko, SoLoMoFo (@BackyardMktg) <a href="https://twitter.com/BackyardMktg/status/310397889430044672">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>very cool insight from @<a href="https://twitter.com/marybowling">marybowling</a> - focus on organic rk w/corp. website, help franchisees rank in Local packs <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localu">#localu</a></p>— davidmihm (@davidmihm) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidmihm/status/310399172710912000">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>location directory HAS to be at top level of site structure, crawlable, each location needs own page <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localu">#localu</a> @<a href="https://twitter.com/marybowling">marybowling</a></p>— davidmihm (@davidmihm) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidmihm/status/310399687595270147">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Encourage your SMB clients to be actively involved in local citation research. Show them. Train them. Market their success. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localu">#localu</a></p>— Casey Markee (@MediaWyse) <a href="https://twitter.com/MediaWyse/status/310399833498320896">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[Chris Ratchford]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p>Reviews are like middle school dating. Maddening, frustrating, threatening, but in the end….all is good. via @<a href="https://twitter.com/mblumenthal">mblumenthal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23LocalU">#LocalU</a></p>— Will Scott (@w2scott) <a href="https://twitter.com/w2scott/status/310403443925872642">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[Linda Buquet]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>testimonials for individual locations can be a great way to get unique content on those pages <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Localu">#Localu</a> @<a href="https://twitter.com/marybowling">marybowling</a></p>— davidmihm (@davidmihm) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidmihm/status/310401331028439040">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Have you ever felt awkward b/c a date is sending mixed signals??? Don't send google mixed signals. Clean up dup/bad local listings. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localU">#localU</a></p>— Thomas Ballantyne (@Thos003) <a href="https://twitter.com/Thos003/status/310402240009617408">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>MUST clean up old listings, not just submit new ones over the top of them <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localu">#localu</a> @<a href="https://twitter.com/marybowling">marybowling</a></p>— davidmihm (@davidmihm) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidmihm/status/310402527097139200">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"review management for SMBs is like junior-high dating" @<a href="https://twitter.com/mblumenthal">mblumenthal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localu">#localu</a></p>— davidmihm (@davidmihm) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidmihm/status/310402966165278723">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>HUGE issue, dups work is brutal. @<a href="https://twitter.com/davidmihm">davidmihm</a> @<a href="https://twitter.com/marybowling">marybowling</a> MUST clean up old listings, not just submit new ones over the top of them <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localu">#localu</a></p>— David Foertsch (@davidfoertsch) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidfoertsch/status/310403616567595009">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>spammers think reviews are important - $3.22 average price for a review <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localu">#localu</a> @<a href="https://twitter.com/mblumenthal">mblumenthal</a></p>— davidmihm (@davidmihm) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidmihm/status/310403721341308928">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[Nick.SEOSpark]

Re: #LocalU Baltimore Highlights, Tips &amp; Updates

Great idea!
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Niche citations like state registration pages should be linked from your site to encourage spidering. Strong NAP signals. #localu
? Casey Markee (@MediaWyse) March 9, 2013​

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FROM LINDA: OK that works now. Just use the straight embed tweet code from the ... drop down.

Awesome tip! - We already do that and it works wonders.

 

[Chris Ratchford]

Now up Mike Blumenthal- Review Management.

3 things that don't work with reviews:
- No incentives
- No onsite reviews
- No QR Codes

 

[Chris Ratchford]

Reviews should be like link building...
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p>RT @<a href="https://twitter.com/aaronweiche">aaronweiche</a>: This is the money take of the day --> RT @<a href="https://twitter.com/optimizeprime">optimizeprime</a>: Grow reviews like a link profile- naturally and gradually. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23LocalU">#LocalU</a></p>— Will Scott (@w2scott) <a href="https://twitter.com/w2scott/status/310409289640591361">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[Linda Buquet]

Thanks Chris! Lots of great review tips from Mike!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Need to have a "complaint-receptive environment" to avoid reviews getting out on the web <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localu">#localu</a> @<a href="https://twitter.com/mblumenthal">mblumenthal</a></p>— Will Scott (@w2scott) <a href="https://twitter.com/w2scott/status/310406355863355392">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>It's about customer satisfaction, not review solicitation. You want a culture that accepts complaints. @<a href="https://twitter.com/mblumenthal">mblumenthal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localu">#localu</a></p>— Brooke Snow (@Brooke_Snow) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brooke_Snow/status/310406404785729536">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>One review at City Search MUCH better then multiple reviews from Yelp or others. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localu">#localu</a></p>— Casey Markee (@MediaWyse) <a href="https://twitter.com/MediaWyse/status/310407387276267522">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>This is the money take of the day --> RT @<a href="https://twitter.com/optimizeprime">optimizeprime</a>: Grow reviews like a link profile- naturally and gradually. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23LocalU">#LocalU</a></p>— Aaron Weiche (@AaronWeiche) <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronWeiche/status/310409088674709505">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>In some industries one review per quarter is ENOUGH. More is unnatural. Know your industry. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23localu">#localu</a></p>— Casey Markee (@MediaWyse) <a href="https://twitter.com/MediaWyse/status/310409187526049793">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>RT @<a href="https://twitter.com/thos003">thos003</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23LocalU">#LocalU</a> Great example. "Getting reviews is like the Greek god Sisyphus... Forever pushing a rock up the hill." - @<a href="https://twitter.com/mblumenthal">mblumenthal</a></p>— Arnie Kuenn (@ArnieK) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArnieK/status/310415604387557376">March 9, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[Chris Ratchford]

Up now- Joel Headley from Google.

So many questions... must wait for the right time....

 

[Nick.SEOSpark]

Some fantastic advice!!

Keep us posted Chris.

 

[Linda Buquet]

Shoot I need to get ready to leave. Don't want to miss a thing. BUT I guess the tweets and Chris' coverage will still be here when I get back. Have 10 min then need to run out the door.

 

[Chris Ratchford]

I came a few seconds late to the presentation... but I think there's no tweeting for this one.

FYI- Regarding Google's phone support- If you're an agency working on behalf of clients, Google needs to know that you are working on behalf of the client... In other words, make sure your client can send an email from their domain to Google support.