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No, haven't had any problems like that. Do they always not show up, or is it intermittent? Are you seeing the problem on multiple computers?

I've heard the same rumor about Google. I've also noticed that pages I publish immediately start to rank better if I go back and add relevant meta tags, image alt tags, and <h1> tags.

The most important piece of a web page is the readable content. Fancy Flash pages and slide shows are useless for SEO -- Google does not read pictures! (at least not yet). But adding relevant tags helps to legitimize what you've written to the search engines.

Good stuff! Taking notes!

Good point to think about the strategy of who you want to connect with before jumping in.

Just remember that the social media are a networking medium and not a sales medium. It's just an online version of a leads group, business mixer... or even a neighborhood picnic.

I need to do a better job of this myself...

One method I've found that works is to literally take everything off the desk, put it in a pile, and start sorting. One pile for for filing, one pile for trash, and one (usually very small pile) for the things that really need to be on the desk. Then organize the useful stuff and put it back on the desk.

I am also a big proponent of "paperless office." I use a CRM (used to use Marketcircle Daylite, now migrating to SugarCRM) to record anything that I need to record in my own words about my business, and then use Evernote (http://www.evernote.com) to scan in and store all the receipts, bills and other things I want to keep a mental note of.

All of these are good points. Twitter is a weird animal, but I know businesses that are finding it an effective marketing tool.

After I read through this [very long] thread, I started writing a reponse, but it got so long I submitted it as an article :)

Looking to The Clouds for a Decent Mac Accounting Solution - http://bit.ly/2zQkUT

Excellent points, Zeke. I think many of us went through that "Food Fling" and "Mafia Wars" phase where we sat down at the computer and the next thing we knew, it was after midnight and nothing constructive was accomplished. I'm still guilt of that more than I'd like to admit ;)

On the other hand, these services are called "social" media because they do have a personal element to them.

I think it's important to strike a balance. Of course, we are in business to make money, and if we are using the social media for professional networking, we should constantly ask ourselves, "is this relevant to my business goals." But it's the personal nature of the social media that, like in the physical world, leave an imprint in the back of people's minds that we are someone they know, like and trust -- the key to generating referrals.

Russ

PS: I think I'll grab a copy of "Getting Things Done" tomorrow. I'd better put that on the top of my To Do list :D

How strange... I could have sworn I'd already signed up. Better late than never!

Would like to come, but my schedule is tight his evening and I can't commit to being there on time. Will see you at Netwalking though!

~ Nancy: I look forward to sharing my Biznik community building experience with you. We've now tripled our Olympia area membership in the past 5 months, and are on target to pass 1,000 members by the end of the year!

I will have 4 total

Great turnout at first meeting. I think it is a great opportunity for both Biznik and NRG.

I cross-posted the picnic on Biznik's Facebook pages today as well. Hopefully that will also draw some more attention.

Also, you can download the event flier from:

http://www.evernote.com/pub/altmktg/public#Note/3645ebc2-0c9d-460f-8faf-e6e727b92ac9

Really great idea! I look forward to attending.