FridayFavourites

FridayFavourites
Mick Sharpe delivers with a roundup, some lively commentary, and a first!
Honoured to be included.

#fridayfavourites   #googleplusroundup  

Originally shared by Mick Sharpe

The wires under the board

It feels like I’ve said this before! Another week and another change. Yep things are moving apace in what looks like Google’s move to rationalise the interface across all devices. Whether you’re frustrated or nonplussed (always wanted to use that word here) by the changes take a look at This week's PYB show - What's going on with G+? (https://goo.gl/05aAcu). Travis Taylor, martin shervington and David Amerland look at the G+ landscape and the rapid evolution of the ecosystem. The only certainty is that more changes are inevitable. My advice, embrace, adapt and evolve along with it. It’s going to be an interesting ride.

I’m taking advantage of a somewhat quieter week (HOA wise) to throw in a short post - lots to catch up on before we move into summer. Coming back to the #RayBunch this week (I know, I’ve already slapped my own wrist for not getting around to last week’s show before I posted!). In Someone Is Watching You - Live Streaming Apps & Privacy (https://goo.gl/M4KHRR) Ray Hiltz, Scott Scowcroft, Randy Bowden, Jessica Dewell and B.L. Ochman get down to the whys and wherefors of the latest batch of live streaming apps. As ever you get a very broad cross section of opinion with the show, from the benefits to the dark side. Technological advances always throw up some challenges. Enjoy this conversation.

If your interest was piqued by last week’s inclusion of some Manuel Saint-Victor wisdom in the And finally… section then take a look at the Midweek Zap - Your Naked Unconscious (https://goo.gl/3kaJ6V). Mani joins Zara Altair to talk about your subconscious and understanding it. I always enjoy Mani’s guiding light through the twists and turns of neuroscience. Breathe everyone!

I wish there was a…

I flagged up The Curious Marketer With Vin’s  The Fundamentals of Online Marketing Series a couple of weeks ago as a one to watch. Session 2 - Identifying and Understanding the RIGHT Target Market (https://goo.gl/xlcISh) sees Vincent Messina and Ammon Johns sharing more sage wisdom about making your business a success. Actually this is probably the most important lesson for a business - you first need to find a need, an itch that needs scratching. Then you need to understand how to communicate with those people with that itch! Just two shows in but such a lot of value already. Let’s all hobble past the Chiropodist!

I was torn between two David Kutcher posts this week. Both very useful to website owners as you would expect. What the hell - have both! While "semantic search" is very technical, there are many non-technical things you can do to augment your semantic search strategy (https://goo.gl/djUkeD) looks at how you can move beyond microformatting and Schema to introduce greater value for your audience (click through to the article). The second When was the last time you did an experiment? (https://goo.gl/CThQo8), a share of an InnerTrends’s article touches on one of my favourite topics testing. It’s often difficult to take those first steps into an experimentation mindset but once you do you won’t regret it. David and InnerTrends make it clear why What if…? is the key to the evolution of any business and particularly so when applied to your website.

Thinkers corner

It’s not very often I include an event that hasn’t happened yet, actually this is a first. John Moore asks Did you build your website as a business asset? (https://goo.gl/6I6R3l) and I think that this is one of the most important questions for any small business. John highlights that your website is a critical part of your business and that you maybe shouldn’t entrust this to the companies providing a free website, low monthly fee service. I have more than an inkling that this will be a great event given the calibre of the panel. Take a look at some of the views of the panelists. Gina Fiedel hints at the real cost of going cheap in What Does A No Investment Online Business Asset Actually Cost? Answer: A Lot More Than You Think (https://goo.gl/SNYWIF) and Ammon Johns raises more questions in Your Website as a Business Asset (https://goo.gl/y7aBrh) pointing out that for some businesses their website may be worth more to someone else than their entire business. Looking forward to next Wednesday - put it in your diary too.

Double time in Thinkers corner this week as Randy Milanovic asks Are You Relying a Little Too Much on Marketing Automation? (https://goo.gl/3K3COH). It’s human nature to try to reduce the effort involved / energy expended in whatever we do but often that can backfire particularly when it comes to building and maintaining relationships on Social Media. I agree with Randy’s view but sadly also concur with his comment that the people utilising bad automation will never see his post. If you know who they are do them a favour and point them in the right direction.

And finally…

Be the follower! Three minutes of interesting people watching with a serious side - if you want something to succeed be the first follower. If it’s your idea embrace your first follower. Originally thrust under my nose by Denis Labelle but since deleted so including a direct link to the YouTube video. (https://goo.gl/GRxQg1)

Yeah, that’s my bicep  Thirty minutes of enjoyable hokum shared by Gideon Rosenblatt. Get yourself comfortable and take in the visual feast that is Kung Fury (https://goo.gl/7G3s57). No animals were harmed, etc. Tank you


Have a great weekend wherever you are

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Created by Mick Sharpe of Bitingedge